SUNRISE SIDE CHILD CARE COALITION RAISES ELIGIBILITY CAP TO $20/HR EARLY EDUCATION WAge INITIATIVE

June 29, 2026

Joint Announcement by Develop Iosco and Child Care Back Office Opens Up Monthly Stipend Applications to More Northeast Michigan Early Educators Following Successful Initial Rollout

EAST TAWAS, Mich. — Develop Iosco and Child Care Back Office (CCBO), acting on behalf of the Sunrise Side Regional Child Care Coalition (Region 3), are pleased to announce a significant expansion of the regional Early Education Wage Initiative. Effective immediately, the income eligibility cap for participating early childhood educators has been raised from $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

This expansion represents a major milestone for Region 3, which encompasses 11 counties across Northeast Michigan: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon. During the initiative's initial rollout, the coalition successfully prioritized stabilizing wages for the region's lowest-earning educators making $17 per hour or less. With those foundational slots now secured, the coalition is opening up applications to fill remaining program capacity—extending financial relief and professional recognition to a broader pool of local educators across these 11 counties.

The state-funded Early Education Wage Initiative is a two-year program designed to increase take-home pay for early childhood educators employed in licensed child care programs (including centers, family and group homes, Head Start programs, and Great Start Readiness Programs). Through August 2027, eligible professionals will receive direct, predictable monthly stipends to boost their compensation:

● Part-time professionals (working up to 60 hours biweekly) will receive $200 per month.

● Full-time professionals (working 60+ hours biweekly) will receive $300 per month.

"Child care is essential economic infrastructure across Northeast Michigan," said Jennifer Riggs, Executive Director at Develop Iosco. "When early childhood educators leave the field due to unlivable wages, our families in all 11 of our counties lose access to reliable care, parents are forced out of the workforce, and businesses struggle to recruit talent. By raising this eligibility cap, we are extending a critical lifeline to more professionals who keep our regional economy moving."

The Sunrise Side Regional Child Care Coalition is one of 10 Regional Child Care Coalitions (RCCCs) across Michigan administering a portion of the $16 million in state school aid funds allocated by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) to support the Wage Initiative. The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District (GOISD) serves as the statewide fiscal agent.

At the regional level, Child Care Back Office is leading the application and administrative support for local providers and educators to ensure a seamless process.

"Our goal is to remove administrative burdens so educators can focus on what they do best: nurturing and teaching our children," said Sarah Foglesong, CEO of Child Care Back Office. "Launching an initiative of this scale across 11 rural counties has certainly brought its share of challenges, and the rollout has been far from simple. However, our team and partners have put in tremendous, tireless work behind the scenes to navigate those hurdles and make this program highly successful. Because of that collective effort, we successfully prioritized our lowest-wage educators first, and we are now in a position to raise the cap to $20 an hour to support even more of our workforce. We are incredibly proud of this milestone and encourage all eligible programs and staff across Region 3 to apply immediately while remaining slots are available."

To qualify for the monthly stipends, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Employment: Work as a teacher or assistant teacher in a licensed child care program in Region 3 (including centers, family/group homes, Head Start, and GSRP in Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, or Roscommon County) making $20/hour or less.

2. MiRegistry Profiles: 

○ Educators must have a complete and up-to-date MiRegistry profile and membership, with all wage and employment documentation current and verified by their employer.

3. Retention: Educators must remain with the licensed program they are with at the time of application to guarantee continuous support (though they may reapply if they transition to a different eligible program, subject to fund availability).

4. Evaluation: Participants must agree to actively engage in required evaluation activities, which will help Michigan build a blueprint for permanent, long-term wage strategies beyond the initiative's conclusion in August 2027.

Early childhood educators and program directors in Region 3 are encouraged to visit https://childcarebackoffice.org/wage-initiative to access application materials, verify eligibility guidelines, and review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until all remaining slots are filled.

Jun 23, 2026

EAST TAWAS – Develop Iosco welcomed more than 57 attendees representing over 40 organizations to its second quarter community meeting on June 11 at the AuSable Trailhead Pavilion.

The quarterly meeting brought together community leaders, business owners, nonprofit organizations, elected officials and residents to hear updates on local and regional initiatives, learn about available resources and engage in conversations focused on the future of Iosco County and Northeast Michigan.

Featured speakers from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), including Charles Donaldson, managing director of regional development, and Pablo Majano, senior community planner, shared information on state economic development programs, business support resources, redevelopment tools and community development initiatives available to local governments, businesses and organizations. 

by Jenny Haglund

Feb 19, 2026

TAWAS CITY – An annual report has been prepared by those from Develop Iosco (DI), spotlighting the various undertakings that the organization pursued throughout the 2025 year. It was summarized before members of the Tawas City Council, during their Feb. 2 meeting, by DI Executive Director Jennifer Riggs.

The document begins by underscoring the group’s mission – that being to promote economic development in Iosco County – as well as DI’s vision statement, which is as follows:

“By facilitating efforts that focus on regional assets, quality of life and education opportunities, Iosco County will experience economic growth, increased employment, and thriving communities.”

 Feb 10, 2026

WHITTEMORE – Develop Iosco kicked off the new year with its annual Indoor BBQ and Networking Night on Thursday, Jan. 29, welcoming 71 attendees from across Iosco County and the surrounding region.

The event brought together business owners, nonprofit leaders, local officials, and community members for an evening focused on connection, collaboration, and economic development.

Held at the Whittemore Chamber of Commerce, the event featured a catered dinner by Café International of Prescott, a presentation of Develop Iosco’s 2026 Annual Report, and structured speed-networking activities designed to encourage meaningful conversation and relationship building. Many attendees were participating in a Develop Iosco event for the first time, reflecting continued growth in interest and engagement with the organization’s work.

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.

by Manuela Kress

Jun 19, 2025

OSCODA – After coming out of closed session at its regular June 9 meeting, the Oscoda Township Board of Trustees heard public comment supporting joining Develop Iosco (DI), the county’s economic development organization.

DI Vice President Frances Ommani, who is an Oscoda resident, spoke about the many benefits of DI membership. She introduced Gloria Brooks, who as former DI president was an integral part of its childcare initiative. Ommani added that being on the board she has seen first hand the organization’s “professionalism, strategic focus and meaningful impact.” She said the organization is “well-managed and delivers consistent results.”

Ommani highlighted some of the organization’s impacts in 2024 which included bringing more than $2.2 million in funding into the county. She said the return on investment is clear.

Ommani talked about how DI amplifies the county’s voice through statewide partnerships. “Let’s move forward together,” Ommani concluded.

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. 

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)

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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