SOUTHWESTERN ALLIANCE

Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance

Berrien County Manufacturers Council 

January 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 1


In This Issue...
It is an important part of our mission to provide contacts, links to resources, educational opportunities, and other information related to doing business in southwest Michigan.  We work with a variety of organizations and partners to collect, update, publish, and announce all of the opportunities and resources in a timely manner.  There is an enormous amount of information available and knowledgeable people who are ready to help. 

 

It is our goal to really step up and work with our partners to develop an information network so comprehensive that, with your help, no entrepreneur or business owner in southwest Michigan will be disconnected from the resources they really need.

 

In This Issue :
  1. A Response to Governor Snyder's State of the State Address: "Economic Gardening"
  2. Registration Now Open:  EXPOsing Greatness - May 4, 2011
  3. Update:  The 11th Street Corridor Project
  4. Lunch and Learn: "How to achieve almost anything, personally or professionally" 
  5. Labor Report:  Boring Statistics? Not this kind of good news!


Economic Gardening - from our lips to the Governor's ears...

In a rural, agricultural area like southwest Michigan, we already understand the concept of gardening: plant, nurture, be patient, reap reward.  Last week, when I heard Governor Snyder promise that Michigan would focus more energy toward economic gardening, I celebrated with a loud YES!  This is the kind of economic development that stands the test of time and we can prove it.

 

I heard most of the new governor's first state of the state address on the car radio while I was driving home from a public hearing at one of our southwest Michigan municipalities.  At the exact moment that Governor Snyder was beginning his speech in Lansing, this township council (many miles away) was voting unanimously to grant a tax abatement to a local manufacturer who committed to staying in Michigan (even during the roughest recession in years) and is now in the process of expanding their production capacity.  We were living the economic gardening model just as the state's leadership was recognizing how very important it is!  Economic gardening is what it's all about.  Economic gardening means community/company partnerships - you stick by us and we'll stick by you. 

 

In this corner of southwest Michigan, no locally owned companies cut and ran to other states when the going got tough these last few years.  Some companies were forced to close due to the collapsing auto industry but we did not have any up and move away to perceived greener pastures.  The same could not be said for companies whose headquarters are located in other states or in other countries. 

 

Economic gardening might not work for every state but it will certainly work for Michigan.  We have what it takes.  According to the "Joint Labor Business Task Force" report published by the Detroit Regional Chamber, in 2009 Michigan ranked seventh in the nation for the total number of patents with 3,516.  Let me repeat, that was in 2009, not a great year for the world economy and yet Michigan was busy innovating, creating, and moving ahead into the 21st century.  To capitalize on the metaphor, we have good soil to do our gardening in.

 

We also have great seeds to work with.  Michigan has the highest concentration of engineers in the United States; nearly 350,000 professionals are employed in information technology occupations in Michigan and more than 240,000 professionals work in more than 3,000 businesses in advanced manufacturing in our great state*.  Our rich history of producing gifted industrial leaders continues.

 

Recognizing the important part of nurturing provided by our educators and educational system explains how Michigan managed to rank second in the number of degrees completed per capita in the emerging logistics field while also outpacing the national average in degrees awarded in medical services.  We ranked third in science and engineering degrees too, an important component of green design and manufacturing and one that builds on our historic strength of producing engineering talent*.

 

Thank you Governor Snyder for recognizing the importance of what we already have in our own backyard.  We have talented people starting businesses, growing companies, and investing in Michigan.  Thank you to our municipal leaders who have understood the concept of economic gardening before the phrase was ever invented - you've stood by your local companies and helped them be successful.  And finally, as a state we must say thank you to our homegrown risk takers, the innovators, the business owners, those determined souls who have already said yes to Michigan - we're glad you're here and we're thrilled to see you get the recognition you so richly deserve.

 

*From the Joint Labor Business Task Force Report published by the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition November 9, 2010.

 

Registration Now Open for EXPOsing Greatness!  Coming  May 4, 2011

Plans for the 2011 EXPOsing Greatness show have been made!  Last year's inaugural event was exciting and we're already working hard to make the 2011 show even better.  In addition to great exhibitors, there will be ongoing professional development seminars, free samples of the wonderful taste of southwest Michigan cuisine, prize drawings, and more.  Expo 2010  

 

EXPOsing Greatness is a business-to-business event featuring businesses in the Greater Niles/Buchanan area - a great way to network with other businesses and increase customer awareness of your services and products. Exhibition space is offered to members of the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, or Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance.

 

Registration packets are now ready. If you are interested in reserving exhibitor space please email Shelley Klug at southwesternalliance@gmail.com  or call 269-683-1833.  There will be a pre-expo event for exhibitors on April 13 - be sure to register in time to receive an invitation to this fun event!

