Develop Iosco Awarded $685,581 Grant

Develop Iosco Awarded $685,581 Grant to Strengthen the Early Childhood Workforce in Iosco County and the Sunrise Side Region

October 17, 2025

East Tawas, MI — Develop Iosco, Inc. has been awarded $685,581 through the Wage Pilot Grant Program, administered by the Office of Child Development and Care (CDC) within the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and managed by the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District (GOISD).

This transformative funding will support Develop Iosco’s leadership in implementing a regional wage pilot that provides direct stipends to early childhood educators across 11 counties in the Sunrise Side. The initiative aims to strengthen Michigan’s child care infrastructure by increasing wage stability, improving retention, and elevating the value of the early education workforce, all critical elements in ensuring families can access reliable child care and employers can retain talent.

Develop Iosco will serve as the regional convener and fiscal lead, coordinating with Child Care Back Office (CCBO) to deliver program administration and support to local providers.

“Access to affordable, high-quality child care is an essential part of workforce and community development,” said Jennifer Riggs, Executive Director of Develop Iosco. “By investing in our child care workforce, we’re not only supporting early educators, but we’re also making it possible for more parents to work, more businesses to thrive, and more families to stay and grow in our communities.”

Child Care Back Office (CCBO) a Michigan-based organization that provides business, administrative, and operational support to child care providers, will serve as the administrative backbone for this initiative. CCBO currently supports more than 70 child care businesses across northern Michigan and will lead the program’s implementation for providers in the Sunrise Side region.

“As someone who spent years as a childcare provider and early childhood educator, I intimately understand the passion that drives this profession, and the harsh reality of the low wages that often come with a job we love so deeply,” says Sarah Foglesong, CEO of Child Care Back Office. “These stipends represent more than just financial support; they are a much-needed recognition of the value our early educators bring to families and communities every single day. We are so proud to help bring this impactful change to the Sunrise Side.”

The Wage Pilot Grant Program is a statewide initiative designed to test new models for improving compensation and stability within Michigan’s early childhood system. The Sunrise Side project, led by Develop Iosco and supported by CCBO, will engage local providers, employers, and community partners to identify long-term solutions that sustain and strengthen the region’s child care network.

Develop Iosco is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to advancing quality of life, business growth, and community investment throughout Iosco County. Through strategic partnerships, Develop Iosco connects the needs of families, employers, and communities to build a stronger regional economy.

For more information about the Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition and this initiative, visit www.childcarebackoffice.org/sunrise-side.

August 12, 2025

Iosco County, MI — Develop Iosco is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennifer Riggs as its new Executive Director. With more than 15 years of experience in community development, grant management, and public sector leadership, Riggs brings a collaborative and action-oriented approach to advancing economic growth and opportunity in Iosco County.

Riggs will officially begin her role on August 20, 2025. A current resident of Iosco County, she is deeply invested in the region’s future and brings both professional expertise and a personal commitment to her work.

Prior to joining Develop Iosco, Riggs served as the Compliance & Initiatives Program Manager at the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, where she led transformative housing programs, managed state and federal grant portfolios, and implemented innovative initiatives supporting homeownership and neighborhood revitalization.

Riggs holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Planning from the University of Michigan. Her early career included managing environmental remediation efforts for state-regulated sites, laying the foundation for a systems-thinking approach to long-term community planning and resilience.

Throughout her career, Riggs has remained deeply committed to public service. She currently serves on the Baldwin Township Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority and previously held elected office as Vice President of the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education.

"Jennifer's extensive experience, strategic mindset, and passion for rural communities make her a natural fit to lead Develop Iosco into its next chapter," said Rich Castle, President of the Board of Directors. "We’re excited to have her leadership at the helm and look forward to what’s ahead."

Community members will have an opportunity to meet Riggs at Develop Iosco’s upcoming Community Meeting on September 11, where she will be formally introduced.

 A leadership transition opens the door for a new chapter in economic development for Iosco County.

We are announcing the upcoming opportunity for a dynamic, community-driven leader to serve as the organization’s next Executive Director.

This key leadership role offers the chance to build on a strong foundation laid by Christopher Martin, DI’s inaugural Executive Director, who is stepping down due to family obligations. Under his guidance, DI has experienced meaningful growth, increased community collaboration, and expanded its economic development impact throughout Iosco County.

