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.

• Newcomer’s Club now independent of EDA

• Attended MSU-E Citizen Planner course as well as Michigan Economic   Development Assoc. professional development courses.

• Assisted with multiple community committees and events

• Made many presentations to community groups.

• Letters of support provided for community efforts



The EDA is supported by public and private means. Its total expenditures for 2002 were $68,406. Of the income, the City of Escanaba contributed $22,500, Delta County contributed $15,000, and the City of Gladstone/Gladstone EDC contributed $11,500. The balance was raised through private donations by:Baybank; Bay College: Bruce Carlyon Dentistry; Charter Communications; E.M.P.; Escanaba Industrial Foundation; First Bank; Great Lakes 1st Federal Credit Union; Heynssens - Selin’s; Daily Press; Delta County Chamber of Commerce; Delta County Trades & Labor Unions; DTE Energy (MichCon); MeadWestvaco; Northern Michigan Bank & Trust; Ray and Peg Hirvonen Foundation; State Bank; UPPCO- a WPS Resources Company; Wells Fargo Bank. The EDA salutes all of these forward thinking people!



Come Grow with Us in Delta County! 
Linda A Hirvonen, Executive Director
Delta County Economic Development Alliance
230 Ludington Street
Escanaba  MI  49829
(906) 786-2192 or fax (906) 786-8830




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