MEDC representatives named to U.P. collaboration

Some changes are in store for economic development in the Upper Peninsula, starting with the appointment of two new staffers to the region from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Jointly with local economic development entities, the MEDC announced Cathi Cole will have the job title of business development manager, and Donna LaCourt will be the innovation development director, both sharing an office for the MEDC and serving all 15 U.P. counties.

It's part of a statewide reorganization of MEDC business services, to work better with local economic development efforts on a more regional scale. The two staffers will work with local EDCs throughout the U.P., like the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Luce County Economic Development Corporation.

Those local organizations can then take more advantage of technology, benchmarking and marketing offered by the MEDC, with its additional staff. Both are familiar with the U.P.; Cole has lived in the region for 20 years and worked here for 18 years. LaCount has lived and worked in the U.P. for the last five years and previously was the State Forester.

"Our economic gardening strategy will expand our support and outreach to our local economic development partners," says MEDC president and CEO Michael Finney. "We are putting some of our most experienced and knowledgeable people, and Cathi and Donna are certainly two of them, in locations around the state to work more efficiently, effectively and directly in communities by sharing information and eliminating duplication of efforts."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michael Finney, Michigan Economic Development Corporation