Multi-Million Dollar MEDC Business Development Grant Goes South… Again

Lansing, MI – Yesterday, a new report alleged that the now-former director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce had been embezzling Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant funds intended for the Chamber. The longtime ally of Governor Gretchen Whitmer was apparently directing the MEDC funds away from the Chamber’s business incubator. 

At first glance, this may look like old news because Whitmer’s friend and donor Fay Beydoun has already been indicted by Attorney General Dana Nessel for her misuse of a MEDC grant, including purchasing a $4,500 coffee maker and a first-class flight to Europe, but this new scandal revolves around Beydoun’s replacement at the Chamber, Bilal Hammoud. 

Hammoud has been involved in the governor’s “business development” efforts for some time. Last year, he was appointed to her Workforce Development Board, and he previously served as the engagement director for the Michigan Department of State.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors learned that $1 million of the $3.4 million grant the MEDC awarded Tejara, the Chamber’s business incubator, was missing, and Hammoud was promptly fired. In response, Nessel posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Abolish the MEDC”:

“This story of fraud at the MEDC is sounding eerily familiar, and it’s clear that the group is a horrible steward of Michiganders’ tax dollars,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “For once, we are in agreement with Attorney General Nessel: it is time to abolish the MEDC.”