Four rural counties along the shoreline of the Tip of the Mitt are eyeing a better economic future.
The region -- Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties -- is home to a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, lakes and rivers and an abundance of recreational opportunities that help drive tourism. The region is also home to a strong base of advanced manufacturing and marine construction.
But the region faces obstacles, including a population imbalance. The region’s working-age population (25- to 54-years-old) is shrinking.
With insights from more than 250 community and business leaders and funding from community foundations, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has unveiled comprehensive three-year strategic plan designed to drive economic resiliency and prosperity in the four counties.
“We envision a thriving regional economy with a robust business environment, diverse family-sustaining career opportunities, and an exceptional quality of life for all residents,” said Payton Heins, who is president and CEO of Northern Lake Economic Alliance. “Achieving this will require a concerted effort from all sectors — public and private alike — and we are committed to leading that charge alongside our partners.”
What's happening: Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has unveiled a strategic plan to guide economic development in four Northern Michigan counties: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet. The comprehensive three-year strategic plan aims to “drive economic resiliency and prosperity” in the counties.
About the plan: Guided by insights from more than 250 community and business leaders, the plan outlines a bold vision for the region's economic future. The plan calls attention to key obstacles to economic development and concerns raised by businesses and community leaders. It also underscores a notable opportunity -- the region’s abundance of natural assets and recreational opportunities that drive the region’s tourism economy and also help to retain and attract entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents. 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.
Core objectives: The four core objectives for the next three years are:
- Lead a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: The alliance 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 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.
Among the obstacles: The region’s population imbalance. While the region’s population has grown, that growth is driven by older age groups; the youth and young adult population is shrinking. The 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.
Other concerns: Concerns raised by business and community leaders include 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.
“The input from our business and community leaders has been invaluable in shaping this strategic plan,” said Carlin Smith, a board member of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance member who spearheaded the process.
Behind the vision: The effort behind this strategic vision was supported by the Cheboygan County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation’s Fund for the Community.
“We believe this initiative will play a vital role in strengthening our communities and fostering a thriving business environment in northern Michigan,” said Bryan Groff, board president of the Cheboygan County Community Foundation.
What’s next: The alliance staff began implementing the plan in January and will conclude December 2027. “With the strategic plan now in motion, we look forward to further strengthening our region’s economy and creating a lasting, positive impact on our communities,” Heins said.
“We are excited to begin the implementation phase in 2025 and continue to expand our efforts to drive economic opportunity across the region,” Smith said.
About Northern Lakes Economic Alliance: The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) regional economic development organization dedicated to supporting the economic vitality of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties. Its mission is to drive economic resiliency by ensuring the resources,
infrastructure, and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity.
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