Michigan Growth Office to Launch New #MIMOMENT Brand Ambassador Program at Eastern Market After Dark

DETROIT, Mich. - A cotton candy sunset over the Great Lakes, a Michigan-based startup marking a milestone, family celebrations, community wins, and other proud Michigan moments will be highlighted in a whole new way through the Michigan Growth Office's new brand ambassador program, #MIMOMENT.

The Growth Office will officially launch the grassroots digital campaign Thursday, September 18 at Eastern Market After Dark with a pop-up at Shed #2, Booth 28, from 6-11 p.m. The effort is aimed at retaining talent and boosting Michigan's brand globally by engaging residents and visitors as storytellers to showcase what makes Michigan extraordinary through their own unique perspective.

"We are asking those that love Michigan to celebrate the people, places, and passions that make our state shine by sharing their stories. Growing Michigan's population is a group project - it takes all of us. Through this new effort, anyone, anywhere can participate and be a part of 'team Michigan,'" said Hilary Doe, Michigan's Chief Growth Officer. "Michiganders are our best ambassadors. Together, we'll continue to show the world what makes Michigan the best place to call home."

At the launch event, the Growth Office will provide giveaways, information about statewide talent retention and attraction efforts, and exclusive merchandise for ambassadors, designed by Michiganders. Future activations will follow, including a pop-up during Arborialis: An ArtPrize Experience in Grand Rapids on Saturday, September 27 from 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. located at 555 Monroe Avenue NW.

To participate in the ambassador program, post a Michigan moment and use the hashtag #MIMOMENT. The Growth Office will further amplify select posts on its social media channels @letsgrowmi.

Through policy work, innovative pilot programs, and critical storytelling efforts, the Growth Office is seeing promising signs of momentum across the state, as our population curve moves in the right direction.

In the past year alone:

• 66% of Michigan counties grew
• Michigan's young adult population has accelerated faster than 45 other states
• Detroit and Flint's populations grew - breaking decades-long trends
• Grand Rapids ranked #1 for job and talent growth
• The greater Traverse City area reached new highs in critical working age population, as a number of Northern Michigan counties grew fastest per capita statewide
• The state made historic investments in housing, education access, and entrepreneurship to advance priorities identified by Michiganders
• Over 57K+ people signed up in the Michigan Career Portal, expressing their interest in living and working in Michigan, a result of our You Can in Michigan campaign

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About Michigan Growth Office

Led by Michigan and the nation's first ever Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, the Michigan Growth Office is organizing the state's most ambitious population growth effort in history by launching statewide pilots and programs that showcase Michigan and provide a variety of benefits that inspire residents - current and future - to make Michigan home.

Since being created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, the Growth Office has invested over $1.4 million to create 10 brand new local talent retention and attraction programs in partnership with 60+ unique organizations, engaged 17,500+ Michiganders and people interested in living in Michigan, hosted field trips and roadshows, and lead storytelling, research, and policy initiatives. Learn more at michigangrowthoffice.org.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit https://www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at https://www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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