It all started with a study on Monroe County's I-75 corridor and the news of a new Windsor-Detroit bridge, and then a plan ... The Monroe County Link Plan, a strategy to guide future economic development. This Plan identifies industries Monroe County should attract to the corridor, action steps that will entice companies to locate/relocate, and specific development areas that will appeal to various industries. Additionally and critical to this plan is a commitment to improving the quality of life and strengthening the image and brand of the County.

Michael Bosanac, Monroe County Administrator, said, "this is a focused effort to bring economic development into Monroe County," and "we want to make Monroe County the right place to do business."

The plan is done and now the ACTION begins! On January 12, the Action Team Kickoff Meeting was held. There are 6 Pillars that look at specific actions that are led by captains and their teams. Aaron Domini, a senior planner from OHM Advisors in Columbus, Ohio, led the action teams in a workshop where groups outlined goals and the hurdles to achieving those goals. There was so much engagement and energy on each team that it was remarkable to watch.

And, then later that morning, the Monroe County Link Plan received financial assistance from the Consumers Energy Foundation for the plan. Please keep reading ...

The Consumers Energy Foundation donated a $200,000 grant to Monroe County BDC for the Monroe County Link Plan at a ceremony at Monroe Bank & Trust on January 12.

Tim Lake said, "This money will fund a portion of the 5-year plan which is expected to cost about $550,000. Michael Bosanac added, "the funding is essential to implementing the plan."

Pictured from left to right Michael Bosanac, Monroe County Administrator; Henry Lievens, Monroe County Board of Commissioners (back); Carolyn Bloodworth, Consumers Energy Foundation; Gregory Meyer, Consumers Energy & BDC Board Member (back); Tim Lake, BDC; Doug Chaffin, MB&T & BDC Board Chairman; Dr. Stephen McNew, MCISD & BDC Vice-Chairman; Dr. Kojo Quartey, MCCC & BDC Board Member; and Vince Bodiford, Monroe News & BDC Board Member.

Carolyn Bloodworth, Secretary & Treasurer for the Consumers Energy Foundation, talked about how the opportunity to help the community thrilled Consumers Energy as they work to make an impact on those areas they serve. Carolyn said, "we are keeping our commitment to the community we serve."

"We are especially thankful for Consumers Energy and their Foundation for the support they have provided, the City of Luna Pier and Monroe County during this impactful and transformational time," stated Lake. He continued, "Without their leadership, guidance and financial support we would certainly not be embarking on the Monroe County Link Plan".

DTE Energy has been a part of the BDC since its inception. They have held a seat on our Board of Directors beginning in 1986 with Mr. John M. Wisniewski.

Mr. Mark King, Director of Economic Development, and our most recent Board Member from DTE Energy, announced his retirement from DTE Energy and as a BDC Board Member in December.

He has held a seat as a BDC Board Member since March 2016 replacing Peggy Black as she retired. Mark 's tenure on our Board has been one of unsurpassed efficiency and excellence, and he will be truly missed. We wish him health and happiness as he steps into the next chapter of his life.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is now a BDC Investor!

FCA has been in our county since 2003. The Dundee Engine Plant was the first U.S. facility to achieve silver status for its results in implementing World Class Manufacturing. Read more about the Dundee Engine Plant!

FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo brand vehicles and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnell.

We appreciate your loyalty to Monroe County and all that you do for our community!

The Mall of Monroe is also a new investor in the BDC!

The Mall Of Monroe is a regional mall located between Detroit and Toledo that serves as a major residential exurb of those two large metropolitan areas. The approximately 600,000 square foot enclosed mall is anchored by Carson’s, Carson’s Home Store, Pat Catan’s, Planet Fitness and Phoenix Theatres. The cinema recently completed a dramatic renovation, installing all-reclining lounge seats and expanding to include “Encore,” a large-screen format with the best picture and audio quality in the Midwest.

We are appreciative of the Cafaro Foundation for their support of Monroe County.

> Safety Expo - MCCC will be hosting its 2018 Business & Industry Safety Expo on Thursday, March. For more information and to register, click the link above.

>> MCCC Career & Opportunity Expo - MCCC invites you to participate in the 7th Annual Career and Opportunity Expo at MCCC on Friday, April 13, 2018. Check in is from 8:15-9:15 am and the event is from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. The cost for exhibitors is $50 for employers & educational institutions, $30 for non-profit/Veteran service organizations (breakfast and lunch included). Two representatives per registration, additional representatives are $10.

Sponsorships are available for $125 (premier booth location, up to 4 registrations and advertisement in our job seeker guidebook), please contact me for details at (734) 384-4124.

For more information, click on the link above. To register, visit the College Central Network website by

logging in and following the appropriate links. You may also register by completing registration form (follow 1st link above).

>>> 2018 Pure Michigan Aerospace Summit - Complete your application to attend Pure Michigan Business Connect's free, one-day matchmaking event on February 21, 2018 at the new  Little Caesars Arena, where global Aerospace buyers will be connected to hundreds of qualified Michigan suppliers. The supplier application is now open and PMBC will be continuing work to recruit additional potential buyers and needs in the coming weeks. Continue to check the application for these updates.  

 

Participating buyers who've submitted procurement needs include:  Ascent Aerospace, Liebherr Aerospace & Transportation, Marposs, GKN Aerospace, P3 Group, Atlas Copco, Caravan Facilities Management LLC, Aernnova Aerospace, Techops Mexico, Detroit Engineered Products, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation and more buyers and need coming in each day.

 

Click below to Register

Priority Deadline: January 26

  Please feel free to contact us anytime!

Tim Lake  x101 |  LuAnn Hogberg x102

734-241-8081