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Iosco County,” said Martin. “The passion and commitment of our community has been truly inspiring. I leave this role with confidence in the future of Develop Iosco and the incredible people who carry this mission forward.”

The Executive Director will be responsible for advancing DI’s mission by engaging with public and private stakeholders, identifying and implementing strategic initiatives, and positioning Iosco County for long-term economic vitality. A full position description and application details will be posted in June at www.develop-iosco.org.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader who wants to make a tangible impact in our region,” said Rich Castle, Board President. “We are grateful to Christopher Martin for his dedicated service and proud of what the organization has achieved under his leadership. We now look forward to welcoming a new Executive Director to guide our next chapter.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Chris Young, currently serving as Communications Officer, will assume the role of Interim Executive Director. The Board of Directors expresses full confidence in her leadership and remains committed to the organization’s mission and forward momentum.

A full job description and application instructions will be made available in June. Those interested are encouraged to check back here regularly for updates.

April, 2025

IOSCO COUNTY, MICH. –– Develop Iosco, Inc. (DI) was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) to expand economic development capacity through enhanced grant writing and education. 

DI’s model of successfully bringing grant funds into the county and region has caught the attention of other economic development organizations and legislators within Michigan. An initial $50,000 grant to DI from MDARD allowed DI to hire a grant writing consultant, Dr. Manuela Kress of Mid-Michigan Grant Writers & Consultants LLC. Dr. Kress offers grant education workshops and works with DI member individually to customize and address specific grant potential as each DI member is entitled to 20 hours of grant writing assistance per year. This member benefit has increased DI membership substantially in the last year. 

The state average for return on investment in grant dollars (ROI) is 1:12. DI’s ROI is 1:56. For every dollar that it’s been given, DI has generated 56 in revenue. 

Henry Wolf, Director of Policy and Grant Programs, Office of Rural Prosperity, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity noted that “Develop Iosco has done an exceptional job utilizing Rural Readiness Grant dollars to drive meaningful progress. Their efforts have not only brought significant new investment to the county but have also demonstrated a thoughtful and strategic approach to fostering long-term growth and opportunity.”

In addition to expanding capacity in Iosco County, and to meet additional funding requirements, DI will be offering free workshops in Alcona County as well. Doug Cheek, chair of Alcona Economic Development Committee stated that “This expansion of DI’s grant writing capacity is a significant game changer for Alcona County. The grant writing workshops will serve to educate and strengthen the number of effective grant writers in the county. Alcona County participants will be well positioned to be successful in seeking and creating grant applications, leading to the potential for successful, countywide funding opportunities and outcomes. As evidenced by DI’s recent successful grant funding efforts, Dr. Kress’ expertise and knowledge has demonstrated the value that these upcoming workshop opportunities will provide Alcona County. Many thanks to DI for working alongside the Alcona-EDC to utilize our inclusion within the Iosco County Economic Development Commission.” 

In 2024, DI assisted 17 members to secure more than $2 million dollars in grants. Five grant workshops were held which included 96 participants representing 10 individuals, 10 businesses, 50 non-profit representatives from 27 different non-profit organizations and 26 Government representatives from 13 separate entities. 

Dr. Kress has been successfully writing grants for more than 30 years. She lives in East Tawas and is familiar with DI, Iosco County, and local townships and municipalities. She will continue to be contracted to provide professional services including conducting grant writing workshops, distributing grant information, and assisting DI and DI members with grant writing. 

With these additional funds and Dr. Kress’ expertise, DI will continue to build the grant writing capacity of DI, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and local units of government. 

Mar 3, 2025

LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Office of Rural Prosperity last week announced the recipients of $1.3M in Rural Readiness Grant Program funding.

The program is designed to help rural communities build capacity, drive economic development and improve quality of life for residents.

The Rural Readiness Grant Program provides critical resources to communities that often face unique economic challenges, ensuring they have the support needed to attract investment, create jobs and foster sustainable growth. This funding will enable local governments, nonprofits and economic development organizations to implement projects that enhance infrastructure, build housing and health initiatives, expand workforce development programs and promote long-term economic success.

by  Manuela Kress (photo credit: Kress)

March 21, 2025

WHITTEMORE – Develop Iosco (DI), Iosco County’s economic development organization held its first quarter meeting of 2025 at the Whittemore Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 13 at 8:30 a.m. Sixty-eight people attended the meeting that was available both in-person and virtually.

