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WUPPDR earned this award for its project efforts that drive Economic Development Service Delivery (EDSD) in the Western Upper Peninsula. NADO announced the award recently as one of 115 winning projects from 32 states, with just two Michigan winners. NADO recognized WUPPDR for its use of creative funding mechanisms, efforts to create efficiencies or reduce costs, unique partnership models, and emphasis on building resilience and/or enhancing its region’s quality of life.
WUPPDR is driving the Western U.P. Prosperity Region within Michigan’s Regional Prosperity Initiative (RPI), which began in 2014 as a directive of Gov. Rick Snyder. For more information about RPI, please visit the RPI page on WUPPDR’s website. “We’re pleased and honored to earn this award,” states WUPPDR Executive Director Kim Stoker. “Our staff and our partners all have put a great deal of time and effort into our EDSD program, and it’s fantastic to have that work recognized at the national level.”
Economic Development Service Delivery is the flagship project among six separate projects being implemented by WUPPDR through RPI, and EDSD demonstrates the highest level of collaboration and partnership. “The EDSD structure created through this effort creates a strong foundation to guide the future of economic development in the region,” notes WUPPDR Regional Planner Erik Powers, who submitted WUPPDR’s winning application to NADO.
WUPPDR worked with EDSD partner organizations to present the concept to governing bodies in the six participating counties that form WUPPDR’s region (Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon). Subsequently, WUPPDR facilitated informational meetings between EDSD field staff and local stakeholders in each county. For several months, and on an ongoing basis, WUPPDR has led and participated in weekly meetings via videoconference with the EDSD partner organizations and the other two U.P. regional planning agencies.
WUPPDR is managing and routing RPI funding to Michigan Works! for part-time employment of that organization’s staff to create a physical presence for EDSD and to coordinate it on an operational level. The EDSD project is being branded by a local media mix to inform potential entrepreneurs and business owners alike that services are available at the one-stop Michigan Works! service centers to learn about any of the local, state, and federal programs available to them to assist with business startup and support.
The EDSD project supports the region’s long-term vision for growth and development by emphasizing collaboration and increased efficiency among existing organizations. Current and prospective business owners in the Western U.P. have often been unsatisfied with service offerings. These people have not known who to contact or where to go to get the help they need, nor have local government officials, who have traditionally been the first point of contact in many communities, known where to send people in need.
With EDSD, a person interested in economic development services, or the local officials s/he contacts, can go to a Michigan Works! service center in each Western U.P. county (except Keweenaw, which utilizes the Houghton County service center) and get referrals to participating organizations most appropriate for his or her needs. Employees at the Michigan Works! service centers are learning about what each participating organization offers and now are better able to refer clients to the appropriate organizations. By establishing a single point of contact, scarce program resources are being used to their maximum potential.
For 29 years, NADO’s annual Innovation Award program has honored members who have made significant impacts on their regions through innovative approaches to problem solving and program delivery. According to NADO, “these projects showcase creative approaches to regional community and economic development that strengthen regions throughout the nation”.
WUPPDR is one of eight EDSD partners. Other EDSD project partners include Michigan Works!, Northern Initiatives, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) SmartZone, and Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA).
NADO’s Innovation Award honors significant advances in community and economic development, including but not limited to small business finance, energy and infrastructure projects, housing and human services, sustainable development, workforce development, and more.
NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.
The award-winning projects will be recognized at a special reception during NADO’s 2015 Annual Training Conference, slated for October 24-27 in New Orleans. For additional information, contact NADO Program Manager Sara James at 202.624.5257 or sjames@nado.org.
