Success Stories
By definition, economic development is typically measured in terms of jobs and income. However, economic development is multi-dimensional, and its success is determined by the combination of community and business development activities that affect the community as a whole. With the NLEA's partnerships and collaborations, we are able to provide a variety of assistance to both the public and private sectors.
Charlevoix Wins Chamber of the Year!
The Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded, for the second year in a row, the honor of being named Michigan's mid-sized Chamber of the Year at the annual Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals Leadership Conference. Among the chamber's noted achievements were its significant membership increase, dedication to education through the facilitation of candidate forums, and incorporation of a new membership orientation program. "We are thrilled to have received this prestigious honor a second year in a row," said Chamber President Erin Bemis. "It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff and leadership from our Board of Directors. It really is very exciting! We love what we do, which is supporting our members, and it is nice to be recognized for our efforts." To read more about this outstanding recognition click below.
Fernelius Completes a $3 Million Expansion
Fernelius Toyota-Chrysler-Dodge of Cheboygan completed a $3 million expansion in 2011. The new facility will more than double the current facilities’ capacity and allow the dealership to expand their product line to include Jeep. Currently 30 people work at the Fernelius dealership and with proposed expansions they expect to create ten new jobs. Click below for the complete story.
Petoskey Plastics Invests in Resort Township
Petoskey Plastics’ Michigan manufacturing plant and corporate headquarters, located just outside the City of Petoskey, continues to invest in their Resort Township facility. Over the next two years, the company will be investing over $6.6 million in new machinery and equipment and building renovations. This will allow them to add a new extrusion line, retain their current 123 employees and hire eight to ten new employees. Petoskey Plastics is one of the area’s major manufacturing employers. This expansion will result in $177,330 in new taxes. Click below for the complete story.
New Assisted Living Facility in Petoskey
Mallard Cove is a new Assisted Living Campus in Petoskey. They offer quality senior living in a comfortable and beautiful setting. With choices and dignity at the core of service, they care for residents in a friendly environment. Mallard Cove has the distinction of being the only state licensed assisted living facility in Emmet or Charlevoix counties. Click below for the complete story.
Northern MI Lender Receives $725K to Assist Local Entrepreneurs
Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. (NSLF) assists entrepreneurs in Northern Michigan with education, training, business incubation and access to capital. NSLF provides a variety of micro-loans and larger small business loans to entrepreneurs that have found it difficult to meet conventional lending institution requirements. They were recently awarded $725,000, for small business lending, allowowing them to increase the lending maximum limits per client from $15,000 to $100,000. Click below for the complete story.
Ellsworth Farmers Exchange Provides New Local Service
The Ellsworth Farmers Exchange, headquartered in Ellsworth Village, is a propane and fertilizer supplier that also makes livestock feed from locally grown grains. The cooperative made a $300,000 investment in agriculture by expanding feed production capacity at their property in Atwood. Banks Township established an IDD and approved a 12-year tax abatement for the project which will result in $65,473 in new taxes.
Twin Bay Medical Expands
Twin Bay Medical has recently diversified their product mix to include the production of a new product called “3-Feet”, which is a universal desktop holder for smart phones and other electronic devices. To accommodate the production of this new product, they have completed a $1.4 million, 6,400 square foot addition to their property. Elk Rapids Township established an Industrial Development District (IDD) around this property five years ago which allowed an expansion. Click here for the complete story.
Downtown Pellston Receives a Face-Lift
A project over five years in the making is finally underway in Pellston. The $668,832 project is being partially funded by a $581,883 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) with a local match of $86,949, and will include new sidewalks, lighting, trees and flowers. Construction is on track to be completed by mid-June or sooner. Click here for the complete story.
Ellsworth Area Leaders Pull Together
The Village of Ellsworth was recently awarded a $5,000 “New Designs for Community Growth” grant from the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) to continue to raise awareness of and strengthen its Farmers’ Market and downtown marketing. Funds from this grant will help Ellsworth continue the progress they have made over the last few years. Representatives of both the Village of Elk Rapids and Banks Township joined forces with the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, schools, non-profits, service organizations, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) and others to help bring the community back to vibrancy.
Acquisition of the Nor‐Agg Company
Thomas Moran, President and CEO of Moran Iron Works Inc., announced the recent acquisition of the former Nor‐Agg Company of Cheboygan, Michigan. Eight to ten new jobs will be created in the Cheboygan community and the industrial park will experience a much‐needed increase in activity. Click below for the complete story.
Dilworth Hotel Prepares for Facelift
The nearly century-old Dilworth Hotel in downtown Boyne City will receive state grants that will allow investors to restore the historic building and re-open next year, just in time for its 100th birthday. Restoration plans call for two restaurants, a banquet facility, outdoor dining and 27 guest rooms. Click below for the complete story.
Char-Em ISD Accreditation
Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District was recently accredited by the nation’s strictest accreditation agency. They are fifth of 57 other intermediate school districts in Michigan and one of only 10 nationwide to receive the prestigious honor from North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement/AdvancED. The honor is especially noteworthy as ISDs are celebrating 50 years of service to local schools in their communities this year. The accreditation is for a five-year term, with regular monitoring of progress and reporting occurring during the term. For the complete story click below.
Medical Instrument Manufacturer Comes to Boyne City
Precision Edge, producer of high quality surgical medical tools, is pleased to announce their decision to build its new 34,000 plus sq.ft. manufacturing facility in Boyne City. They will invest nearly $5 million into the new plant and initially hire 30 new employees with the potential for many more. Click below for more details.
Un-Paralleled Cooperation
Partner's Dennis Valkanoff and Steve Heckenlaible opened 45th Parallel Furniture this month in Elk Rapids. Creative thinking and a regional perspective towards business clustering is the theme of this business venture. Ed Hammer of Wooden Hammer provides wooden furniture frames and Mark Toteff of Traverse Bay Manufacturing supplies the fabric cutting and sewing, then 45th Parallel Furniture assembles the furniture. NLEA assisted in many aspects of this new business including securing financing and facility acquisition. This $400,000 project will add 13 new jobs to the area initially and looks forward to increasing that number dramatically over the next few years. Additionally, jobs will be retained and added at Wooden Hammer and Traverse Bay Manufacturing. Click below to read about other partners vital to this successful launch.
An Explosion of Chocolate
Kilwin’s Quality Confections, Inc. of Petoskey, Michigan invested $5.5 million dollars into renovating an empty building in Petoskey to serve as their national headquarters. Candy production, new franchisee training, corporate offices, kitchen tours, and retail shopping are all under one roof. This tourist destination will bring much needed life back to an underutilized building in Petoskey’s business district. Half of the expected 25 new full time employees have been hired. The local investment will also be a boost to the local tax base. NLEA is proud to have assisted with funding options for this project. Visit www.kilwins.com to see what they've been making.
An Explosion of Chocolate: Kilwin's Quality Confections, Inc. Now Open
More 2011 Success Stories
Central Lake Awarded CDBG Grant for Armor Express
Sustainable Energy Available Locally
Moran Iron Works Builds for the Future
IMI $1.2 Million Investment in New Technology
Local Foundations Continue Support of Entrepreneur Program
Credit Union Expansion Supports Downtown Cheboygan Revitalization