DI Executive Director Christopher Martin welcomed attendees and provided an update on new members and sponsorships. He showed a one minute video that DI communications officer Chris Young created with DI’s highlights in 2024. The video is available on the DI website.

Bob Leslie, mayor of the City of Whittemore, provided an update on the city’s economic development activities. Leslie reported that the city had finished paving its roads and that it is applying for grants for the parks.

 by  Tim Hissong

 February 24, 2025

TAWAS CITY – Develop Iosco, Inc. Executive Director Chris Martin delivered his organization’s annual report to the Iosco County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting on Feb. 19.

Martin highlighted his group’s achievements, including a 93 percent increase in membership and an 81 percent renewal rate, as well as their childcare initiatives and grant writing workshops. Later in the same meeting, the board unanimously approved the service agreement and payment of annual dues in the amount of $25,175 between the county and Develop Iosco.

February 6, 2025

 Our Executive Director, Christopher Martin, represented Develop Iosco for the first time at the Northern Michigan Policy Conference last week. 

The conference was hosted by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance (NMCA) which DI  joined in 2024, for this very reason; to get to the table and increase awareness of issues that we face in rural Iosco County and work collaboratively to find solutions.

We look forward to growing our relationship with the NMCA and harnessing all of their power for good here in Iosco County, where we work and play. 

 January 14, 2025

HALE – Develop Iosco (DI) is partnering with Plainfield Township to hold a Networking Event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Eagle Point Plaza in Hale.

At the heart of DI’s slogan (community, synergy, solutions) is the keen recognition that relationships drive the success of any organization, according to Chris Young DI’s communications officer. Plainfield Township Supervisor Fred Lewis asks “that business owners and entrepreneurs new and old, join us at the Eagle Point Conference and Community Center in Hale to bring together the non-coastal and coastal business communities to discuss our common grounds, needs and desires and how we can work together to meet the challenges we face in northeast Michigan.”

Leaders determined to have region become destination in coming years 

January 9, 2025

(EAST TAWAS, MI) – East Tawas area tourism leaders took another step forward in their mission to bring cruise ships to the region by joining an international cruise marketing program called Cruise the Great Lakes. Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce officially joined the organization in December.

Founded in 2018, Cruise the Great Lakes is the region’s cruise marketing program focused on attracting more passengers. It is a forum to bring together the states, provinces, cruise lines, ports, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, associations, and others to work toward shared goals. The program is an initiative of the Chicago-based Council of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, which unites the chief executives from the eight states and two Canadian provinces bordering the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

 by  Gaylynn Brenoel

 September 12, 2024 

 EAST TAWAS – Officials heard from Rich Castle, chair of the Cruise and Recreation Committee (CC). He presented an update on a draft proposal which was submitted to Develop Iosco, and also sought a resolution from the ETCC to include in the proposal to entice cruise ships to come to East Tawas.

Castle elaborated on the utilization of the local State Harbor as an option for bringing tourists into East Tawas, via cruise ship.

NOTE:  The full proposal is on the DI website (initiatives page, tourism page)

 by Manuela Kress

 Jun 28, 2024 

TAWAS CITY – Develop Iosco (DI) held its second quarter meeting at the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency (IRESA) on Thursday, June 13. Approximately 50 business owners and representatives from local nonprofit organizations, government and economic development organizations attended.

DI Executive Director Chris Martin welcomed attendees, reviewed the mission of DI and introduced the first speaker Jamie Cain, director of IRESA.

April 12,  2024 

TAWAS CITY – Highlighting their organization’s efforts to increase access to childcare services, Develop Iosco, Inc. (DI) President Gloria Brooks and Executive Director Chris Martin delivered the group’s 2023 annual report to the Iosco County Board of Commissioners at the board’s regular meeting on April 3.

Martin reported that DI’s membership has “grown exponentially,” and that DI has recruited all but two of Iosco County townships as members, noting active conversations with Oscoda Township to that end are progressing. “I think we can develop a good relationship with them,” he added.

