2010 Success Stories
$3.7 Million Project Creates 100 New Jobs in Boyne City
The phase one $3.7 million One Water brownfield redevelopment project in Boyne City was completed in May 2010 by Catt Development. The project generated $60,000 in new taxes and brought 100 new jobs to the downtown. The new 24-slip marina attracted additional Lake Charlevoix boat traffic, positively impacting the community’s businesses.
Brownfield redevelopment incentives provided by city, county and state organizations supported the project. Formerly a railroad roundhouse, boat dock and shingle mill, among other businesses, the lake front parcel required extensive site remediation before construction could begin. Click below to read the complete story.
NWMCOG/NLEA Announce Grant for Elk Rapids Village
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will award the Village of Elk Rapids a $20,000 Community Growth Grant on Tuesday, September 7th at the Elk Rapids Village Council meeting. The grant award to the Village will be used to help study alternative ways in which to treat waste water generated from food processing facilities. “We are excited to be receiving this grant”, said Bob Peterson, Elk Rapids Village Manager. “Agriculture is a very important part of our economy. However, processing agricultural waste water is a problem because agriculture volumes and make-up are different than typical residential waste water. We are hoping this study will help us identify alternative and cost effective ways in which to treat these wastes.” Peterson added that the ultimate goal of this project is to make it possible for job growth to take place in agricultural related businesses. Click below for the complete story.
Classic Instruments - "Three Peat"
Classic Instruments was recognized by Inc. 500 as one of the top 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies for the third year in a row. It is always a great honor to be recognized for the hard work and dedication a company puts forth. The honor becomes elevated and affirmed when received back-to-back years. Then when a three peat happens it is an amazing credit to the companies record of accomplishment. Click below to read more.
FAA awards $5 million grant for Pellston Airport project
The pivotal $5 million airport improvement grant for the Pellston Regional Airport building project was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration on August 18th. At a total cost of $8 million dollars, the 35,000 square-foot snow removal equipment and airport rescue/fire fighting building project will service as both as storage and operations center for maintenance, fire fighting, rescue and runway service crews. The federal grant, culled from discretionary funds distributed annually, will be combined with other federal and state funding to leave a $189,000 price tag for Emmet County for the project. The funds will be paid out of the county's general fund. Click below for the complete story.
Cheboygan Pedestrian Footbridge - Grand Opening
Cheboygan celebrated the long awaited grand opening of the Pedestrian Footbridge over the Cheboygan River linking Washington Park and downtown to Major City Park. This Pedestrian Footbridge creates an economic link between downtown Cheboygan and the other side of the river. Click below for the full story.
Michael Jordan, Michigan’s 2010 Hotelier of the Year
On behalf of the entire staff at Shanty Creek, Michael Jordan, Shanty Creek's GM and COO, accepted the 2010 “Hotelier of the Year” award at this year’s Stars of the Industry banquet at the Governor's Conference on Tourism held at the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island on May 6 & 7, 2010.
MSUE Announces District Coordinator
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is pleased to announce that Patrick Cudney has been appointed as the district coordinator for District 3 which covers Cheboygan, Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Manistee Counties. Cudney brings 14 years of experience to this position and will officially begin his district coordinator position on July 1, 2010. Click below for full story.
Bemis Selected to Attend U.S. Chamber Business LEADs Institute in Washington, D.C.
Erin Bemis, President of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, was selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce to attend the Business LEADs Institute, a three-day seminar in Washington, DC on May 10-12, 2010. Selected for her leadership in the community, Bemis is one of 35 business leaders from around the nation to learn how the business community can utilize its assets to drive positive transformation in communities across America in education and workforce training. Click below for the full story.
Local Company Receives Recognition for Exporting Success
During an Exporting Basics seminar hosted by Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Town & Country Cedar Homes was recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service for their successes in developing an export program. In an effort to broaden their sales of cedar building products, Town & Country worked with the Commercial Service to identify countries that offered suitable markets for them. They have exported cedar products to Japan and Korea, with plans of expanding to the Turkish marketplace and Canada.
Van Dam Custom Boats Featured In a One Hour Documentary
Discovery HD-Theatre contacted Steve Van Dam to film a documentary about the custom wooden boats designed and built by his company in Boyne City, Michigan. From the first meeting with the client, all through design, construction, sea-trials and a hair-raising delivery, multiple high definition cameras were there to capture the spirit and craftsmanship that goes into every facet of a custom Van Dam Boat’s creation.