Ogemaw County EDC

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to Huntington Bank for supporting the Ogemaw County EDC Alliance’s efforts to strengthen childcare services throughout Ogemaw County!

This generous funding will help us provide affordable loans and supportive services to new and existing childcare providers. It will also allow us to assist new and expanding childcare businesses with some of the unexpected expenses that can arise, including zoning and application fees.

Access to quality childcare is essential for working families, local businesses, and the economic strength of our community. We are grateful to Huntington Bank for recognizing this need and investing in solutions that will help Ogemaw County’s childcare providers grow and succeed.

08/25/2026

Apply to the Qualified Forest Program by Sept. 1!

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is encouraging private landowners to enroll in the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) for the 2027 tax year. This program encourages good stewardship of Michigan’s natural resources by providing two potential tax benefits to private landowners who manage their forests in a sustainable way.

Private landowners can apply to the program by submitting the following items to MDARD:

• A QFP application form
• A QFP stand summary and harvest schedule
• A copy of your most recent deed and/or land contract
• A copy of your tax bill(s)
• A forest management plan
• A $50 application fee

When applying to the QFP, landowners should remember that:
• Land parcels must be 20 acres or larger
• A forest management plan must be written for the property by a qualified forester
• Enrolled landowners must pay an annual fee
• Public access to the land is not required
• Buildings and structures are allowed but are not eligible for tax exemption
• The property is generally non-homestead; it may be homestead on structures and non-homestead on the land

To receive tax exemptions for the 2027 tax year, you must submit your QFP application by September 1, 2026.
For more information and eligibility requirements, visit MDARD’s QFP website.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/forestry/qualified-forest-program

08/24/2026

Protect Yourself from AI Voice Cloning Scams

Scammers are using artificial intelligence to make phone scams more convincing. With voice cloning technology, a scammer can use a short audio clip from a video, social media post or other online source to create a voice that sounds like someone you know. They may pretend to be a family member in an emergency, a representative from your bank or someone else you trust and ask you to send money or provide sensitive information.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends these steps to help protect yourself:

• Do not trust the voice alone. If a caller claims to be a loved one, hang up and call that person directly using a phone number you know is theirs. If you cannot reach them, contact another family member or friend who can help verify the story.
• Create a secret word or phrase with your family. Use it to confirm a family member's identity if you receive an unexpected or urgent call asking for help.
• Pay attention to how the caller speaks. Listen for unusual tone, wording or speech patterns that do not sound like the person you know.
• Verify calls from banks and other organizations. Hang up, find the organization's official phone number yourself and call it directly. Do not rely on contact information provided by the caller.
• Do not share sensitive personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly by phone.
• Be suspicious if someone urgently asks you to wire money, send cryptocurrency or purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers or PINs.
• Limit recordings of your voice online. Consider making social media accounts private and limiting your audience to people you know. This can make it harder for scammers to obtain audio they could use to clone your voice.

For more tips and to report a scam, visit the FCC Consumer Help Center website.

Information to help you better understand telecommunications issues the FCC covers.

08/21/2026

Join Michigan Women’s Commission on Women's Equality Day

Please join the Michigan Women’s Commission and Gov. Whitmer as we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 9:45 a.m.

Together, we’ll recognize and celebrate Gov. Whitmer’s many Wins for Women throughout her administration and the progress we’ve made together to help Michigan women and families thrive.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate this special occasion and recognize leadership and efforts that support women and families across Michigan.

This event will take place virtually via Zoom.

Wednesday, Aug. 26
Starting at 9:45 a.m

Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7C9TM7AOQhmgEoWHb8Xh8w?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery #/registration

08/20/2026

MDARD Announces Grants Focused on Economic Development, Small Business Infrastructure, (and we have an Ogemaw County recipient)

ESCANABA, Mich. — Today at the Upper Peninsula State Fair, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced new investments that will support local food and agriculture processing, build new infrastructure and expand access to healthy foods. Fourteen of the 20 grants being announced will impact the northern region of the state, including the Upper Peninsula.

“MDARD is making bold investments in Michigan’s food, agriculture and forestry economy to help expand production, create new jobs and improve quality of life for Michiganders,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Today’s grants support businesses whose growth will create economic opportunities throughout our state, increasing demand for local farm and forest products and giving families more access to nutritious, Michigan-grown foods.”

Congratulations to Great Lakes Lamb, LLC (Ogemaw County) for being chosen!!!

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

Farming & Food Funding in Ogemaw County

Michigan Works! Region 7B and the Ogemaw County EDC are pleased to help bring valuable resources and funding information directly to our local agricultural and food-based businesses.

RIGHT NOW, participants are joining both virtually and in person at the Michigan Works! office in West Branch to learn about funding opportunities available to farmers, food producers, and food entrepreneurs.

The Farming & Food Funding session provides information on specialized investment opportunities, navigating the funding process, and SBA resources available to support business growth.

We appreciate the Small Business Administration and the Michigan Good Food Fund for sharing these resources and expertise with our region. Creating connections like these and making resources more accessible locally is an important part of how Michigan Works! Region 7B and the Ogemaw County EDC work together to support our businesses and strengthen our local economy.

08/19/2026

We're still looking for success stories from your business! Show off your success by entering your business in our Cover Photo Contest to be featured on the cover of our Economic Outlook Magazine! The deadline is Friday! 💚

Email [email protected] to submit your success story, including a photo, description, and broader story of how this success contributes to Ogemaw County as a whole. The grand prize includes both a cover and inside feature, as well as recognition in our promotion and a gift card prize from local businesses.

Submit success stories by August 21st to qualify! We cannot wait to see what your business has accomplished! 🎉