The Traverse Bay EDC has approved a resolution of support for proposed expansion by Hagerty Insurance in the Old Town district of downtown Traverse City. The resolution affirms the development will "bring additional opportunities into the Old Town business district, leading to the retention of hundreds of existing jobs, as well as the potential for hundreds of new, high paying-jobs." 

The EDC also encouraged the City of Traverse City, the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to "take all steps necessary to provide the support, infrastructure, and parking needs to keep the jobs proposed by Hagerty Insurance in downtown Traverse City."

To read the complete Traverse Bay EDC Old Town Economic Development Resolution of Support, click here. To watch a special video presentation from Hagerty, click here.

Whether you work in the office or in the fields, you won't want to miss next week's important presentation about the next steps we can take to get more fresh foods into our local economy. The Michigan Land Use Institute, Traverse Bay EDC and NMCOG invite you to enjoy "Fresh Fields for Fantastic Food: Next Steps for a Local Food Economy," featuring guest speaker Diana Endicott of Good Natured Family Farms. This free presentation will take place Monday, June 2 from 5:15-7:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Center on NMC's Great Lakes Campus.

Space is limited, so click here to register today or e-mail Sarah Racine at sarah@tcchamber.org.

For more information on this exciting event, click here!

On Monday, June 16, the Traverse Bay EDC will present a final draft of a citywide economic development strategy for consideration by the TC City Commission. The Traverse Bay EDC presented a working draft of the strategy to the Commission back in February and posted the document on its own as well as the City's website for public input and feedback. The public comment period ended on May 16, and the Traverse Bay EDC has since been revising and developing specific details of the strategy to create its final recommended strategy for city implementation.

Click here to read the strategy initially presented to the City Commission in February 2008.

The Great Start Program, a collaborative initiative of countless organizations within the Grand Traverse Region, received a grant this year from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (a Michigan-based non-proft) that will enable the program to function at an increased level of capacity. Part of this expanded ability includes the opportunity to hire an Early Childhood Coordinator. This position will be jointly administered by the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

While the Early Childhood Coordinator will serve the entire region and be accountable to both the TBA-ISD and the Chamber, as well as numerous other stakeholders involved in the intiative, he or she will be a grant-enabled member of the Chamber staff. Hiring for this position is currently underway.

For the past ten years, Relocate America has compiled the top 100 Places to Live in America. Rankings are determined by key data including education, employment, economy, crime, parks, recreation and housing. This year, five cities from Michigan made the list - and Traverse City was one of them! Other cities within the state that made the cut are Brighton, Grand Rapids, Plymouth and Rochester.

To read more about the Top 100, and to nominate Traverse City for next year's list, click here to visit the Relocate America website.

Last month, the state of Michigan unveiled the country's most aggressive Film and Digital Media tax credit program to entice filmmakers and production crews to Michigan. The state is offering various incentives aimed at encouraging the production of motion pictures, television programs, music videos, interactive games and similar productions in Michigan. The bills provide tax credits for production costs and job training, credits and deductions for private investment in certain media productions and media production facilities, and state-financed loans. The legislation also offers the possibility of the free use of state and local government property for production purposes (click here for specific incentive highlights).

For more information or incentive applications, please contact the Michigan Film Office at 800-477-3456 or visit the MFO website. 

• Expansion on the Graceland Fruit, Inc. premises continues.
• The Frankfort affordable housing project is gaining momentum.
• BioTech Agronomics has built a maintenance facility near the village of Beulah.
• The Benzie County EDC and Traverse Bay EDC have renewed an administrative and marketing support arrangement.

• Hagerty has cleared another set of hurdles in its effort to expand development in Old Town.
• Springfield Commercial Roofing was named the 2008 Hagerty Small Business of the Year last week.
• Rumors that movement is happening on the Henderson Property development are buzzing through town.
• Turtle Creek is nearing the grand opening of its new facility in Williamsburg.

• Flannery Tool is using funds saved in the Ren Zone to invest in job creation and economic development.
• The Kalkaska County EDC has created a special committee to establish a Brownfield district in Kalkaska County.
• Over 200 attendees participated in the Kalkaska County Grand Vision workshop.
• The Kalkaska County EDC will hold its first ever Business Community Luncheon in an effort to increase community awareness.
  

• Development on Sugar Loaf remains in limbo.
• Redevelopment of the County Courthouse and Sheriff Department in Leland is on hold.
• Authorization for the establishment of a County Landback Authority is pending.
• The National Park Service is seeking input for updates of its General Management Plan for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
• Tour de Leelanau was moved to Memorial Weekend.
• Over 200 attendees participated in the Leelanau County Grand Vision workshop.