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

Well, it certainly looks like this COVID-19 has decided to hang around for another season, continuing to challenge our business community in a variety of ways. Don’t forget that the Lake Superior Community Partnership is here to assist.

If you haven’t been to our website, marquette.org, make sure to take a look. There are many resources for businesses and general data for all. Let’s talk about our COVID-19 Resource and Recovery page first. This page has updated rules and regulations, business grants and loans, resource links, and much more.

One of the things we find important for business is to bring this information “to life”. Our subject matter webinars are extremely popular and allow you to hear experts share critical information. They also allow you to ask the burning questions you have regarding your business. Most recently we hosted a panel that spoke to the new and revised regulations for businesses. Our presenters included Scott Ellis, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director, Micah Babcock, Small Business Association of Michigan Director of Government Operations, Justin Winslow, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO and Sean Egan, State of Michigan Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity Deputy Director of Labor who provided timely and factual information. If you missed it, no worries, we record all of our webinars and link them on the COVID-19 Resource and Recovery webpage of our site.

We are excited to announce our next webinar featuring keynote speaker, Matt Wagner, National Main Street Center, Inc. Vice President of Revitalization Programs, who will speak on innovative ideas and how to maximize opportunity this holiday season as a small business. In collaboration with the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber of Commerce and Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming DDAs, we believe this session is timely as businesses prepare for the most unusual shopping season of our time. Register now by visiting, bit.ly/holidayshoppingwebinar.

Aside from our marketing and educational supports, our Business Development team is busy working with businesses on their individual needs. To date, we have worked with nearly 1,000 businesses on anything from financing and business plan development to advocacy and convening. Looking to start or purchase a business? We are ready to help. Time to sell your business? Check out our succession planning services.

It is also that time of year when you may be planning your 2021 budget. We have data resources, such as wage studies, that can help you make important payroll decisions. If you are event driven, consider an economic impact study like the one we did for the Hiawatha Music Festival to tell your story.

I am excited to announce that we are moving forward with the Lake Superior Leadership Academy Class of 2021! Of course it will be a hybrid version to keep presenters and participants safe, while still keeping the value that we have provided in this setting for over 20 years. For more information, please contact Ashley at ashley@marquette.org.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the work we have been doing to support local shopping. Our Love on Local gift card program which launched in June has already sold $175,000 in cards that can be

used at a small, local business of your choice. There is no better time than now to help our small businesses keep doing what they do best! Consider using the Love on Local gift cards for those on your holiday list. Purchase gift cards online at loveonlocal.com.

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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.