A grant of $25,000 was awarded to the Brookings Institution in January 2010 to support an initiative that repositions the future of the nation’s auto communities through the development of a framing paper, a one day summit in April 2010 and the start of a peer-to-peer learning network.

The policy recommendations that will be developed and explored through the framing document build on the legislative dialog that NEI is engaging in Washington DC. The framing document and event will explore areas that NEI has directly invested in such as workforce development and access to capital issues. It will provide a multiple state strategy that will help strengthen the case for targeted investment in southeast Michigan to help the region transition from an auto dependent economy to knowledge-based economy.

The one day, Washington D.C.-based summit in April will:

• Feature a high-level, multi-state demand for a federal agenda for auto-impacted communities, and increase visibility to the region’s assets, challenges and investment potential
• Align the region’s economic imperatives to the greater national economic competitiveness conversation, and illustrate how successful economic revitalization for the region will be beneficial for the entire nation
• Provide tangible, action-oriented policy ideas to Congress and the Administration as they prepare for the 2010 legislative session and FY2011 federal budget process, and
• Launch an effective peer-to-peer learning network between local, state and federal leaders that helps develop solutions to policy issues that are central to the revitalization of auto-impacted communities.

While NEI does not typically consider event-focused grants, this opportunity will have strong influence on the work of NEI, and provides opportunities to educate top experts on the benefits of working in Michigan.

In April 2009, the Brookings Institution received a grant of $300,000 over 18 months to support the Great Lakes Economic Initiative. The Great Lakes Economic Initiative has successfully developed and disseminated initial framing reports, published two major policy papers on the restoration of the Great Lakes and the regional connections to Canada, and have developed a robust stakeholder network that can champion the Initiative’s policy recommendations through the region and in Washington D.C.