David Emmel’s first weeks as President
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By David Emmel, NLEA President
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It’s been an exciting and eventful past three weeks so far. I have had daily calls and Zoom meetings with each Northern Lakes Economic Alliance Board of Directors. This has served as an ideal model to understand their roles in the community as well as their history with the NLEA.
I met with each staff member one-on-one to address what we’re doing well, what could be better, and their ideas for the future.
As I move into the full capacity of my role as President of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance I feel energized about the work being done in our community to further economic growth and I look forward to strengthening that progress.
If you have any concerns, ideas, or just want to say hello please reach out to me by email or phone: david@northernlakes.net / 231.582.6482
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Great Lakes Energy expansion project begins construction
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A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the Great Lakes Energy headquarters was held Wednesday, September 23, in Boyne City. Last spring GLE purchased adjacent property, formerly a Carter’s Food Center, to accommodate the building expansion.
“This is a historic day for our cooperative and our employees. It symbolizes much more than the brick and mortar that go into the actual building itself,” GLE President & CEO (and NLEA Board of Director President) Bill Scott states. “This building symbolizes growth, prosperity, and dedication to the community. It will take us into the future as we continue to serve our members with pride.”
The new expansion will provide much-needed infrastructure and space for the growth the electric cooperative has experienced in recent years. Truestream, GLE’s new fiber internet and voice network, plays a vital role in the need to expand. Launched in 2018 in rural parts of Emmet, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan counties, Truestream brings high-speed internet, with speeds up to 1 Gig, and voice services to homes and businesses that have long been without broadband connectivity. Truestream has created local employment opportunities and with it a need for more office and warehouse space.
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Up and coming Elk Rapids company SteelGrip SAMM® offers a unique safety product – SAMM mats – safety assist magnetic mats for working on steel roofing. The company owners Neil and Lin Warner produce the mats. The business goal is to be safer with surer footing on steel surfaces, as SAMM® is dedicated to Preventing Injuries and Saving Lives®
The company is growing and ready to take the next step in production by adding equipment and staff.
SteelGrip SAMM Inc. has US and Canadian patents with more pending. The company saw the growing demand for steel roofing and found a way to provide more secure footing for roof work. SAMM mats help hold workers, tools and equipment within reach thus striving for reduced liability and insurance costs while improving safety.
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Register for the Multi-state Community Entrepreneur Showcase!
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43 different sessions offered throughout the week. Each session is 45 minutes. Select any or all for the same price of $20 total. You can log into one session or all 45, depending on your schedule that week.
See the agenda, speaker line up, and REGISTER today!
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By Jessica Lovay, NLEA Community Development & Grants and contributing Liam Dreyer
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Catch up on the region’s latest economic news.
