The 2023 Northern Lakes Economic Symposium and Showcase is on Monday, May 22 at Boyne Mountain Resort! To support the businesses and communities across the region that are confronting the challenge of attracting talent, this year’s theme is Talent Attraction and Retention. Presenters will offer solutions to the question: What can the businesses and communities of Northern Lower Michigan do to attract the workforce necessary for our region thrive?

Through keynote speakers and breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to examine talent challenges through global, community, industry cluster, and business lenses.

One keynote speaker is Dr. Michael Horrigan, President of the WE Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. We have also confirmed Dr. Peter Berg of MSU's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations to lead a breakout session. Read more about each of these speakers below.

The second annual Northern Lakes Economic Symposium & Annual Showcase is a forum for local and state government officials, community and business leaders, area entrepreneurs, chamber members, educational leaders and everyone involved in the economic vitality of our region for sharing of knowledge of the economic drivers of the region, networking, and celebration.

Now is the time to get your tickets and secure your sponsorship to be highlighted at the Symposium & Showcase. All the details are in the link below. If you have additional questions contact Sam Bailey at the NLEA.

Speaking of talent attraction and retention, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is looking for feedback through a survey for Michigan businesses to help the state better understand the need for talent. The survey is just under 20 questions and should take around 10 minutes to complete.

Please take some time to complete the survey below to help the state better target outreach, trainings and other programs.

What is a tax abatement, how do they work and why are they used? A basic understanding of these questions will help dispel any negative connotations and misconceptions that tax abatements take money away from local communities. Tax abatements actually help to increase the tax base for a local unit of government.

See who can apply and what the process is by clicking Read More in the article below.

Jim Rummer, the director of Career and Technical Education for the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District and 2022 NLEA Board Chair, was recently named the Michigan Association for Career and Technical Education’s 2023 CTE Administrator of the Year.

Over the past 15 years, Rummer has helped grow the ISD's CTE programs and advocated for the skilled trades as high-paying, in-demand, crucial jobs for young adults after they graduate from high school. Today, Char-Em ISD and local school district partners offer 20 different CTE courses.

Now in his fourteenth year on the NLEA Board of Directors, Rummer brings an insightful workforce development lens to NLEA leadership and is constantly working to create opportunities for local youth.

Are you struggling to scale your company? Like many second-stage business owners, you may be noticing systems that once served you well are now starting to show cracks — or that you need new skills and more targeted information in order to continue growing profitably. The System for Integrated Growth® (SIG) hosted though the Michigan Economic Development Corporation provides guidance to shore up fundamental areas inside your company — and information to grow sales and achieve higher profits. 

ELIGIBILITY:

Join Michigan SBDC and SBA for a conversation about cyber security resources for small businesses in 2023. You will receive updates on new services for your small business, tips and tricks for keeping your small business safe, and have opportunities to ask questions of the cyber security experts. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are excited to partner with the MSU Product Center on the 2023 Making It In Michigan event. As a part of the Making It In Michigan event, PMBC & MDARD will host one-on-one matchmaking meetings bringing together purchasers including grocers, retailers, distributors, institutional buyers, or others looking to procure Michigan-made food and beverage products, with Michigan food and agricultural businesses from around the state - all with one common goal to strengthen the state's food supply chain.

There is no cost to attend. This event takes place Thursday, April 20 in at the Lansing Center in Lansing.

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