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![Happy Spring!](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/intro.jpg)
COVID-19: A Message from the Director of CCED
![Close up of Coronavirus](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article1.jpg)
MSU CCED remains committed to our mission during this public health emergency. We will continue to serve Michigan communities to the best of our ability through our research, outreach, and assistance. Get involved and suggest your innovative ideas to help us address the unprecedented challenges our communities face through our Regional Economic Innovation (REI) portal.
Save the Date for the 2020 Innovate Michigan! Summit!
![Save the date card](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article0.jpg)
The 9th annual Innovate Michigan! Summit and Michigan Inventors Coalition (MIC) Expo will be held on Thursday, September 3rd 2020.
Detroit’s Underground Economy with Rita Fields
![Rita Fields dicussing the underground economy](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article2.jpg)
This video highlights Rita’s project as an Innovation Fellow, displaying her findings and experiences studying Detroit’s underground economy.
Fighting Hunger and Reducing Waste in Michigan with Dr. Mahmoudi
![Vegtables at a farmers market](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article3.jpg)
Check out our co-learning plan podcast series! In this podcast, we talk with Dr. Mahmoudi, the assistant professor of the School of Packaging. The aim of her project is to eliminate food waste by making excess food accessible for people in need.
The Success of REI
![Opening of the Grand Ledge Fledge](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article4.jpg)
Take a look at the interactive story map that exhibits successful REI projects and their transforming benefits they’ve had on local communities from 2016-2019!
Celebrating our 2020 Innovation Fellows
![Sam Butler, Mitchell Shapiro, and Angela Barbash](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/early-february/article1.jpg)
We have three Innovation Fellows for the 2020 year who are eager to put their economic concepts to action!
Exciting New Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Projects!
![Group of people at a meeting](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article5.jpg)
We are excited to announce the recipients of the Spring Semester Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Projects! These projects will support Michigan’s economy and communities in need, especially throughout the duration of this nationwide pandemic.
Redevelopment Ready Communities
![Street with local shops](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/april20/article6.jpg)
REI is working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) to offer facilitation of Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Project assistance.
Opening the Doors to Local Investment!
![Angela Barbash discussing local investment](https://reicenter.org/upload/e-update/2019-2020/nov19/article5.jpg)
In this video, Revalue Investing’s CEO, Angela Barbash, discusses investing in your local communities.