Partnership News and Views

Local Agriculture Movement Continues to Grow

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0000

We’ve heard a lot of great feedback in our office regarding a column I did last month on agribusiness. Judging by the response and the realization of how much momentum local agriculture continues to gain, we plan to do a few more columns on the topic.

In the last agribusiness column we discussed the overall impact agribusiness has on our local and State economy, how demand for food production and distribution is changing and what opportunities are forecasted. We talked to several people about agribusiness in the Upper Peninsula and Marquette County. One thing that everyone definitely agrees upon is that more people are selling and buying locally produced goods, and a lot of this activity is coming from “hobby farms”, or small farms maintained without expectation of being a primary source of income.

Bruce Nail, store manager at Tractor Supply Company agrees that more and more people are getting in to raising crops or livestock in our area. “It looks as though we’re seeing an increase in the cottage industry of agriculture with locally owned, small family operations. It’s seems to be a ‘back to basics’ movement where people are looking for more organic, locally produced goods and producing their food themselves.”

Bruce says that he sees an increased community involvement in raising chickens. “At Tractor Supply we have what we call ‘Chick Days’ where we sell chicks that are in-stock or by special order. The chickens definitely sell fast!” Bruce also said that it seems as though some cities and townships have become less stringent with ordinances, allowing for people to keep layers or egg birds. Chick Days at Tractor Supply run from February 27 until April 22.

Bruce believes there is also increased interest in raising goats for meat and milk production, llamas, highland cattle and other livestock. I thought it was interesting when Bruce told us that the store has provided resources for bee-keepers and syrup producers.

“Maple syrup is becoming more popular because of the warmer weather we are getting earlier in the year,” Bruce said, “So the season for syrup production is getting longer.” He also explained that our area is great for syrup production because of the kinds of trees we have in our area, and that there are many kinds of trees that can be tapped to gather sap for syrup making.

Another help for cultivating agribusiness in the State is the Michigan Cottage Industry Law, passed in July of 2010, which allows the production and sale of some goods from a home business without requiring inspections and special licenses. Learn more about the Cottage Industry Law at michigan.gov/mda.

As I mentioned in the last agribusiness column, Farm Journal Magazine reports that several experts claim that food production will have to double by the year 2050 to keep pace with a growing population, so the increase in food production at a local level is positive, even if it’s a small scale operation.

If you are interested in learning more about agribusiness in Michigan, a list of resources can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdard. Also, look for local support and resources at some of our partner business who are involved in this sector such as Tractor Supply Company or the Marquette Food Co-op. For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership please visit www.marquette.org or write to us at lscp@marquette.org.

Terms of Economic Development

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:51:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I discussed the “life-cycle” or “stages” of business, and explained how we use each stage to categorize and define the clients we work with at the Lake Superior Community Partnership. While doing this, I was reminded that the jargon used in economic development can be confusing to those outside of the industry.

For instance, the term “Business Retention” is used often by economic development organizations (EDO) and is of the highest priority in our field. Business retention refers to the process of encouraging businesses to stay and grow within a community where they are valued. You may have also heard the new term “Economic Gardening,” which is essentially the same concept.

A large portion of an EDO’s time is spent on business retention, rather than “Business Attraction” which is the process of encouraging businesses to relocate to your community. While a part of an overall economic development strategy, attraction remains the most difficult and expensive for an EDO. It is an area that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (of who we are a local partner) plays a lead role, allowing local EDOs to plug in. The number of attraction projects tend to be minimal while the number of organizations and communities vying for them astronomical. The LSCP continues to work with national site consultants and developers, providing pertinent information about Marquette County in hopes that we will be a match for some of their upcoming projects.

In 2011, the LSCP Dashboard was created as a quick reference to statistics demonstrating our work in economic development, as well as the progress of our local economy. On the dashboard we measure “New Jobs Committed,” “Existing Jobs Retained” and “Retention Visits.”

An LSCP “Retention Visit” is a face-to-face meeting with an existing company and is a check-up of the overall health of the enterprise. It is also an opportunity to say thank you for their economic contribution to the region. In 2011 the LSCP conducted 125 retention visits, more than doubling our efforts in 2010 (49). Topics of these meetings generally include workforce, facilities, markets, products, challenges, opportunities, financing, regulation and technology. Typically, retention visits result in the client utilizing our assistance on a topic of concern and/or identification of resources to facilitate an opportunity.

In measuring the success of our retention program, the jobs already in existence at the business which we have worked with are counted as “Existing Jobs Retained” and any potential job development is counted as “New Jobs Committed.” Last year, LSCP economic development activities supported projects that represented 4,720 existing jobs retained and the development of 2,162 new jobs committed.

Measuring the success of an economic development program continues to be a work in progress in our industry. There are so many factors to consider: jobs created, retained jobs, new investment dollars, increased property values and median household income to name a few. If a company adds a new product/service, uses new technology, creates efficiencies that increase their bottom line but does not result in a new job … how is that measured? Ultimately, it is our goal to facilitate economic growth and enhance prosperity in our region.

As I’ve always said: EDOs do not create jobs, it’s the investors, entrepreneurs and companies that we work with who create the jobs. It is our job to make sure that they have the ability and opportunities to do so.

If you are interested in learning more about economic development and what the Lake Superior Community Partnership can do for your business, please visit www.marquette.org or write to us at lscp@marquette.org.

U.P. 200 a Premier Winter Event

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:23:00 +0000

The U.P. 200 Sled Dog Race is set to kick off this Friday on Washington Street in Downtown Marquette for the 21st consecutive year. The 240 mile Iditarod qualifier is held on the third weekend in February every year, and brings spectators and mushers to Marquette County from across the State, country and even the world.

Like so many of our other premier winter events, such as the ski jumps at Suicide Hill in Ishpeming and the Noquemanon Cross-country Ski Race, the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run generate significant dollars for our area, and it only seems to be growing!

“This year promises to be the biggest yet for the U.P. 200 sled dog race. With the addition of new sponsors and an increases purse, what got off as a slow start for musher sign ups, has turned out to be exactly what the 200 planners anticipated. The cancellation of the Bear Grease race in Minnesota was good news for the 200 as mushers began signing up. Race planners are excited about starting both races downtown which will total approximately over fifty mushers starting off on Friday night,” explains Pat Black, Director of the Marquette Country Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Black adds, “New to the race this year is the Musher Bus sponsored by Dr. Tim Hunt and hosted by Fred Huffman of Marquette Country Tours. The Musher Bus, provided by Checker Bus, will leave the Holiday Inn at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning traveling to Munising to watch the finish of the Midnight Run, then on to Grand Marais, arriving approximately 12:30 PM. Lunch will be available at a nominal cost and everyone will have the opportunity to visit with the mushers, dogs and volunteers in Grand Marais, before departing back to Marquette for a 5:00 PM arrival. The cost for this trip is $20.00 per person and reservations can be made by calling 228-3072.”

“Most of our hotels are full,” Black said, “so this tells me that we are looking at about 2,000 room nights at an average of $100 per night, which alone is about $250,000 in revenue. Multiply that by $150 per room in spending and we are looking at another $300,000. So in total, we would conservatively estimate between $500,000 and $750,000 into the county on that (U.P. 200) weekend.”

The U.P. 200 is also a draw for legislators and state officials. Each year the Marquette County Ambassadors hold a legislative reception, as do other companies and organizations, to capitalize on their visits. The Ambassadors invite all legislators in the State House and Senate, as well as State department heads, our federal representatives and all locally elected officials in Marquette County. Bringing these officials together during the U.P. 200 is a highly valuable use of everyone’s time while enjoying a great event.

