BARAGA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Baraga Economic Development Corporation held its annual community update dinner on Wednesday evening. Among the topics discussed were a declining workforce population, affordable housing, and the role of R-1 research universities, like Michigan Tech.
The consensus among attendees is that Baraga County is in good shape, so says the chairperson for the Baraga County Economic Development Corporation, Mark Massicotte, saying the community’s buy-in is cause for optimism.
“When we think about investments. Everyone in this room is investing time. Some people can invest money, but we get energy from our whole community, and that’s one of the things that we really value in our area,” said Baraga County EDC Chair Mark Massicotte.
The event afforded residents and business owners the opportunity to hear updates on local economic progress and share business strategies. The keynote address was given by InvestU.P. CEO Marty Fittante, who has concerns over the dwindling workforce, low birthrates, and an aging population. Baraga County is losing working-age people faster than it is gaining
“And that real issue is what’s going on with the loss of that prime-aged working population and the aging of our workforce,” said InvestU.P. CEO Marty Fittante.
But there is good news. Unemployment is down. Major manufacturers are choosing to expand rather than leave, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian community is chipping away at some of the area’s shortcomings. They were recognized for a new housing project in L’anse that was named Project of the Year. The venture will make affordable pre-construction housing lots that are ready to build on available for lease to tribal members.
“The goal of that was to lay infrastructure for those homeowners, new homeowners, who were made to understand, you know, how hard that part of a housing project is. So having that in place really reduces cost for families and allows, you know, an easier process to own a home,” said Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham, CEO of The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
Wth an expected budget shortfall of over a billion dollars, Fittante says help from the state of Michigan will be a challenge, and is by no means to be counted on.
“So, for us to think that we’re going to get the same type of resources out of the state in the near term, I think, is a non-starter.
Fittante also warned business leaders and public officials to be mindful of what they say on social media. He said that disparaging remarks about our region are counter productive to economic prosperity.
