The state agency responsible for handling the Pure Michigan campaign and other economic development activities is shrinking.
The Legislature has cut funding to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and it’s lost American Indian casino revenue due to a dispute over the Michigan Lottery’s online gaming. So, another 65 people will lose their jobs and the agency will have to re-prioritize, says MEDC Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Nelson.
“What we are going to do due to the impact with staff is work on cross-training our employees that are going to continue on with the organization so they can fill many roles,” she says. “…“It will continue to focus our efforts on business development, community vitality, and marketing our state from a business perspective and a tourism perspective.”
Nelson says the popular Pure Michigan campaign should not be affected. “Pure Michigan is going strong,” she says. Nelson says the MEDC is looking for new revenue sources and will go back and try and convince skeptical lawmakers that its mission is worthy of taxpayer support.
