Joining Jordan complete!

Last week, East Jordan cut the ribbon on the city’s new Joining Jordan project.

 

The project cost over $2 million with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation taking care of most of the funds. The City was responsible for approximately 10% of the costs.

 

In the beginning stages, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance assisted with obtaining the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that lead to completion of the project.

 

The Joining Jordan project completely upgrades the walkway near the marina and links the east and west sides of the city together. Along with the walkway, they also added two pavilions and a waterfront park.

 

Chairman of the East Jordan Downtown Development Authority, Tom Teske, said it also allows for the possibility of future projects. “We also feel very fortunate that it opens up some other parcels for redevelopment that we hope to have private redevelopment come forth,” he said.

 

If your community is interested in learning more about a CDBG, contact Jessica Lovay at jess@northernlakes.net

Massive broadband expansion coming to Cheboygan County

NLEA has made a priority to proliferate gigabit high-speed, reliable and cost effective broadband services throughout the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance region. The economic future of Michigan communities depends not only upon whether robust broadband infrastructure is present but also upon whether businesses and individuals fully utilize that technology to grow and develop local economies.

 

The Cheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) identified Technology as a leading priority for countywide development with a strong focus on supporting energy and broadband initiatives. To that end, they teamed up with Connected Nation to engage in the Connected Community Engagement Program. Designed to facilitate broadband and technology expansion, Connected offers start-to-finish guidance that measures supply, demand, and use of technology in communities with unprecedented data gathering, analysis, and planning. With Connected, Cheboygan successfully mapped their local technology ecosystem, identified many gaps, and are moving forward with support and solutions to improve their standing digital economy.

“Cheboygan County is experiencing a general rising tide of growth and investment. With this new momentum comes the perfect opportunity to capture and focus some of that energy into long term solutions that support sustainable and healthy communities, like a comprehensive broadband plan.” shares EDC chair, Sharen Lange. She continues, “Stakeholder partners throughout Cheboygan County activated quickly to support the Connected survey and helped create a clear picture of what our internet looks like. In doing so, we can now take it to the next level, guiding decisions that are data driven for a future with vastly improved access.”

The economic value of NCMC

North Central Michigan College (NCMC) influences both the lives of its students and the regional economy. The college supports a variety of industries in the Four-County Region, serves regional businesses, and benefits society as a whole in Michigan from an expanded economy and improved quality of life. The benefits created by NCMC even extend to the state and local government through increased tax revenues and public sector savings. Below is in infographic displaying the results of an economic survey that reflects fiscal year 2018-19.

Creating a worker with more skills

 

Industrial Arts Institute of Onaway met all Comerford’s requirements, providing essential welding training to her teams in just four days.

 

Understanding employer needs is part of Industrial Arts Institute’s DNA. IAI’s relationships with local industry inform the curriculum of their 19-week comprehensive welding program and their trademark “employer-based” education model that acclimates students to real world expectations.

 

It means a lot that Industrial Arts Institute is willing to offer us training specific to our needs and at a time that works for our operations,” Comerford added. “And the team was blown away by the chance to learn from Tom Moran. His experience and depth of knowledge added so much value to their experience.”

 

Six Carmeuse employees completed four days of training in shielded metal arc welding, and another six completed gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding training the following week, offered on their 7AM to 3PM schedule onsite at Industrial Arts Institute in Onaway, Michigan.

 

Comerford applied for a Going Pro Talent Fund grant to pay for the training, a program that Industrial Arts Institute hopes other employers will take advantage of. “The purpose of the Going Pro Talent Fund grant is to support employers’ efforts to train their current workforce,” Ward said. “As employers face mounting challenges sourcing and hiring workers – all workers, not just welders – these funds provide them with additional incentive to take advantage of training programs like ours.”

Cheboygan seeks Community Development Fellow to spearhead city-wide projects