News from Amy Clickner and Lake Superior Community Partnership, sharing the U.P. Perspective:

As an economic developer, I know that 80% of a region’s growth comes from within. Meaning the retention and expansion of current businesses plus those entrepreneurs starting businesses make up the bulk of jobs and investment created. In summary, local matters.

Have you ever considered what our community would be like without a local university, healthcare system or airport? Sometimes we don’t think about these assets until we need them. I recently had a family member need emergency healthcare, and I can tell you I am grateful for the incredible services we have here. Many of us are Northern Michigan University graduates, and the same is true with our children. Maybe you are a business owner that hires students and graduates of the university. Do you enjoy the convenience of flying from nearby? I certainly do. Having the choice to fly through Detroit, Chicago or Minneapolis provides us with a wide range of options.

What about the “staycation” concept? Climbing Sugarloaf Mountain this weekend, it reminded me of the many recreational opportunities that are supported by our local municipalities and non-profit organizations. So many communities are not as fortunate.

In order for us to maintain and grow the many local businesses and services we have, we need to support them. Simply keep that in mind when making choices in your personal or professional life. Check out the local option when weighing your decision.

Speaking of local, believe it or not, the holiday shopping season is fast approaching. As you can imagine, the shopping experience this year will be different from both the business and consumer side, but probably more important than ever for us to support local.

The LSCP has a great way for you to support local this year. Our Love on Local (LOL) gift cards can be used at all local, small businesses in Marquette County! Do you have those hard to buy for friends and family? Do you live away and need to send the perfect gift to someone living here? How about the gifts you give to your staff, clients or vendors during the holiday season? You can give them the perfect gift of their choice all while supporting local businesses. To purchase cards, visit loveonlocal.com.

Thank you to our Love on Local underwriters, AT&T, Eagle Mine, Enbridge, mBank and Range Bank who help make this program successful. Check out the recently launched Love on Local app that highlights LOL featured businesses and allows you to enter to win monthly prizes. Want to purchase some LOL swag? We have partnered with Yooper Shirts to make that possible. Find all of this and more on our website, loveonlocal.com.

Hey, this was a long winded way of reminding you of the simple concept of supporting our local community and its incredible assets. If we don’t, who will?

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About Lake Superior Community Partnership
The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is the region’s leading resource for economic development, providing a wide variety of affordable and effective development services. The LSCP helps its partners make the connections that matter – between businesses, organizations, leaders and legislators, and provides a powerful legislative voice for programs and policies that strengthen the regional economy. More information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership can be found at www.marquette.org.