Lansing Economic Development Corporation

What Lansing Economic Development Corporation does

Lansing Economic Development Corporation (Lansing EDC) is a nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, operating with an 8-person staff as the formal bridge between the City of Lansing's public sector and private developers, businesses, and investors. The organization manages three statutory authorities — the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (LBRA), the Tax Increment Financing Authority (TIFA), and four Corridor Improvement Authorities (West Saginaw, East Michigan Avenue, South MLK Jr. Blvd, Lansing Gateway) — and administers a portfolio of programs including the Empower Program (six-month business accelerator), Lansing SEED Academy (cohort-based developer training), the LEED Initiative (BIPOC entrepreneur and emerging developer support), Build Lansing (online redevelopment opportunity platform), a Microloan Program (up to $50,000), a Facade Improvement Program (grants up to $30,000), and Tax Incentive navigation (PA198, OPRA, NEZ, RHEC, AHEC, IFT).

The underlying technology stack consists of standard economic development and CRM tooling — Zoom Prospector, CoStar, Pipedrive, and the Microsoft Office suite — with no proprietary software product. The business model is non-commercial: Lansing EDC does not sell goods or services for revenue and provides programs, grants, and technical assistance at no cost to eligible users. Operating funding flows from City of Lansing budgets, State of Michigan agency grants (MEDC, MSHDA, EGLE, MDOT), and federal programs, which the organization then deploys through brownfield tax increment financing, corridor grants, microloans, and program administration. Since 2018, Lansing EDC has supported projects totaling more than $4.5 billion in investment and 3,500 jobs, including marquee developments such as AF Group headquarters, New Vision Lansing, Red Cedar, Neogen expansion, Niowave medical isotope campus, Block 600, and the Ovation Center for Music and Arts. The organization is led by President and CEO Kris Klein, effective July 2025.

Name

Lansing Economic Development Corporation

Legal name

Lansing Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://lansingedc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lansing Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit economic development organization in Lansing, Michigan, administering brownfield, tax increment, and corridor improvement authorities to deliver grants, financing tools, and development support to real estate developers, local businesses, and emerging entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reclamation (Cleanup for Reuse, Risk-Based Closure) (EUAIALAI), Brownfield Site Assessment & Remediation (BPALAKAA)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Tax increment financing
• Business financing programs
• Corridor improvement authorities
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant and Public Funding: Lansing EDC operates as a nonprofit organization funded through public sources including City of Lansing budgets, State of Michigan grants (MEDC, MSHDA, EGLE, MDOT), and federal programs. They deploy these funds through various economic development programs.
2. Tax Increment Financing Revenue: Through the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Financing Authority, the organization captures incremental tax revenue to fund redevelopment projects and corridor improvements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lansing Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization that serves as a bridge between the public and private sectors to foster economic growth in Lansing, Michigan. Its core offerings include business financing through microloans and grants, tax incentive navigation, brownfield redevelopment financing, corridor improvement programs, developer training, and small business accelerator services. The organization also manages the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Tax Increment Financing Authority, and four Corridor Improvement Authorities.

