NLEA September News - All Star Speakers Coming to Northern Michigan

Catch up on the region's latest economic news.
Scroll to end for Core Partner Updates plus see videos you'll share!

Business appreciation

NLEA announces new President

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA), in conjunction with MSU Extension, have announced the new President of the NLEA. David Emmel of Harbor Springs will step into that role next month succeeding Andy Hayes who will retire at the end of the year. Emmel will be just the fourth NLEA president in the organization’s 36-year history.

Emmel brings to the job an impressive body of work in economic development, health care administration, non-profit management, and experience as an entrepreneur. Most recently he has been the Regional Director and Senior Business Consultant for the Small Business Development Center of Northeast Michigan. He also served as Adjunct Faculty at Northwood University in Midland developing curriculum and teaching entrepreneurial strategy and business modeling among other areas of study.

Emmel is expected to begin work at the NLEA on October 1 giving him some time to work with the current president, Andy Hayes, who has been with the organization for 15-years.

Read full press release

Statewide Economic Development Conference coming to Northern Michigan

Making No Little Plans!...State-wide Economic Development Conference Coming to Northern Michigan Oct 18-21, 2020.

All Star Line Up of GREAT guest speakers!

This year, the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) is bringing its 60^th Anniversary Annual Meeting to Northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

This conference is for everyone that supports creating vibrant communities with quality companies and jobs. 2020 has brought about many challenges for businesses, communities, and workers throughout Michigan, but we are a resilient state, with visionary leaders in all sectors. Our economic development community continues to work tirelessly to plan and implement programs and resources that will help companies and communities regain full-strength from the COVID Pandemic.

Hear from great speakers on a wide range of topics including talent, venture capital, community development, attraction, housing and many other great topics. There will also be a virtual conference option for attendees not able to travel to the conference.

In addition to live sessions, pre-recorded bonus sessions on housing development, Opportunity Zones, and making communities attractive to workers, and much more, will be provided for both onsite and virtual attendees.

For more information medaweb.org/annualmeeting, contact Cassandra Jorae cjorae@medaweb.org, or call the MEDA office at 517-241-0011.

List of speakers

Local manufacturer assists with back to school

As kids are returning to school one local company is using its innovation to assist in the transition. Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis in Boyne City is making personal guards to assist in the spreading of germs (see photo). Earlier this year Shaggy’s was recognized for being able to adapt to the current state of the world by adjusting their ski manufacturing operations and turn their production line to creating personal protection equipment (PPE), making face shields. As the pandemic has progressed Shaggy’s has been a leader in seeing a solution to some of the PPE problems; from face shields to personal guards, to table dividers. To learn more about their PPE line and other Shaggy goods visit their website.

Multi-state Community Entrepreneur Showcase coming to your town!

See the agenda, speaker line up, and REGISTER below:

Free "SIG" program for growth companies

The MEDC in collaboration with the Edward Lowe Foundation is offering the “System for Integrated Growth” (SIG) program. SIG is designed for second stage growth companies who are at a pivotal point in their development and need assistance to help manage evolving challenges.

The SIG program provides business owners with information and best practices to make educated decisions in light of their particular needs. SIG can help:

Learn how to recruit, retain and develop talented employees.
Get a handle on your financial management and understand what your books are telling you.
Bring in best practices around supply chain and operations to complement your managers' working knowledge.
Prepare to export — from documentation to identifying global markets and setting up distribution channels.
Explore new markets, create prospect lists for those markets, or analyze competitors while addressing your sales and marketing process

There are no costs as they are covered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and subsidized by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The time commitment of 8-12 hours is spread over about two months.

Two information overviews available! Join us for a 45-minute Zoom to learn how SIG can help your company. Please RSVP to buck@northernlakes.net to attend either Tuesday 9/22 at 7:30 am or Wednesday 9/23 at 2:00 pm. Let us know which date to schedule and we'll send the Zoom link.

'How it's Made' in Northern Michigan:

Classic Instruments' specialized car gauges

Get an exclusive peek into how regional businesses do business.

In this final edition of behind the assembly line videos created by Emma Vondra and Kelsey Robinson, the NLEA interns sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation take a peek at Classic Instruments in Boyne City. More "How it's Made in Northern Michigan" videos showcased on NLEA website.

Watch video

Michigan ranks top state for doing business thanks to site ready portal

Michigan continues to rise in national business rankings & NLEA aides by keeping property listings active with statewide website.

Michigan came in this year at #16 on the list overall, as well as a top 10 finish for MEDC’s site readiness efforts, in Area Development magazine’s 2020 Top States for Doing Business rankings released last week.

Area Development surveyed leading consultants, asking them to provide their top state picks in 13 categories that impact companies’ location and facility plans, including overall cost of doing business, incentive programs, access to capital, workforce training and site readiness programs.

Michigan came in at no. 7 for its site readiness programs, in which the NLEA partners with the MEDC and our communities to support MEDC’s site readiness programs includes the a searchable database of available properties, featured sites, and listings of sites that are Consumers Energy Certified Energy Ready, redevelopment ready, build ready, located in certified business parks, and more.

NLEA Featured Sites

Economic events & news around the region

Consumers Energy continues to host open houses to gather suggestions for Clean Energy Plan

COVID-19 Helpful Resources

Click here for a short list of resources and information for businesses and communities during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. NLEA will continue to update this information as more resources become available. Things evolve quickly and often, if you have questions please call our office at 231-582-6482 or email us at info@northernlakes.net and we will direct you promptly.

We encourage you to contact and visit the websites of your local Chambers of Commerce, Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs), and Main Street organizations for the most updated information pertaining to your community.

Videos you will want to share

We like to motivate and educate with these videos, so good you'll pass them on! If you have one or see something inspirational, send it our way. We love sharing!