Newsletter 
October 2019
Upcoming Meetings
SBDC Google for Business Training
Tuesday, October 29
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Bay College West
Alliance Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, November 21
7:15 a.m.
Systems Control
Manufacturing Day Success
About 250 high school freshmen from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, Niagara and Goodman-Armstrong Creek attended Manufacturing Day at Bay College West on October 4 as a part of the Heavy Metal Tours. The students participated in hands-on activities to simulate the skills that manufacturers are seeking. Lake Shore Systems, BOSS Snowplow, Systems Control, Loadmaster, Verso Corporation, CCI Systems and American Axle & Manufacturing were on hand to lead students through the activities and help them learn about the careers available.

The student participants were surveyed before and after the Manufacturing Day activities to capture their perceptions of technical and skilled trades career paths. Survey results can be viewed here .
The Alliance, Bay College West, Northern Initiatives, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District, Michigan Works! and many volunteers all contributed to make this a successful event for the students.

The first Friday in October is celebrated nationally each year as Manufacturing Day. Heavy Metal Tours is a multi-event campaign designed to proactively educate students and the community about the skilled trades and technical career opportunities that exist locally. Other events included in the Heavy Metal Tours effort include 8th grade student tours, Open Doors and a Manufacturing Camp.

Manufacturing Day is part of the larger effort to educate students and the community on our workforce shortage and the opportunities that exist for young people. For more information about the Heavy Metal Tour, please visit heavymetaltours.com .
Dickinson Homes Tour
On October 7, the Alliance Government Relations & Advocacy Task Force hosted an opportunity for local elected officials and staff from the City of Kingsford and Dickinson County to tour Dickinson Homes. The group learned about the entire construction process including the industry leading techniques used to create beautiful and efficient custom homes. Established in 1970, Dickinson Homes is a 3 rd generation, family-run business employing 62 workers. Thank you to the Albert and Mario Santoni for hosting the tour!
Loyal to Local Program Updates
Social Media Coordinator Hired
The Loyal to Local Planning Committee has hired Tris Bain to assist with the program’s social media presence for several hours each week. Having Tris on board will allow for the Loyal to Local message to be shared more consistently on social media and to try some new things. Tris will be gathering content and may be contacting our Loyal to Local business participants about any events, sales or promotions happening or to capture photos or short video clips to share on social media. Please welcome Tris if she reaches out to you or visits your business. Feel free to reach out to Lois Ellis with any questions.
September Contest Winner
Congratulations to Monica Goodreau, the winner of the September Loyal to Local contest on social media! Monica was excited to choose Bijou Lovely for her $50 gift card prize. Thank you to all who entered and to everyone that follows Loyal to Local on social media!
Investor Update Held
The Alliance hosted a breakfast update meeting for Investors on September 26 at Pine Mountain Resort. About 40 attendees heard updates from each of the five Strategic Task Force leaders and from Executive Director Lois Ellis. If you missed the event, you can find a summary of the update here .
Legislative News
Alliance Executive Director, Lois Ellis, will be in Lansing October 22-24. The fall trip to Lansing is a smaller version of the Marquette County Ambassadors’ annual spring visit and is designed to keep building connections. If you have relationships with industry or association groups represented in Lansing and would like to introduce the Alliance to them, please reach out to Lois Ellis with details.
SBDC Google for Business Training
The Business Retention & Growth Task Force of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance invites you to attend this informative session about your business presence on Google. We are pleased to be partnering with the Michigan Small Business Development Center on this free event. Please register as directed below. 
Get Your Business Found on Google Search and Maps
Tuesday, October 29
7:30 a.m. CT
Bay College West, Room WC 244
2801 North US 2 in Iron Mountain

  • Create or claim your Google My Business listing 
  • Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
  • Use Google My Business to connect with potential customers
  • List products and services for sale on Google
  • Create a free website using the info from your business listing

Can't attend in person? Join us via webinar - registration link below. Please register for both event and webinar.
If you can’t join us live, register for the webinar anyway and we will send you the on-demand recording to view at your convenience.
Training for New Managers at Bay West
Bay College West is offering a course titled Management Skills for New Managers starting in January 2020. Most new managers have the technical skills to succeed. What they most often lack is the skill of managing, motivating and developing employees.

Do you have recently promoted staff that would benefit from this training?

This course is organized around five workshops:
·         What is the manager’s role?
·         Team development and empowerment
·         How to conduct effective team meetings
·         How to deal with conflict and performance problems
·         Employee Law 101

Click here for more details or to register
State Christmas Tree Coming from Iron Mountain
All are invited to attend the cutting ceremony for the State Christmas Tree on Thursday, October 24 at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will take place just behind Iron Mountain Powersports located at 1804 N. Stephenson Ave in Iron Mountain. Mr. Denny Olson will serve as emcee of the event with both the Iron Mountain and Kingsford High School bands participating. The City of Iron Mountain Mayor, Dale Alessandrini, will offer a welcome message and kids from area schools will attend to witness the occasion. The 62 foot spruce tree is donated by Jordan and Sarah Wolfenberg and their family. The cutting is coordinated by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and the Michigan Association of Timberman in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. The tree will be prepared for transport and delivered to the Capitol in Lansing on October 26. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Denny Olson at 906-250-0181.
Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance | 906-360-4653 | info@daeda.org | www.daeda.org