Thanks to all who work tirelessly to create and implement these events and benefit our community in so many ways! Marquette County continues to draw an incredible amount of attention to our piece of the world, and it’s people like you who help our community make a huge impact!

For information on these and other winter events, visit the community-wide calendar of events at marquette.org. For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership call 226-9658 or email us at lscp@marquette.org.

Business Life-Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Economic development most of the time means business development. The Lake Superior Community Partnership works with businesses on a day to day basis to help foster the creation and retention of jobs in our community.

Beyond self-employed or single employee companies, there are four traditional “stages” that economic developers use to categorize the businesses they work with. Each categorical stage represents a phase in the businesses life-cycle. We have found the definitions used by the Edward Lowe Foundation helpful in categorizing businesses and identifying challenges they face as they grow from start-ups to mature companies. Here is a break-down of each stage as defined by the Edward Lowe Foundation (youreconomy.org):

Stage 1 (2-9 employees) – This stage is focused on defining a market, developing a product or service, obtaining capital and finding customers. Typically referred to as “start-ups,” this stage may also include partnerships and lifestyle businesses.

Stage 2 (10-99 employees) – At this stage, companies typically have a proven product and have moved beyond just simply trying to survive. These companies begin to develop infrastructure and standardize operational systems, as leaders begin to delegate more versus having their hands in all aspects of the operation. As you might imagine, Stage 2 companies make up the majority of the business community in Marquette County and represent the typical company that the LSCP business development team works with the most.

Stage 3 (100-499 employees) – This is the stage where companies begin to look for opportunities to expand; broaden their geographic reach, add new products and pursue new markets. Companies introduce formal processes and procedures, and the founder is less involved in daily operations and more concerned with managing culture and change.

Stage 4 (500 or more employees) – Typically stage 4 companies dominate their respective industry, and focus on maintaining and defending their market position. Key objectives are controlling expenses, productivity, penetrating the global market and managing market niches.

Not all companies fit neatly within the described stages. It is more important to define the challenges and opportunities facing a business and to develop solutions that allow the enterprise to grow and prosper than to categorize a business based upon the number of employees. However, these general descriptions are helpful in defining the common challenges that businesses encounter as they move through the business life cycle.

The LSCP is available to assist companies as they meet the variety of challenges and opportunities that exist in the business world. The LSCP provides a wide variety of effective development services from entrepreneurial assistance to site selection, financing, facilitation services, incentive support, grant writing/research and more.

2011 Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

We are coming to the end of a very busy January at the Lake Superior Community Partnership. The month has not only been spent refining our plans for 2012, but recapping our efforts and achievements in 2011. As we enter a new year of possibilities, it is important to look back to celebrate successes, look to improve, and prepare for challenges and opportunities. Let me highlight just a few:

Financial viability is typically challenging for non-profit and member driven organizations. Through the tireless efforts of our Finance Task Force, Treasurer and Controller, we have been able to manage expenses, diversify our revenue base and plan for the future. We are holding steady with a budget of approximately $670,000, and a staff of 10 to carry out all our economic development programs and services county-wide. Our dues are approximately 32% of our budget, and of this, 78% is privately funded.

The way we communicate with our partners and the community was a major focus for us in 2011 and will continue to be and even larger part of our efforts moving forward. There are plenty of opportunities to connect and find out what the LSCP is up to, as well as important news and announcements that effect our economy and business community. Our Web site has been revamped and reorganized to better serve our partners and clients, increase transparency and create more clarity as to who we are and what we do. Of course, social media has played a big role in helping us engage with a larger audience.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership recently published a “Guide to Business Development and Marketing Resources” hand book, which details all of the LSCP’s services in economic development, talent enhancement/workforce development, networking & business promotions, business to business programs, business marketing & advertising, and our exclusive insurance benefits. You can find this online or call our office for a copy.

Our efforts in community and workforce development continue to have an impact with programs such as the Lake Superior Leadership Academy, 40 Below Young Professionals Network, Electrical Line Technician and Substation Program, Lake Superior Partners in Education and Marquette Area Bikeability Committee.

We gained 39 new dues-paying partners in 2011 and our retention rate was 88 percent which is four percent about the national average (84%). The majority of our partners continue to be those with less than 25 employees, making up 61 percent of our entire partnership.

Our business efforts are our bread and butter. We are very proud of the progress that we have made in 2011, servicing 228 clients which is more than twice as many as 2010 (85). In 2011, LSCP economic development activities supported projects in all stages of development that represented commitments of the retention of 4,720 jobs and development of 2,162 more. I want to be very clear that the LSCP/EDC does none of this in a silo. We have partners and stakeholders involved in each and every successful project. Also, we have the pleasure of assisting many companies and entrepreneurs throughout the year, but in the end it’s the investor who pulls the trigger and creates the job. Retention/Expansion of existing businesses made up 55 percent of our business development clients in 2011, while 25 percent were start-up business projects, and 20 percent were prospective businesses based in other areas of the country.

More information on the LSCP’s 2011 successes will be released soon in our Annual Report, and will be available on our Web site. For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In or at marquette.org. Of course you can always call us at 226-6591.

Operation Action U.P. Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:09:00 +0000

Each year, the members of Operation Action U.P. (OAUP) and the business community from across the Upper Peninsula gather for their Annual Meeting to celebrate the accomplishments of regional businesses and share in their success.   This year’s meeting will take place Friday, January 27 in the Great Lakes Rooms of the NMU University Center in Marquette.

Operation Action U.P.’s mission is to bring together industrial corporations, financial institutions, utilities, institutions of higher learning, businesses and concerned citizens in a coalition that will work to create a favorable economic climate and strong employment base for Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The theme of this year’s OAUP Annual Meeting is “Jobs vs. Regulatory Burden,” which is aimed at addressing the challenges businesses have when complying with such things as environmental regulations.

The keynote address will be given by Dr. Susan Hedman, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator. She directs EPA’s operations in the six-state Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as 35 federally recognized tribal governments. She is also Manager of the Great Lakes National Program Office, which oversees restoration and protection of the largest freshwater system in the world.

Prior to accepting her current appointment from President Obama, Dr. Hedman was environmental counsel and senior assistant attorney general in the Illinois Attorney General’s office, where she focused on litigation and legislation relating to environmental protection, energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon capture technology and associated consumer issues.

There will also be a panel discussion featuring mining experts from the region to talk about the future of mining in the Upper Peninsula. This year’s panel will include Adam Burley, president of Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company; Mick Lawler, senior mine manager of HudBay Minerals, Inc.; and David Anderson, director of health, safety and environment and government relations, Orvana Resources US Corp - Copperwood Project.

In addition, several outstanding Upper Peninsula businesses will receive Awards of Excellence for 2011. The Operation Action U.P. Excellence Awards recognize up to five outstanding businesses, or major institutional employers that have contributed to the economic well-being of the Upper Peninsula. These award winners will have the opportunity to "spotlight" their business with a presentation at the annual meeting, giving the audience a better understanding of how they came to be deserving of an Award of Excellence.

For more information on the 2012 Operation Action U.P. Annual meeting, visit operationactionup.org and download a brochure and registration form. The cost of the event, which includes lunch, is $45 for OAUP members and $50 for non-members. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Crystal Kuklinski at 906-226-6591.

Agribusiness a Growing Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

For the past few years, “Buy Local” has been the mantra for businesses and communities across the country, including our own. By now, everyone should understand the importance of keeping dollars earned within the community. A few years ago, both TV6 and the Mining Journal began community marketing campaigns that went a long way toward increasing awareness of the importance of buying locally made products. At LSCP, we’ve promoted local shopping with our Gift Check and Key to the County programs.

