Cash-for-jobs deals targeted in Michigan. What to know about agency funding them

['Paula Gardner', 'Bridge Michigan', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar'] Bridge Michigan 2025-09-22 22:16:11

Amid a year of scrutiny and a criminal investigation, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. is in the crosshairs like never before. The Senate seeks to reallocate some of the business development funding toward growth and small business programs. How MEDC is structuredEconomic development was formalized in the 1980s with the creation of the Michigan Strategic Fund by the Legislature. Related fundingThe Michigan Economic Development Foundation, a nonprofit run by Executive Director Rebecca Bahar-Cook, reported revenue of about $690,000 on its 2024 tax return. Bahar-Cook, also a Michigan State University trustee, runs Capitol Fundraising Associates, according to her LinkedIn.