Develop Iosco

10/01/2026

By popular request, we have extended the entry deadline to Friday Oct. 9th!
No fancy video needed. Just your idea, your phone, and your pitch! 🎥💡
Get your video in ASAP for your chance to win $1,000!!!! 💰🔥

09/29/2026

LANSING – From renovating vacant buildings and expanding child care capacity to investing in employer-supported care and bringing community partners together, nine organizations from across Michigan are being recognized as

09/28/2026

Get your video in ASAP and you can win $1,000!!!!

💡 Got a great idea? This could be your chance to turn it into something BIG!

Develop Iosco and Alpena Community College, Oscoda Campus have partnered to bring you the Imagine ME! Spark Tank Challenge, and there’s money on the line to help bring winning ideas to life💰

Have an idea for a new business? A product or service you’ve been thinking about? An idea that could make your community better? We want to hear it!

🎥 Submit a 5-minute video pitch
🏆 10 finalists will advance to the live Spark Tank Challenge
👧 Youth Division: Ages 10–17
🙋 Community Division: Ages 18+
📅 Video submissions are due September 30!

Ready to pitch your idea? Scan the QR code on the flyer to submit your video.

Even if this isn’t for you, tag or share this with someone who is always saying, “I have this great idea…” Maybe this is their chance to make it happen! 🚀

09/25/2026

Coming soon to Iosco & Alcona Counties!

Develop Iosco is preparing to serve as the local connection to the new Northeast Michigan Small Business Support Hub.

What does that mean for local businesses?

It means more boots-on-the-ground support right here in our communities.

Through our partnership with NEMCOG, Develop Iosco will help entrepreneurs and existing businesses identify what they need, navigate available resources, and connect with the right programs, experts and opportunities to help them start, grow and succeed.

Local Support. Regional Resources. Stronger Businesses

09/24/2026

Giving Iosco County a stronger voice.

Develop Iosco is a full partner in the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, helping make sure the priorities of our rural communities are part of conversations happening at the state level.

Our advocacy priorities include housing, child care, workforce development, infrastructure, economic development, talent attraction and retention, and community investment.

We also work directly with state and federal partners to advocate for projects, resources and policies important to Iosco County.

09/24/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Plainfield Township — a 2026 Child Care Champion!

Plainfield Township was recognized for making child care a community priority and working with providers, employers, schools, and regional partners to reduce barriers to new child care programs. Those efforts have helped position two prospective providers to add approximately 40 licensed child care spaces in the community!

The award was presented by Sarah Foglesong, CEO of Child Care Back Office, and accepted by Plainfield Township resident and Develop Iosco Board Member Gloria Brooks on behalf of Township Supervisor Fred Lewis and Plainfield Township.

We’re proud to see one of our Iosco County communities recognized for taking an active role in addressing child care needs and working toward real solutions for local families and employers. 👏

Congratulations, Plainfield Township!

09/23/2026

Tourism doesn't stop at a township or city boundary.

Develop Iosco's countywide tourism work brings partners together from across Iosco County to share information, identify opportunities and create a forum where communities, attractions, businesses and organizations can work together.

The goal is simple: stronger collaboration around the tourism and recreation assets that make Iosco County a great place to visit, live and do business.

09/23/2026

Submit your 5 minute vidwo by September 30th! Hosted by Alpena Community College & Develop Iosco

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

Develop Iosco is excited to be selected as a host site for CEDAM’s new CED Corps program!

We’re looking for a relationship-builder and road warrior who wants to travel throughout Northeast Michigan, connect with communities, and help move regional child care solutions forward. This 11-month position will work alongside Develop Iosco and the Northeast Michigan Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition to engage partners, facilitate conversations, and help implement our regional Child Care Action Plan.

If you enjoy bringing people together, building relationships, and turning ideas into action, we’d love to see you apply!

Applications are due September 28.

Apply and learn more through CEDAM:
https://cedamichigan.org/programs/ced-corps/

We are excited to announce the 10 inaugural CED Corps host sites!

City of Gladstone
Marquette County
Develop Iosco Inc.
City of Fennville
City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department
Habitat for Humanity Lake County
City of Kalamazoo
Village of Morenci
City of Dearborn Economic Development Department
Opportunity Resource Fund

These 10 sites will begin hosting members next month, where members will remove barriers to development and increase capacity, effectiveness, and efficiency in communities across Michigan.

There is still one week left to apply and be a part of the inaugural member cohort. For more information on host sites and positions, or to apply, visit our website: https://ow.ly/m08Q50ZPS0i

🚨Applications are due by 11:59pm ET next Monday, September 28.