Recent 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.
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.
Wojan Earns Top Ranking Once Again...
For the third year in a row, Wojan Window & Door Corp. has earned a position in the Inc. 5000. The company received a rank of 2346 by Inc. magazine – as part of the publication’s 2009 annual list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America. “This is our third consecutive year to receive the Inc. 5000 honor, and it goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to keep growing the business,” said company President and CEO Dennis Wojan. “Even in the face of a tough economy, we’ve persevered to continue development of new products. We have a number of exciting things in the pipeline.”
Moran Iron Works, of Onaway, Awarded $7 Million Contract
A northern Michigan company has been awarded a $7 million contract for the fabrication of emissions reduction equipment to be installed at Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell Complex in Jackson, MI as part of a $100 million project. Moran Iron works is a privately held corporation, specializing in industrial fabrication and custom welding, operating a dynamic and flexible fabrication facility in Onaway, Mich., that supplies custom welding and industrial fabrication products to a global market.
Moran Iron Works Awarded $7 Million ContractClick here to Download
Collaboration Benefits Entire Community
Scott Schiemann, owner of Petoskey Machining & Hydraulic Repair, LLC received assistance from Brian Braddock, Entrepreneurial Division Director for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA). Through grant money provided by the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation the NLEA is able to work with clients like Schiemann to promote Entrepreneurs in Emmet County.
Collaboration Benefits Entire CommunityClick here to Download
$12 Million Dollar Ground Breaking
Catt Development broke ground on their $12 million dollar One Water Street development in Boyne City last month. The NLEA helped facilitate brownfield cleanup financing with the city, the city DDA, the Charlevoix County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the county, the MDEQ and the MEDC. Here hazardous substances are being remediated on the former railroad roundhouse site. The retail phase should be open in May 2010.
Cheboygan’s Pedestrian Footbridge Project Almost Complete
October 8th was an exciting day in Cheboygan. The pedestrian footbridge was picked up off the ground by a large crane and placed in its new home, spanning the Cheboygan River (see photo). This project is being funded through a combination of grant funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA). NLEA assisted the City in applying for the MSHDA funds and is helping them with grant administration. This project is expected to be substantially completed by early November. Click below for the complete story.
Charlevoix's East Park Named One of Best Public Places in Nation
Often referred to as a jewel for its aesthetics and functionality, East Park has been officially recognized as a "Great Public Space." The American Planning Association made the announcement October 7, and Charlevoix city officials were elated. "I'm absolutely thrilled," said Charlevoix Mayor Norman Carlson Jr. "Thanks to Mike Spencer (Charlevoix City Planner) for his hard work. This is more evidence of the community coming together for a project to bring this to fruition as far as something that's enjoyed by all."
Click here for the complete story at www.petoskeynews.com
Central Lake Company Receives Multi-Million Dollar Defense Contract
Article Courtesy of The Antrim Review - Vol 7 No. 2, August 13, 2009: The Central Lake area received some really good news last week when Armor Express Body Armor announced that they have received their first direct contract from the Department of Defense.
Said President and CEO Matt Davis of the multi-million dollar contract, "The contract is an indefinite delivery/open-ended agreement. We will be making ballistic panels for the Marine Corps for the Corp's full spectrum battle equipment." Click below for the complete story.
Central Lake Company Receives ContractClick here to Download
Emmet County Promo Wins Telly Award
As Emmet County staff set out to attract people and business to their community, a video that was part of their effort drew some attention from advertising and production professionals.
Richard Hartwell, owner of Petoskey’s Hartwell Digital Video, recently was honored in the annual Telly Awards for a promotional video he worked with county staff to create. The 17-minute video, entitled “Emmet County — Live, Work & Play Here,” received a Classic Telly from the New York based Telly Awards organization. The video features a series of interviews with people who’ve chosen to live and do business in the county, as well as some who help provide amenities like education and health care. Scenic footage of the area is included as well.
Follow the link to read the entire article provided by the Petoskey News-Review: http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2009/08/10/news/doc4a8066809104e616923888.txt
Harbor Industries, Inc. Named The Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business Of The Year By The US SBA (Small Business Administration).
Company President Tim Parker says, “It is an incredible honor for our company to receive this award. We are a company that is committed to the highest standards in everything we do, and to be recognized on the national level is a thrill for us. Our family is fortunate to have such a fantastic group of people working with us. We cannot thank all of them enough for making this recognition possible.” Click below for the complete story.
Pine River, Inc. Featured on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover
Pine River Inc. of Charlevoix, manufacturer of the e-log log siding system, is pleased to announce that they have been asked to join ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on a “Hearts & Hands for Heroes” home project in the Toledo, Ohio area. This project was aired on Sunday, November 16th, 2008 at 8/7c on ABC. Click below for the complete story.
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