Lansing, MI – July 24, 2009 The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), along with Lansing Mayor Virg Bernaro, City Council Members, and South Lansing business owners met today to announce that Anderson Economic Group, LLC (AEG) has been hired to produce an economic development strategy for commercial and retail business in South Lansing. “Our Southside neighborhoods are home to tremendous businesses and talented workers” said Mayor Benaro, “this strategy is going to help build on these resources and diversify our economy.”
Ken Szymusiak, the LEDC’s director for projects in South Lansing, noted that much of the area was built to accommodate vehicle traffic and suburban sprawl, which area no longer an appealing to businesses or shoppers. As part of the project, AEG will work with traffic and transportation experts from Sam Schwartz Engineering to identify opportunities to better connect the community’s business corridors through non-motorized means, and other transportation improvements. AEG will also measure supply and demand in the market, and identify where opportunity exists for specific types of businesses.
“We’re excited to be involved in this effort” said Scott Watkins, Director of Market and Industry Analysis for Anderson Economic Group. “There are a lot of great things happening in South Lansing, and a strategy to leverage the area’s assets will help highlight all the area has to offer.”
AEG recently started work on the strategy, and expects to present the city with the final recommendations this fall. They will be holding a public forum for area businesses and residents in early August, and also have an online survey available to collect input and ideas for the project.
About Anderson Economic Group: Anderson Economic Group, LLC is an economic consulting and research firm in East Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois with expertise in Market and Industry Analysis; Public Policy; and Finance and Business Valuation. Among AEG’s recent clients are Michigan State University; Genesee County, Michigan; the Project Management Institute; and Automation Alley.”
CONTACT: Ken Szymusiak, Lansing Economic Development Corporation, 517.485.5412
Scott Watkins, Anderson Economic Group, LLC, 517.333.6984
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