Martin praised Brooks for her work on DI’s childcare initiative. Calling her efforts “unmatched in the State of Michigan,” Martin turned the presentation over to Brooks, who in turn lauded Iosco County Controller Jamie Carruthers-Soboleski and NEMCSA Executive Director/CEO Lisa Bolen for their active involvement in support of the program. 

According to Brooks, a $203,000 regional childcare planning grant was awarded to DI to initiate the Quad County Childcare Coalition (QCCC), which serves Iosco, Arenac, Ogemaw, and Alcona counties. Seeking to identify and implement new ways to access childcare for working families and employers, the QCCC published their Childcare Innovation Report in January 2024, and held an Employers CEO Roundtable the following month to provide employers options on how they can support community-based childcare for their employees.

“We keep hearing from businesses…with challenges in hiring and retaining employees because of challenges they have with finding quality childcare, not only during the week, but in the evenings, and then in the summer,” Brooks said.

Martin also provided information on other DI projects, including grant writing assistance, expanding access to high-speed internet services, and economic development.

Link to Iosco News online article: https://www.iosconews.com/news/article_99e807d8-f5e4-11ee-898e-9736427f0ff4.html

March 27, 2024 

NATIONAL CITY – Develop Iosco (DI) held its fourth half day grant writing workshop on Saturday afternoon, March 23 at the Sand Lake Community Center in National City.

Chris Martin, DI executive director, spent the afternoon teaching the basics of grant writing to attendees. Martin covered trends in grant writing and what differentiates a successful grant proposal. He also covered how to find funders, establish relationships with them, and make an appropriate ask. The workshop provided resources for grant writing and covered all of the sections of a grant proposal.

The free grant writing workshops are funded by a grant that DI received from the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity in 2023. The four Basics of Grant Writing workshops have been attended by 80 people some of whom came from as far as Bay City, Gaylord and Johannesburg. Workshops were held in East Tawas, Oscoda, Whittemore and Sand Lake.

An upcoming day of grant writing workshops is scheduled for May 4, and will be held at Eagle Pointe Plaza in Hale. Workshops will provide an in-depth look at grants that were successfully funded, as well as funding opportunities for police and fire departments.

The grant writing workshops are part of an overall strategy to build the grant writing capacity in Iosco County to bring additional funding and resources into the county.

In addition to the workshops, municipalities, businesses and organizations that join DI receive up to 20 hours of grant writing assistance from Mid-Michigan Grant Writers and Consultants. As reported, AuSable Township was recently awarded a $750,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for its Trailhead Market Place through the partnership with DI.

Link to Iosco News online article: https://www.iosconews.com/article_581f213e-ec60-11ee-b28c-6fd1c1918a27.html

December 29, 2023

By Manuela Kress

EAST TAWAS – Develop Iosco (DI) honored longtime board member Blinda Baker at its annual/4th quarter meeting held on Dec. 14 at the East Tawas Community Center.

Baker had served on the board of DI since 2015. DI Executive Director Chris Martin and DI President Gloria Brooks presented the award to Baker.

Baker was presented with the inaugural Blinda Baker Volunteer of the Year Award recognizing her many years of service to DI as well as other organizations in Iosco County including the Friends of the East Tawas Library, Iosco County Right to Life, Tawas-Whittemore-Hale United Fund, Holy Family Catholic Church in the Council of Catholic Women, Holy Family Education Foundation and the Gaylord Diocese Council of Catholic Women.

Baker is a 1970 graduate of Tawas Area High School and 1974 graduate of Michigan State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She taught at Tawas Area High School and was elected as the City of East Tawas treasurer in 1985. Baker was appointed as the clerk/treasurer in 1989 and the city manager in 2015. She retired from her position as city manager in June 2018 and was elected to the city council in November of the same year.

Criteria for receiving the award include the following:

An Iosco County resident who:

• Champions quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses across the county.

• Understands the need for economic development to retain youth, support families and attract businesses.

• Selflessly volunteers time, talent and treasure in a variety of areas that impact economic development.

• Represents DI’s mission and vision in the community.

Iosco County News Herald Article:  https://www.iosconews.com/news/article_06427c90-a10a-11ee-9b03-6385c6d8c23b.html

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