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quarterly community meetings
You're Invited
Develop Iosco hosts quarterly Community Meetings for problem solvers, business owners, community members, government representatives, and other interested parties. These meetings include updates from Iosco County communities about ongoing economic development activities as well as updates from Develop Iosco regarding ongoing initiatives. Both guest and local speakers address topics pertinent to business owners. Virtual and in-person attendance options are provided. RSVPs open one month to each event.
Meetings rotate locations throughout the county and are scheduled the second Thursday of the month quarterly in March, June, September and December. Doors open at 8:30 and the program is conducted from 9 - 11:00 am although the annual meeting in 2025 will be an evening event.
To suggest a topic or speaker for a community meeting, please email contact@develop-iosco.org.
june 12 - 2nd qtr. community meeting
TOPIC: Jobs - Talent Attraction & Retention
Location: IRESA, 27 N. Rempert, Tawas MI 48763
Program:
- Welcome/Networking 8:30 - 11 a.m.
- Main Program 9 - 10:30 a.m.
- Networking 10:30 - 11 a.m.
TOPIC: Jobs - Talent Attraction & Retention
Speaker: Darin Lomason, Director of Business Services, MI Works! Region 7B
Local Speaker: Christopher Martin, Baldwin Township Superintendent
RSVPs open up one month prior to the event.
Sep. 11 - 3rd qtr. community meeting
TOPIC: SBA 101
Location: Warrior Pavilion, 6288 F41, Oscoda MI 48750
Program:
- Welcome/Networking 8:30 - 11 a.m.
- Main Program 9 - 10:30 a.m.
- Networking 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
TOPIC: SBA 101
Speaker: Brandon Adolph, Detroit SBA
Local Speaker: Nancy Howse, Oscoda Community Development Director
RSVPs open up one month prior to the event.
Dec 4 - 4th qtr. annual meeting (DINNER)
EVENING MEETING WITH CATERED MEAL
We will once again be taking nominations for the Blinda Baker (pictured right) Economic Development 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Location: Sand Lake Community Center, 4059 Indian Lake Road, Sand Lake MI 48748
Program:
- Registration/Dinner/Networking 5:30 - 6 p.m.
- Program 6 - 8 p.m.
Topic: State of the State - Community Focused
Featured Speakers: Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance representatives and others
Local Speaker: Grant Township
RSVPs open up one month prior to the event.
1st qtr. 2025 community meeting
TOPIC: The Future of Healthcare in Iosco County
Location: Whittemore Chamber of Commerce, 405 E. Sherman St., Whittemore 48770
Program:
- Welcome/Networking 8:30 - 11 a.m.
- Main Program 9 - 10:30 a.m.
- Networking 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Local Speaker: Bob Leslie, Whittemore Mayor
Keynote Speaker: Mike Erickson, President MyMichigan Health
(Saginaw, Standish & Tawas)
In August 2024, Mike was named President of MyMichigan Medical Centers in Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Center. Prior to that, Mike was the President of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Mike joined MyMichigan Health in 2008. He held prior roles as System Vice President, Professional Services as well as System Vice President, Support Services.
Prior to joining MyMichigan Health, Mike was with Catholic Health Initiatives from 1997-2008, where he held several positions of increasing scope with his final being Assistant Vice President at St. Joseph Medical Center located in Towson, Maryland. Prior to that, Mike was at Pekin Hospital located in Pekin, Illinois from 1994-1997 as Director of Clinical Engineering. Mike also served in the U.S. Army for 14 years, 5 active duty and 7 years reserve and national guard, receiving an honorable discharge.
Event article (and photo) by Dr. Manuela Kress: https://www.iosconews.com/oscoda_press/news/article_caabf702-0412-11f0-8728-fb08434181e1.html
2024 Community meetings
1st Quarter 2024:
March 14
Location: Grant Township, Sand Lake Community Center (4059 Indian Lake Rd., National City)
Registration & Networking: 8:30 - 9 am
Program: 9 - 11am
TOPIC: Multiple topics including MEDC small business hub grants for Iosco County; the M-55 Pure Michigan Byway initiative; updates on current DI initiatives and much more.
Featured Speaker: Joe Carr, Target Alpena
2nd Quarter 2024:
June 13
Held in Tawas Township
Host Location: IRESA, https://www.ioscoresa.net/, 27 N. Rempert Rd., Tawas City MI 48763
Topic: Workforce Development’s Ties to Economic Development - Panel Discussion
The meeting agenda and highlights of speakers and topics was as follows:
· IRESA Superintendent, Jamie Cain, shared information related to educational impacts in Iosco County.
· Ken Cook, Executive Director of Iosco County’s Economic Development Commission (ioscoedc.org), presened information on how the EDC serves Iosco businesses.
· A Workforce Development Panel Discussion featuring Jamie Cain (IRESA Superintendent), Pam O’Loughlin (COO @ MI Works Region 7B) and Marvin Pichla (Alpena Community College, Oscoda Campus Director) addressed a number of questions on this very important topic.
· DI Initiatives & Committee Updates on childcare, tourism, small business development, high speed internet, environmental concerns and grant writing were presented.
3rd Quarter 2024:
September 19
Held in AuSable Township (https://ausabletwp-mi.gov/)
Location: AuSable Township Hall, 4420 North U.S. 23, Au Sable, MI 48750
Local Speaker: Eric Strayer, AuSable Superintendent
Featured Speaker: Lindsey Clark, MEDC
Senior Community Development Manager
Regional Development Region 3 & Eastern Upper Peninsula
Topic: Community Development/Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC)
Learn more about RRCs:
https://www.miplace.org/programs/redevelopment-ready-communities/
4th Quarter 2024: Annual Meeting
December 5
Host: City of Tawas CityLocation: Tawas Bay Beach Resort
Local Speaker: Annge Horning, Tawas City Manager
Featured Topic: Economic Development Advocacy
Featured Speakers: Nikki Devitt & Warren Call, NE Michigan Chamber Alliance
Networking/Breakfast: 8 – 9:00 amProgram: 9 – 11:00 am