Target Alpena Development Corporation

10/07/2026

Welcome, Andrew! We're excited to have you here and using your skills and passion to support Alpena.

ALPENA — The new Target Alpena Executive Director Andrew Thomson, an Alpena native and previous community leader in Chelsea, said his focus for Alpena are three pillars: recruitment, retention, and expansion. “Recruiting folks to our area, whether it be businesses, whether it be developers keepi...

10/05/2026

$100,257 invested directly into child care businesses across Northeast Michigan.

In just one month, these dollars helped local providers strengthen their businesses, support their staff, and continue providing care for the families who keep our communities working.

Investing in child care is investing in our regional economy.

10/01/2026

Businesses already pay for child care.

The question is whether they're paying proactively through innovative solutions for their workforce or paying reactively through absenteeism, turnover, overtime, hiring cots, burnout, and lost productivity.

Investing in employees costs less than constantly replacing them.

09/29/2026

When families choose where to live, they're looking at much more than salary.

They ask:
✔ Can I find housing?
✔ Are there good schools?
✔ Is the community safe?
✔ What's quality of life like?
✔ Can I find child care?

Communities that can answer "yes" to all of these questions have a competitive advantage when attracting families and workers.

09/28/2026

Every "Help Wanted" sign tells only half the story.

Sometimes there are qualified people ready to work but they can't accept the job because:

• They can't find child care.
• Their provider isn't open for second or third shift.
• They can't relocate.

Child care isn't just a social service.

It's business infrastructure.

09/25/2026

"Nobody wants to work anymore."

Or maybe they WANT to work, but cannot find child care.

When child care isn't available, employers lose workers, families lose income, and our communities lose opportunities to grow. We can't solve the workforce challenges without having real conversations and taking real action to address the regional child care crisis.

09/23/2026

Welcome, Andrew! We're so excited to have you coming on board.

Please join us in congratulating Andrew Thomson on being named the new Executive Director of Target Alpena Development Corporation. Andrew, an Alpena native with extensive experience in community leadership, recreation programming, budgeting, and economic development, will begin his new role on October 5, 2026.

After a competitive search process that attracted 30 applicants, the Board unanimously selected Andrew to lead the organization into its next chapter. His passion for Alpena, commitment to collaboration, and proven ability to bring people together make him a tremendous asset for our region.

As a valued partner in strengthening Northeast Michigan's economy, Target Alpena plays a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs, assisting business growth, and fostering investment throughout our communities. We look forward to working alongside Andrew and the Target Alpena team as we continue creating opportunities for businesses and residents across the region.

Congratulations, Andrew, and welcome home!

09/23/2026

So why is an economic development organization talking about child care? Because child care IS economic development. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates that Michigan's economy loses almost $2.9 billion per year due to lack of child care infrastructure.

Follow along as we explore this problem facing Northern Michigan and chat about what we can all do about it.

07/28/2026

Do you know a child care provider? Then this is for you!

Child care is a major need in our region and providers deserve support.

That’s why the Small Business Association of Michigan created Child Care Business Essentials – to give providers the tools and support to manage and grow your business with confidence.

The application is quick and once you’re approved you’ll get one-on-one support with experts in funding, licensing, business practices, and so much more!

- Live + on-demand business training
- HR + compliance toolkits
- Ongoing resources built for you
- Support from a team that understands your challenges

Apply now: https://bit.ly/4v5l3DM

02/20/2026

📢 Doing business in Iosco County? This is a must-attend event!

Develop Iosco and the SBA Michigan District Office are hosting a roundtable focused on cutting red tape and supporting small business success.
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 18
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM EDT
📍 Location: East Tawas Community Center,760 Newman Street
East Tawas, MI

While the event is taking place in Iosco County, it is open to all businesses who want to share feedback, learn more, and help shape a stronger business environment across the region.

This is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and make your voice heard!

Register today!

Get ready to cut through the red tape and join us for a lively discussion on removing regulations - your voice matters!