NLEA held its second Northern Lakes Innovation Alliance event for innovators in various industries to pitch their start-up or growth idea for a chance to receive grant funding. This event focused on the Value-Added Agriculture Industry. Funds for the Northern Lakes Innovation Alliance are provided by Consumer's Energy and the DTE Foundation.

David Emmel said, " The value-added agriculture in our region provides so many opportunities for job growth. These entrepreneurs are taking raw materials and adding value by creating a whole new product. It's not just produce, it's produce bundled and delivered to your doorstep."

The award recipients were:

The Innovation event also provides connections within the NLEA business, resource and financing networks as well as access to early-stage funding and the potential to meet other inventors and investors. The program is designed to cultivate a culture of innovation and problem-solving throughout Northern Michigan.

Mark your calendars for May 13, 2022 for the NLEA Economic Symposium. An event focused on the future of our regional economy. Stay tuned, details to come.

Sam Bailey, the former 2021 DTE Foundation Summer Intern is now full time Strategic Initiatives Manger with NLEA beginning January 1, 2022.

Bailey will be assuming the new role of Strategic Initiatives Manager with the NLEA. The role will allow him to continue to provide business intelligence and economic research to the

organization, its investors, and other stakeholders while taking on a larger role in the day-to-day operations of the NLEA. Additionally, he will contribute to key organizational programs like our annual reports, internship program, and our upcoming Economic Symposium on Friday, May 13th.

Bailey shared that he is “...excited to continue my data work while taking on more responsibilities that allow me to support the NLEA’s mission to uplift the area through economic and community development.”

Give Sam a big welcome!

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) launched an

Industry 4.0 initiative to support small manufacturers. NLEA hosted an informational webinar early December to provide details on the initiative. Some resources from the webinar are listed below:

Learn more about Industry 4.0 by contacting Jennifer Deamud, Manufacturing Growth Alliance, 616-617-7467 or jenn@MGAlliance.org

This program is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce plans continuation of The Vault Coworking Space in Downtown Charlevoix. Launched in 2019 by the Charlevoix Main Street, DDA, The Vault Coworking Space in Downtown Charlevoix offers flexible workspace for our community of entrepreneurs and remote workers. As the coworking space and model has evolved over the last two years, it is now planned to fold under the services and initiatives of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce.

“When looking to the future of The Vault, both as a workspace and in the prospective services to be offered for entrepreneurs, it was a clear fit for the operations and activities of a Chamber of Commerce. We aim to be a resource, convener, and supporter for our area businesses, and we look forward to joining The Vault community into those efforts” said Sarah Van Horn, President of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Vault offers private offices, private desks, and coworking desks for daily, weekly, and monthly users, along with a conference room available to rent. With the Chamber overseeing the space and building on its’ existing partnerships, services such as consulting and training opportunities, business support, promotion, and community connections plan to be expanded.

“We are excited to build on the flexible work environment that many remote workers are seeking, while offering pathways for furthered business involvement and growth for our Vault members”, said Van Horn. “We have a strong foundation built by the Charlevoix Main Street, DDA, and hope to continue creating a successful space to benefit the community.”

Great Lakes Energy recently helped an Oceana County agricultural business secure a $900,000 zero-interest loan to help finance a $3.65 million expansion project that will benefit not only the business but also the surrounding community.

With assistance from the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Mears-based Riley Orchards was able to take advantage of Great Lakes Energy’s Zero-percent Loan Program funded in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The program allows nonprofit utilities such as GLE to serve as a “pass-through” for federal economic development loans for “projects that will create or retain rural jobs.”

GLE President and CEO Bill Scott (and NLEA past-Board Chair) said he is pleased the cooperative could contribute to Riley Orchards’ project.

“We are proud to support family-run businesses such as Riley Orchards as they work to grow their operations. Community focus is one of GLE’s guiding principles and we are happy to use this program in pursuit of that principle,” Scott said.

Riley said the zero-interest loan from Great Lakes Energy is expected to reduce the pay-back time on the debt for the project by about three years.

He said he expects the project to result in the business adding two full-time and up to 35 part-time positions. The new facility is well on its way to completion and is expected to be ready for operation in the spring of 2022.

NLEA is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader in the field of economic and community development to serve as the Business Development Director. You will provide leadership in the development and implementation of economic development initiatives focused on People, Place, and Prosperity and in alignment with both local needs and regional strategies. Full job description and requirements on our website.

A new after-hours Welding Skills Lab is being offered to participants of all ages interested in developing their welding skills to enhance a current career, start a new career, or pursue a hobby. The need for welders throughout northern Michigan, the state, and country remains high. Registration is now open.

Offered through Northwest Michigan Works, Northwestern Michigan College, Char-Em ISD, and East Jordan Public Schools, the Welding Skills Lab will be held at the East Jordan High School Welding Lab. Classes begin Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 and will be held every Monday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. for 15 weeks. The classes will be taught by East Jordan High School Welding teacher, David Muladore, who has 40 years of welding experience in the industry and in the classroom. Upon successful completion, participants will earn AWS Level 1, 2 or 3 certifications.

Register by January 7 at bit.ly/weldskillslab

NTIA (the National Telecommunications Information Agency), along with Michigan's Merit Network recently (December 9, 2021) held an overview webinar on Federal broadband programs, their foci, and timelines. Learn more in this video.

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