Albion Economic Development

What Albion Economic Development does

The Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), founded in 1977 and headquartered at 101 N Superior St, Albion, MI 49224, is a non-profit economic development corporation serving the Greater Albion Area in Southwest Michigan. It is governed by a board appointed by the Mayor of Albion and operates with a small staff (1-10 employees, with a President & CEO — Debbie Kelly — and a Marketing & Operations Coordinator — Reagan Konkle — as the only confirmed personnel). AEDC's mission is to support business growth, create quality jobs, and strengthen Albion's economy through strategic partnerships, investment, and community-focused development.

AEDC's core offerings revolve around industrial park development, gap financing, site selection, and intermediation of state/federal programs. Its real-asset base comprises the developed West Industrial Park (with full electrical, gas, sewer, and water infrastructure) and the 624-acre East Industrial Park in Sheridan and Parma Townships, where a new 1-million-gallon water tower was raised in May 2025 and is expected to be operational by late August/September 2025. The East Industrial Park holds a Bronze Tier designation under the MEDC MI Sites Program and benefits from a Federal Opportunity Zone classification. Capital programs include a Revolving Loan Fund (committee-approved up to $50,000; board-approved above that) for businesses unable to secure full traditional financing, and the Optimize Main Street $2,500 technology grant implemented via Northern Initiatives.

AEDC's business model is publicly-funded intermediation rather than product revenue: services to businesses are free, with the corporation deriving operating support from municipal sources and functioning as a regional broker to MEDC, Michigan SBDC, Southwest Michigan PTAC, USDA, MSHDA, Calhoun County Land Bank Authority, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo SmartZones, Century 21, LoopNet, and others. Go-to-market is direct enterprise engagement (site selectors, corporate real estate, expanding businesses) supplemented by self-serve property listings, an email newsletter, social media and a YouTube channel, and monthly public board meetings. Pricing is non-commercial; selected customer references include Ford's BlueOval Battery Park (regional economic anchor in Marshall, MI) alongside a long tail of local manufacturing, commercial, entrepreneurial, and housing-development clients.

Name

Albion Economic Development

Legal name

Albion Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://albionedc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AEDC is a non-profit economic development corporation serving the Greater Albion Area in Southwest Michigan, supporting business growth and job creation through industrial park operations (West and the in-development 624-acre East Industrial Park), a Revolving Loan Fund, site selection, and intermediation of state and federal economic development programs and incentives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Land Subdivision (23721)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Land & Build-to-Suit Site Brokerage (BPAJACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transitional/Development Land Brokerage (Entitled, In-Path-of-Growth) (BPAJADAJ), SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Industrial site selection
• Revolving loan fund
• Workforce development programs
• Business attraction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Albion

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Administration: AEDC administers a revolving loan fund that provides financing to new and expanding enterprises. Loans are made to businesses unable to obtain full financing from private sources. The RLF Committee reviews applications up to $50,000; loans over $50,000 require AEDC Board approval.
2. Economic Development Services: Municipal-funded economic development services including business attraction, retention, and expansion support for the Albion, MI area.
3. Grant and Incentive Facilitation: AEDC connects businesses with state and federal funding programs including MEDC programs, USDA loans, and community development grants, acting as an intermediary.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AEDC provides economic development services for the Greater Albion Area in Southwest Michigan, including business attraction, retention, and expansion support. It operates industrial parks (West Industrial Park and the 624-acre East Industrial Park), administers a Revolving Loan Fund providing gap financing up to $50,000 with committee approval and larger amounts with board approval, and connects businesses with site selection, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and incentive resources through partner networks including MEDC, SBDC, PTAC, and Michigan Works! Southwest.

