An introduction to the history and current activities of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance in Escanaba, MI.

2. Celebrate Escanaba!
Origins of the
• A strategic planning effort to promote economic
development in the City of Escanaba
1991

3. 1990-91 Recession: Unemployment Rates
0
4
8
12
16
20
1991
9.5%
11.9%
6.8%
United States Delta County Michigan
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

4. Celebrate Escanaba!
Strategic Planning Report for Escanaba City Council
March 16, 1992
To develop a county based, single source authority
responsible for business attraction, retention and
expansion.
Goal #1 1991

5. • CEO Brian Larche led a group of local investors to
acquire the assets of Engineered Machined Products
• The City of Escanaba and State of Michigan were
partners in EMP’s growth
1991
A High Growth Company
Source:EMP

6. Advanced
Products
Automated
precision
machining
500 employees
2010

7. Unemployment Rates:Then and Now
0
4
8
12
16
20
1991 2010
12.8%
9.5%
12.1%11.9%
9.3%
6.8%
United States Delta County Michigan
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

8. “The primary emphasis of economic development should
be around enhancing the existing local businesses and
opportunities for local entrepreneurs to start new
business within Escanaba.”
- Escanaba Master Plan, 2006
Supporting Entrepreneurs

9. North Shore Redevelopment Plan
2010
Working Waterfront Ren Zone

10. FreeWireless
Historic District Commission
Downtown
Development Plan
Facade Grants
Escanaba
2010

11. Business to Business Expo
22 exhibitors in 2010

12. CEO Peer Roundtables

13. Self-employed
Stage 1 (2 - 9)
Stage 2 (10 - 99)
Stage 3 (100 - 499)
Stage 4 (500+)
0 15.0 30.0 45.0 60.0
Percentage of Establishments
United States Delta County
Composition of Economy
Source: www.YourEconomy.org

14. Self-employed
Stage 1 (2 - 9)
Stage 2 (10 - 99)
Stage 3 (100 - 499)
Stage 4 (500+)
0 12.5 25.0 37.5 50.0
Percentage of Jobs
Job Creation
United States Delta County
Source: www.YourEconomy.org

15. 2nd Stage Business
• privately held
• 10 - 99 employees
• $1 million+ annual sales
• desire to grow
Source: Edward Lowe Foundation

16. Basic Marine, Inc.
Shipbuilding & repairs
Marine transport

17. Manufacture 10,000 pasties per week

18. Brute Industries
Patented
durable
lightweight
foam products

19. Partners
Escanaba Industrial Foundation
Hannahville Indian Community
2010

20. Board Members
•Laura Coleman, Bay College
•Mary Hurley, New Page
•David Nemacheck, Former owner Heynssen-
Selins
•Tom Butch, Butch Quinn Law Offices
•Matt Smith Jr., Northern Michigan Bank &
Trust
•Joe Knauf, DS Tech
•Tom Lippens, UP Electricians Union
•Michael Koster, Delta Schoolcraft ISD
•Vickie Micheau, Delta Chamber of Commerce
•Joel Schultz, MI-SBTDC
•Barb Walden, M-TEC at Bay College
•Steve Lillie, UPPCO (President)
•Mike Nardi, First Bank (Vice President)
•Peter Jennings, OSF (Treasurer)
•Marilyn Kinsey, Citizen at large (Secretary)
•David Schultz, Delta County Commissioners
•Jim O’Toole, City of Escanaba
•Darla Falcon, City of Gladstone
•Holly Peoples, Michigan Works!
•Gary LaPlant,Community Foundation for Delta
County
•David Pechawer, Escanaba Industrial
Foundation

21. Goals for 2010
1. Connect with businesses and prospects.
2. Maintain an inventory of community assets and resources
for business.
3. Marketing, promotion, and public relations.
4. Education, training, and workforce development.
5. Lead the community in economic development.

22. 35 unique companies
57 meetings
Oct. 1, 2009 - Oct. 15, 2010
Business Site Visits

23. 46 start-ups
20 existing businesses
7 businesses outside the area
15 real estate inquiries
16 requests for info on Delta County
Oct. 1, 2009 - Oct. 15, 2010
Business Assistance
104 total requests

24. 108 properties in real estate inventory
updated economic profile statistics
Oct. 1, 2009 - Oct. 15, 2010
Resources
updated list of businesses resources

25. 24 articles
10 radio and TV appearances
8 letters of support
12 community presentations
Oct. 1, 2009 - Oct. 15, 2010
Public Relations

26. EDA direct impact on employment to date: 8 jobs
Job Creation

27. Delta County Economic Development Alliance
Christina Henderson, Director
eda@deltami.org
906.786.2192
Contact