Manistee Alliance for Economic Success

Oct. 1, 2007 - Alliance for Economic Success Announced

Contact: Renee’ Ihlenfeldt
Alliance for Economic Success
231-723-4325
Or
Beth McCarthy
Chair, Alliance for Economic Success
231-723-4325

For Immediate Release

ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, INC. ANNOUNCED:
MANISTEE COUNTY PROSPERITY IS THEIR BUSINESS

Manistee, Michigan – Out with the old and in with the new is the name of the game today in Manistee County with the changing of the name of its Economic Development Office to the Alliance for Economic Success, a final step in re-engineering an organization which has “Prosperity” for Manistee County as its vision.

“The Alliance for Economic Success was selected as the name for the organization after a very deliberate, thoughtful process was completed, to brand an organization that has economic well-being and quality of life as it’s primary missions,” said Renee’ Ihlenfeldt, Executive Director of the organization.

Ihlenfeldt said that the process to re-engineer the organization included a national best-practices assessment of other county economic development organizations and over 43 stakeholder meetings.

“We felt that the name change reflects the new organization, the times and the need for change in Manistee County,” said Jim Reithel, General Manager for Martin Marietta operations in Manistee, chair for the Manistee Manufacturers’ Council and member of the governing body of the Alliance for Economic Success. “We need to set and measure goals that relate directly to the economic success of businesses, families and organizations in Manistee County. And many of those successes can only be accomplished through alliances involving businesses and organizations. The Alliance for Economic Success will be Manistee County’s hub for building those partnerships and the successes that come with them.”

“The vision of the organization is simple and concise – it’s Prosperity,” said Beth McCarthy, chair of the governing body that will guide the organization. “Prosperity is a term that can mean different things to businesses, organizations, families and individuals. Our job is to have an instrumental role in achieving prosperity county-wide and that will be achieved by customizing our services to meet the needs of those we work with.”

Ihlenfeldt said that the organization has three missions and that progress has been made toward all three:

1. Business Retention and Growth. Be the recognized leader in retaining businesses and jobs and in expanding and attracting business in the county.

Examples of progress include:

Revision and consolidation of the county’s marketing plan for its Renaissance Zones. This work brought new development and jobs to the County Renaissance Zone that enabled the City to convert a $1 million loan with the State of Michigan into a grant.
Working with individual businesses that are considering locating in Manistee County. Ihlenfeldt said that a number of new businesses have either located in the county or are seriously considering locating in the county as a result of the Alliance’s process of “team selling.”
Collaborative retention visits to Manistee County businesses that include participation by state economic development experts.
The beginning of a process on September 6 to assess the full economic potential of properties surrounding Manistee Lake, including the potential relocation of rail infrastructure to better serve area manufacturers.
Providing business leadership and administration for a collaborative effort with Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health to assist people who are recovering from mental illness develop micro-business opportunities.

2. Manistee Economic Development Cornerstones. Assist as a facilitator to support the cornerstones of Manistee’s economy, including county strategies and programs involving education and training, health and human services, infrastructure and housing.

Examples of initiatives include:

Coordinating support for the dredging of Manistee’s deep water port.
Serving as facilitator for the City of Manistee’s Strategic Plan
Serving as facilitator for a new plan for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce
Development of a partnership with an organization that may provide an alternative source of financial capital for business development and expansion

3. Resource Development. Support the development of financial and human resources to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in Manistee County.

Examples of progress include:

Writing successful grants of over $100,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan Economic Development Corporation to assess the economic potential of property abutting Manistee Lake.
Overseeing grants in collaboration with the Manistee County Community Foundation to support a variety of county-wide needs, including those identified through the Envision Manistee County visioning initiative. Examples include grants to: develop a county-wide recreation plan; develop the watershed plan for Portage Lake; develop a county-wide septic ordinance
Delivering training programs for county businesses involving topics like selling over the internet and others.
Development of an “E-News” information service that now provides information about the county’s economic well being and quality of life to over 1,000 individuals and organizations.
Developing a grant to fund design of the City of Manistee’s beaches.
Pursuit of grants to strengthen recreational access to the county’s fishery, with Manistee County recognized as being at the heart of the $4 billion Great Lakes sport fishery.

The Alliance for Economic Success is located at 11 Cypress Street in Manistee.

