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DELTA COUNTY ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE The Delta County Economic Development Alliance is a public-private partnership which serves as the central point of contact for assistance in the retention and expansion of existing business in the Delta County, and in the attraction and development of new businesses. This partnership includes local and county government, the Chamber of Commerce, private business, utilities, financial institutions, workforce development and many other interested community leaders. It is governed by a local board of directors. The mission is "to promote economic development through the attraction, retention and expansion of business and industry." Core Services Core services are useful to a wide variety of users of the DCEDA. • Demographic information • Site information and assistance • Walk-in availability • Counseling services • SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) • Interface with regional economic and workforce development entities • Assistance with financial resources/options • Personalized assistance • Referrals Information The Alliance can customize information as needed. Specific information is readily available regarding: demographics of the area and UP, workforce data and statistics, sites available, services, education and training, business climate and quality of life. We also have a growing library of pamphlets, magazines, books, websites, and computer programs. Connections The alliance keeps in regular contact and can help make positive contacts with many local resources including: municipalities, DEQ and other governmental agencies, Jobs Commision, First Step/CUPPAD, Michigan Works!, Northern Initiatives, Bay College, Escanaba's revolving loan fund and Gladstone's EDC, Escanaba Industrial Foundation, DDA's/Mainstreet, area banks and others. The Alliance works with other business development groups to sponsor or co-sponsor educational and training events to keep everyone current. An area Economics Club is underway, with the first event May 2001 and the first full season 2001-2002. Site Visits The Alliance has a visitation team made up of members of staff, the board, and the community. The team visits existing businesses to determine how the community can best meet the needs of that business to retain their current level; to train or expand their workforce; expand to improve their physical plant or upgrade machinary; or to help alleviate problems which impede their ability to do business in the area. The team will vary based on the needs of that company. New Business Assistance Whether starting with a referral to First Step or by using our in-house computer, start-up business can write their business plan, seach information over our internet, use our business planning software, get referrals to resources, or use our handouts of useful information and phone numbers. Counseling from staff or from the Service Corps of Retired Volunteers (SCORE) is available to both new and existing businesses. A Few Interesting Facts In 1992 Runzheimer International rated Escanaba as the third least expensive city to live in the United States, based on goods and services. Businesses also realize these low costs in their operations. Delta County is called the banana belt of the UP. Our average annual snowfall is about 50 inches, comparable to many of the established industrial cities around the Great Lakes, and less than several. A Strong Work Ethic Business and industry find the population of Delta County to have a strong work ethic. People like where they live and tend to stay here. The 1997 census estimates are at 41,230 people with a median family income of $30,680. As of the last census, 88.2 percent of persons 25 and older had at least a high school diploma or better with 11.3 percent holding a BA degree or better. A more in-depth economic profile is also available. Contact Us The Delta County Economic Development Alliance is here to serve you. Feel free to contact us. Links Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance Bay Area Economic Club Michigan Economic Development Corporation |
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