Co-written with Patrick Seick, Community Growth Fellowship manager

In early January, 10 Community Growth Fellows began their 15-month term in different communities across the state. The Fellowship is a key benefit for communities participating in the Community Growth Academy, a statewide initiative led by Michigan’s Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. The Academy aims to help communities impacted by transitions in the auto and utility sectors to plan for long-term economic growth and prepare for future change. The addition of a fellow adds capacity to those selected communities to assist them in achieving their self-identified goals. 

The Community Growth Fellowship received more than 250 fellow applications for 10 open positions. The fellows who were selected come from a variety of backgrounds and have different motivations for why they were compelled to apply. Stefan Nielsen, fellow for the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, wanted to give back to the community, as well as benefit from professional growth opportunities to better do so. “I want to live and work in this area for the rest of my life, and this was a way to give to the place I call home,” said Stefan. 

For some fellows, like Brooke Hovenkamp, fellow for Middle Michigan Development Corporation, they are pivoting their careers or are interested in new experiences after working in related fields. “I come from 10 years in the municipal world. Most recently, I was superintendent for Texas Township,” said Brooke. Others are fresh out of their undergraduate and graduate programs, eager to start their careers. 

Regardless of the differences, all of the fellows are united by the goal of becoming leaders for their communities, and the state. Grace Knickerbocker, who was placed with Lake County Economic Development Alliance, relocated from her hometown of Perry, Mich., to pursue the Fellowship. “Already, I am being challenged and meeting new people,” said Grace. “I’m learning how our Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority work. I saw this as an opportunity to push myself to grow.” 

A key philosophy of the Community Growth Academy is the ground-up, coalition-oriented approach to navigating economic transition. That philosophy is embedded in the communities and in the fellows’ work. “In Macomb County alone, there are 27 different municipalities. I get to work with and, hopefully, help all of them through my work. But our ideas don’t have to stop at county limits; these shared ideas can extend to the whole region, to the whole state,” Stefan noted. 

Brooke agrees. “In my previous experience, you’re always wearing 12 different hats and trying to figure things out. This Fellowship gives me the chance to understand all of the resources available across the state, to really think about different incentives our communities have,” she said. “This Fellowship can be about showing these communities they don’t have to go it alone.”

Although the Fellowship is only a month into its term, the future of Michigan is brighter than ever. “I’m excited for my community and to try and help them realize their goals,” shared Grace. I’m excited for how I’ll change and how I can apply what I’ve learned to help Michigan even after the Fellowship.” 

To learn more about the different focus areas of the communities/host sites, browse through the drop-down menu on the program page. Learn more about the fellows by reading their bios.