2024 marked NLEA’s 40th year as an economic development organization. In May 2024, NLEA began a six-month strategic planning process to guide the organization’s structure, services, and development over the next three years. This process, led by an outside consultant, engaged more than 250 community and business leaders through surveys, feedback sessions, roundtable discussions, and interviews to identify economic development priorities for the region and how the NLEA should tackle these priorities. This feedback shaped a final strategic plan for the NLEA that was adopted by our Board of Directors in late 2024, with implementation beginning in 2025.
Mission
Our mission is to drive economic resiliency in the NLEA region by ensuring the resources, infrastructure, and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity.
Vision
The NLEA region will have a thriving and resilient economy with a robust business environment that provides a diversity of family-sustaining career opportunities; an abundance of natural beauty; and an exceptional quality of life that allows all residents and future generations to prosper.
Strategic Plan Goals
Leadership
Lead a comprehensive economic development strategy that builds greater economic resiliency for the region.
Opportunity
Grow diverse and year-round economic opportunity through targeted business retention, growth, and attraction efforts.
Place
Advance infrastructure and development efforts that support the current and future diverse needs of our region’s workforce and employers.
People
Elevate regional opportunities and implement new initiatives to attract and retain talent.
We like to extend a very special thank you to the Cheboygan County Community Foundation and the Fund for the Community of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation whose generous support ensured a successful and comprehensive community engagement process and final strategic plan.
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