MARQUETTE, MI-- Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley were in Marquette Friday to help announce the creation of a new Upper Peninsula-wide private-sector economic development initiative.
Founding member and President of Viridea Group Bob Mahaney said talent is leaving the region and employers are having a hard time recruiting good employees. He said the new initiative will serve the entire U.P. and work with other regional economic development organizations.
“We need an economic development organization that will take a holistic approach, that will work in the best interests of the entire peninsula, that will set aside parochial interests and work for the common good,” he said.
Mahaney notes the new EDO won’t be operating in a bubble.
“We also need that EDO to work in close partnership with our local EDOs,” he said. “We need our local EDOs. In a sense, what we have envisioned here is, if you will, a way to leverage and bring greater resources to our local economic development organizations.”
The group’s mission is to pursue and deliver new business, industries, and jobs to the U.P. and to recruit, train, and retain employee talent for the region. It will spearhead a collaborative effort to target regional, national, and multi-national economic development opportunities.
Governor Snyder said it’s an exciting prospect, and the group has its work cut out for it.
“Good economic development takes about 10 to 15 years, though. So what I’d tell you as you start this is, stay the course. Stay focused. Do this for the long-term, and you’ll see continuing great returns and great partnerships happening. You should be really proud today, but recognize you’ve got a lot of work to do, and be excited to do that work. I’m very proud to be a part of this,” he said.
The new group will announce its formal name next month following a branding process. Officials say it should be up and running by this fall.
Initial investors include Champion, Inc., JM Longyear, mBank, Northern Michigan University, Marquette Innovate SmartZone, and Veridia Group.
