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Newsletter 

March 2025

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Alliance Executive Committee

Thursday, April 6

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Bay College Iron Mountain Room 244

Alliance Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, April 17

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Bay College Iron Mountain Room 244

The Alliance Annual Meeting

Thank you to all who attended the 2025 Alliance Annual Meeting on March 21. The gathering provided time to network, review actions from 2024 and preview what to expect from The Alliance in 2025.


The 2024 Annual Report is now available on the website. Printed copies will be available by request.

Government Relations and Advocacy Task Force

The Alliance Government Relations & Advocacy Task Force hosted local, state, and federal elected officials and staff at the FIS Continental Cup Ski Jumping Competition at Pine Mountain on February 22. Highlights of this year’s Legislative Reception included a visit from U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. 

Talent and Education Task Force Run First Healthcare Career Day

The Alliance hosted our first ever Healthcare Career Day on February 21 at Bay College Iron Mountain. We had about 300 local sophomore students in attendance. With healthcare being one of the largest employment bases in Dickinson County, The Alliance Talent and Education Task Force understands the importance of introducing area students to workforce opportunities. We coordinated a day with local healthcare providers to provide hands-on activities in a variety of healthcare professions for the students. This event not only gave students and opportunity to learn about different careers, but also shared information about courses available through the DIISD Tech Center and Bay College.

Participating healthcare providers include:

Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson

Oscar G Johnson VA Medical Center

Bellin Health

Norway Eye Care

The John Fornetti Dental Center

Bay College (Nursing and Paramedics)


Participating schools include:

Kingsford High School

Iron Mountain High School

Norway High School

North Dickinson High School

Florence High School 

Homeschool Students

Thank you to our sponsors Bay College, John Fornetti Dental Center, and Norway Power and Light.

CTE Grad Recognition

In April, The Alliance will again recognize local high school graduates pursuing careers in manufacturing and technical occupations upon graduation. We ask for student nominations from parents, teachers, and friends, with one random winner selected 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 on April 1 on our social media accounts. Companies – if you wish to donate prizes for the students, please reach out. 

Belong Dickinson 

Belong Dickinson explores employment and community involvement and the relationships built as a result of finding a sense of belonging. Through this initiative, we tell the story of living and working through the eyes of employees at our investor businesses.


In January, we met Cindy at Systems Control and learned about her involvement in the Women of Dirt mountain biking group. In February, we met Emily and Nick Allessandroni and their young family. They shared the importance of the Dickinson County Library and Imagination Factory Children's Museum as resources for meeting others and making friends. 


This month, we meet Mark at Champion. Mark is the president of National Ready-Mix. After working for Champion in Texas, he had the opportunity to move to Iron Mountain, where he met his wife and started a family. His kids’ interest in hockey has him at the Mountain View Ice Arena many nights when he is not traveling for work.

 

Follow along at belongdickinson.org.

 

This new living and working initiative is investor-funded and open to all Alliance investors. We are looking for additional investors to participate in the program. For more information, please get in touch with Mindy at mindy.meyers@daeda.org

Business Training Webinars Offered

Michigan’s Small Business Development Center offers free webinars to help businesses achieve and sustain profitability and growth. A full range of topics are available as pre-recorded, on-demand sessions or during live webinars. Check out the upcoming schedule for topics that interest you, or visit the library of on-demand sessions.


  • Start and Grow Your YouTube Channel Webinar – April 2
  • Set Your Marketing Strategy Webinar – April 16
  • Forming Your LLC or DBA Webinar – April 22
  • Writing a Business Plan Webinar – April 24
  • Building Employee Loyalty – April 30


Register for any of the above at michigansbdc.org/get-started/training-events.

Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub

The Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub is hosting another Direct Grant Overview Webinar for small businesses on April 16 at 9:00 a.m. CT.


Register online to learn more about the next round of Direct Grant funding opportunity.


In November 2023, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced $73 million in grant awards to establish Small Business Support Hubs across the state. A group of local economic development organizations collaborated to apply for funds and were awarded a total of $3,426,015 over three years to set up and operate the Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (The Hub), covering Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties.


The Hub is made possible through collaboration with many partners including the LSCP, Accelerate U.P., Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Northern Michigan University, Small Business Development Center Upper Peninsula Region, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and Sault Tribe Thrive.


The Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance is pleased to work with the Dickinson area Small Business Support Hub Navigator, Jose Laynez. Jose hosts office hours in Dickinson County Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at UP MichiganWorks 127 S Stephenson Ave, Suite 211, Iron Mountain. Contact Jose directly at (906)370-6563 or Jlaynez@mtu.edu. You can find more information and sign up for Hub support here

Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance

(920) 379-6611 | info@daeda.org | www.daeda.org

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