Newsletter 
June 2019
Loyal to Local Welcoming New and Renewing Participants
New participants are invited to sign up and join the other 114 businesses working together to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses. Renewal information was sent to existing Loyal to Local participants in May. Whether you are new to Loyal to Local or a renewing participant, all who are interested can find the 2019 Participant Form online at  loyal2local.org . 

Material order forms have more options presented this year in response to the needs of local businesses. If you missed last month’s presentation about the Loyal to Local program and plans for the second year, which kicks off on July 1st, you can watch a recording of the  presentation . Contact  Lois Ellis with any questions.
Area’s Micropolitan Ranking Lands in Top 100
POLICOM recently released their annual Micropolitan Statistical Area Rankings and Dickinson County has risen to 99 th out of 550 Micropolitan areas across the nation, up from ranking 139th in 2018. The 2019 ranking marks the fourth consecutive year of improvement. The ranking focuses on the Economic Strength of each micropolitan area. Economic Strength is defined as the long-term tendency for an area to grow consistently in both size and quality. Once looked upon as quasi-rural areas, a Micropolitan Statistical Area must have an urbanized area (city) with a population of at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000.

POLICOM specializes in studying the dynamics of local economies. The highest ranked areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period. The lowest ranked areas have been in volatile decline for an extended period. The Iron Mountain MI-WI Micropolitan Statistical Area (McrSA) is the only micropolitan area in the U.P. ranked in the Top 100. The next U.P. area recognized is Marquette MI McrSA, which came in at 233 rd . To see the full results and learn more about the economic strength rankings, click here .  
Bay West Leadership Academy Graduation
Congratulations to all the graduates of the inaugural class of the Bay West Leadership Academy! And also to Gina Wollner and the Bay College West Campus staff who successfully implemented the first year program! Twenty participants took part in eight monthly sessions to develop meaningful leadership skills, understand the opportunities and challenges facing the Dickinson County area and to network with peers. The program culminated with graduation at the Bay West Leadership Conference on May 23. For individuals and companies interested in participating, the Bay West Leadership Academy application process has begun for the 2nd year and the program will start in October 2019. Congratulations to the participants and to the employers t hat supported them for this leadership development opportunity!
Class Of 2019
Megan Barglind , Executive Assistant to the Director at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Shannon Barnes , Project Accountant at M. J. Electric
Sarah Blanzy , Environmental Leader at Verso Corporation
Alexandria Brash , Human Resources Manager at CSA Air
Megan Buck , Director at Dickinson County Library
Melissa Campbell , Nurse at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Kristina Campos , Administrative Assistant at M. J. Electric
Susie Danielson , Branch Manager at First National Bank & Trust
Jamie Ellis , Talent Management Specialist at M. J. Electric
Timothy Ellison , Veteran Experience Specialist at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Renee Forstrom , Senior Financial Analyst at BOSS Snowplow
Catherine Gendron , Human Resources Administrator at CCI Systems
Cole Grenier , Credit Analyst at First National Bank & Trust
Thomas Gruber , Supervisor at American Axel and Manufacturing (AAM)
Amber Lundberg , Academic Support Coordinator at Bay College
Dayna Nault , Human Resources Administrator Assistant at M. J. Electric
Lisa Patterson , Home & Community Based Care at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Kurt Rosenthal , Quality Inspector at BOSS Snowplow
Derrick Ruohomaki , Pharmacist at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Shannon Suheski , Nurse at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Marshall Plan for Talent Update
Awardees for the second round of the Marshall Plan for Talent Innovation Grants were recently announced. These collaborative efforts between business and education leaders aim to revolutionize curriculum and support services that will address the state’s talent gap. Thirteen talent consortia, representing 500 entities were awarded a total of nearly $14 million in grants to start and grow innovative education models. Several Dickinson County businesses and educational institutions are participating in two different consortiums that secured funding in this round as represented below.
The Marshall Plan promotes the building of partnerships between schools and businesses to innovate and rethink how to prepare young people for the future. Each applicant focused on one of five key high-demand, high-wage sectors including healthcare, information technology and computer science, manufacturing, professional trades and other business trades. For more information, click here .
Tourism Conference in Downtown Iron Mountain
Downtown Iron Mountain will be the host of a FREE Tourism Conference on June 25. The conference is sponsored by Downtown Iron Mountain, Bay College West Campus, Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area and Michigan State University Extension. Tourism is a growing portion of the Upper Peninsula's economy. This conference will focus on successful strategies that communities can use to market themselves and improve the amenities and recreational opportunities that today’s tourists demand. Sessions will focus on marketing and branding, downtown development, outdoor recreation, and policy strategies communities can use to improve their tourism economies. View registration, agenda and speaker line-up here .
Welcome NEW Loyal to Local Participants!
Upcoming Events!
Thursda y, June 20
Alliance Board meeting
7:15 a.m
Systems Control
Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance | 906-360-4653 | [email protected] | www.daeda.org