quarterly community meetings

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Community Updates Coming Your Way!  RSVP HERE

Our next Develop Iosco Community Meeting is packed with updates—and features a special guest, Brandon Adolph from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Michigan District Office.

🗓 Thursday, September 11, 2025
📍 Warrior Pavilion, 6288 F41, Oscoda
🕘 Meeting: 9–11 AM | ☕Networking starts at 8:30

Presentation Highlights: SBA 101 – Programs & Services
✅ Free business counseling
💰 Access to capital for startups and existing businesses
🏛 Federal government contracting certifications
🌪 Disaster relief resources

🌟 PLUS:

• Meet our new Executive Director
• Updates from Oscoda Township & Iosco County
• NEMCOG Byways report
• DI Committee Spotlights: Child Care, Tourism, Grants

🎤 Featured Speaker: Brandon Adolph

Brandon Adolph is the Outreach & Marketing Specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration's Michigan District Office (MDO) covering Genesee, Lake, Oakland and Washtenaw counties as well as the Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

Adolph is charged with ecosystem building with chambers of commerce, downtown development authorities and economic development organizations.

Adolph joined the SBA in 2023 following a career in various marketing leadership roles. He is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University where he received his B.B.A. and he holds a M.A. from Wayne State University.

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.

Location:  IRESA,  27 N. Rempert, Tawas MI 48763

Program:

• Welcome/Networking 8:30 - 9 a.m.
• Main Program 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• Networking 10:30 - 11 a.m.

LOCAL SPEAKERS:  Christopher Martin, Baldwin Township Superintendent will share Baldwin updates; Jamie Cain, IRESA Superintendent will talk about their upcoming millage.

MAIN TOPIC:  Jobs - Upskill Your Workforce, Talent Attraction & Retention

FEATURED SPEAKERS: Darin Lomason, Director of Business Services, MI Works! Region 7B will highlight MI Works services to include:

• Incumbent Worker
  • Train someone who already works at your company
• OJT Program (on the job training)
  • Train someone new to your company
• Youth Program
  • 16-24 years old get to experience working at a business for 6 weeks while MiWorks! pays the youths wage
  • Mentorship program
• Business Services
  • Help with recruiting, resumes, the network, etc.
• Going Pro Talent Fund
  • Application to get grant funding for training current employees as well as new hires

DI will also share updates on childcare, tourism, and grants.   

Meeting Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU6DUJOdl0I

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