Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

NEGAUNEE — Change is coming to the west end of Marquette County, much needed and anticipated change. After the unfortunate closure and dissolution of the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber Commerce, a familiar organization has stepped up to once again to offer small business promotions on the west end.

Lake Superior Community Partnership is up for this task. When the GINCC closed its doors for good, the membership voted to transfer all remaining assets to the LSCP and endorsed LSCP’s plans in creating new programming under an economic hub, including new services to be based out of a new office in the West End (the Hub).”

The West End Economic Hub will provide a welcoming, collaborative space for accessing on-the-ground economic development resources for businesses and communities in western Marquette County.

Staffed by the LSCP, the Hub is expected to be open least four days a week with public hours; additional hours will be offered to LSCP partners who can utilize services included in their membership.

The Hub is made possible by generous annual investments from Northern Michigan University, Nicolet Bank, and the City of Negaunee as well as a flexible sublease by the West End Health Foundation.

On a side note, I am proud that the Negaunee City Council voted to approve providing the investment needed to get the hub up and running at its most recent meeting. Much like it did with the GINCC years ago, this council understood the benefit of providing critical economic development services to west end businesses.

This exciting investment will help to inspire growth and sustainability in existing businesses; while attracting new businesses to our community. We want our current and future business owners to know Negaunee has your back!

The Hub will be based in the former GINCC building in Ishpeming. The office will be staffed by one of LSCP’s full time employees. Hub services will vary. Some services are unique to the Hub, while other standard LSCP services will be provided.

Other economic partner organizations are encouraged to continue providing their existing services and programing; providing a great opportunity for not only collaboration but a one-stop-shop for west-end users.

Some services to look forward to include: business and community development resources; 1:1 business development support; training; events including small group discussions, committee meetings ribbon cuttings, conference room rentals and networking opportunities; a business promotions wall; printing mailing labels; a community posting board and more.

Services out of the Hub will be guided by a dedicated West End Services Strategy. That strategy, developed in consultation with a newly established advisory group called the West End Advisory Council, ensures LSCP services are meeting the needs of businesses in western Marquette County.

I, for one, am very excited to see this finally happening. Although what happened to the GINCC could have been devastating to our development efforts, it is gratifying to know that there was alternative available.

Thank you to the LSCP Board and to its staff, especially Christopher Germain for the strong leadership and courage it took to take on this task.

The future of business growth and development in the west end can only to benefit from this collaboration.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Nate Heffron is city manager of the city of Negaunee.