A sector which has begun to experience a bit of a boost from this locally-conscious movement is agriculture or “agribusiness.” Evidence is all around our community. Today, you can walk down the aisles of just about any grocery store in the area and find specially marked sections which feature products grown and produced in the Upper Peninsula. Also, many area restaurants have begun to highlight items on their menu that are made with food purchased from local growers.

According to the last census of agriculture by the United State Department of Agriculture in 2007, goods producing farms employ roughly 215 people in Marquette County. That’s not including the industry it supports such as equipment service and repair, crop transportation, the stores and restaurants that sell these products and so on. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also reports that agriculture in the state is a $71.3 billion industry, and is our second largest economic driver supporting over one million jobs.

While there is trending growth in local agribusiness, agriculturalist Charles Bergdahl claims that the demand is increasing not only for locally grown products, but for farms and farmers across the county. “In 1950, 50 percent of the U.S. population lived in rural areas and 30 percent worked on farms,” Bergdahl says. “Today, fewer than two percent of Americans farm for a living.” Farm Journal Magazine reports that, due to population growth, farmers will need to produce more food in the next 50 years than was produced in the previous 10,000 years combined! You may have heard that the world’s food production needs to double by the year 2050. This projection continues to be widely debated in agriculture circles around the globe.

According to Natasha Lantz, Education and Outreach Director for the Marquette Food Co-op and new appointee to Governor Snyder’s Food Policy Council, the State of Michigan is formulating a strategy to address the future demand. “I’m not sure whether food production necessarily needs to double, but the distribution of food needs to be addressed. That is why the State is considering the development of food hubs. ”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food hub as a “centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products.” As Natasha explains, food hubs will create opportunities for small and medium growing operations to better distribute their product, as well as address the needs of the immediate region by increasing the available supply of staple foods to areas both rural and urban.

These future projections seem to translate to a growing opportunity for business expansion and job growth in our region. “The opportunities are endless,” says Natasha Lantz, “But currently, the supply does not meet the demand. Many businesses want to buy locally, and the supply is not yet balanced with the demand. It’s a great time to start an agribusiness!”

If you are interested in learning more about agribusiness opportunities, visit the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Web site at michigan.gov/mdard. For more information on regional economic development, visit marquette.org or call 226-6591.

Thirteenth LSCP Annual Dinner & Distinguished Service Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:50:00 +0000

As a non-profit organization, the Lake Superior Community Partnership relies on fundraising events that we hold throughout the year. The proceeds generated by each fundraiser go toward economic and community development efforts in our region. Our premier fundraiser each year is our Annual Dinner, which will be Friday, March 16, from 5:30pm to 10pm in the Northern Michigan University Great Lakes Rooms.

The LSCP Annual Dinner is an opportunity for our partners to get together and network in a casual and fun atmosphere. Each year has a theme, and guests are encouraged to dress up to match the motif. This year’s theme is Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, so bust out your fancy clothing, masks and beads! Did I mention there will be a few surprises along the way?

Partners have many opportunities to market their business through various Annual Dinner Sponsorships. Some sponsorship packages include such benefits as complimentary Annual Dinner tickets, email broadcasts, logos placed on our Web site, event exposure and other special recognition.

Additionally, partners have the opportunity to sponsor prize baskets for raffles and silent auction. Each prize basket is donated by partner businesses and is a great way to market your product or service! Fundraising from all sponsored activities go a long way in supporting the LSCP’s economic development and community development efforts in Marquette County.

Along with the basket drawings, there will be drawings for other great prizes. This year, one lucky person will have the chance to drive away with a brand new 2012 Chevy Cruze, and our Grand Prize winner will be headed on a fabulous vacation for two!

Most importantly, the evening allows us to honor partners who have contributed to the betterment of Marquette County and the LSCP through the use of time, talent and treasure with the presentation of the annual Distinguished Service Awards sponsored by the Marquette County Ambassadors. Two awards, one for a business and one for an individual, will be presented to recipients who have continually demonstrated leadership in the community. Last year, we recognized Dr. Les Wong and Upper Peninsula Health Plan.

We need your help to identify this year’s recipients!! The LSCP is currently accepting nominations for both Distinguished Service Awards. If you would like to recognize a particular individual or business for their efforts and achievements, please let us know. To receive a nomination form, contact us at 226-6591 or visit www.marquette.org.

In order for an individual or business to be eligible, a nominee must meet the following criteria:

● Lake Superior Community Partnership member

● Contribution to the betterment of Marquette County and the LSCP through the use of time, talent and/or treasure

● Demonstrate leadership in the community

● Must work and/or reside in Marquette County

● Nominee must be an individual and/or business

Return the nomination form by fax (226-2099) or email (lscp@marquette.org) no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

This year’s Annual Dinner promises to be fun for all, and another great opportunity for LSCP partners to advertise their business, network and just have a good time. But most importantly it’s an opportunity for you to contribute to the goals and efforts of the Lake Superior Community Partnership.

Tickets can be reserved online or by calling our office by Wednesday, March 14. For more information on nominating, attending or sponsorship please call Crystal Kuklinski at 226-6591 or log on to www.marquette.org.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Small Business Owner

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:22:00 +0000

As 2011 draws to a close, 2012 presents itself with new hopes and new challenges. In business, to be successful you must constantly strive to improve. So with the New Year upon us, take some time to consider several New Year’s resolutions that will improve your business.

Just like personal resolutions, business resolutions can be tools to help you accomplish goals throughout the year. Of course, many resolutions are quickly put aside as the calendar changes from January to February. Make 2012 the year you resolve to stay on track. Here are five resolutions for you to consider when thinking about your own business and where you would like to be in 2012.

# 1. Communicate Your Business Plan Last year we dusted off our business plans, thoroughly reviewed them and did what we could to make improvements. This year, it is time to share it with employees and make sure everyone is rowing in the same direction. Make it clear to your staff what the company’s top priorities are. Review with them the company’s performance in 2011 and note the areas where you succeeded or fell short. Remember, the Lake Superior Community Partnership stands ready to provide that annual “business health check” with you.

#2. Develop a Social Media Strategy Social media is not a fad! It has become the largest fundamental shift in our culture since the industrial revolution. As a business, you must adapt to the technology of the times. Social media is easy and inexpensive, and can be a powerful marketing tool. It’s also a great opportunity for small businesses that have not yet developed a Web site.

#3. Make Contacts In-person While social media has turned how the world communicates upside-down, be mindful to use LinkedIn and Facebook as tools to meet face to face, not as an excuse not to. Be conscious to make those human connections. Business is still done with a hand shake, and you can’t shake hands over Facebook. Don’t forget that it is relationships that drive your business. Once a week, take time to drop a handwritten note or card to someone you do business with. The small gesture will be greatly appreciated.

#4. Goal Driven Days Instead of focusing each day on tasks to check off, set goals and accomplish them. Too often we get lost focusing on the trees and not seeing the forest. Take a step back and focus on a bigger picture. Set a goal for each day and accomplish it. Respond to change throughout the day and work as a team to achieve your desired result.

#5. Do What You Say You Are Going To Do Accountability is the most important characteristic a business or business person can possess. If you promise to attend a meeting, be there. If you say you will contact someone, call. Take the old “let’s get together soon” and actually do it. Communicate when you will be running late, if the project will last longer than anticipated, etc. Whatever your stated goals for 2012 are, stick to them!