 

Click here for more information: Exposing Greatness Website 

 

EXPOsing Greatness is a collaborative event sponsored and supported by:
  • Lake Michigan College
  • Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance
  • United Federal Credit Union


And with appreciation, we recognize the valuable assistance received from Express-1 and Michigan Works! 

EXPO! May 4, 2011 - 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
 

 

11th Street Corridor Project 

The steering committee for the 11th Street Corridor project has been working with the consultants from LIAA (Land Information Access Association) for several weeks.  The most recent meeting featured a slide presentation showing the strengths and challenges affecting development along the corridor. Each of the challenges was addressed by the consultants with input from the committee members.11th Street Map

 

The next scheduled meeting will be a public forum for business and property owners on 11th Street, as well as any residents in the Niles area (City and Township), to learn about the work that has already been done and to provide input and perspectives about the corridor's future development.  The public meeting will be held in February, date and location to be announced.  Please call Joe Sobieralski, Project Manager at the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance for more information.  269-683-1833

 

The corridor project was mentioned recently in an article in the Niles Daily Star celebrating the news that a "Jimmy John's" will be opening soon on 11th Street.  There are many opportunities for development along the corridor, the 11th Street Corridor project is a long-term plan to maximize those opportunities.

 

To read the article please see:  Niles Daily Star

 

Lunch and Learn with Arthur Maxwell:

                    "How to Achieve Almost Anything, Personally or Professionally"

 HAVE YOU MADE YOUR LIST OF RESOLUTIONS FOR THIS NEW YEAR?

 

How confident are you that you will accomplish them?

How did you do with last year's list?

Is it still stuck to your refrigerator or on your office desk under that pile of papers?

Have you given-up on making new years' resolutions?  

 

There is a proven and effective strategy for realizing your personal and professional aspirations.

 

The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to a dynamic Lunch and Learn.  

 

"HOW TO ACHIEVE ALMOST ANYTHING, PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY "

 

Date: * This Thursday * January 27, 2011

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Building - Lower Level (321 E. Main Street, Niles)Niles Chamber Bldg

Cost: $10.00/Chamber Members * $20.00/Non-Members (Box Lunch included)

RSVP: chamber@nilesmi.com or 269.683.3720

 

Presenter Bio:  Arthur Maxwell, the CEO of Enterprise Synergy, is a dynamic speaker who has presented to small and large audiences in the US and abroad. He is a certified leadership development consultant and executive coach. Maxwell has been a university professor for fifteen years and has held management and leadership positions in industry and education. He is currently at the dissertation stage in his pursuit of a Doctorate in Organizational Development Psychology.

 

Next Lunch and Learn Event: "New Tax Laws for Business " 

Thursday February 10, 2011  at the Riverfront Cafe

Check out the "Calendar of Events" on the website below for more information:

Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Website

  


Labor Report Stats  - Boring?  I don't think so!

 "The Positive Story of Michigan's Workforce"

 

Like everyone, I get a lot of reports and try desperately to read them all but have to be honest and admit that many just get a quick skimming before being filed. I'm so glad I made time for this one.  Some of the following are mentioned in the "Economic Gardening" article above but are repeated here in bullet points to emphasize the good news.

 

  • Michigan and the Detroit region have the highest concentration of engineers in the United States
  • Nearly 350,000 professionals are employed in information technology occupations in Michigan
  • More than 240,000 professionals work in more than 3,000 businesses in advanced manufacturing in Michigan
  • Michigan's colleges and universities rank in the Top 10 for graduating students in each type of degree conferred (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate and First Professional Degrees).
  • Michigan ranked second in the number of degrees completed per capita in the emerging logistics field while also outpacing the national average in degrees awarded in medical services
  • Michigan ranked third in science and engineering degrees, an important component of green design and manufacturing and one that builds on our historic strength in producing engineering talent
  • There are 25 transportation and logistics educational programs at Michigan-based higher-learning institutions
  • Michigan has become a leader in the clean energy economy, ranking tenth among all states in the number of clean energy jobs
  • Michigan ranked seventh in the nation (in 2009) for the total number of patents with 3,516
  • Michigan moved up 21 spots since 2008 (since 2008?!) in the ranking of best states for entrepreneurship and small business

Boring?  No way!  This is great stuff to cheer about and I want to thank and give full credit to the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) for sharing the information in this report.  To read the full report please see:  Labor Business Task Force Report

 

You will also see that they have posted our article about economic gardening on their website as published in the Niles Daily Star.

As always, your input is important - please contact me with your calendar events, announcements, or suggestions for topics at:
 
Shelley Klug, Executive Director
Southwestern Alliance
Phone: 269-683-1833
Fax:     269-683-7515