REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COLLABORATIVE MEETING

Friday, December 9, 2016

LSSU – Cisler Center – Anchor Room

650 W. Easterday Avenue; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

In Attendance

Aaron JohnsonAmy BerglundCrystal KnutsonDarcy Juntunen

Dawn Gustafson Dean ReidDon McLeanDonna LaCourt

George KinsellaJeff HoltJim AndersonJoe Dobrowolski

Josh BillingtonJustin KnepperMark Vandoren Mary Archambeau

Michelle LaJoiePeter PetainenSharon HoughtonSusan Sliger

Tom EwingVince BevinsWalt Wilhide

Panelists:

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Amy Berglund (MEDC)

Mike Bachand (Veteran Services)

Donna LaCourt (MDARD)

Jennifer Tucker (DEQ)

John Halpin (MSP)

Julie Gardner (MEDC)

Vince Bevins (MDOT)

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Staff:

Rebecca BolenJeff HaganEric WedeskyKim Wilcox

The REDAC meeting opened at 9:15 a.m. with introductions.

Each panelist provided a brief summary of the agency and answered questions from members.

John Halpin, District Commander – Michigan State Police: The 8th District serves the counties of the Upper Peninsula. Due to State budget issues, many posts in the UP have combined when buildings closed. In the Eastern UP, the St. Ignace post covers Mackinac and Schoolcraft Counties and the Sault Ste. Marie post covers Chippewa and Luce Counties. Other agencies (sheriff departments, city police, tribal police, and border patrol) also provide aid to cover this vast area. It was noted that the biggest issue within the region is the increase in drug use (heroin, meth, and prescription). As businesses and families want to live and work in safe neighborhoods, the need to increase the number of resident troopers to become a presence in the community was discussed. At this time, there are 138 troopers in the Region with an additional five anticipated from the next academy.

Donna LaCourt – Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: A brief overview of MDARD’s seven divisions was provided:

  • Food & Agriculture
  • Forest Product
  • Agriculture Development
  • Animal Industry
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Food & Dairy
  • Plan, Pest & Pesticide

A grant opportunity available to UP counties was also described. This competitive grant is to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructures benefiting rural communities. There is a match requirement and proposals are due early February.

Mike Bachand – Veteran Affairs: The regional coordinator works with the Veteran Service Office in each county to assist veterans and their families withtheir needs by coordinating services with other agencies within the region. Many veterans require assistance in health care, employment, education, and housing.

Jennifer Tucker – Department of Environmental Quality: This department is responsible in providing brownfield grants and loans that would promote economic development and the reuse of brownfield properties. Grants or Tax Increment Financing can be utilized for development of contaminated sites, blighted property, or if the function of the property can no longer be used due to contamination. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year from local units of government, Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities, or other public bodies.

Julie Gardner – Michigan Economic Development Corporation: Community Development & Marketing—The Redevelopment Ready Communities Program in Michigan provides support to communities to increase development in their area. Best practices of the program include community plans, public involvement, zoning regulations, development review, recruitment & education, redevelopment, and community prosperity. The main goal is to promote growth for businesses and residents.

The Michigan Mainstreet Program allows downtown revitalization with a four-point approach:

  • Design & Education
  • Economic Restructuring
  • Promotion of Businesses/Community
  • Community Involvement

Amy Berglund – Michigan Economic Development Corporation: Business Development—Basically, the main mission of the MEDC is to Market the State of Michigan. Loans are available to fund projects to revitalize areas, reuse buildings, and for sustainable development. The Pure Michigan Talent Connect connects employers with job seekers. The Pure Michigan Business Connect connects businesses to suppliers.

Vince Bevins – Michigan Department of Transportation: MDOT’s Michigan Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a competitive grant program to enhance the transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options such as walk/bike paths, overlooks, and vegetation management. This type of funding requires a 20% match in funds.

The Economic Development Road Project Program also has a match requirement of 20% with the goal being to improve highway services that would support job creation and retention. Eligible transportation projects must meet the following criteria:

  • Relate to a target industry
  • Create or retain permanent jobs
  • Is immediate
  • Increases the tax base

EUP projects slated for 2017 include:

  • St. Ignace Reconstruction
  • I-75 & M-28 Interchange
  • I-75 Culvert Replacement (Chippewa County)
  • M-80 Micro surface
  • M-123 Micro surface
  • M-48 Double Chip Seal

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

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