Economic
Development Overview
Economic development is traditionally those efforts
to attract and retain employers, help existing businesses
expand, and provide public infrastructure and a conducive
business climate. The Commission tries to accomplish
this through our partnership with
MI-SBTDC. The mission of the MI-SBTDC is to provide
quality counseling, training, research, and advocacy
for Upper Peninsula small business. MI-SBTDC
strives to contribute to Michigan’s economy by
stimulating job creation and retention at the local
level through assisting entrepreneurs and existing
business grow and prosper.
The Commission believes that much of our work relates
to economic development. For example, the quality
of life in our region is a major draw for businesses
and can be sustained through proper planning. Infrastructure,
especially transportation networks, is important to
businesses and to our local and regional planning
efforts; the Commission tries to help make sure that
these networks function well.
Activities
The Commission partners with a number of economic
development organizations in its efforts to strengthen
the local economy.
I.
Commission staff interacts with various state departments
on a number of issues, and in particular the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. Commission staff
will act as liaison between state officials and
local officials.
II. The Commission partners with local chambers
of commerce, Michigan Works! Agency, procurement
technical assistant centers, trade adjustment center,
tribal communities, community colleges, universities,
and economic development organizations throughout
the Upper Peninsula through its partnership with MI-SBTDC small business counseling
program.
III. The Commission regularly interacts and coordinates
activities with the Western & Eastern UP Districts
on various projects, issues, and opportunities of
mutual concern.
IV. Commission staff assists local communities with developing and preparing both economic development and housing CDBG applications. Typically, CDBG economic development grants are for support of infrastructure to enable an existing company to grow and expand or a new company to locate into a community. Housing funds are for communities to provide rehabilitation of homes occupied by persons with low and moderate incomes.
V. The Commission partners with Bay de Noc Community
College and the Hannahville Indian Community.
VI. The Commission serves as a regional regranting
agency for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural
Affairs.
Contact
For more information on how we can help your community,
contact CUPPAD or email cuppad@chartermi.net.
Questions? Phone: 906-786-9234 or toll free at 1-800-562-9828
Our six county Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy (CEDS) report approved January, 2008 is now available.
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