In an effort to continue promoting alternative energy technology strategies and developing policy for the State of Michigan, Governor Granholm visited with eight Northern Michigan companies that are pursuing a variety of technologies ranging from wind energy to geothermal activities. The Governor was in Traverse City on Wednesday, November 14 to discuss these initiatives at the Northwestern Michigan College M-TEC facility. Traverse City is one of nine cities in that the Governor is visiting during this alternative energy tour. The Traverse Bay EDC worked with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, NMC and Governor’s office to identify the alternative energy companies in our region.

The following is an excerpt from the 2008 Economic Forecast:

The Regional Outlook

Tino Breithaupt, Traverse Bay EDC
Mathias McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

In the last few decades, the 5-county region of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties have eperienced extraordinary growth and prosperity. The region has provided many opportunities for growth as a result of relatively high educational attainment, economic diversity, low labor costs, a mild environment, access to natural resources, niche business opportunities, and high overall quaity of life.

If we were to extrapolate our economic past, the region could easily expect economic expansion in the coming years. History suggests (and to an extent, rightfully so) the 5-county region will continue its past successes with small business vitality and economic diversity. However, as increases in technology, productivity, and globalization become more commonplace, the region's economic health will ultimately be dependent on the ability to foster globally marketable goods and services - not the expected competitive advantages we have grown accustomed to.

The Chamber, through the Traverse Bay EDC, is recruiting participants for the newly formed Small Business Council.  The Small Business Council will be the primary vehicle to connect and help grow the Chamber's small business members. The Small Business Council's focus is to embrace and encourage entrepreneurial business practices, to serve as the voice for small business, and to offer opportunities for development through networking and chamber programs.

We need your help!

As it does every year, Site Selection magazine is gathering information on significant projects to determine which state will win the Governor's Cup award. This respected industry magazine tracks new investments and is circulated to more than 45,000 executives involved in corporate site selection decisions throughout the nation. States that place highly in the ranking benefit from attention within the industry and the opportunity for much free publicity.

Michigan won the Governor's Cup outright for four years in a row, from 1997 to 2000. In subsequent years we have placed from second to sixth. We would like to regain the top spot!

Where Michigan places in the Governor's Cup race this year is dependent upon how many eligible projects we are able to submit to Conway Data, the publisher of Site Selection magazine. We know that eligible projects are out there, but we need your help to identify them!

If you feel your company qualifies, please take a moment to fill out the attached from. Please do not assume that we are already aware of any particular new building or company expansion.

Speculative buildings, shopping malls and certain other types of building will not qualify; please consult the "Projets that do not qualify" list on page two of the attachment. Please note that a project does not need to be complete to qualify, but can be announced or under any stage of construction.

If you have questions regarding project eligibility, please contact the Traverse Bay EDC.

Submission deadline is Friday, November 30!

I hope we can count on you to help us in this effort!

Click here for the form.

The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 13, and will be held at Black Star Farms.

The focus of the meeting will be on Value-Added Agriculture in the region.

Click here to register and there is no cost to attend.

The 2008 Traverse Bay Region Industrial Guide is nearing completion and will be released at the December Traverse Bay EDC Advisory Council Meeting!

The Guide will be available at no cost, and will be available on CD and on the Traverse Bay EDC Web site.

The 2008 Traverse Bay Region Industrial Guide has been sponsored by:

and

Area Food and farm businesses have a bumper crop of new business services available through Taste the Local Difference, a project of the Traverse City-based Michigan Land Use Institue.

At its main Web site, Taste the Local Difference has added:

• A wholesale communications service for local food buyers and suppliers.
• A farmland matching service for beginning and existing farmers to hook up on acreage, business assistance, and more.
• A searchable farm-to-school database to help local schools and farms connect on cafeteria sales, field trips and more!

For more information, contact coordinator Janice Benson at (231) 941-6584 ext. 21

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BioTech Agronomics, a firm that land applies wastewater treatment plant solids, is experiencing significant growth, and is building a facility near the village of Beulah.

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Becky Ewing gave the EDC a presentation introducing us to the DevelopMentor program, which is housed at the Chamber. The Board members were impressed with the quality and utility of the program.

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The Grand Traverse Band announced plans for a large-scale municipal marina in Peshawbestown. We have had discussions with the Grand Traverse Band and have been kept apprised of the situation.

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Staff is currently working on 10 active projects. The Traverse City region is competing for four new attraction projects that are considering sites around the country. The other 6 projects are with existing companies in the region that are finalizing expansion plans.

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