The Lake Superior Community Partnership is in the second phase of its application
MARQUETTE -- You may have heard the term "accreditation" as it refers to education, but did you know business communities can be accredited, too? Well, one U.P. county is very close to obtaining that bragging right.
With the state's high unemployment rates and low census figures, Michigan communities are a tough sell as a place to do business. And the U.P. has its own challenges. Our remote location and small population can deter businesses from setting up shop.
The Lake Superior Community Partnership is in the second phase of obtaining accreditation from the International Economic Development Corporation, or I.E.D.C. They're hoping that will validate Marquette County as a place where businesses can thrive.
"It's a pretty big designation; there's only 29 so far in the country, and it will give us a lot of clout if nothing else," said Kahlea Berry, LSCP.
"It takes a very detailed look at the procedures and policies within an economic development organization and compares those with other organizations in other parts of the country," says Lois Ellis, also of the LSCP.
Marquette County works to maintain a balance of small, locally-owned businesses, as well as big box stores, not only to meet different consumer needs, but to make the area a destination for U.P. residents.
"When you have some of these larger stores, it kind of validates the demographics that are in your area and perhaps other types of projects will notice that," Ellis says.
The LSCP has spent the last six months filing pages of paperwork for the accreditation; now it's time to show off our community to reps from the IEDC.
The visit will take place in Marquette County next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The LSCP isn't quite sure how long after that they'll find out whether they've been accredited, but they're hoping it's soon.
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