Annual Events - Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

Michigan Celebrates Small Business
at the Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing

April 29th, 2010 will mark the 6th year for Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Program. Join us at the Lansing Center as entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Michigan come together to celebrate the award winners.

The event will include:
Michigan Reception with live jazz by Trapped on Mars
VIP Reception
Dinner
Awards Presentation
The unveiling of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch

More information and details on the event, including an event time line, are available at the MCSB website or call Pam Lantrip at 800.362.5461.

2009 Annual "It's Not About the Golf" Event

A big "Thank You" goes out to this years Sponsors and VIP's who attended our Annual "It's Not About the Golf" event Friday, September 25, 2009 at Boyne Mountain and made it such a great success! The afternoon was filled with beneficial networking and relationship building for all the various partners involved with economic development in Northern Michigan. Please enjoy the pictures below and take note of all the wonderful networking that took place!!

2009 Annual Luncheon

Celebrating economic development, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance held their annual luncheon Monday, May 11, 2009, at Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls. Senator Jason Allen addressed the 330 economic development representatives from the NLEA’s four member counties (Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet) in attendance, followed by keynote speaker Tom Coon, State Director of MSU Extension. The NLEA also recognized seven individuals and businesses for their positive economic impact on northern Michigan.

Senator Jason Allen addresses the audience.                     Tom Coon, State Director of MSU
                                                                                                      Extension, was the keynote speaker.

Two “Project of Year” awards were presented to
entrepreneurs who have done significant projects.

Jim Wibby, NLEA Board Member, presents Bob Waugh, Cygnus, Inc., an NLEA Project of the Year award. Bob Waugh, owner of Cygnus, Inc., Petoskey, designed a better solution for hospital charting stations by creating in-room stations, keeping caregivers close to their patients. The company recently took an expansion risk by purchasing and rehabbing a vacant industrial facility in Petoskey for more efficiency and in-house production. They now employ 23 people with full-time, family supporting jobs.

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Pete Garwood, NLEA Board member, presents an NLEA Project of the Year award to Short’s Brewing Company, represented by Rich and Anna Hannan. Shorts Brewing Company, Bellaire and Elk Rapids, started as Joe Short’s hobby. Today he operates a microbrew pub and deli in Bellaire, and last year expanded manufacturing to a vacant industrial facility in Elk Rapids. He and his partners employ almost 25 people, and his product is distributed to over 500 outlets in Michigan.

Maniac of the Year Award

Mike Overton, NLEA Board member, presents the NLEA Maniac of the Year award to James “Bud” Darnell, Cheboygan. A maniac is a person dedicated to community and economic development, someone who drives a project or devotes energy to a cause. Darnell mentors small business owners, among other civic activities, and organized the non-profit Cheboygan Economic Development Group to focus on specific projects in the county.

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Celebrating 25 Years with NLEA

Charter Board Member Randy Frykberg and staff member Sheri Rhoads have been invaluable to the organization. Their leadership and commitment has been un-matched. Both were presented with beautiful plaques by NLEA Board Chair, Keith Williams.

Service Recognition

Brian Braddock and Rick Diebold were each given special recognition as presented by NLEA Board Chair, Keith Williams, for outstanding leadership and support of economic development in Northern Michigan. Brian has served on the NLEA Board for 15 years and Rick has served for 10 years.