If you are a business owner, operator or have the desire to become one, remember that the Lake Superior Community Partnership and its strong network of partners and resources are just a click or call away. Let us become your advocate and partner today for a successful and rewarding 2012.

Visit us on the web at www.marquette.org for more information on our Business Resources. Or, call 226-6591 to set up an appointment to talk to one of our development specialists.

Holiday Wishes from LSCP

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:23:00 +0000

The holiday season is once again upon us! My staff can vouch for my love of the season (they’ve had to put up with Christmas music coming from my office since before Thanksgiving). While I will save next week’s column to review LSCP’s progress in 2011, and the ink may still be wet on our greeting cards, I would like to take the opportunity to give special recognition to a few partners.

First, I would like to thank Mike Roy for his many years of service to the Lake Superior Community Partnership as the chair of our finance committee. Mike will be retiring as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Northern Michigan University, and will step down from his officer position with the LSCP. We wish him good luck in his retirement.

On the technical side, Dennis VanLandschoot and the staff at LASCO Inc. has helped to give us much needed upgrades to our in-house computer technology, including an upgrade for our terminal server, and has found a way for us to do it all within our budget! I know our IT guy Tony is happy!

Northern Initiatives has also been a big supporter to us in the technology department this year by helping us to develop our new “Partners Only” section to our Web site. In this section, LSCP partners are able to sign up for events, pay annual dues and have access to exclusive information. Big thanks to Amanda Blondeau, Ryan Sharkey and Dennis West.

For another year, Jim Reevs and the dedicated staff at the Mining Journal have provided us the space and opportunity to discuss economic development and other topics. I enjoy writing this column every week and hope to continue for as long as the Mining Journal will have me.

Of course, it would be impossible for the LSCP to conduct business and carry out our mission without those who volunteer their time on our boards and committees. Our direction and activities are truly driven by the partners who step up to participate in our organization on another level.

The same also goes to those who support our mission financially. Nearly eighty percent of our funding is from private business investment. Without these contributions, LSCP could not carry out its mission. Another huge thank you to our public sector partners who, along with us, believe in regional economic development efforts. Most importantly, I want to thank our Chairman’s Circle members, a group of visionary leaders who have made economic development in Marquette County a top priority. As a member of the Chairman’s Circle, partners demonstrate their commitment to the region and the economic progress it has made through the financial support of our private-public partnership.

And a special shout out to the staff of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, who work tirelessly to benefit our region. They are incredible people who make me smile and raise each other up every day.

If you would like to learn more about the Lake Superior Community Partnership, please visit www.marquette.org or call 226-6591. Happy holidays!

Tax Credits for Donations to End

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:26:00 +0000

As you may or may not know, January 1, 2012 will mark the end of tax credits from the State of Michigan for donations made to charities and non-profits. Until now, Michigan has offered a tax credit of 50 percent of an individual’s donation, worth up to $100 per year. So, if you donated $200 you would receive $100 back on your taxes. Anything above a $200 donation has not been eligible for a credit from the State.

Though the tax kick-back might be perceived as relatively small, the thought of eliminating the incentive for donations can seem unsettling to many non-profits, especially at a time when our State is recovering from an economic downturn and funding sources are becoming thin. However, donations to charities and non-profits should not be based on the fact that they can be itemized on one’s tax returns, but because of interest in supporting the mission and cause of a particular organization. Many of these types of organizations play key roles in keeping our communities fed, safe, hospitable, fun, vibrant and progressive.

In the past, Michigan residents have been generous participants and givers. According to a 2009 study, 87 percent of Michigan residents on average make charitable contributions each year, with nearly 50 percent of adults volunteering for non-profit organizations. It is my hope that the people of this great State continue their charity.

But it goes beyond food pantries and humanitarian aid. Almost all of our unique events in Marquette County are spearheaded by non-profit organizations such as the Negaunee Irontown Association and the Marquette 4th of July Committee. Some help our area youth such as the Marquette-Alger Great Start Collaborative and the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, and others fund various aspects of our community like the Marquette County Community Foundation.

My point is that many organizations which make our community so particularly vibrant and wonderful rely heavily on your charitable donations, and will continue to need your support even after the $100 tax credit expires. There are, however, a few weeks left in 2011 to take advantage of the 45 year old Michigan income tax credit for charitable donations! With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to open your wallet and your heart to help a great cause in our community.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shameless plug for our own Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation! The LSCP Foundation’s primary mission is to promote and advance economic and workforce development in the Upper Peninsula by working with area business leaders to determine workforce needs and appropriate use of resources; to promote and advance education by working for systemic change in area school systems to address workforce needs in the community; and to promote and advance cultural and recreational activities through grants and coordinated efforts with other community grant making agencies.

To learn about the projects of the LSCP Foundation and make a donation, visit our Web site, www.marquette.org and click on “Donate” under the Participate menu.

LSCP Adds to Bomb Threat Reward

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:59:00 +0000

There is no question how wonderful of a region we have. Site Selection magazine lists us at 20^th among the nation’s 576 micropolitans. We’ve been recognized by other national media as a top Summer Destination, top Winter Wonderland, top Place to Retire, top Place to Raise a Family, a top performing eCity and America’s most Distinctive Destination. We’ve been visited by the Canadian Consul General, Governor of the State of Michigan and the President of the United States. Heck, even the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers wanted a piece of us! And that’s all just in the past year! All of these things have happened because the Marquette region truly has something special going on.

I’ve said it a million times: it’s easy to market a community which is so vibrant with its spectacular events, natural beauty, rich history, and camaraderie of good hearted and hardworking residents. However, when things such as the bomb threats on Black Friday happen in our community, it has an adverse effect on numerous levels.

Obviously, when a large portion of our major local retailers close due to an emergency, it will have a negative impact on our economy. Black Friday is a day packed with super-saving sales and deals aimed to ease the impact of the holidays on the wallets of consumers, and give a profitable boost to businesses. How did the threats affect Small Business Saturday? Did shoppers stay home after the threats, uncomfortable to venture out?

Such an incident can create negative press, painting an inaccurate perception of the personality of our community. It can also be uninviting to prospective employers looking to do business in our area. Not only does it create questions in the minds of people from out of the area, but in the minds of our own residents as well. Things like this aren’t supposed to happen here, and the criminal act has left many of us feeling violated in our own community.

On the flip side, our community has responded with the strong message that such action is not tolerated in our region. Spear-headed by Mining Journal publisher Jim Reevs, a reward was immediately put forth for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for these threats. Other area businesses have since come forward to show support of the effort and add to the reward cache.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership agrees that this type of criminal act flies in the face of everything our region stands for, and that is why we are doing our part and adding to the reward fund as well. There is no room in our community for such deplorable acts, and we are confident that our law enforcement and judicial system will solve the case and bring those responsible to justice.

If you have any information related to the bomb threats please call the Marquette City Police Department at 228-0400.

Plus One Program

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:08:00 +0000

The Lake Superior Community Partnership believes that the creation of a single job has a ripple effect on its’ regional economy. It creates an income, contributes to a family, it funds federal & state government, buys lunch, school clothes, new shoes and a car. It pays the heat & electric bills, cell phone, cable, a night on the town, doctor’s bills, mortgage payments and haircuts. The new job creates a ripple, just like a drop of water into a still pool of water.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is dedicated to regional economic and community development. As part of those efforts, the LSCP along with Michigan Works! developed a program called Plus One to highlight job creation in Marquette County.

Originated by the LSCP Chairman’s Circle, the Plus One program was designed to spur business expansion within our existing business community, by encouraging LSCP members to create one new job.