Product overview

Lansing Economic Development Corporation (Lansing EDC) is a nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a bridge between the public and private sectors to foster strategic, sustainable, and equitable economic growth in Lansing, Michigan. Rather than offering a unified software product, Lansing EDC provides a portfolio of economic development programs and services including: the Empower Program (business accelerator), Lansing SEED Academy (real estate developer training), Build Lansing (redevelopment opportunity platform), Microloan Program (up to $50,000 financing), Facade Improvement Program (commercial building grants), Tax Incentives navigation, Brownfields assistance, and four Corridor Improvement Authorities. The organization also provides Developer Resources and Business Resources including technical assistance, site searches, and workforce development support. The LEED Initiative specifically supports BIPOC business owners and emerging developers through training and capital access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Empower Program A six-month business accelerator providing Lansing entrepreneurs with structured training, one-on-one consulting, mentorship, and support to scale sustainably. Available to Lansing-based business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Lansing SEED Academy A hands-on, cohort-based training program equipping emerging real estate developers with knowledge, skills, and networks to lead transformative development projects in Lansing. Designed for emerging developers seeking to scale real estate projects.
• LEED Initiative (Lansing Equitable Economic Development) An initiative advancing shared prosperity by empowering underserved entrepreneurs, cultivating emerging developers, and building resilient, inclusive economic growth across Lansing. Targeted at BIPOC business owners and emerging developers.
• Build Lansing An online platform connecting developers, investors, and community partners with strategically prioritized, publicly owned redevelopment opportunities throughout the city. Includes property information, zoning details, development context, environmental assessments, RFIs, and RFPs.
• Microloan Program A Business Financing Assistance Program offering microloans up to $50,000 to stimulate business development for Lansing-based businesses that may not qualify through traditional lenders.
• Facade Improvement Program A grant program providing financial support to enhance the appearance, safety, and structural integrity of commercial buildings throughout Lansing's commercial corridors. Available to corridor business and property owners.
• Tax Incentives Various tax incentive programs including Attainable Housing Exemption, Residential Housing Exemption, Brownfield Tax Increment Financing, Obsolete Properties Rehabilitation Act, and Neighborhood Enterprise Zone designations. Available to developers and property owners pursuing projects in Lansing.
• Brownfields Brownfield Tax Increment Financing providing reimbursement financing through incremental tax capture for eligible improvements including site preparation, demolition, utilities, environmental remediation, and public infrastructure. Available to developers pursuing brownfield sites.
• Corridor Improvement Authorities Four authorities guiding strategic economic development along key commercial corridors: West Saginaw Street, East Michigan Avenue, South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Lansing Gateway on North Grand River Avenue. Serves corridor businesses, property owners, and community stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• $4.5 billion+ in investment supported since 2018
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• RACER TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Organization managing former GM manufacturing properties including Plant 6/Lansing Business Park. Coordinates environmental remediation and redevelopment of 57-acre industrial site with EDC support.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State economic development agency providing grants, programs, and funding support including Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP), Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP), brownfield incentives, and site readiness grants. EDC coordinates with MEDC on projects exceeding $100 million annually.
• Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State housing authority providing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and PILOT programs for affordable housing development. Partners on multi-family housing projects throughout Lansing.
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State environmental agency involved in brownfield remediation and environmental clearance for redevelopment projects.
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State transportation agency providing Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grants for infrastructure improvements supporting economic development.
• PNC BanksecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for free business workshops covering credit building, small business banking, budgeting, and strategic financial planning for Lansing entrepreneurs.
• City of LansingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary municipal partner providing funding, property access, and policy support. EDC serves as economic development arm of the city, managing brownfield authority, TIF authorities, and corridor improvement authorities under city oversight.
• Lansing Board of Water and Light (LBWL)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local utility offering energy efficiency rebates and incentives for commercial, industrial, and small business improvements supporting development projects.
• Ingham CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025County government partner for housing trust fund and coordinated economic development efforts in the Lansing region.
• Greater Lansing Emerging Developer Resource Hub (EMDevNet)secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025External resource hub providing development resources and connections for emerging developers in the Greater Lansing region.
• Michigan Main StreetsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State program supporting Old Town Commercial District designation, providing framework for historic preservation, economic development, and business growth in designated Main Street communities.
• Grow AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023National nonprofit partner for Lansing SEED Academy developer training program, providing curriculum, technical assistance, and relationship building opportunities for emerging developers.

Scale indicators28 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): State-level economic development agency that funds and partners with Lansing EDC. Comparable as it administers many of the same incentive programs (MCRP, MBDP, brownfield) at a broader statewide scale.
• Greater Cleveland Partnership: Cleveland-area chamber-led economic development organization. Comparable as a regional EDO providing business attraction, retention, and small business support with similar programming to Lansing EDC's Empower and SEED programs.

Direct peers

• Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC): Michigan-based nonprofit economic development corporation focused on Detroit. Closely comparable in mission (urban redevelopment, brownfield, business assistance), governance (public-private), and program mix to Lansing EDC.
• The Right Place (Grand Rapids): West Michigan's regional economic development organization. Highly comparable structure (nonprofit, public-private partnership, business attraction/retention, talent and workforce focus) operating in another Michigan metro.
• Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority: Municipal authority managing redevelopment and brownfield programs in Pittsburgh. Comparable as a similarly-structured public authority delivering brownfield remediation, TIF, and corridor redevelopment services.
• Ann Arbor SPARK: Regional economic development nonprofit serving the greater Ann Arbor area. Comparable as a Michigan-based EDO providing business attraction, retention, expansion, and incentive navigation services with similar public-private structure.
• Indianapolis Economic Development: Indianapolis's economic development organization. Comparable municipal EDO delivering business attraction, expansion assistance, and incentive navigation for a state capital city, mirroring Lansing EDC's capital-city positioning.

Regional players

• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP): Regional economic development organization covering the broader Lansing tri-county area. Directly comparable as a peer EDO operating in the same geography with overlapping developer and business attraction mandates, though LEAP covers a wider regional footprint.

Others

• Grow America: National nonprofit partner for Lansing EDC's SEED Academy. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem partner providing developer training curriculum and resources, complementing rather than competing with Lansing EDC.
• Michigan Main Street: Michigan statewide Main Street program supporting Old Town Commercial District designation in Lansing. Comparable as a thematic/state-level partner in commercial corridor preservation and revitalization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LansingEDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lansing-economic-development-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/lansingedc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Lansing Economic Development Corporation