Product overview

Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a not-for-profit economic development organization that offers a portfolio of services rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for business financing, industrial park development and site selection services (East and West Industrial Parks), workforce development programs, entrepreneurship support, and the SmartZone program in partnership with MEDC. The organization also administers the Optimize Main Street program providing technology grants to local businesses. AEDC acts as a one-stop resource for business growth, job creation, and community development in the Greater Albion Area, rather than offering a software platform or product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides no-cost counseling, low or no-cost training, and market research assistance for entrepreneurial startups, existing or expanding businesses, and innovative technology ventures in the greater Albion area. Also offers online webinars for entrepreneurs.
• Southwest Michigan PTACcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNow under Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators, assists businesses in successfully identifying, obtaining, and performing on contracts with federal, state, and local government agencies. Services are FREE of charge.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with local economic development partners like AEDC to foster business and economic growth in Michigan. Provides resources and incentives for businesses wanting to relocate, start, or grow in Michigan. Administers SmartZone program and Optimize Main Street program.
• Battle Creek SmartZone / Battle Creek UnlimitedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearby SmartZone in Region 8 (Southwest Michigan) offering technology business accelerator services including business development mentoring, networking events, and incubator space.
• Kalamazoo SmartZone / WMed Innovation CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearby SmartZone in Region 8 (Southwest Michigan) offering technology business accelerator services. Provides access to specialized programs, scientific equipment, and business development services.
• Michigan Works! SouthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects employers with job seekers, training partners, educators, and other resources to help businesses train and educate new or current employees.
• Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides personalized consulting and training services to manufacturers to increase profitability and accelerate business growth. Offers no and low-cost informational webinars on trending topics in business and workforce development.
• Kellogg Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCC's EAC campus (Regional Manufacturing Technology Center) is a state-of-the-art higher education facility offering training in Certified Nursing Assistant, Industrial Welding, and advanced training courses. Provides education and resources to local businesses and the community.
• Robert Half Talent SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists businesses by finding skilled talent and helping with hiring needs. Brings great companies and specialized talent together to build successful businesses and rewarding careers.
• Calhoun County Land Bank AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with AEDC to compile and manage lists of sites for sale in the industrial, commercial, and housing space. Has a variety of residential and industrial properties and sites available in Albion.
• Northern InitiativescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness coach provider for the MEDC Optimize Main Street program. Works directly with participating businesses to complete program requirements including technology assessments and implementation support.
• Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides $10K Down Payment Assistance Program - a 0% interest loan of up to $10,000 available to those who qualify for a MI Home loan and complete homebuyer education course.
• Michigan Housing Data PortalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState resource providing housing, demographic, and economic data to help community members and housing stakeholders understand key local trends, compare trends to other geographies, and create detailed reports.
• Help Me Grow CalhounsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects families with children birth through age five to free local resources helping children grow healthy and ready to succeed in school. Supports workforce development by addressing childcare needs.
• Century 21supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial real estate partner providing business-ready spaces from office to retail in the greater Albion community.
• LoopNetsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial real estate listing platform partner for both for-sale and for-lease commercial properties in Albion.
• EGLE (Michigan Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple programs including Retooling Program for Manufacturers, Agriculture and Rural Businesses Energy Incentive Program, and Brownfield Redevelopment programs.
• PACE Program (Lean and Green Michigan)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Assessed Clean Energy financing tool supporting installation of renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, water usage enhancements, and environmental hazard projects on commercial or industrial properties.
• Downtown Albion ConnectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization serving as a resource for events, dining, shopping, lodging, and living in downtown Albion. Supports AEDC's commercial development efforts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ann Arbor SPARK: Regional economic development organization delivering site selection, business acceleration, and incentive facilitation across Washtenaw County — directly comparable service stack.
• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP): Regional EDC covering the Lansing market with industrial park development, site selection services, and incentive brokering comparable to AEDC's portfolio of services.
• Accelerate Jackson County: Southwest Michigan EDC led by the same executive prior to joining AEDC; offers directly comparable industrial site promotion, business retention, and workforce programs in adjacent Jackson County.
• The Right Place (Grand Rapids): West Michigan EDC with a comparable industrial/office attraction, talent solutions, and site-readiness mission — scaled larger but operating on the same economic-development playbook.
• Southwest Michigan First (Kalamazoo): Regional economic development organization serving Kalamazoo County with overlapping SmartZone partnership, talent development, and site-selection services to AEDC.
• Battle Creek Unlimited: Economic development organization serving Battle Creek, MI with comparable industrial park management, business attraction, and incentive packaging. Closest geographic and functional peer to AEDC.

Broad incumbents

• Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC): City-level economic development corporation operating a much larger industrial/commercial attraction mandate; broad incumbent in the same Michigan EDC category.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): State-level economic development agency that funds and partners with AEDC and administers programs (MI Sites, SmartZone, Optimize Main Street) that AEDC delivers locally.

Others

• Calhoun County Land Bank Authority: Direct partner that supplies industrial, commercial, and residential sites to AEDC; comparable as a public-sector land steward but not a competing EDC.

Regional players

• Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance: Regional EDC in Flint/Genesee County offering comparable industrial park management, brownfield redevelopment, and business retention services across a similar small/mid-Michigan footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@albioneconomicdevelopmentcorp/about
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlbionEDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albion-economic-development-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Albion Economic Development