The Plus One program is designed around the premise that an employer adding just one employee contributes to economic development in Marquette County. This program centers on recognizing the impact of businesses that create at least one new position have on the growth of our regional economy. These businesses receive a plaque and are recognized through press releases, LSCP podcast, RSS feeds, Business After Hours events, award presentations and a designated spot on the LSCP Web site www.marquette.org. Since the inception of the program five years ago, we have recognized Marquette County businesses that have collectively created over 1,026 jobs!

The LSCP encourages business growth through the Plus One program, and are prepared to assist your business in making the right moves to expand and add new jobs to our economy. Our services include site selection; incentive and financial assistance; strong networks locally, statewide and nationally; demographic, wage, and economic data; assistance with navigation through local and state government requirements; access to workforce training and recruitment resources; business start-up, expansion, and succession and exit assistance.

In 2010, we recognized thirty Marquette County businesses who collectively created 272 new jobs. Does your business deserve to be recognized next? Are you ready to become a part of Plus One? You can make a difference in the economic development of Marquette County!

If you have added employees to your business/organization in 2011 and are interested in participating in the Plus One program, or would like more information about how the Lake Superior Community Partnership can help with your business expansion, please contact Lindsay at 226-9658, lhemmila@marquette.org, or visit www.marquette.org.

Giving Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:49:00 +0000

The true purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday is to reflect upon the things we are grateful for in life. We all have our own things to be thankful for as individuals, such as our families and our friends, but what are the things we are grateful for as a community?

As the CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, I am thankful for the characteristics of this area that we use in economic and community development to draw people here. I am thankful for the safe neighborhoods, cities and townships of Marquette County. I can’t think of too many places in America where locking your car doors isn’t mandatory, or where you can take a midnight stroll with little worry.

Along the same lines is our low risk of natural disaster. Don’t get me wrong, we certainly have our share of snow storms. However, I don’t think we will generate a hurricane or flood anytime soon (right Karl?).

While our community’s safety is a huge selling point, so are many other great aspects like our excellent schools and strong healthcare. But the greatest aspect of our community is the hard working, friendly people who have built a culture so unique it is an amenity in itself.

Part of Marquette County’s distinctiveness can be attributed to the many small businesses that make up our economy. While the day after Thanksgiving, or “Black Friday,” is a big boost to large retailers, and Cyber Monday is a lift for web-based businesses, Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

The second annual Small Business Saturday is this Saturday, November 26^th, and movement creator American Express OPEN, along with several other advocacy groups, are encouraging millions of Americans to “Shop Small” at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy.

According to the SBA, small businesses have accounted for 60-80% of new jobs in the United States over the past ten years. According to The 3/50 Project, 68 cents of every dollar spent with an independent retailer returns to that community, which in turn helps to provide funding for schools, roads, and other municipal services. This is why supporting local retailers is extremely important, especially in an area where small business makes up the majority of our commerce.

For this second annual event, FedEx has teamed with American Express to boost the U.S. small business economy by giving away 30,000 Shop-Small gift cards, each worth $25 to customers through a Facebook promotion. FedEx is also helping to promote the event as the official print sponsor and allowing for independent retailers and small businesses to access Small Business Saturday posters that can be printed via the FedEx Office Print Online application at a 20 percent discount. To download promotional materials, visit http://facebook.com/shopsmall. For more information and other social tools to promote your business, visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.

This holiday weekend, I encourage you to be mindful of what we as a community can be thankful for, and to give support to the small businesses that support our community! For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership call 226-9658 or visit www.marquette.org.

Don’t Count Out Manufacturing

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:07:00 +0000

If I said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times (oh my, I sound like my mother): The key to a strong regional economy is diversity and balance, and a strong manufacturing sector is a critical component. In order for us to have “stuff”, it needs to be made!

Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing is still going strong in the United States, accounting for 57% of all U.S. exports. As a matter of fact, the United States is the world’s largest manufacturer, producing 22% of all goods on the planet. Also, studies show that employees in the in this sector earn 18% more than other workers.

The Manufacturing Institute just released its 2011 Annual Index “Unwavering Commitment. The Public’s View of the Manufacturing Industry Today” and it’s an interesting read. This is the Institute’s third annual survey, which polled a sample of 1,000 Americans from across all fifty states.

Since the survey has been conducted, one thing remains consistent: Americans have a favorable view of manufacturing as an important job creator, in both the United States and globally. The Index notes that this sentiment held true despite the turbulent economy. As a matter of fact, for the first time since 1997, U.S. manufacturing jobs grew by 1.2% in 2010.

The survey also found that Americans value manufacturing, see the sector as fragile and want stronger national policies and leadership to support it. Here are a few stats to back this up:

· 86% believe the sector is important or very important

· 79% say it should be a national priority

· 55% see the sector as becoming weaker in the long term

· 68% view manufacturing as high-tech

· 66% agree that manufacturing requires well educated and highly skilled employees

Oddly, the survey reveals that while we believe manufacturing is important for the economy, choosing it as a career path ranks fairly low. Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 rank it last as a path they would choose. Concerns with stability of jobs in the long term, off-shoring and policy issues perpetuate this sentiment among the nation’s employable youth.

Adding to the concern about a future manufacturing workforce is the section showing that only 33% of Americans would encourage their child to pursue it as a career, and only 19% believed their school system encourages this as a career path.

Looking at our economy, manufacturing, forestry and mining continue to play a significant role in its strength and diversity. Preparing for the future of this sector will be an important effort in which all of us can play a role. The Manufacturing Institute sums it up by saying, “Nurturing and sustaining this delicate growth will require a mix of effective policy decisions, steady supplies of world class talent, and positive shifts in investment and growth strategies for manufacturing by both business leaders and policy makers.”

For a copy of the full report and additional information, visit http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org. For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership, visit www.marquette.org or call 226-6591.

Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:39:00 +0000

While business retention, expansion and attraction activities are most commonly associated with economic development, another important function of the Lake Superior Community Partnership is to be Marquette County's business advocate.

The LSCP, through task force and board recommendations, takes positions on legislative issues that affect and impact our local business community. We are the legislative "eyes, ears and voice" for Marquette County businesses by tracking bills, educating our Partners and communicating our position to legislators on key issues.

The reason the LSCP has been able to be a successful advocate is, plain and simple, our strength in numbers. We are one unified, collective voice speaking in representation of over 700 business and community partners from the central Upper Peninsula.

The LSCP has four advocacy committees: The Transportation Task Force, which addresses all modes of transportation and the challenges/opportunities involved with developing an effective and efficient transportation network for Marquette County; Advocacy Task Force, which develops official LSCP positions on state and federal policy issues; Energy Task Force, which is made up of utility industry partners to address utility matters; and the Marquette County Ambassadors, a privately funded group of business, education, community and government leaders across the county who have made an annual trip to Lansing to meet with legislators for over two decades.

Now, the LSCP is taking another step toward strengthening the legislative voice of not only Marquette County, but the Upper Peninsula as a region by joining the Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance (NMRCA).

The Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance was established based on the premise that many legislative issues impact northern Michigan (Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula) in similar ways. These issues can be addressed regionally to maximize the political influence of this 11-county alliance representing 6,500 businesses and organizations.

With the addition of the LSCP, the alliance includes the Alpena Area, Benzie County, Cadillac Area, Charlevoix Area, Petoskey Region and Traverse City Area who have identified legislative areas to be monitored and advocated to elected officials on the local, state and federal levels.

When deemed appropriate and in support of Alliance positions and recommendations, member advocacy and grassroots activities will be developed and promoted using this legislative agenda as a basis for taking position on legislative policy.

