Economic outlook survey yields positive results
Leaders in economic development from the Upper Peninsula and beyond met today for breakfast and a discussion about the economic outlook of the area. So far, that outlook is good.
The Michigan Business Network, in collaboration with the Lake Superior Community Partnership, hosted the meeting.
Speakers explored the results of a 2013 economic outlook study. That study assessed how attractive Michigan communities are to business development.
“The numbers are up,” said David Baker, Program Director of the CFI Group, “overall outlook, satisfaction with the area as a place to grow business is up.”
“And when business enthusiasm is up, they move into areas of expanding product line, buying more inventory, hiring people, et cetera,” Chris Holman, CEO of the Michigan Business Network, said. “That starts the economic ball rolling.”
Economic growth indicators moved up in almost all categories. One key to such success is community–wide collaboration.
“You guys really set kind of the gold standard for collaboration, for working together, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come up here,” added Holman. “If you speak in Marquette, there’s people in the audience from the Soo and from Ontonagon.”
“That’s what keeps people here in business growing, is being intricately involved in your community,” said Amy Clickner, CEO of LSCP.
This is the second year that the economic outlook study has been conducted. For more information about the study, visit the LSCP’s website.