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MEDC

Questions Surround MEDC Grants to Ann Arbor Non-Profits

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Mar 5, 2026

by P.D. Lesko A FOIA request by Michigan Capitol Confidential revealed that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, whose mission is to foster economic development in the state which creates jobs, doled out $248 million in grants…

Ann Arbor SPARK

Public Records Show Millions in Pandemic Grants Distributed Inequitably in Counties Serviced by Ann Arbor SPARK

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Jan 11, 2022

Businesses in Livingston County received exponentially larger grants than they did to businesses in Washtenaw and Jackson Counties. by P.D. Lesko In 2021, between the Washtenaw Small Business Emergency Relief Fund, Michigan Small…

Opinion

EDITORIAL: Ann Arbor SPARK Numbers Games

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team May 7, 2015 0

SINCE 2009, ANN Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have come under intense criticism for misleading the public concerning the number of new jobs created. From the Detroit Free Press to the Lansing State Journal,…

Opinion

EDITORIAL: Redevelopment Ready Community

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Apr 20, 2015 0

THE MICHIGAN ECONOMIC Development Corporation (MEDC) has a program for Michigan cities called Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC). It is a voluntary certification offered at no cost to the communities that elect to participate. According…

Ann Arbor Government

Owner of MEDC Media Contractor Gave Late Donation to Democratic Mayoral Candidate Taylor

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Aug 15, 2014 0

PAUL SCHUTT IS the co-founder and co-CEO of Issue Media Group—a Detroit based media company which creates a number of online magazines including Ann Arbor’s ConcentrateMedia.com. Schutt gave a late donation to mayoral candidate Christopher…

A2Politico

A2POLITICO: Economic Development Groupies Circle The Bentleys to Defend SPARK

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Jul 10, 2014 0

by P.D. Lesko AT A RECENT mayoral candidate forum, unabashed supporters of “crony capitalism”—what President Obama’s former economic expert Dr. Lawrence Summers called the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s programs—defended Ann…

Opinion

EDITORIAL: Ann Arbor SPARK & Metrics

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Jun 29, 2014 0

“I THINK THE metrics we give you are appropriate.” Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Paul Krutko made this statement at the June 16 City Council meeting. Mr. Krutko’s appearance at that meeting was nothing short of shocking. From loudly upbraiding Ward…

Ann Arbor SPARK

Council Member: After Vote, SPARK CEO Beckoned Mayoral Candidate Out of Chambers and “Screamed” At Her

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Jun 25, 2014 0

by P.D. Lesko Please note: Kai Petainen is a member of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board ANN ARBOR SPARK CEO Paul Krutko was “angry” and “screaming,” according to a City Council member who heard an exchange between Krutko…

Ann Arbor SPARK

City Administrator Defends Refusal of SPARK Board, On Which He Sits, To Release Audit Statements To The Public

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Nov 26, 2013 1

Please Note: Kai Petainen is a member of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board. ANN ARBOR CITY Administrator Steve Powers (below) sits on the Executive Committee of Ann Arbor SPARK. SPARK is funded with public money from both state…

Elections

OP-ED: The Political Agenda of the Michigan GOP Has Created Economic Apartheid, Not Jobs

The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Nov 23, 2013 0

by Rob C. Smith IN DECEMBER 2012 Governor Rick Snyder was quoted in the Detroit Free Press as saying that “Michigan is well-positioned for a comeback.” A few days later, for the third year, Forbes Magazine ranked Michigan 47th in Forbes’…

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