Joining the NMRCA is an important step for the Lake Superior Community Partnership in creating a cohesive relationship with other Chambers and EDCs, as well as establishing a larger impact in Lansing for the Upper Peninsula. Members of the Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council are supporting the move and will benefit from the relationship as well.

To learn more about the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance advocacy efforts, visit www.marquette.org and click on Business Advocacy under the Business Resources menu.

Ethics in Economic Development

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:46:00 +0000

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”

- Potter Stewart

In today’s world, many lead stories in the media unfortunately have to do with individuals who make poor ethical decisions on behalf of their company or organization. While many of us may view ethical behavior as simply a “common sense” approach to situations, sometimes it isn’t that black and white. Because we in the economic development profession deal with confidential information, compete with peers for projects and serve many stakeholders, it is important that we consciously do business in a professional manner by upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership, an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) accredited organization, employs certified economic developers who are required to receive approved ethics training and adhere to the standards set by our accrediting body. By doing so, we are able to create an ethical culture for all employees and stakeholders, and be clear that we do business with the highest of ethical standards in order to be successful.

The IEDC Code of Ethics has ten guidelines. Several which stand out for me state that professional economic developers shall:

· Practice with integrity, honesty and adherence to the trust placed in them both in fact and in appearance.

· Be mindful that they are representatives of the community and shall represent the overall community interest.

· Maintain in confidence the affairs of any clients, colleague or organization and not disclose confidential information obtained in the course of professional activities.

· Cooperate with peers to the betterment of economic development technique, ability, and practice, and to strive to perfect themselves in their professional abilities through training and educational opportunities.

Rest assured that if you or your business is working with the LSCP, you can expect these principles to be adhered to. Our organization’s success is based on the ability to create and maintain strong relationships, and that cannot happen without the highest of ethical standards.

To view the full IEDC Code of Ethics, visit their Web site at http://www.iedconline.org. For more information about the Lake Superior Community Partnership, call our office at 226-6591 or visit www.marquette.org. While you are there, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Newsfeed to get daily updates on issues affecting Marquette County business, as well as what’s happening with the LSCP and its Partners.

Leadership Academy Kick-Off Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:50:00 +0000

One of the most exciting aspects of fall is welcoming the new Lake Superior Leadership Academy (LSLA) class to their eight month interactive journey. The mission of the LSLA is to “bring together new, emerging and potential leaders from the Marquette County area to address pertinent community needs, strengthen individual leadership abilities and encourage participants to personally commit to assuming leadership roles in the community”. So what does that really mean? It means the Academy students are about to embark on an incredible eight month journey around Marquette County and will gain the knowledge, desire and the ability to positively impact our region.

The kick-off retreat for the LSLA Class of 2012 took place this past weekend at the Ramada Inn where the class participated in ice breaking activities and a day-long “simulated society” exercise facilitated by Dr. Larry Peppers of Clemson University. The retreat provides the format for the following programs, which will vary from structured exercises to exploring the dynamics of our society.

The next phase of their journey is to experience the inner workings of our community and gain a broad understanding of how each piece fits together. The sessions that the students participate in are: Regional Economy, Health and Human Services, Education, Criminal Justice, Arts & Culture, Media, Government and Leadership. These valuable sessions would not be possible without our dedicated Leadership Academy committee, or our day chairs who take the lead on setting a challenging agenda for each.

Since the LSLA began in 1999, it has graduated over 250 community leaders who have infused our community with their broad based knowledge and extensive network of people. Graduates have gone on to serve as mayor, police chief, as well as members of non-profit boards and school boards.

The Academy actively solicits applicants from all sectors of the community. It is important that a cross-section of the community be represented to guarantee a diversity of perspectives that will generate meaningful interaction and learning throughout the year.

If you are interested in becoming a candidate, or if you see a fit for this type of professional development for your staff, you can sponsor an employee or submit an application any time of year. Tuition for LSLA may be paid by the sponsoring organization or corporation. A limited number of partial scholarships may be granted to individuals who might otherwise be unable to attend. Because of a generous scholarship from MARESA, we have also engaged a high school student and high school teacher to add to the group’s diversity.

I would like to thank and congratulate those businesses and organizations who have stepped forward to sponsor the participants of the LSLA Class of 2012:

John Basse—Pathways

Kahlea Berry— Lake Superior Community Partnership

Caralee Swanberg— Lake Superior Community Partnership

Stephanie Jones—Select Realty

Gwendolyn Thurston—Rio Tinto

Jeff Nyquist—UP Home Health, Hospice & Private Duty

Jimmy Johnson—Casa Calabria

Jen Claus—Upper Peninsula Health Plan

Melissa Holmquist— Upper Peninsula Health Plan

Beverly Trynoski—Manpower

Virgil Schlorke—Upper Peninsula Power Company

Katie Schoonveld—Northern Michigan University

Amy Elliott—Marquette West Rotary

Kristin Wodzinski—Bell Hospital

Kim Matulewicz—MARESA

Paulina Puskala—MARESA

Stacy Chantelois—River Valley Bank

Jamie Tomczyk—VAST

Pete Meyer—Edward Jones

Eric Stemen—City of Marquette

Susan Bohor—City of Marquette

Susan Bovan—City of Marquette

Matt Edgell—Michigan Education Association

For more information on the Lake Superior Leadership Academy, contact Lindsay Hemmila by calling 226-9658, or by email at lhemmila@marquette.org. As always, you’ll find information by visiting us on the web at www.marquette.org.

Comedy Zone - Partnership Style

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:25:00 +0000

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” –E.E. Cummings

Every now and then, the Lake Superior Community Partnership likes to put on an event that’s just plain fun! Believe it or not, those of us in the economic development business actually do have a sense of humor, and so do a lot of our partners. That’s why “The Comedy Zone – Partnership Style” is back for another year at Upfront and Company, Friday, October 28,2011.

The event will once again be hosted by the illustrious Don Ryan, Marquette City Commissioner, former local TV personality, longtime LSCP board member and Comedy Zone creator. Doors will open at 5:30 pm for heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and networking, with the show beginning at 7:00 pm.

The event is a comedy club of sorts, and will feature community leaders performing comedy routines for an audience which is expected to sell out at 300 people. Comedy Zone – Partnership Style is the perfect way to end a long work week by kicking back and having a few laughs (with probably a few at my expense!). Can’t make it? It’s also a great opportunity to treat your staff or clients and customers to a fun night out, or sponsor a table for a 40 Below member or local VIP.

Some acts from previous years include “Desperate Housewives of Marquette County,” “Who’s on First,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and fan-favorite stand up acts Mark Canale, Danny Peterson and Stu Bradley. This year’s line-up promises to be hilarious once again with skits such as “Don & Amy’s Laugh In,” “Miss Minnie May Margaret and Her All Girl Band” and “Hail to the Chief.” These bits promise to entertain, but I can’t divulge all of our secrets so you’ll have to come and check it out for yourself!

Now even though it’s all in good fun, this is an important fundraising event. Your ticket purchase supports the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s economic and community development strategies for Marquette County. However, we really do focus on providing an entertaining evening for all adults.

Cost for the evening includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and the show. Reserve your seat today for $60 per person or $380 for a table of eight, by calling the Lake Superior Community Partnership office at 226-9658 and don’t have a wasted day without laughter! For more information on the Comedy Zone – Partnership Style, visit our Web site at www.marquette.org.

Annual Drive for Partners

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:07:00 +0000

The Lake Superior Community Partnership annual Drive for Partners officially kicks off in October, and to illustrate the value of becoming a Partner, I thought I would highlight many of the LSCP resources that can benefit your organization or business.

