Vol. 25 September 2011 Newsletter

NLEA's Fall Networking Event

Nearly 100 NLEA Partners & Investors Gather

Nearly 100 NLEA partners and investors were in attendance for the first ever NLEA Sporting Clays Fun Shoot. It was a true BLAST! The main objective is always networking and relationship building between all the various partners involved with economic development in Northern Michigan. With that in mind we invited local, state, and federal government officials and business leaders to join the staff and board members of NLEA for an afternoon at the Charlevoix Rod & Gun Club. For more photos of the event, click here.

Medical Instrument Manufacturer Comes to Boyne City

Precision Edge plans $5 million investment, 30 new jobs

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.  Boyne City was one of many sites being considered by Precision Edge, both in Michigan and other states.  This brings a new industry, medical instrument production, to the region helping to diversify our economic base.   Click here for more details.

Historic Dilworth Hotel Prepares for Facelift

Historic Dilworth Hotel in downtown Boyne City

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.   A proposed $600,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) strategic fund and brownfield tax credits will help that plan become a reality.  Click here for more details.

Employment Opportunities in Cheboygan County

Thomas Moran, Moran Iron Works acquires former Nor-Agg

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.   "This acquisition will help us retain business in Cheboygan County", states Tom Moran. "Currently we outsource millions of dollars of manufacturing business to welding companies downstate. When Citizens National Bank contacted me about the availability of the facility and equipment, I thought it would be a great opportunity for Cheboygan County and Moran Iron Works."  Click here for the complete story.

Char-Em ISD Receives Accreditation

Pictured from left: Kathy Sergeant, Rick Diebold, Mary Jason, Thelma Chellis and Gus Bishop

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. Click here for the complete story.

Your Downtown Benefits: Michigan Main Street

As you are aware, thriving downtowns are an important factor in an energized economy. The National Trust Main Street Program is a proven method of downtown preservation and revitalization. The Michigan Main Street Center at Michigan State Housing Developement Authority (MSHDA) is one of 43 state coordinating programs and more than 2200 participating municipalities. Currently, Michigan has 16 communities at the Selected and Master Levels and 21 at the Associate Level. The Michigan Main Street Program would like to invite you and your community to learn more about the benefits of this program by applying for our 2012 Associate Level trainings. Click here for complete details.

Pure Michigan and Your Business

Help deliver the Pure Michigan brand. There are a number of opportunities now available to businesses and economic development partners to share the powerful Pure Michigan brand and help sell our state as a top business and tourism destination. We are now able to apply online to use the Pure Michigan business marketing and tourism logos and the  "Why Michigan" video can be used on any organization's Web site, PowerPoint presentation, or Facebook page simply by clicking the YouTube link and saving the video for posting. Another great resource is the daily email Michigan Economic News. This service is a great way to stay up-to-date with breaking news relating to economic development in our state.
 

MSU Extension presents "Ask an Expert"

For answers to your questions...MSU Extension invites you to "Ask an Expert" in our national internet system. It is easy, quick, and confidential. Search our database, upload pictures, and ask our experts on a wide variety of topics. Experts are Extension Faculty from Michigan State University and from universities across the country. Your answers will arrive within a few days via e-mail along with links to additional information. Each answer is based on research so you can be confident that it is accurate and unbiased.
HOW DO YOU ASK A QUESTION? Go to one of these sites and type your question: Go to http://www.extension.org , click on the Ask an Expert button in the right column.
For questions about Gardening in Michigan: http://www.migarden.msu.edu/.
To contact Michigan experts in many areas, go to http://www.people.msue.msu.edu/.
To contact your local Extension office call 1-888-678-3464 (or 1-888-MSUE-4MI).

Great Workshops, Seminars & Conferences

Click on each title for complete details.

Oct. 4:    Access to Capital
Oct. 10:  Extreme Entrepreneur Tour - Alpena
Oct. 11:  Small Business Conference
Oct. 11:  Extreme Entrepreneur Tour - Traverse City
Oct. 11:  Lean Champion Program
Oct. 25:  Michigan Charged Up to Host 'The Battery Show'
Oct. 26:  Fundamentals of Starting a Business
Nov. 8:   Charlevoix Chamber Seminar Series