LANSING EQUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (L.E.E.D.) INITIATIVE

In 2021, the Jobs and Economic Development Workgroup of Lansing Mayor Andy Schor’s Racial Justice and Equity Alliance (MRJEA) identified the critical need to ensure Lansing’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) populations have the tools, opportunities, and access to expertise, resources, and training needed to start and sustain successful businesses, and to participate in the economic development process.

As a result, the Lansing EDC created the Lansing Equitable Economic Development (LEED) Initiative with the aim of moving Lansing forward to a place of both shared prosperity and economic resilience.

With funding secured from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the Lansing EDC is implementing the LEED Initiative and focusing its efforts on marginalized and underrepresented communities who have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

The LEED Initiative has two focus areas: 

• Small Business Development

• Real Estate Development 

Through a two-pronged approach of technical and financial assistance in these focus areas, the LEED Initiative will equip BIPOC small business owners and emerging developers with knowledge, relationships, and capital necessary to scale their business and successfully complete real estate development projects in order to create opportunities for economic advancement.

In 2024, the LEED Initiative continued to deliver impactful support to Lansing’s BIPOC entrepreneurs and developers, helping to drive equitable economic development across the city. This year’s efforts focused on providing both direct financial assistance and hands-on technical support to ensure businesses and projects have the tools and resources needed to thrive. New partnerships were fostered with PNC Bank to offer a 6 workshop series to business owners looking to strengthen their business finance acumen. Additionally, a partnership was secured with Grow America that will offer an emerging developer training program to start in 2025.

Businesses Supported: 20+

Financial Support Provided: $50,000

Technical Assistance Delivered: 80 Hours Through these investments, the Lansing  EDC is not only helping individual businesses succeed but also building a stronger, more inclusive economy for all of Lansing.

ARE OPEN NOW! Click HERE for more info and registration. See below for what's available.

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (Lansing EDC) and Grow America are excited to introduce the Lansing SEED Academy. This first-of-its-kind program is designed to build capacity for emerging developers, enhance their ability to undertake projects and increase their competitiveness as Lansing's real estate development market grows. 

Graduates will receive comprehensive training on essential real estate development topics, including the development process and development finance. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge needed to assess financial feasibility, prepare project proformas, complete loan packages, and navigate the entire development process—from concept to completion—empowering them to successfully bring their projects to fruition and achieve long-term growth.

The Lansing SEED Academy is an 18-month, free training program that includes:

• Five in-person training days
• A capstone presentation 
• Four quarterly virtual deep-dive sessions
• One-on-one technical assistance
• Mentorship and coaching from industry experts
• Access to resources and connections to capital
• Networking opportunities with local government, finance, and development professionals

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of the City of Lansing corporate boundaries OR a property owner within the City of Lansing corporate boundaries with an interest in real estate development.
• Have a demonstrated interest in real estate development, including experience in property flipping, developing, or building at least one or two projects.

Be interested in developing small-scale real estate projects, particularly:

• Income-producing properties (single-family, multi-family, mixed-use for rent)
• Projects that include a residential component
• Affordable housing projects within three years post-graduation
• This is a competitive selection process. Where all else is equal, priority will be given to residents of the City of Lansing.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

• Application Open: May 2, 2025
• Application Closes: May 16, 2025
• Participant Announcement: May 22, 2025
• Orientation & Networking Event: TBD
• In-Person Training: June 12-14 & 19-20, 2025
• Capstone Presentations: June/July 2025
• Virtual Deep Dives: Quarterly sessions post-training

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should complete the online application form available below. Applicants may be required to submit a personal statement, a brief development history, and an outline of their real estate development goals.

OPENING SOON! Check back in for updates on opening dates and an application link.