This month’s update focuses on the need to adapt. Of course, it sounds so cliché, but it has never been more true. In the last many years, we have seen momentum and interest build in our community. The goal is to sustain the interest. Two decades ago, the phone rang less frequently. A single person was able to handle the role effectively. Today that is not the case. The phone rings often and now, after the pandemic, the state has a great deal of funding to support development, infrastructure and other critical elements.   

The goal is to make sure we take advantage of these state (and federal) programs that can support infrastructure projects, childcare and, of course, housing. There are other programs as well. This lesson was reinforced last year when we became aware of a new program being developed by the state to support communities harmed by the pandemic. The program was designed by the MEDC and was called the Revitalization and Placemaking Program (RAP). Target elected to pursue a grant with the idea of supporting many projects that fit the program parameters regionally. In the end there was only a single project that fit. Target worked with the developer to complete the grant application which was a very labor-intensive process given the competitive nature of the programs. Communities across the state wanted these funds. In the end, we were rewarded for our efforts with a grant of just under five million dollars to support a project in our downtown that will add 16 housing units and five retail spaces. This is for the former Habitat site project which was the subject of one of my updates this past fall. This was a huge win for the region and our community and reinforced the need for additional capacity at Target to focus on the grant programs. We want to see more money flow into our communities.   

About the same time the City of Alpena of recognized the need for grant support for the various departments within the City. The City staff prepare many grants and would benefit greatly from some dedicated grant support. Given this, the City reached out to Target to see if we would be interested in helping in this regard. It makes great sense that Target take on this role so it can not only help the City but also help other entities in the area that could benefit from these same programs.  

Today I am so happy to announce the addition of Lenny Avery to the Chamber/Target team. Lenny is a bright and passionate person with a demonstrated history of grant success. Lenny did great things in his previous role that will lend direct benefits for the Alpena and Presque Isle areas. He is an out of the box thinker with an eye toward the future. In addition, Lenny has a deep understanding of the housing programs that exist and will be assisting the regional housing task force to help facilitate quicker progress in this area. We all know the need for housing needs to be addressed and Lenny again is well positioned to assist here. Lastly, Lenny will also spend time working with the MEDC on their retention program to help local companies remain viable and assist them where they may be facing issues. This is a great program and we believe many of our local companies could benefit from it. Often times it is easy to chase after the next opportunity to bring a new employer to the region but it is more important we help those already here to remain here. 

Please help us welcome Lenny to the Target/Chamber team. He started this week and will be working in the office for the first few months, feel free to stop in and introduce yourself or send him quick email at lavery@alpenachamber.com. Special thanks to the City of Alpena for seeking Target support in this initiative and several other local entities that are willing to support the addition of talent to our organization. This is part of Target’s evolution and maturity as an organization. More to come.  

Lastly, I want to acknowledge all of you that attended the chamber dinner earlier this month. This has become “the event” in Alpena annually. I had the opportunity to chat with several attendees that routinely cover these events around the northern part of the state and was told repeatedly no event draws as many people as our event does. Not Petoskey, not Gaylord, not Traverse City. It is amazing that we have so many of you so committed to our community and wanting to be involved. Thank you for your participation!   

Until next month, be well!

Mike

The chamber and economic development teams are focused on our missions and continue to work for you and Alpena.

Chairman Level ($5,000+)

Alpena Agency, Inc.

Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union

Alpena County

Alpena Power Company

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Charter Township of Alpena

City of Alpena

HPC Credit Union

MyMichigan Health

Nicolet National Bank

Presque Isle County

Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-Op

Wolverine State Credit Union

Leader Level ($3,200-$4,999)

Alpena Community College

Bannan Funeral Home/Huron Monuments and Memorials

Edward Jones – Andrew Kowalski, Bryan Strong, Charles R. Ingle, Eric M. Ferguson, Marc K. Ferguson, Pamela Kirchoff

Lafarge Holcim

Lappan Agency

Partner Level ($1,600) 

Alpena Community Credit Union

Alpena Public Schools

Bedrock Contracting and Excavating

Besser Company

Builders First Source

Clearview Car Washes/Pennzoil Ten Minute Oil Change Center of Alpena

Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan

Downtown Development Authority

Decorative Panels International (DPI)

DTE Energy

ITC Holdings, Corp.

Keystone Rental Equipment

Northland Area Federal Credit Union

PNC Bank

Propane Plus Inc./MI Stop Citgo Station/BC Pizza

Thunder Bay Transportation Authority

Tier4 Technical Support

Walmart

Sponsor Level ($500)

Alcona Health Center 

Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Alpena Beverage Company

Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

Alpena Events Complex

Alpena Furniture Co., Inc.

Alpena News Publishing Company

Alpena Supply Company

Appliance Repair USA

Austin Brothers' Beer Company

Awakon Federal Credit Union

Banner Realty

Besser Foundation

Boldrey, Senchuk, Rouleau & Williams, CPA's, PC

Bolenz Jewelry

Building Express Inc.

Century 21 Northland

Clark Construction Company

Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet Inc.

Cochon - Gourmet Market of Alpena

Cocoa Capital Corp

Compassus Hospice

Consumers Energy

Control Solutions Inc.

Dean Arbour Ford Lincoln

Devere Industrial, LLC

Downtown Union 76

Employment Services Inc

Goodwill Northern Michigan

Goyette Mechanical

H&R Block

Harbor North Dental Associates

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Huntington National Bank

Huron Engineering & Surveying

Industrial Image, Inc.

KFC

Lewis & Lewis Professional Surveying, Inc.

McDonald's Restaurant

Meridian Contracting Services, LLC

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium

Midwest Diesel Service

Midwestern Broadcasting Company

NEMROC, Inc.

Northern Eye

Northern Title & Escrow Agency

Nowicki's Sausage Shoppe/ The Old Polish Corner

Omega Electric & Sign Company Inc.

Ossineke Industries

Peninsula Fiber Network

Plowman's Collision Service

Presque Isle Township

R.A. Townsend Company

Ramada Alpena

RE/MAX New Horizons

Real Estate One of Alpena

Red Brick Tap & Barrel

ServiceMaster Home & Office

Sherwin Williams

Skiba Insurance Service

SkyWest Airlines

Specification Stone Products

Star Staffing Alpena

Straley Lamp & Kraenzlein P.C.

Stratford Group Ltd.

Switzer Veterinary Clinic

Tarkington Family Dentistry

Team Elmer's

The Drug Store/Northern Exposure Framing & Matting

The Home Depot

Thunder Bay Accounting

Thunder Bay Electric, Inc.

Thunder Bay Eye Care

Thunder Bay Family Dentistry

Thunder Bay Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay Tree Services, LLC

Thunder Bay Winery/ Regalo Luxury Gifts

True North Radio Network

Veolia

W.G. Benjey Inc./ S & A Co., Inc.

Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Werth Development, LLC

West Design Center, LLC

White and Wojda

Wolgast Corporation

Young Appliance, Electronics, Furniture & Mattresses

Zen 24 Hour Fitness Center