Groups join forces to bring economic development
Eight counties seek to attract new businesses, industries
Economic development groups in eight area counties, including Gratiot, Clare and Isabella, are collaborating in an effort to attract new businesses and industries to the region.
The organizations have come together to establish a marketing plan to highlight the properties, ranging from single buildings to large tracts of land, available to potential developers.
The combined effort, which is being called Great Lake Bay. Michigan, Centered, also includes Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties, which comprise the state’s Region 5. Greater Gratiot Development and the Middle Michigan Development Corp. which serves both Isabella and Clare counties, are part of the marketing campaign.
“Working regionally for business attraction purposes helps put our smaller counties on the map for site selectors,” GGD President Jim Wheeler stated in a press release.
“Without this program, hosting site familiarization tours, traveling to national and international trade shows, and advertising in publications would not be feasible. This initiative allows us to
take part in what Gratiot County and many of our partners could not do on its own due to budget and time constraints.”
The objective of the plan is to secure investment in targeted industries by promoting regional assets to decision makers of companies through a process called site selection, as well as engage key stakeholders within the community to accentuate the benefits of doing business in the region.
Targeted industries are businesses that could be best supported in terms of natural resources, geographic location, workforce
and available infrastructure, according to the regional group.
Among the industries being sought are advanced manufacturing firms, agribusinesses and healthcare.
The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is also assisting the organizations in Region 5 by supporting its site consultant outreach and event sponsorship, along with promoting the region at state and national trade shows.
There are more than 1,000 properties listed for potential development within the eight counties.
The regional group has all available sites and details about each one listed in its database at www. greatlakesbaysites.com. It has also run advertisements in several national publications including “Business Facilities” and “Site Selection Magazine.”
In addition, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. has awarded the organization a $105,00 grant to help fund the highlighting of premier properties and its marketing and promotional efforts through the end of the year.
“Having a cohesive regional attraction strategy makes us more competitive in promoting our combined assets to potential businessesses who might be interested in locating here,” MMDC President and CEO Jim Mcbryde said.
“In 2021, we attracted several new businesses to Clare and Isabella counties, and I believe our regional strategy was the key to these successes.”