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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS May 3, 2003 by Linda Hirvonen Delta County Economic Development Alliance Volunteerism The Delta County Economic Development Alliance came to be through the efforts of many community volunteers. Since April was National Volunteers month, and since we are getting ready to celebrate our 10th anniversary as an organization, volunteerism with an eye toward our own volunteers seems an appropriate topic. The USDOL released statistics about volunteerism as of 2002. They report that about one in four people in the US over the age of 16 volunteers in some way. Not surprisingly, the 35 – 54 year olds were most likely with one in three volunteering. Teenagers, contrary to popular stereotype, also averaged a bit higher than one in four. More women volunteer than men across age groups. Among people 25 years and older, 43.6% of college graduates volunteer. This is twice the rate of high school graduates and four times the rate for drop-outs. Employed persons were also more likely to volunteer than unemployed or those not in the labor force. The median number of hours spent by the average volunteer was 52. Now for the volunteers who got the EDA started. Legend has it that the Chamber of Commerce, led at the time by Dennis Weithoff, president, and Ken O’Dierno, Executive Director, conceived the idea in the office of Jim Houser, then Escanaba City Manager. Escanaba had recently completed “Celebrate Escanaba,” a strategic planning community assessment, and one of their findings was the need for a single source, county based authority responsible for recruiting industry to the area. With the help of the City of Gladstone and Wells Township and a host of volunteers, the group created the mission statement we have today: “To promote economic development in Delta County through the attraction, retention, and expansion of business and industry.” They formed three initial work groups: Information Gathering, Information Dissemination and Industry Action. Information Gathering’s mission was todevelop an economic profile, the skeleton of which we still use today. On this committee were:Norma Bauer, Cindy Brock, Ray Schieber, Steve Buckbee, and George Cole. Information Dissemination’s purpose was to develop an overall marketing package and plan for attraction, retention and expansion. This group consisted of: Diana Anderson, Lois Boydston, John Dagenais, Gayle DeShambo, Sue Harris, Marilyn Kinsey, Dave Mileski, Michael Marcks, Kim Rabitoy, Dave Rood, Jeanne Rose, Craig Woerpel, Becky Bell, Dick Wiles, and Bobbie (Beauchamp) Stacey. Industry Action met to utilize the connective concept to foster cooperation between Delta County business & industry, identify products, services & technologies that could be purchased locally, and the source of those products, services, & technologies. This group included: Rosalind Allis, Miles Anderson, Jim Barr, Ted Breitenbach, Jim Johnson, Richard LaFave, Joe Maki, Michael Marcks, George McLaughlin, Lou Povich, Jim McKnight, and Tom Fillman. Of course more committees emerged as time went on. TheSCORE group established the Delta County SCORE chapter to promote development through business counseling and use of SBA resources. Volunteers were: •John Anthony, Arol Beck, Ted Breitenbach, Tony Fittante, Forrest Henslee, Richard LaFave, and Art Pope. Ted and Forrest still serve as SCORE volunteers. The Finance Committee reviewed the availability of financing options for business & industry planning growth. The members were: •Bob Bink, Ted Breitenbach, Les Cseter, Roger Good, Joe Maki, Michael Marcks, Carol Shiplett, Matt Smith, Bob Valentine, and Ralph Zenker. The EDA incorporated in October 1993. The original board consisted of: Dave Rivard- President; Mary Curtin Hurley- Vice President; Greg Suddereth- Secretary; Dennis Wiethoff- Treasurer; Tom Butch*, Marilyn Kinsey, Art Arch, Bob Gregg, Dwight Link, Joe Maki, Dave Mileski, Lou Povich, Tom Ross, Ken O’Dierno (ex-officio). Tom Butch, Mary Hurley, and Marilyn Kinsey still serve on the board. Over the years, these other citizens have volunteered for the board in their order of coming onto the board: Those who currently sit on the board are in italics. •Michael Nardi,Firs - Bank, Dave Woodworth - Chamber, Dean Masters – Bay College, Mickey Wieciech- Charter Communications, Doug Russell- Bay College, Judith Gereau – Wells Township, Dave Nemacheck- Heynssens – Selin’s, Dick LaCosse- PACE International Union, Jim Bennie- Bay College, Vickie Micheau- Chamber, Brian Hors- Gladstone, Michael Uskiewicz- Escanaba, Dave Schultz- County Commissioners, Paul Harvey- EMP, Steve Lillie- UPPCO, Jerry Smith- IBEW, Tari Calouette- Daily Press, Matt Smith, Jr- Northern Michigan Bank & Trust., Doug Terry- Escanaba, and Michael Allkins- Bay College. Ray Schieber, who was one of the original committee members, also served as the Executive Director from 1994-1997 and continues to serve as an “all purpose” volunteer. SCORE volunteers, in addition to Ted Breitenbach and Forrest Henslee, include; Kip Ahola, Foy Arbour, Don Breault, Mary Creten, Jim Fagan, Angie Hakes, Fred Lapinski, Jack Manning, Janie Perry, and Dave Rivard. Bob Marcell was also very active when he was in town. We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention that RSVP volunteers have helped us over the years at Uppertunities and in our office. We especially thank Bill and Rosemary Schoen, Lorraine Benson, and Lorraine Johnson, who help us and the Chamber in the office. Alina Piskuleva, a foreign exchange student from Russia attending Bay College, also spent many hours here last year as an unpaid intern. Even though the EDA is a “one man office” we are certainly a community effort! Our deepest appreciation for everyone who has served. Thanks also to those volunteer in all areas of the community as they contribute greatly to our quality of life. Finally, our thanks and apologies to anyone we might have missed. Please let us know if we did! 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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