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.
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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