Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

06/23/2026

Employers and communities: Network Northwest is hosting a series of upcoming webinars focused on childcare solutions. Because childcare is more than a family issue — it's a workforce strategy.

Join the conversation on June 24, July 15, and August 12 to learn how communities and employers can support working families and strengthen the regional workforce.

Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Pulse Business Leaders' Webinar Series 2026 in partnership with MiLEAP. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

06/19/2026

The 2025 Impact Report highlights how NLEA serves as a connector and technical assistance provider, bringing together developers, municipalities, utilities, and funding partners to advance projects that strengthen our region's future.

This work included hosting Development Spotlight: East Jordan to showcase development and investment opportunities, helping position Air Industrial Park for continued business growth, advancing 270 acres toward investment readiness, and supporting projects that could add 820 new workforce housing units in the coming years.

Read the full 2025 Impact Report here: https://thenlea.com/reports/

06/18/2026

We're grateful to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for investing in the future of Charlevoix County.

Through the Foundation's Community Priorities 2026 grant cycle, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has been awarded $12,000 to support talent attraction and retention efforts in Charlevoix County.

This investment will help us expand programming focused on workforce pipeline development, employer engagement, talent attraction marketing, and resources that address barriers to workforce stability, including housing and childcare.

Workforce challenges continue to impact businesses and communities across the region, and partnerships like this are essential to building a stronger, more resilient economy.

Read more about this initiative here: https://thenlea.com/northern-lakes-economic-alliance-receives-12000-grant-to-strengthen-charlevoix-county-workforce/

Thank you to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for supporting job creation, economic vitality, and opportunities for current and future residents of Charlevoix County.

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation through its Community Priorities

06/17/2026

Northern Michigan is Hiring!

As part of the NLEA’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, talent attraction and retention are top priorities. That’s why we’re proud to highlight year-round, high-paying career opportunities across the NLEA region—helping drive economic growth throughout Northern Michigan.

This week, we’re featuring opportunities with Munson Healthcare Charlevoix, Michigan.gov, Great Lakes Energy, City of Cheboygan, Link Group, and Top of Michigan Trails Council. Visit each organization’s website to learn more and apply.

06/16/2026

Recently, Shannon Bailey, Business Growth Specialist, and David Kronberg, Director of Business Growth, with the NLEA joined partners from Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - MDARD and Michigan Works Northeast Consortium for a series of business visits across Northern Michigan.

The group toured Danu Hof Farm and Market in Mancelona, Elder Piper Beer & Cider in Petoskey, and Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen in Petoskey to learn more about each business, discuss opportunities and challenges, and explore ways to support continued growth in our region.

These visits provide valuable opportunities to connect directly with local employers and entrepreneurs who are helping drive Northern Michigan’s economy forward. Thank you to the teams at Danu Hof Farm and Market, Elder Piper Beer and Cider, and Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen for welcoming us and sharing your stories.

06/15/2026

From Northern Michigan to a copper mine in Argentina, the world's largest electromagnet was built right here in Boyne City.

Last year, Industrial Magnetics, Inc. hand-built a 178,000-pound electromagnet that now helps remove steel and iron fragments from copper ore during processing at a mine in Argentina. It's an incredible example of the innovation, expertise, and manufacturing strength that exists in Northern Michigan.

Stories like this are why Northern Michigan is more than a great place to live—it's a great place to build a career. From advanced manufacturing and skilled trades to healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship, our region is home to employers doing remarkable work with global impact.

The NLEA's new Talent Attraction & Retention video highlights the opportunities, industries, and quality of life that make Northern Michigan a place where people can thrive.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/mtrtxp-xWCQ?si=kDQ6aHmSr4KF5TaR

06/13/2026

On June 18, leaders from across the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Straits Region will gather for the Eastern U.P. & Straits Regional Prosperity Summit, a one-day convening focused on strengthening regional collaboration, building community capacity, and connecting communities with the tools and partnerships needed to support a prosperous and resilient rural future.

We're proud to share that Sam Bailey, Strategic Initiatives Manager for the NLEA, is serving on the summit planning committee and will moderate a panel discussion featuring leaders from Lake Superior State University, Precision Edge Surgical Products, and tribal communities. The conversation will explore how cross-sector collaboration can help address regional challenges and create new opportunities for growth.

The summit will bring together leaders from economic development, government, education, nonprofit organizations, and private industry to share ideas, build connections, and advance the future of the region.

Register for the event here: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/office-of-rural-development/events

06/12/2026

Driving Economic Resiliency 🌟

Our mission is to drive economic resiliency by ensuring the resources, infrastructure, and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity. One way we do that is by providing support for funding, site selection, local incentives, development, and data to help your business succeed and grow.

When a devastating fire halted operations at Manthei Wood Products back in 2017 (then Manthei Veneer), NLEA quickly mobilized local, regional, and state partners to assist. NLEA helped secure a temporary production site in the Upper Peninsula and funding to build a new mill in Resort Township, Emmet County.

NLEA supported a successful MEDC grant application, tax abatement approval, and 0% interest loan financing from Great Lakes Energy and USDA to successfully rebuild.

To fuel your business growth and learn more about our services, visit https://thenlea.com/businesses/

06/11/2026

Recently, we unveiled our Spring 2026 Economic Pulse Report — an inside look at data gathered by the NLEA from Northern Michigan businesses and government leaders, for Northern Michigan businesses and government leaders. Released bi-annually, this report helps inform the work we do to support long-term economic growth across the region.

As part of the report, elected and appointed government leaders throughout the NLEA region were asked to identify the types of development they would most like to see in their communities. The top three responses were mixed-use development, workforce housing, and commercial development — highlighting a continued focus on creating vibrant communities that support residents, businesses, and regional growth.

Read the full report here: thenlea.com/reports

Thank you to Burdco Incorporated and ITC Holdings Corp. for your support.

06/10/2026

Save the date! Join the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 23 for the next Connecting Women in Business luncheon, featuring NLEA President & CEO, Payton Heins.

Payton will share the latest quarterly economic trends, insights into the issues top-of-mind for local business and community leaders, and what the data is telling us about Northern Michigan’s business outlook. She’ll also discuss key opportunities and challenges impacting business growth across the region.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with fellow professionals.Register today: https://www.petoskeychamber.com/events/details/cwib-luncheon-june-23-2026-42849

Join us for Connecting Women in Business luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, at North Central Michigan College Library Conference Room. Our speaker is Payton Heins, President and CEO of Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. Payton leads efforts to transition our four-county area (Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan...