Northern Lakes Economic Alliance • 231-582-6482 • info@northernlakes.net
Evan Root and Madelyn Cain, NLEA Interns
Throughout the past four weeks working at NLEA, we have learned a tremendous amount about economic development and how to best work with communities in order to be successful. We have been faced with challenges while searching for specific data information that the state requires to be included in our marketing package. The gracious municipalities in Northern Michigan have been willing and able to direct us in the right direction to find the information we seek.
While we have been faced with some challenges we also have had success in working with cities who are actively involved in the RRC process. Locating Redevelopment Ready sites, and highlighting the details that are important to developers.
This month we had the opportunity to be a part of the Northeast MI Career Quest at the Industrial Arts Institute in Onaway as volunteers. The day was truly a great experience that gave us an inside look into many of the diverse career options within Michigan. This event was a great way to show young students different paths for future education, other than a traditional 4-year college.
In the future weeks of this internship, we aim to dive deeper into our Shovel Ready sites and work closely with local government. Our goal over the next few weeks is to complete two to three RRC marketing packages and have them presented and approved by the city managers. We also aim to help communities that are behind in the RRC process by aiding them in the RRC site decision-making process.
