Christopher Germain

It is exciting to be writing my first Mining Journal column as CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership; returning to the U.P. – in particular Marquette County – has been a personal goal for over a decade. I am grateful to the LSCP Board and staff for putting their trust in me to serve as CEO and I look forward to the successes, challenges, and growth the upcoming months and years will bring for Marquette County and the LSCP.

As a Northern Michigan University Alum (BA in Public Administration, minor in Communications), I have actively sought a path that would lead me back to Marquette County. I am more than thrilled to be given this opportunity. It makes me wonder if there is more we can do together to keep people here and/or provide them with an opportunity to return.

Since I left Marquette County I have gained experience in community and economic development as a senior planner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, regulatory affairs as a planner with the Ohio EPA, and politics and legislative affairs running campaigns and working at the Ohio State House. My time at the MEDC included providing community development support to over 100 communities in Michigan, including all Upper Peninsula communities.

Community development is economic development, that used to be a bold statement in the past. Even so, the past few years have shown that statement to be truer than ever. Thriving businesses need thriving communities and vice versa. To help our area thrive, the LSCP must continue to be engaged in conversations on issues such as housing, childcare, transportation, municipal financial stability, and more. On that front, I appreciate the work Sarah Lucas, former LSCP CEO, did to get LSCP involved in community development this past year. As well as all the years Amy Clickner, former LSCP CEO for 23 years, dedicated to building LSCP into the well-respected organization it is today.

Speaking of the LSCP’s organizational history, I have two updates to share with you today.

First, the LSCP staff is now officially moved into our new office space. We’ve joined several other economic development organizations in the new collaboration space on the 2nd floor of the Kaufman Building (101 W. Washington Street) in downtown Marquette. Being in this new space allows staff access to newer office amenities and opens the door for natural collaboration with other economic development organizations including Northern Initiatives, Invest UP, NMU, and Innovate Marquette. We are still settling into the new space, but look forward to inviting our partners and stakeholders to the space for meetings and events soon.

Outside of the move, LSCP staff have been hard at work on our 22nd Annual Golf Outing taking place on June 16 at Greywalls Golf Course. Aside from helping ensure LSCP has the resources to continue providing valuable services to our businesses, communities, and partner organizations, the outing is a premiere networking opportunity. If you haven’t already registered to join us, you can still do so by calling 906.226.6591.

I look forward to sharing more updates with you about the work LSCP is doing with our businesses, communities, and partner organizations. In the meantime, if you see me around the county, please say hello. I am excited to begin meeting many more LSCP partners in the coming days, weeks, and months so we can all continue to work together toward a more prosperous Marquette County.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Christopher Germain is the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s CEO.