Commissioners Question Value of Economic Development Group

An economic development organization in Emmet County has come under scrutiny by the county board of commissioners after questions were raised about whether the county sees enough of a return on its roughly $86,000 annual investment. The board of commissioners ultimately decided to approve funding for next year for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, during its budget approval meeting Thursday, December 18, but has decided it will dole out the funding quarterly and place the unused money in a contingency fund, releasing it throughout the year as certain goals are met by the alliance.

Commissioners debated whether the alliance is producing tangible results for economic development in the area, and whether cutting the funding completely would further hinder the process.

Board chairman Jim Tamlyn said this is a difficult time to judge an organization dedicated to economic growth, and suggested more information is needed from the organization.

- Petoskey News-Review

Gaylord Chain Store Expects To Offer 300 Jobs

A new Meijer store under construction at Gaylord is expected to offer between 300 and 400 jobs when the store opens this spring, and people interested in employment are being advised by the company to apply online on the supermarket chain's Web site (www.meijer.com).

With the new store being the first in the chain in this area, store officials don't expect many transfer requests from existing Meijer employees at other locations, and say most of the jobs will be filled locally. The next nearest store is in Traverse City.

Stockers, cashiers, and management positions will be among jobs offered.

This is one of three new stores in the state to be opened by the chain.

Landscaping and parking lot work have been completed and construction crews have now moved inside the store.

The cost of the development is around $15 million.

- Gaylord Herald Times

600 Families To Receive Christmas Food Baskets

About $10,000 worth of food and money were donated to the Kiwanis Club Christmas basket program in the Gaylord area this year, and will feed about 600 needy families. Thirty volunteers packed food baskets Thursday, December 18, for distribution throughout the area.

- Gaylord Herald Times