First, a little bit about the make up of the LSCP. We are a private-public partnership (funded 75% privately and 25% publicly), serving as Marquette County’s economic and community development agency. From regional municipalities to trade associations; from educators to brokers; from utilities to tourism to retail; our strength is the diversity of our Partners.

As with any dues driven organization, the benefactor has the expectation of a return on their investment. A great example of how LSCP Partners see a return on their investment is our Business Insurance Coverage! Through Partner insurance companies, businesses can receive exclusive low rates on workers compensation, life & disability, health plans and auto Insurance.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership also serves as a marketing & advertising avenue. From event and publication sponsorship such as Business After Hours and Marquette County Vision Magazine, to press releases, email broadcasts and our “Key to the County” Partner-to-Partner benefit. Partners are also automatically included on the list of over 700 businesses who can accept LSCP gift checks, which work just like a regular check but are redeemable only at participating LSCP Partner businesses. This unique program has kept over $2.5 million locally since its inception!

As a Partner, your business is linked to our web site, where anyone from anywhere in the world can access your information. We also have many web-based tools such as our RSS news feed and Podcast, as well as our ever popular email blasts that you can use to promote your business or event. We also have our display advertising opportunities in our lobby, which is a frequented source of information to community visitors and members alike. Here you can display brochures, business cards and flyers to help drive traffic to your business or organization.

There are plenty of public relations and networking opportunities for our Partners throughout the year such as the LSCP Annual Dinner, Business After Hours, Golf Outing, and Comedy Zone, as well as professional development opportunities.

The LSCP Economic Development team offers a variety of ways to help your business as well. In conjunction with our many partners, we can help with site selection, business plan review, financing, incentive evaluation and implementation, workforce data/recruitment, or simply providing any information or contacts you may need to move forward.

Last but certainly not least, your annual dues (combined with others in the LSCP) contribute to successful collaborative efforts in economic and community development for our region. By developing strategic alliances, combining resources and working collectively, we are able to create and implement a strategic plan that incites economic growth and prosperity for all sectors of Marquette County.

So, hopefully your next question is “where do I sign up?” That’s easy! To take advantage of our Drive for Partners Special, or to get your copy of our new Business Development and Marketing Resource Guide, call Lindsay Hemmila, Director of Marketing and Public Relations to set up a meeting at 226-9658 or email her at lhemmila@marquette.org. You can also access our web site for more information at www.marquette.org.

Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:09:00 +0000

In an effort to enhance collaboration and regionalization in partnership with the economic development organizations (EDO) they serve, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has created the Collaborative Development Council (CDC). The state is broken into 10 regions in which the U.P. is Region 1. EDOs in each region have been selected to assist in leading this effort. The Lake Superior Community Partnership has the honor of representing the Upper Peninsula on the CDC and I spend time travelling to Lansing monthly for these sessions.

Regionalization and collaboration has become the priority for the Governor and the MEDC, and the CDC was created with the purpose of providing strategic direction for economic development organizations that provide business retention, expansion and retraction services on a daily basis. It also serves as a vehicle for local economic development agencies to provide programmatic input to the MEDC senior leadership team.

This working group is intended to help advance the state of Michigan's economic development through strengthening the relationships, leveraging the assets and improving the flow of communication, as well as project management between the MEDC and local partners. The new alignment of resource providers eliminates the duplication of efforts, and allows for a more effective and efficient access to resources. For the U.P., this has meant additional resources for an area that has historically been under-served.

With the strategic direction set forth by the LSCP board, our certified economic developers and staff have worked diligently with the MEDC over the years, and have built quality relationships with the state agency by working together on the nitty-gritty economic development. The LSCP is proud to have been chosen to be the liaison between the MEDC and those who work in business retention, expansion, attraction and entrepreneurship across all 15 U.P. counties.

As part of my role on the CDC, I call on my peers in the other 14 counties for input and collaboration. On a monthly basis, the Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council (UPCDC), which consists of economic developers from across the U.P., meet to discuss the needs and concerns at a local level, what’s happening at the state level and how to align with the efforts of the MEDC. Talk about a vibrant group of professionals who believe in what they do for their communities. The variety of expertise at the table is outstanding.

Current projects of the Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council include the state wide use of Salesforce, which is an economic development software program designed to track retention and expansion projects. Getting all economic developers to use the same system will allow the MEDC to track projects throughout the state and efficiently align resources and services for each circumstance.

The UPCDC is also adopting the Location One Information System sites and buildings program currently being used by the LSCP. This will allow for enhanced site selection opportunities for all locations across the Upper Peninsula, large or small. Other projects include a shared marketing portal, professional development grant, creating an exporting system to grow and develop U.P. wide legislative advocacy goals. A new staff member will be housed at the LSCP office in Marquette, but will travel from county to county to help coordinate and implement some of these region wide efforts. This shared staff resource is a grant funded position that will benefit all 15 EDOs across the U.P.

Stay tuned to find out how your local economic developers continue to work together for the benefit of the whole Upper Peninsula. To learn more about the MEDC Collaborative Development Council, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/collaborative-development-council or call the Lake Superior Community Partnership office at 226-6591.

Second Anniversary of LSCP Column

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:24:00 +0000

As I have alluded to several times in the past few months, the Lake Superior Community Partnership has put an emphasis on our communications efforts. We’ve realized the importance of being transparent, not only to our dues paying Partners, but to the general public as well. Economic development is a vast and complicated field, and unless you deal with business retention, expansion and attraction on a daily basis, it can be difficult to wrap your head around. As I’ve also mentioned before, a substantial amount of what we work on at LSCP is and must be confidential in order to remain sensitive to the needs of our clients.

Working in a complicated industry and having to remain tight lipped about most of what we do is always a challenge, especially when you also want to share outcomes. This situation creates our most frequently asked question: “What does the LSCP do? How do I know your efforts are successful?" This is why communications has become a heightened priority at LSCP.

Over the past couple of years, we have increased our communications with our Partners, Board of Directors and the public dramatically. Of course, the development of communication tools has aided this process, such as our Web site and social media. You can find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, join our group on LinkedIn, subscribe to our RSS news feeds and sign up for the Partnership email list. These mediums have allowed us to connect and engage with people in a way that was never before possible.

One of the most valuable tools that has helped get our message out is this very column. I can’t believe it, but this week marks the two year anniversary of our weekly column in the “Your Money" section of the Mining Journal. It continues to be a pleasure to share news about what’s happening at the Lake Superior Community Partnership, and has been over the past 104 weeks.

I would like to take a moment to say “Thank You” to Jim Reevs and the dedicated staff at Mining Journal for providing the LSCP with the space each Monday, with the flexibility to write on numerous topics.

Thanks also to the LSCP staff for the time they spend brainstorming column topics, researching statistics, proofreading and helping to put together a clear and concise message every week. I would be remiss if I didn't thank those of you that read the column and share your thoughts and comments with me.

We’ve covered topics on LSCP programs, legislative news, community activities and economic development strategies, to name just a few. Heading into our next year, we would like to extend an opportunity to our readers to submit a question or idea that is appropriate for “Partnership News & Views.” We always welcome the community’s input, so if you have a topic that you would like to see discussed in this column, send a note to lscp@marquette.org and let me know! You can also find this column in our blog at http://partnershipnewsandviews.blogspot.com. Subscribe to our blog and you can leave us your comments each week.

I appreciate the opportunity that the Lake Superior Community Partnership and I have with Partnership News and Views. I certainly look forward to the next 52 columns, hopefully leaving you with a tidbit or two that you can use!

