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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS April 5, 2003 by Linda Hirvonen Delta County Economic Development Alliance Delta County EDA Goals and Activities The EDA’s Mission is to be the single point of access for attraction, retention, and expansion of business and industry in Delta County. Incorporated in 1993, the EDA is proud to be celebrating 10 years of contributions to the well-being of our community. The Delta County EDA is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. It is governed by a 17 member board of directors representing the county’s diversity of business and geography. The EDA has one staff member: Linda Hirvonen, Executive Director. The EDA has a contract for services with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce for office, bookkeeping, and some clerical assistance. It is funded with both public and private contributions. Here are some notable points about the EDA’s 2002 activities: Goal 1: Expansion & Retention - Existing Business: • Implemented UP Business Barometer, an ongoing UP-wide survey of existing business to create broad view of existing business’ needs, strengths expansion & attraction opportunities. Conducted in-depth visits to 46 local businesses, most using UP Barometer tool. Follow-up activities. • Assisted additional 69 area businesses at their request • Co-sponsored 3 UPPERTUNITIES professional development days with Chamber of Commerce: • March- Customer Service with Bill Shepler; • May- Whiz Bang Marketing!; • September- Health Care Cost Containment.. • Arranged for Tom Maguire of USDOC’s Export Assistance Division trip to County • SBA SCORE volunteers now work 1:1 with existing businesses rather than start ups. Goal 2: Attraction of Business & Industry • Issues & Answers Network, a market research company, opened their fifth national service center in Escanaba May 2002. They hired @ 100 full and part- time workers. • Wrote successful requests and expansion proposals for Delta County Industrial Airpark Renaissance Zone. Facilitated the company commitments to locate EMP there. Created advertising piece for the county. • Worked with 93 groups, individuals, or site consultants interested in locating or starting businesses in Delta County. • Co-sponsored the “Spirit of Entrepreneurship,” a series covering aspects of starting a business offered through Bay College’s Continuing Ed department. • Advertised White Tail Industrial Park (Escanaba), North Bluff Industrial Park (Gladstone), and Renaissance Zone (county) in regional publications. White Tail is a state Select Site. • Represented county at MEDC Site Consultants’ Programin June. • Shared displays promoting Delta County sites at National Brownfield Conference and Great Lakes International Business Conference. • UPEDA contributions resulted in 4:1 dollar value of advertising aimed at tourists and non-homestead property owners Goal 3: Community Development • Bay Area Economic Club in second season • Part of Link Michigan Initiative to research broadband internet capacity in UP and plan for last mile installation • Task Force to create Delta Force Leadership Reconnaissance Mission- to kick off Jan 2003 • Actively participate on Michigan Works! The Job Force Board. • Participate with Gladstone EDC, Escanaba DDA Economic Restructuring Committee. • Chair, UP Economic Development Alliance • Ex Officio Member of MTEC Oversight Committee • Contribute bi-weekly columns for Daily Press Business Page, monthly column for Communicator, occasional columns for UP Business Today and Midwest Business & Industrial Properties. |
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