The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is committed to fostering economic resiliency by supporting businesses, strengthening communities, and driving regional prosperity. Through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, NLEA works to ensure that Northern Michigan remains a thriving place to live and work.
2024 marked NLEA’s 40th year as an economic development organization. In May 2024, NLEA began a six-month strategic planning process to guide the organization’s structure, services, and development over the next three years. This process, led by an outside consultant, engaged more than 250 community and business leaders through surveys, feedback sessions, roundtable discussions, and interviews to identify economic development priorities for the region and how the NLEA should tackle these priorities. This feedback shaped a final strategic plan for the NLEA that was adopted by our Board of Directors in late 2024, with implementation beginning in 2025.
Lead a comprehensive economic development strategy that builds greater economic resiliency for the region.
Grow diverse and year-round economic opportunity through targeted business retention, growth, and attraction efforts.
Advance infrastructure and development efforts that support the current and future diverse needs of our region’s workforce and employers.
Elevate regional opportunities and implement new initiatives to attract and retain talent.
We plan to measure this plan’s impact in our area in the following ways:
For Northern Michigan to maintain a strong and diverse economy, proactive leadership is essential. The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) serves as a driving force in regional economic development by providing data-driven insights, advocating for business-friendly policies, and fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders. Through strategic initiatives, NLEA ensures that businesses, communities, and policymakers have the knowledge and resources needed to navigate economic challenges and seize new opportunities.
NLEA continuously analyzes regional economic trends to identify emerging challenges and opportunities. By gathering data from businesses, workforce partners, and industry experts, the organization provides valuable insights to inform decision-making.
To ensure sustainable growth, NLEA actively engages with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for economic policies and funding initiatives that support businesses and workforce development.
A thriving economy depends on a strong business environment, year-round job opportunities, and a diversified economic base. The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is committed to supporting business retention and expansion while proactively attracting strategic industries that provide family-sustaining jobs. By fostering connections between businesses, policymakers, and workforce development programs, NLEA ensures that companies have the resources they need to grow and succeed.
NLEA works directly with businesses to create a supportive environment for growth, ensuring long-term economic stability in Northern Michigan.
To foster a business-friendly climate, NLEA works with public and private partners to secure funding and advocate for policies that drive economic growth.
For Northern Michigan to maintain a strong and diverse economy, proactive leadership is essential. The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) serves as a driving force in regional economic development by providing data-driven insights, advocating for business-friendly policies, and fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders. Through strategic initiatives, NLEA ensures that businesses, communities, and policymakers have the knowledge and resources needed to navigate economic challenges and seize new opportunities.
To support economic growth, NLEA collaborates with local governments, utility providers, and businesses to identify infrastructure needs and advance development projects.
One of the most pressing economic challenges in Northern Michigan is the lack of workforce housing, which limits the ability of businesses to attract and retain employees.
A strong and resilient economy requires a balanced population with diverse skillsets, but our region currently lacks this demographic, especially younger talent. MichiganWorks! and North Central Michigan College (NCMC) play key roles in workforce development, with programs like Fast Track Career Programs seeing growth. To support these efforts, NLEA will focus on attracting and retaining talent by promoting the region’s natural beauty, outdoor activities, and successful industries like manufacturing and marine construction. To retain young residents and attract new talent, it’s crucial to elevate and communicate the career opportunities in our region, ensuring we don’t lose out to other areas.
Transform the “Choose the North” campaign into a comprehensive talent retention and attraction effort aimed at growing the region’s working-age population by promoting family-sustaining careers and investment opportunities.
Continue supporting regional efforts to retain talent and increase labor force participation by collaborating with educational, workforce, and business partners on reskilling initiatives.
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