U.P. Perspectives

As many in the Upper Peninsula know, the LSCP (Lake Superior Community Partnership), in Marquette County is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. But this economic development group is a great example of good things on the move in Michigan. Below is the speech their Chief Executive Officer, Amy Clickner gave at their annual dinner, trying to put the last 20 years into words.

“How can you sum up 20 years? How do you convey exactly how you feel about the organization you basically grew up in? The one you have so much pride in that the advice “don’t take it personally” or “it’s just a job” is really tough to swallow and makes you work harder?

MARQUETTE - Well it’s that time of year again for us to release our 2017 year-end results! We did so in style on the campus of Northern Michigan University last Wednesday, February 7th. 

Celebrating 20 years as an organization made this year’s event extra special and gave me a chance to compare where we started to where we are today. I started with a few comparisons between 1998 and today. Check this out:

MARQUETTE – Fifty-eight Marquette County businesses collectively created 211 new jobs in 2017 and were recognized for their participation in the Plus One Program on Wednesday, February 7th during the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s Annual Meeting. 

Michigan Works! and the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s Plus One program is a program designed around the premise that an employer adding just one employee contributes to the economic development in Marquette County. Since the inception of the program nine years ago, Marquette County businesses have created 3,181 jobs

MARQUETTE- Amy Clickner, CEcD, Lake Superior Community Partnership, has been appointed to serve as chair of the Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee (POM).

Hello 2018! This is my first column of the New Year and the start of my 8th year writing a Monday column. Thank you so much to the Mining Journal for allowing me to share happenings in the economic development world of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. The opportunity to do so is much appreciated. 

And speaking of the Mining Journal, let’s talk anniversary! Sound confusing? Well let me explain. The 20th anniversary of the Lake Superior Community Partnership is in full swing this year, and the Mining Journal is one of our many founding partners. You will hear more about these founding companies and board members in the weeks and months ahead, but just know, that without them, we would not be here today. 

Since 2012 Michigan Business Network wraps up each year with an Economic Forecast Series. 2017 was no different. These stops cover a wide geography of Michigan from the Detroit region and Grand Rapids, to Lansing, the Bay Region, Traverse City and we don't forget about the Upper Peninsula.

The stops conducted usually in November and December promote participation in the twice a year Michigan Future Business Index, and later ones get to share the results of the newest survey. This is underwritten by Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, conducted by ROI Insight, and presented by Michigan Business Network. The video above is the encapsuled experience of that morning's event.

Dickinson County - The Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance (DAEDA) recently hired Lois Ellis as the Director of Economic Development.

Ellis has an extensive background in Economic Development in the Upper Peninsula. Her experience in economic development started in 2002, when she was hired at the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP). After 11 years at the LSCP, Lois worked as a Business Development Manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Most recently, she was the President of Lasco, Inc.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) and Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance (DAEDA) are pleased to announce the signing of a formal collaborative agreement between the two entities that will have the LSCP providing economic development services and support to the DAEDA staff and board of directors.

"Our board and community stakeholders have worked diligently over the last 15 months to develop a plan and garner the necessary resources to take economic development in our county to the next level," stated Russ Kassin, DAEDA Chairman. "We are fortunate to have been able to work with the team at the LSCP whose credentialed and experienced staff will play a significant role in our economic development activities."

MARQUETTE - The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is pleased to announce the promotion of Ashley Szczepanski to Marketing and Events Manager.

“Ashley has continued to grow personally and professionally throughout her tenure at the LSCP,” commented Amy Clickner, the CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. “She truly deserves this promotion and I cannot be happier that she is on the LSCP team and leading our marketing strategy.”

MARQUETTE - The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is pleased to announce a formal collaborative agreement with the Baraga County EDC to provide economic development services.

“It is an exciting time for Baraga County and we are pleased to be in a position to further develop our economic resources and partner with our neighboring community,” commented Mark Massicotte, Chairman of the Baraga County EDC board of directors. “The decision to collaborate with the LSCP made great sense. Their list of accomplishments mirrored many of our forward looking goals.”