If the plans produced by the Economic Development Corporation of Cass County pan out, the business community there should have a greater voice in the future direction of overall economic development plans throughout the county.
That stronger voice for the existing business community is a key target of the recent vote to establish a 501(c)6, non-profit organization which will allow area business leaders to be more actively engaged in the economic development needs of Cass County. That new organization will fly the flag of The Business Partnership of Cass County, Michigan .
The decision to advance along this path is the result of multiple hours of strategic planning, research and discussion by dozens of community and business leaders that actually started fully two years ago in 2015. The move announced today was made to “better reflect the role that the organization will play in the community in the future,” and allows the business community that greater voice in the future direction of the county.
Troy Clay is Chairman of the Economic Development Corporation of Cass County. He says, “The changes were necessary to better serve our goals and overall mission. The new name and the new organizational structure, is really our way of saying that we are committed to a true public/private, community-wide partnership for the benefit of the long-term economic success in all of Cass County.” Clay adds, “Focusing on the core service areas that make a business community strong gives us the best opportunity to make a positive, notable impact across all facets of the Cass County economy. We are excited about the impact this initiative will have on both the quality of living and doing business in Cass County.”
The new organization will rely heavily on a committee structure to help deliver positive results in a few key areas of economic development. The committees will assist the organization in understanding how best to address topics such as Business Retention & Growth, Education & Talent Retention/Recruitment, and Quality of Place. After the board of directors is formed, they will determine what additional topics need to be addressed countywide.
Karen Folks is Cass County Administrator and a Board Member of the EDC of Cass County. She says, “This is the next step for us in continuing to implement the strategy that was laid out in 2015-16. It is about a shift in how the businesses and our area communities focus our economic development efforts and resources to improve prosperity for our entire community.” Folks adds, “This evolution is a reflection of how this community can take a more holistic, inclusive, and collaborative approach to economic development.”
Additional paperwork must be completed at the state and federal level to garner the official 501(c)6 status, however work is underway to connect with, and communicate this new direction to, area businesses and their leadership, as well as develop a tentative slate of candidates who will serve as the initial board of directors. Business and community leaders are encouraged to contact Troy Clay to indicate any interest in serving on the 17-member board being established. Stay tuned.