For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership, please contact our office by calling 906-226-9658, by emailing us at lscp@marquette.org, or by visiting our Web site at www.marquette.org.

Importance of Recognizing Excellence in our Community

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Who makes a difference in our community? Haven’t thought about it? Look around; these individuals walk among us silently every day. They don’t do it to seek notoriety; they do it because it is the right thing to do. They are passionate about their causes and make valuable contributions to every organization in which they are involved. These people are dedicated, committed and involved whenever called upon to assist. Their contributions are endless.

It is obvious that awards provide an opportunity to identify an individual or group for excellence and achievement in a specific field. Many awards are deliberately sought after for self-fulfillment, such as a sports team trying to get to the Super Bowl, an actress selecting the right roles and performing in the hopes of an Oscar, or a scientist experimenting in the hopes of getting a Nobel Prize. Of course, the alternative point to this is that these teams, actors and scientists are out to improve their craft and create a more heightened experience for those around them.

Other awards have a much more compassionate incentive behind them, in that the awardee is not looking for personal gain but more so striving to give recognition or influence to others. Typically, the person who wins a commendable award isn’t striving for the award itself, but for the betterment of the community. Those who achieve these community awards are driven by the changes and affects they are creating in their communities. Many times receiving one of these awards comes as a total surprise.

As I mentioned, awardees might have little incentive to achieve the award itself, but by simply recognizing benevolent members of the community, we inspire others to follow in their footsteps and to develop a community-focused mindset. It empowers them to become passionate about an issue that is valuable to them, and provides them with the confidence that they too can be successful. Also, by bringing attention to these distinguished individuals it allows for others to become knowledgeable of whatever issues and problems the awardee is trying to solve. It is through this process that I see the true value in awards and commendations. These types of commendations create a culture that doesn’t just benefit the awardee, but all of those involved in the community effort.

One of the many esteemed awards given in Marquette County is the Evergreen Award, which is currently seeking nominations through Wednesday, September 21. The Evergreen Award is open to both men and women dedicated to supporting and mentoring women and girls and helping them to reach their leadership potential. These exceptional women and men excel in their chosen path, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and blaze trails for others to follow.

If someone you know has been a positive role model and substantially affected your life, or the life of someone close to you, now is your time to nominate that deserving individual. It is the mission of Evergreen to find these amazing individuals and honor them. But the Evergreen committee needs your help to do so, consider nominating the person you are thinking of right now!

Forms are available at the LSCP office or by contacting Lindsay Hemmila (906) 226-6591 or Pam Stewart at (906) 315-7217.

VIPs Pay a Visit to Marquette County

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:30:00 +0000

What a crazy and busy week in Marquette County! You may have heard that Governor Rick Snyder traveled across the bridge and spent several days touring our beautiful peninsula. We were honored to have him at several venues in Marquette County.

On Monday night, the Marquette Economic Club hosted dinner with Governor Snyder as the keynote address. The Ramada Inn was packed with business people, community leaders and high school students, and the Governor did not disappoint. He spoke of the activity completed to date at the State level, highlighting the new business tax that will replace the Michigan Business Tax, as well as a balanced budget completed well in advance of the legislated deadline. When sharing what comes next, Talent Enhancement and Health & Wellness were top priorities on the list.

When he spoke of accomplishments to date, a friend of mine pointed out that he never used the word “I” but rather shared credit with all involved. Many in attendance said they felt “motivated” and “encouraged” after hearing the State’s top elected official speak.

Governor Snyder also visited the UP Children’s Museum to present them with the "Reinventing Michigan" award to honor the museum's innovative and interactive learning programs. What an excellent choice for the award as UPCM is a long standing organization with an amazing staff and outstanding service to the families of our residents and visitors.

After a stop at the Tilden and Empire Mine sites, a roundtable discussion with the Governor, MEDC President Mike Finney and DNR Director Rodney Stokes was hosted by Pioneer Surgical. I was honored to be chosen to moderate the discussion with a panel of local business owners and developers. No questions were off limits, just an opportunity to share experiences and challenges of doing business in Michigan.

From an economic development perspective, there are several changes taking place at the state level that are very beneficial. The Governor has made economic development a priority across all State departments and done away with working in separate silos. There has also been a shift to a more customer oriented focus and an increased transparency in outcomes and expectations. By serving on the MEDC’s Collaborative Development Council, economic developers in the region now have a voice in crafting policy and process that affect our work with business; a very positive step in collaboration.

On another note, this week we will be saying “good bye” to a great friend of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Steve Powers. There will be a farewell reception this Thursday, August 25^th from 2 to 4 p.m. in the south courtroom. As you know, the LSCP is a private-public partnership. What you may not know is that the County of Marquette has been a strong supporter of this model since its inception 14 years ago. Steve was a catalyst and founder of the organization, assisting us in bringing public partners to the table with a better understanding of their needs and challenges.

As a member of the LSCP Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Marquette County Ambassadors, Steve has shared his time and talent with our organization and our community.

While Ann Arbor is lucky to gain Steve Powers in their community, it leaves big shoes to fill here in Marquette County. On behalf of the LSCP board of directors, members and staff we thank Steve for his 15 years of service to our community. We wish him the best of luck as he takes on this new challenge.

The Partnership Strives for Transparency

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clickner) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:28:00 +0000

One of the goals of the LSCP in 2011 is to be more transparent in our economic development activities and outcomes. The theory being that, if we are communicating factual information to our stakeholders, there is less chance for misinformation to be generated. In order to do this, we became an early adopter of social media and web based tools to assist us.

Following the example of the State of Michigan, we created a "dashboard" that is on our website (www.marquette.org) and updated on a monthly basis. Four major areas are covered, complete with a comparison over the previous year and an arrow that indicates if that area is stable, needs improvement or has improved in each area. The four categories are:

* Economic Development: Here we disclose the number of clients that we have worked one on one with to provide business startup, attraction, retention and expansion services. It also provides information on the amount of Revolving Loan Funds that have been lent, as well as the jobs saved and created by the clients we have worked with so far in 2011. It’s important to mention that economic developers do not create jobs, private investment creates jobs. Our role as an economic development organization is to provide resources and support to the investor while removing roadblocks.

* Employment: These numbers measure the employment climate of Marquette County, such as unemployment rate, total employed and unemployed citizens. We collect these stats each month from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Please remember that these statistics are released on a month delay (ex: June statistics are released at the end of July).

* Marquette County Wealth: Yearly demographics and economic indicators such as Property Tax Revenue and Median Household Income are tracked to quantify the growth of our community wealth. In the end, successful economies need to generate wealth within the community.

* Communications: In this section we give a quick overview of our monthly web traffic, as well as social media interaction such as number of RSS Newsfeed postings, block subscribers and Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn engagement. The goal of our social media network is to keep stakeholders informed while driving traffic to our website for additional information and opportunities. How each individual chooses to receive information is unique. Maybe you are strictly a website surfer, prefer an automated RSS feed, or are more interactive using Twitter or Facebook. The LSCP understands these differences and strives to share information with you no matter what your media preference is. Our social media efforts didn't happen by accident. It has been a part of our marketing and communications objectives for the past year and what you see as an end user is strategic by design.

Next time you are online, take a moment to check out our various communications tools. Take advantage of the opportunity to receive our countywide information in a format that meets your individual needs. If your business would like additional information or assistance on breaking into the social media scene, let us know. Our professional communications staff is prepared to share this valuable business resource with you and your staff.

For more information, visit the Lake Superior Community Partnership online at www.marquette.org or call our office at 226-6591.