Jennifer Rigterink is the assistant director of state and federal affairs for the Michigan Municipal League where she advocates on behalf of communities with a concentration on economic development, land use, and municipal services issues. Before joining the League, Jennifer directed technical assistance for community development at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and now sits on their Technical Assistance Advisory Councils. She also managed the Genesee Institute, now the Center for Community Progress, building awareness of Michigan’s land bank authority model and vacant property initiatives. Jennifer was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Partnership and sits on the Executive Committee of the Housing Michigan Coalition. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University. She and her husband are small business owners of The Mattress Source, in East Lansing and Lansing, Michigan, selling a locally made product.