NLEA Unveils New Strategic Plan!

Following six months of work, we are thrilled to share our new comprehensive three-year strategic plan! Guided by insights from more than 250 community and business leaders, the plan is designed to drive economic resiliency and prosperity across our four-county region of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties. 

Obstacles and Opportunities

The plan calls attention to key obstacles and opportunities for a more resilient regional economy. According to the plan, one obstacle is the region’s population imbalance. While the population has grown, that growth is driven by older age groups; our youth and young adult population is shrinking. Our region’s working-age population (25- to 54-years-old) has fallen at a rate that is nearly double the state’s rate presenting significant challenges for many employers. The plan also identifies other concerns raised by business and community leaders, including limited infrastructure and development-ready sites which serve as a barrier to strategic business growth and workforce housing. The plan calls for strategies to tackle these and other barriers to ensure long-term economic vitality.  

A notable opportunity highlighted in the plan is the region’s abundance of natural assets and recreational opportunities that drive our tourism economy but also help to retain and attract entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents to live and invest in the area. The plan also emphasizes the region's often overlooked strong base of advanced manufacturing, marine-construction, and other industries that are innovating to meet global demands and provide a diversity of higher wage career opportunities. 

Strategic Priorities

In response to these challenges and opportunities, the NLEA’s strategic plan outlines four core objectives for the next three years: 

Lead a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy:

NLEA will champion data-driven initiatives, policy improvements, and regional collaboration to foster greater economic resilience.

Grow Diverse and Year-Round Economic Opportunities:

Through strategic business growth and attraction efforts, the NLEA will help foster a more dynamic regional economy with family-sustaining jobs.

Advance Infrastructure and Development: NLEA will work with public and private partners to further advance infrastructure and development projects that address the needs of growing businesses and the workforce.

Elevate Regional Opportunities to Attract and Retain Talent: NLEA will enhance initiatives that showcase the region's career and investment opportunities while further cultivating new talent pipelines to support changing employer needs.

NLEA staff have already begun implementation of the plan and are excited to share more exciting updates in the coming months!

NLEA's strategic planning process was generously supported by the Fund for the Community of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation and the Cheboygan County Community Foundation. We are grateful for their support!.

To read the full strategic plan click the button below.

Learn More About NLEA Services

The NLEA is a nonprofit economic development organization serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties and has been helping businesses and communities succeed and grow since 1984. Whether you are a community looking for assistance with property redevelopment and grant management or a business looking for assistance to secure funding for new equipment or expansion, the NLEA is here to help you. Learn more about these and additional services below.

CONNECT WITH US