On Monday, May 22, 2023, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance held its second annual Northern Lakes Economic Symposium & Showcase at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan. The event was attended by nearly 250 economic developers, business, and community representatives along with federal, state, and local elected and appointed leaders from across Northern Lower Michigan.

Of the event, NLEA President David Emmel noted, “In just two years, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has successfully launched Michigan’s premier economic symposium focused on community and economic development topics relevant to Northern Michigan...This year’s event was intentionally focused on talent from a global, state, regional, and local lens as we direct our efforts to addressing the most significant issues facing our employers and drivers of our regional economy. It was an honor to have leading researchers and experts along with our state and regional economic development partners in Northern Michigan with all eyes focused on our region.”

The daylong event included keynote addresses, breakout sessions, networking, and was capped off with a panel made up of Dr. Horrigan, Dr. Berg, Brian Calley, and Jacob Manthei, CEO of Aster Brands, and moderated by Quentin Messer Jr. of the MEDC.

Congratulations to our well-deserved Showcase winners. These individuals and organizations helped move economic development in our region in a big way.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Chip Hansen

Project of the Year:

Daifuku- Jervis B. Webb

Guts & Grit Award:

Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation

By Sam Bailey, Strategic Initiatives Manager

It is May in Northern Michigan! College students and seasonal residents are returning, and local students are tantalizingly close to summer break. That means that our regional economy is about to kick into overdrive. Every year, youth employment plays a vital role in meeting demand, but regional trends show that the regional labor force is still below its pre-pandemic levels.

See the data and expectations for this summer by clicking Read More below.

Buck Love, NLEA Director of Business Retention

At the May 10, 2023 Charlevoix County Commission board meeting the Commissioners approved a resolution to establish the Charlevoix County PACE Program and create a PACE district pursuant to Public Act No. 270 of Michigan by a 4:1 vote. This followed months of preparation by the NLEA to help County Administrator, Kevin Shepard review materials to inform the board how this development tool could positively impact and attract new investment to Charlevoix County.

By adoption of this Resolution, Charlevoix County formally states its intention to join Lean & Green Michigan™, and to utilize Lean & Green Michigan, LLC as a PACE Administrator. Lean & Green Michigan, LLC (LAGM) is committed to providing the Lean & Green Michigan PACE program to Michigan municipalities, townships, and counties at no taxpayer expense.

PACE is a long-term financing tool for commercial property owners in Michigan to pay for energy efficiency, water efficiency, and renewable energy upgrades. Charlevoix County now joins Antrim, Emmet, and Cheboygan counties and over 50 other Michigan Counties and municipalities to offer this economic development program.

Join the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for a webinar discussing a report recently published by the University of Cambridge on the largest trial of a four-day work week and the effects on employees and production levels. 

Research involving 61 UK organizations found a 20% reduction in working time with no loss of pay led to significant drops in workforce stress and sick days, an increase in worker retention and a much better work-life balance for most employees – all while meeting key business metrics.

Panelists

• Professor Brendan Burchell, University of Cambridge
• Professor Juliet Schor, Boston College
• Professor Wen Fan, Boston College

Wednesday, May 31

11:00 a.m.

Join Via Microsoft Teams

Administered by the MEDC, Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program 2.0 grant applications are available through June 30th. Grants are available to individuals or entities such as nonprofits, economic development organizations, developers, and local units of government that will help rehabilitate structures and develop permanent place-based infrastructure associated with social zones, traditional downtowns, or public spaces.

The RAP 2.0 program will deploy $100 million for projects that help enhance community vitality, add new housing options ,and enable business creation to attract talent, retain residents, and increase communities’ tax revenue.

Local units of government will soon be able to apply for a grant to purchase fire equipment for part-time, on-call or volunteer firefighters through the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program. 

Within the State of Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget, the Michigan Department of Treasury was appropriated $12 million to establish and operate the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program. Grant awards of up to $10,000 are available for local units of government for any eligible purchase made after August 1, 2022. 

Starting on May 26, 2023, qualified local units may begin the application process for the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted through the State of Michigan’s eSignature Solution by July 10, 2023. 

Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in early-August 2023. 

A final thank you to our Symposium & Showcase Sponsors! Following the event Boyne Mountain graciously provided attendees the opportunity to experience Michigan Skybridge by Boyne Mountain Resort. Many shared photos on Facebook!

Boyne Mountain Resort – Location Sponsor

Consumers Energy – Premier Sponsor

Rehmann – Platinum Sponsor

DTE Energy – Breakout Sponsor

ITC Holdings – Award Sponsor

Blue Cross Blue Shield - Silver Sponsor

The NLEA would also like to extend our thank you to Table Sponsors:

EJ, Citizens National Bank, MSU Extension, North Central Michigan College, Networks Northwest, Awakon Federal Credit Union and Odawa Economic Affairs Holding Corporation.