The Showcase portion of the Northern Lakes Economic Symposium and Showcase was focused on the exciting happenings of the past year. Awards highlighted individuals and organizations involved in work and projects that further economic and community improvement in the region. The 2022 awardees are as follows:

Tom Teske of EJ received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing commitment to our region, represented by a 45-year career with EJ where he rose to the position of Vice President and Regional Manager of the Americas, and his 25 years of volunteering with the East Jordan Downtown Development Authority, Rotary, and Northern Michigan Ski Academy.

 

Industrial Magnetics Inc. of Boyne City received the Project of the Year Award for its recent $3.5 million dollar expansion which is anticipated to create 46 new jobs and retain 68 existing jobs. When businesses invest in our region, that investment ripples out into the community through construction wages, new hires, utilities’ revenue, better work environments, workforce attraction, and more.

 

The Community of Mancelona received the Guts and Grit Award for their impressive downtown revival, advancement of the housing conversation, and unique economic development opportunities. For their efforts in Mancelona,

both Village President Mike Allison and Mancelona Regional Chamber of Commerce Director Joanie Moore received special recognition.