Newsletter 
March 2022
Upcoming Meetings
Executive Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 7
3:30 p.m. CT
Bay College West
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, April 21
8:00 a.m. CT
Bay College West
Annual Meeting Held
The Alliance hosted its Annual Meeting for Investors on February 24 at Pine Grove. Executive Director, Lois Ellis, shared a summary of The Alliance’s work in 2021, and Lake Superior Community Partnership CEO Sarah Lucas presented on housing development strategies. If you were unable to join us, our Annual Report is available online. Printed copies of the report are available upon request. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make progress on our goals last year.
CTE News
2022 Next-Level Career & Technical Education Magazine Released
The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Magazine subcommittee of the Alliance Talent & Education Task Force has completed a CTE-focused publication as a resource for area students, educators, and families. View the 2022 Next-Level Career & Technical Education Magazine here.
 
The publication contains helpful information for students and parents, such as:
  • In-demand career and wage information
  • Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Tech Center programs
  • Bay College programs
  • Early College and Dual Enrollment information
  • Student testimonials
  • Helpful links and videos
Coming Soon! CTE Graduate Recognition
In April, The Alliance will once again recognize local high school graduates pursuing careers in manufacturing and technical occupations upon graduation. The social media campaign asks for student nominations from parents, teachers, and friends, with one random winner from each of the eight area high schools. The winning students will receive a prize package of gifts from area companies and The Alliance. Watch for the kick-off announcement and call for nominations in mid-April on our social accounts.
US Special Delivery Receives Award

Congratulations to US Special Delivery upon being named Ecolab’s Less-Than-Truckload Regional Transportation Carrier of the Year for 2020. Carriers receiving this award were selected based on high scores in the categories of safety, service, and savings. In collaboration with logistics stakeholders, the transportation team “identified winners of the Carrier of the Year award as partners who exhibited a strong commitment to customer service, partnership and collaboration” from January through December 2020. Ecolab provides services to the transportation industry to ensure quality and sustainability processes that boost efficiency and deliver great results to help meet business goals. 
Lucas to Lead Office of Rural Development

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell announced the selection of Sarah Lucas to lead the newly created Office of Rural Development, effective Monday, April 18. "Having spent most of her career in small towns and rural areas in northwest Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, Sarah has deep connection and understanding of the challenges facing our rural communities. Her 20 plus years of passion and experience will serve Michiganders well," said McDowell. Read more here
Rural Insights Feature

Elsa Pontbriand provided the area’s most recent contribution to Rural Insights with an article titled “Building a Community of Women-Owned Businesses.” Read more about her own experiences in starting local businesses here. In addition, she is featuring women in business on CWRK Collective's blog. If you are interested in participating – email her at hello@cwrkcollective.com
FIRST Robotics April 7-9
Nearly forty high school robotics teams from across Michigan will gather at Kingsford High School for a FIRST Robotics competition on April 7-9. If you have never been to a Robotics competition, you need to check it out and feel the excitement and energy the students bring!

Event Details
District Kingsford Event (Qualifying Event)
April 7 - 9, 2022
Kingsford High School
8:00 a.m. start on Friday/Saturday

Call for Volunteer Judges
Ten volunteers (at least 21 years old) are needed to serve as competition judges on Friday, April 8 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 9 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Judges are trained on-site and no technical knowledge is required. Judges have the opportunity to interact with and get to know the students competing. Food and beverages are provided along with an event t-shirt. Businesses that provide a judge volunteer will be automatically considered a bronze-level sponsor with their logo and business name featured heavily throughout the event. If interested, please contact Haley Edie.
Sustainable Forestry Conference

The 17th Annual Sustainable Forestry Conference will be hosted on Wednesday, April 6 from 7:30 am until 3:30 pm at the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge in Florence. This year’s conference focuses on “Emerging Strategies and Practices.”

Speakers will address a Markets Update, Forest Health, Carbon Credits, Logging and Mill Safety Tips, Terrestrial Invasive Species, Good Neighbor Authority, and provide a MI/WI Legislative Update. Organizers encourage individuals from regional forest products and logging businesses, entrepreneurs, local governments, forestry/land management organizations, school boards, school administration, utilities, economic development entities, state government, and other related associations and resource agencies to attend. Register online here.
Cost of Goods & Best Pricing Practices Webinar Planned

On April 5, the Small Business Development Center of Michigan will host a webinar in collaboration with the Alliance and the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce titled “Understanding Cost of Goods & Best Pricing Practices.” Learn what comprises the cost of goods and how to calculate costs and set the right price for your goods and services - presented by SBDC U.P. Regional Director Laura Marohnic. The event is free and starts at 11:00 am CT. Register here.
Land Bank & Brownfield Workshop

Please join the Marquette County Intergovernmental Housing Task Force and Anne Giroux, Marquette County Land Bank Director and Brownfield Director, for a workshop on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. At this workshop, you will learn more about the tools available and how they can be leveraged in support of local initiatives for achieving housing goals.

There is no cost to attend. Virtual options are available for those unable to attend in person. Click here to register. If you have questions about the event, contact Elle Jansen.
Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance | 906-360-4653 | info@daeda.org | www.daeda.org