State officials in Mt. Pleasant Monday to hear what economic impact communities need to see in order to thrive.
A roundtable of business and community leaders met with the director of the Labor and Economic Opportunity office to explain the needs of the area and give their opinions on federal COVID relief money plans.
State officials have been having these kind of meetings across the state in different communities as listening sessions. To hear what the local communities need when it comes to economic growth and what they are facing. It sounds like in Mt. Pleasant, like it is in many places, it’s all about people.
“Anything we do needs to also have a solution for our rural communities,” said Susan Corbin, director of LEO.
Michigan has billions in federal COVID relief money it has to spend and has yet to do it. So in the meantime, Corbin is going to the communities to hear what struggles they have, specifically people to live and work there.
“Issues that local companies are having like hiring employees and getting them to stay,” said James McBryde, president and CEO of the Mid-Michigan Development Corporation.
A problem that is unique to towns like Mt. Pleasant is the local college. Last week, 9&10 News reported Central Michigan University has seen an enrollment drop of 43% in the past decade. That’s 11,000 fewer students shopping and working around town. That’s an issue the business community deals with but can’t fix themselves.
“There’s no simple solution but I know Central is doing everything they can to attract more students,” said McBryde.
The business leaders can list off all their issues but ultimately it’s on the legislature to decide what money goes where.
“We’re telling them that it’s important, that they share this information,” said Corbin, “They share their thoughts with their local elected officials.”
And make sure the money is spent wisely and seen in every community, not just the big ones.
“I think everything wants these dollars to be spent very wisely,” said Corbin, “You know they want these dollars to be as impactful as they absolutely can be.”
Corbin said one of the things she has heard directly out of these listening sessions, that really hit home, is that they want to be able to look back 50 years from now and know that this money was spent well and the investment is still being seen.
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