Lake County Economic Development Alliance director Jodi Nichols updated the board of commissioners recently on projects the organization has planned in 2023 to help promote tourism and small businesses in Lake County.
Star file photoLAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Economic Development Alliance has several programs in place for 2023 to assist local businesses and workers, according to director Jodi Nicholas.
Nichols told the board of commissioners during a recent meeting that although the organization is pleased with the work accomplished in 2022, they are even more excited about what is planned for 2023.
“With the economic diversification study that we are doing through the federal Economic Development Authority, that you have also committed some match to, that is really going to help us understand how we diversify our economy with our largest employer and taxpayer (GEO Group North Lake Correctional Facility) closing,” Nichols said. “How do we beef up the assets that we have here to strengthen our economy? We should have approval by April to get started on that work.”
Nichols said they are also doing a lot with tourism development and have established a partnership with West Michigan Tourism Association that will provide the county with state-wide promotion of the opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism.
A Small Business support information session is scheduled for March 7 at Osceola State Bank in Baldwin, where businesses can learn about youth employment and tourism resources, she said.
“This is going to be an opportunity for businesses to learn about a youth employment program through Michigan Works! that allows businesses who agree to employ youth ages 16 to 24 and offers them a certain number of hours with specific supervision will get $15 per hour in wages paid by Michigan Works! West Central,” Nichols said. “So, that is free labor for the summer for some of our small businesses.”
LCEDA will be partnering with Michigan Works! West Central and the Baldwin Community Schools to host a job fair for high school students from 1 a.m. to noon, May 1 in the high school gym, Nichols said.
“We have the dollars available, and we will work with high school students to get them ready with their resumes, get some interview practice and enhance their work skills,” she said. “They will get to interview with businesses that come to the job fair and that will, hopefully, lead to some summer employment for those businesses.”
The Michigan High Speed Internet Office Listening Tour will be in Baldwin from 5 to 7 p.m., April 12, at the River Community Center.
“We are going to be a stop on the statewide listening tour about what people need from the internet, Nichols said. “You will need to register online to attend. We need to make sure our residents and our businesses know about the event and can let the organization know about their internet needs.”
The LCEDA is working closely with the Land Bank on blight elimination, as well, Nichols said. Grant funding in the amount of $200,000 is expected to be approved by March 31, with a second round expected in the summer.
“We submitted a $200,000 application to help address blight and we have a project ready for that,” she said. “There will be a second round with more money so we can continue that work.”
The non-profit mission of the LCEDA is to create a unified vision promoting the County’s unique resources including historical, natural and cultural amenities that enhance the capacity of the local economy.
For more information visit rightplace.org/lakecounty or email nicholsj@rightplace.org.
