Your Latest Economic News in Northern Michigan!
Plus Core Partner Updates!
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Networks Northwest collaborated with multiple business and community partners across the region to launch the 2022 Wage Survey for employers within northwest Lower Michigan. Thank you to all who participated!
The survey was targeted to businesses of all sizes, within all industries, throughout the 10-county region. Survey development began in spring 2021, with input and feedback from numerous area stakeholders. The final survey was comprehensive and representative of a great regional effort.
This is the first regional wage survey for northwest Lower Michigan since 2013
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New site to help northern Michigan THRIVE |
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Thrive North is a website that boasts the history built on manufacturing, agriculture, and natural beauty, providing this 10-county region endless economic opportunities and quality of life amenities for people from all walks of life.
We know Northwest Michigan offers robust opportunities across a diversity of industries, with over 122,000 jobs ranging from healthcare to advanced manufacturing to hospitality management and tourism — and everything in between. The purpose of Thrive North is to tell others that as well as that our region is situated in close proximity to the Detroit, Chicago, and Grand Rapids markets. Within minutes to Interstate 75, two commercial airports, and easy access to several state highways, Northwest Michigan is connected.
The site provides data and paints a picture of the beauty of northwest Michigan working and living. Check it out!
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Fast Track Certificates Available |
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North Central Michigan College (NCMC) is offering two additional fast track programs. |
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1. CNC Operator Certification A CNC Operator is responsible for overseeing the daily functions of manufacturing machinery. Their duties include running tests before the start of operations, programming and monitoring machines when assembling products and inspecting machinery at the end of each shift to identify parts needing repair. Certified CNC Operators are in high-demand with local manufacturers. |
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2. Introductions to Mechatronics Certification Mechatronics is a multi-disciplinary field that integrates mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering into the design, development, and implementation of automated systems. It provides a critical foundation for Industry 4.0: smart, automated, data-informed systems that connect the entire enterprise from concept to customer. |
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Help Shape Business Education |
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DEADLINE: JULY 26
Help shape the future workforce with your feedback on education opportunities.
Saginaw Valley State University is exploring education and workforce development initiatives in the northwestern Michigan region and wants to hear from you as a business owner!
SVSU wants to meet regional needs, potentially through face-to face-courses, certificates, microcredentials, hybrid learning models, pipeline agreements, co-ops/externships, or tuition reimbursement models.
Your feedback as local businesses will inform the development of university programs in the region.
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Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Q2 Report |
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The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of 16 chambers and economic development organizations from across northern Michigan (including Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce, Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce, and more). The Alliance partnership works from the premise that many legislative issues impact the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula in similar ways. The coalition exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.
The alliance released its Q2 Partner Update featuring updates on the OFFICE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; CHILD CARE REFORM; ATTAINABLE HOUSING LEGISLATION and more. See the full report by clicking below.
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Community Foundation Invests in Workforce Housing |
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A proposed 60-unit workforce housing development moved another step closer to reality as the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation purchased the Gruler property at 900 Emmet Street in the City of Petoskey, the former site of Hankey Lumber Company.
“We saw an urgent need to secure this property to preserve it for future workforce housing,” said David L. Jones, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.
The Lofts at Lumber Square is a proposed 60-unit development made up of one-, two- and three-bedroom units affordable for households making up to $94,000 annually for a family of four.
Workforce housing stands as a challenge in our economy. Many work towards developing solutions as noted in a past NLEA article from Andrea Jacobs, Emmet County Housing Ready Program Director. |
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Early Bird Registration: CEC Conference |
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Join other like-minded communities at the 2022 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference. CEC is a one-of-a-kind conference designed to share ideas, learn about helpful resources, and empower each other to support local entrepreneurs and a community’s entrepreneurial thinking.
A signature element unique to CEC is that all breakout session are embedded within community buildings and storefronts in downtown Alma. By design, attendees will fully experience downtown Alma and have plenty of time to network, walk, and patronize local businesses between sessions. Participants will also learn best practices from state and local entrepreneurial professionals.
CEC, facilitated by Michigan State University, is happening September 14-15 in Alma. Register now for discounted pricing.
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Find out what our Core Partners are up to! |
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