Alliance governing body includes: Beth McCarthy (Chair) representing small business; Mitch Deisch, representing the City of Manistee; Glenn Lottie, County Commissioner, representing Manistee County; Jim Reithel, General Manager of Operations for Martin Marietta representing the Manistee Manufacturers Council; and Doug Parkes, representing the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

In addition to Ihlenfeldt, Betsy Keson serves as Administrative Assistant for the organization. The Alliance for Economic Success’ team is rounded out with contractors, who provide services based on specific expertise needed to meet organization goals. Deborah Nale provides consultant services as the Income Development Specialist for the micro-business initiative. Laura Heintzelman contracts to provide resource development services including grant writing and grant writing consultation services to community members. Consultant Tim Ervin provides facilitation services to advance Manistee County’s cornerstone programs involving education and training, health and human services and development of organizational strategies.

Questions or more information about the Alliance for Economic Success can be directed to:

Alliance for Economic Success
11 Cypress Street
Manistee, Michigan 49660
PH: 231-723-4325
Telefax: 231-723-1515
Email: rihlenfeldt@manistee.com or bkeson@manistee.com
Website: www.allianceforeconomicsuccess.com

What Other People are saying about the Alliance for Economic Success

“It’s right on track with where we need to go. It’s a creative model that will bring real services to all economic sectors, including small retail. The organization is grounded by a philosophy of openness, partnership and accountability. It reflects a new and positive direction for Manistee.”

Nancy Goodwin, Co-Owner
Goody’s Juice and Java

“The responsiveness of this organization has been outstanding. I considered locating my new business in different communities and Manistee just simply out shined all the others. This organization’s team worked hard to provide incentives, business development services and just overall service that was second to none… and when deciding where to locate a business, these are the factors that matter the most.”

Jeri McKeon, New Prospective Business Owner
Bad Dog Security Systems, Inc.

“The new economic development strategy and the people involved have already been of great help to Filer Township. They have assisted us in the review of the proposed Ethanol manufacturing facility and in gaining a better understanding of the impacts of large retail developments in our township.

Jim Espvik, Supervisor
Charter Township of Filer

“The new organization has enabled us to obtain grants and proceed with our work without the cost and time of forming our own 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit organization. It is an efficient model that provides needs based services to support our entire economy.”

Mike Acton, Chair
Portage Lake Watershed Forever Steering Committee

“Even before the Alliance was formally established, they helped link us and our students to two important Manistee manufacturers that will support our model for providing student credit and experience in the real world of work. The Alliance is an organization focused on results that support success and prosperity at many different levels.”

