As we approach our 25th anniversary, it’s a great time to reflect on the value the Lake Superior Community Partnership brings to the community and how unique it is compared to many other economic development organizations across the state.
In addition to traditional business development services, the LSCP provides administrative support to numerous organizations including Connect Marquette, the Marquette County Ambassadors, Midwest Skills Development Center, Operation Action UP, Baraga County EDC, Dickinson Area EDA and more. Through these collaborations, the LSCP improves its ability to stay on the pulse of economic development issues and support an overall high quality of life across the county.
While we have a diversified revenue model, memberships remain an essential piece of the puzzle. Unlike many other economic development organizations that may solicit donations from a small group of larger corporations, the LSCP draws on a large base of smaller memberships to pursue our mission to connect, collaborate and bring value to economic development across the county communicate. Partnering with hundreds of businesses and local communities keeps us grounded and focused on one job and/or investment in economic development at a time.
In addition to promoting economic development in Marquette County, membership in the partnership provides many tangible benefits. For example, members have access to multiple business-related services, free notary services, opportunities to reach large email audiences, staff support to conduct webinars, marketing services, affordable economic impact or payroll studies, the ability to host a Business After Hours Networking event and more. Depending on your needs, the LSCP offers multiple membership levels to choose from so you can right size your investment.
LSCP Outreach and Development Specialist Megan O’Connor recently hosted a free webinar on the benefits of partnership, which can be found at www.marquette.org/participate. While on the site we encourage you to explore the services of the LSCP and learn more about all the work we do that your membership would support.
Speaking of services, one rather unique service that the LSCP provides to the wider community is legislative advocacy. Working in partnership with the Marquette County Ambassadors, the LSCP follows legislation and helps coordinate trips to Lansing twice a year. One of the most influential annual legislative tasks is the state budget, which was passed on June 30th. Thanks to the efforts of our UP lawmakers and a coalition of economic development partners, the state budget includes some important economic development gains for Marquette County and the UP. These include $34.2 million in equivalent state funding to replace the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, May 15 $M in a new innovative fund to support UP’s specific economic development needs (with a particular focus on housing), $8M to support the redevelopment of the former Marquette General Hospital site (another great housing opportunity), and increased revenue-sharing for local governments to fund critical services that create the communities we love.
I’m honored every day to serve the larger Marquette County community as the CEO of the partnership and to work alongside our incredible partners and the LSCP team. As always, if you see me around please stop me to say hello. And if the LSCP team can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Christopher Germain is CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership.
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