The need to generate new jobs, retain businesses, and create more employment to strengthen the community has spurred renewed interest in economic development by the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners.

After listening to residents' suggestions that included creating antique malls in vacant downtown shops, which they say would draw tourists to St. Ignace, and the development of an industrial park with tax incentives to bring companies to town, county commissioners say they need to slow down and learn more before making any decisions or appointments to an Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which they are considering reactivating.

During a meeting Thursday, January 29, commissioners agreed they need to meet with local economic development authorities Cathi Cole, the Upper Peninsula representative with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Jeff Hagen, executive director of Eastern U.P. Regional Planning and Development Commission.

The two will talk at an exploratory economic development meeting Tuesday, February 17, at 6 p.m. at the Mackinac County Airport meeting room in St. Ignace. The meeting is open to the public. Also, resident George Ford will provide an overview of area industrial parks and Michelle Walk, director of the Michigan State University Extension office in St. Ignace, will review previous EDC projects that were on the table before county commissioners cut funding to the organization in 2005.

"I think economic development for this county is crucial," said Mr. Ford at the January 29 meeting. "We need a business in every store in town and in every town we have in the county."

Mr. Ford and his wife, Jo Ann, offered a packet containing information on economic development programs in other Michigan counties with similar characteristics. The counties including Schoolcraft, Muskegon, and Oceana. Each is involved with the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative. Administered by the federal government, the brownfield program promotes the redevelopment of abandoned industrial and commercial facilities that have environmental contamination.

The counties also have established Renaissance Zones, said Mr. Ford, which are tax-free redevelopment zones within distressed areas of a county, although specific requirements need to be met.

Also attending the county commission meeting were Linda Hudson and Frank Harness from Clark Township, Barry Adams and Dick Sterk from Naubinway, Jerry Murray from St. Ignace, and Ms. Walk.

Mr. Murray, with 30 years of business experience, offered to assist commissioners. Tourism is important to the county's economy, he said, but it also is time for commissioners to consider the quality of life for residents, which could be improved with more year-around, full-time jobs.

"My belief is for economic development for the county," he said, "not just tourism."

For the EDC to work, he said, the county needs a main purpose, and needs to have active people on the board who are willing to attend other city and township meetings to encourage support and other projects.

He suggested an industrial park be developed behind fast food restaurants on US-2 in St. Ignace.

Mr. Sterk agreed that the county needs an industrial park.

"We need year-around employment," he said, adding minimum wage jobs are not the answer.

He recommended commissioners visit Newberry, which has an industrial park and offers tax breaks to industries there.

Mrs. Ford suggested the county needs to develop a brand, something that uniquely describes the county and is aimed at a specific type of customer.

Mrs. Hudson said a five-county area already has a brand, "Great Waters," which is an initiative to market the area as a nature-tourism destination. The program still is being developed, she said. The counties include Mackinac, Chippewa, Luce, and a portion of Alger and Schoolcraft.

"We're the only place on the planet where three Great Lakes come together," Mrs. Hudson said. "What we have to sell is authentic experiences in history, nature, and culture."

A study has been completed, she said, defining visitors and potential visitors to the area - who they are, who has the time to visit here, who has the interest in what the U.P. has to offer, and who has funds to travel here.

"We are a very rural, remote area," she said. "You have to come here on purpose. Anywhere in the State of Michigan you have to come here on purpose; you are not on your way to anywhere [else] to get here."

County commissioners gave their own views on economic development.

Chair Dawn Nelson suggested that developing the EDC become the main project of the county board this year.

Commissioner Larry Leveille said the board should visit township meetings to discuss economic development.

Commissioners Calvin "Bucky" McPhee and Mike Patrick agree the county needs light industry, an industrial park, and cannot continue to solely rely on tourism for the economy.

"We've got to get this done," said Mr. Patrick. "We've got to get people working."

Commissioner Carl Frazier did not attend the meeting.

County commissioners next meet Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. in the commissioners room at the Mackinac County Courthouse annex building in St. Ignace.