Cameron Clark, Director
CASMAN Academy

	Area Data Business Resources Commercial Property Business Sectors Quality of Life News & Events Archives Newsletter Calendar About Us	News & Events Oct. 1, 2007 - Alliance for Economic Success Announced Contact: Renee’ Ihlenfeldt Alliance for Economic Success 231-723-4325 Or Beth McCarthy Chair, Alliance for Economic Success 231-723-4325 For Immediate Release ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, INC. ANNOUNCED: MANISTEE COUNTY PROSPERITY IS THEIR BUSINESS Manistee, Michigan – Out with the old and in with the new is the name of the game today in Manistee County with the changing of the name of its Economic Development Office to the Alliance for Economic Success, a final step in re-engineering an organization which has “Prosperity” for Manistee County as its vision. “The Alliance for Economic Success was selected as the name for the organization after a very deliberate, thoughtful process was completed, to brand an organization that has economic well-being and quality of life as it’s primary missions,” said Renee’ Ihlenfeldt, Executive Director of the organization. Ihlenfeldt said that the process to re-engineer the organization included a national best-practices assessment of other county economic development organizations and over 43 stakeholder meetings. “We felt that the name change reflects the new organization, the times and the need for change in Manistee County,” said Jim Reithel, General Manager for Martin Marietta operations in Manistee, chair for the Manistee Manufacturers’ Council and member of the governing body of the Alliance for Economic Success. “We need to set and measure goals that relate directly to the economic success of businesses, families and organizations in Manistee County. And many of those successes can only be accomplished through alliances involving businesses and organizations. The Alliance for Economic Success will be Manistee County’s hub for building those partnerships and the successes that come with them.” “The vision of the organization is simple and concise – it’s Prosperity,” said Beth McCarthy, chair of the governing body that will guide the organization. “Prosperity is a term that can mean different things to businesses, organizations, families and individuals. Our job is to have an instrumental role in achieving prosperity county-wide and that will be achieved by customizing our services to meet the needs of those we work with.” Ihlenfeldt said that the organization has three missions and that progress has been made toward all three: 1. Business Retention and Growth. Be the recognized leader in retaining businesses and jobs and in expanding and attracting business in the county. Examples of progress include: Revision and consolidation of the county’s marketing plan for its Renaissance Zones. This work brought new development and jobs to the County Renaissance Zone that enabled the City to convert a $1 million loan with the State of Michigan into a grant. Working with individual businesses that are considering locating in Manistee County. Ihlenfeldt said that a number of new businesses have either located in the county or are seriously considering locating in the county as a result of the Alliance’s process of “team selling.” Collaborative retention visits to Manistee County businesses that include participation by state economic development experts. The beginning of a process on September 6 to assess the full economic potential of properties surrounding Manistee Lake, including the potential relocation of rail infrastructure to better serve area manufacturers. Providing business leadership and administration for a collaborative effort with Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health to assist people who are recovering from mental illness develop micro-business opportunities. 2. Manistee Economic Development Cornerstones. Assist as a facilitator to support the cornerstones of Manistee’s economy, including county strategies and programs involving education and training, health and human services, infrastructure and housing. Examples of initiatives include: Coordinating support for the dredging of Manistee’s deep water port. Serving as facilitator for the City of Manistee’s Strategic Plan Serving as facilitator for a new plan for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Development of a partnership with an organization that may provide an alternative source of financial capital for business development and expansion 3. Resource Development. Support the development of financial and human resources to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in Manistee County. Examples of progress include: Writing successful grants of over $100,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan Economic Development Corporation to assess the economic potential of property abutting Manistee Lake. Overseeing grants in collaboration with the Manistee County Community Foundation to support a variety of county-wide needs, including those identified through the Envision Manistee County visioning initiative. Examples include grants to: develop a county-wide recreation plan; develop the watershed plan for Portage Lake; develop a county-wide septic ordinance Delivering training programs for county businesses involving topics like selling over the internet and others. Development of an “E-News” information service that now provides information about the county’s economic well being and quality of life to over 1,000 individuals and organizations. Developing a grant to fund design of the City of Manistee’s beaches. Pursuit of grants to strengthen recreational access to the county’s fishery, with Manistee County recognized as being at the heart of the $4 billion Great Lakes sport fishery. The Alliance for Economic Success is located at 11 Cypress Street in Manistee. Alliance governing body includes: Beth McCarthy (Chair) representing small business; Mitch Deisch, representing the City of Manistee; Glenn Lottie, County Commissioner, representing Manistee County; Jim Reithel, General Manager of Operations for Martin Marietta representing the Manistee Manufacturers Council; and Doug Parkes, representing the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). In addition to Ihlenfeldt, Betsy Keson serves as Administrative Assistant for the organization. The Alliance for Economic Success’ team is rounded out with contractors, who provide services based on specific expertise needed to meet organization goals. Deborah Nale provides consultant services as the Income Development Specialist for the micro-business initiative. Laura Heintzelman contracts to provide resource development services including grant writing and grant writing consultation services to community members. Consultant Tim Ervin provides facilitation services to advance Manistee County’s cornerstone programs involving education and training, health and human services and development of organizational strategies. Questions or more information about the Alliance for Economic Success can be directed to: Alliance for Economic Success 11 Cypress Street Manistee, Michigan 49660 PH: 231-723-4325 Telefax: 231-723-1515 Email: rihlenfeldt@manistee.com or bkeson@manistee.com Website: www.allianceforeconomicsuccess.com What Other People are saying about the Alliance for Economic Success “It’s right on track with where we need to go. It’s a creative model that will bring real services to all economic sectors, including small retail. The organization is grounded by a philosophy of openness, partnership and accountability. It reflects a new and positive direction for Manistee.” Nancy Goodwin, Co-Owner Goody’s Juice and Java “The responsiveness of this organization has been outstanding. I considered locating my new business in different communities and Manistee just simply out shined all the others. This organization’s team worked hard to provide incentives, business development services and just overall service that was second to none… and when deciding where to locate a business, these are the factors that matter the most.” Jeri McKeon, New Prospective Business Owner Bad Dog Security Systems, Inc. “The new economic development strategy and the people involved have already been of great help to Filer Township. They have assisted us in the review of the proposed Ethanol manufacturing facility and in gaining a better understanding of the impacts of large retail developments in our township. Jim Espvik, Supervisor Charter Township of Filer “The new organization has enabled us to obtain grants and proceed with our work without the cost and time of forming our own 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit organization. It is an efficient model that provides needs based services to support our entire economy.” Mike Acton, Chair Portage Lake Watershed Forever Steering Committee “Even before the Alliance was formally established, they helped link us and our students to two important Manistee manufacturers that will support our model for providing student credit and experience in the real world of work. The Alliance is an organization focused on results that support success and prosperity at many different levels.” Cameron Clark, Director CASMAN Academy
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Alliance for Economic Success · 1361 US 31 South, Manistee, MI 49660 · Phone: 231.723.4325