Looking back on 2023, Lenawee Now was pleased to be part of 2 start-ups, 1 business attraction, and 5 business expansions. The past year inspires a great deal of gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who came together to find solutions for preparing the next generation for today’s in-demand vocations, helping both small and large businesses improve their operations, and developing some impactful ways to bring the community together.
The year started in partnership with Junior Achievement for the CEO Challenge. Through this 6-week program, students explored entrepreneurship and learned beneficial life skills through the opportunity to develop an idea and pitch it to a panel of judges. At the event kick-off, students were able to hear from current entrepreneurs and create ideas on a small scale. For the next six weeks, individuals from local schools formed teams and learned how to write business plans, analyze the market, and pitch an offer. Participants presented their plans to a panel of judges at a final competition.
To develop more training and educational opportunities for the county’s youth. Educators and employers came together to discuss the state of employment in Lenawee at the Hot Jobs Summit. Pat Farver, Lenawee Now’s Executive Director, noted that the future job market would expand by 11.9 million openings by 2030. He further discussed the increasing demand for workers in the leisure/hospitality industries, the future of electric vehicles, and how to best prepare the workforce considering these unfolding.
In May, the Lenawee Economic Club Luncheon brought over 60 people together. Stephanie Ludwig, from the University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute, spoke on resources for businesses and the electric vehicle industry. The institute worked with a plethora of different businesses. Company executives across Lenawee were able to learn about the resources available to them.
Fare and Pair provided another opportunity for the community to come together. The Event was put on in partnership with the Lenawee Now Winery Collaborative and Visit Lenawee. Fare and Pair promoted local wineries and brought people to Lenawee from across the region. Patrons to sample different courses of food and wines at Pentamere, Flying Otter, Chateau Areonautique, and Cherry Creek Cellars wineries.
Efforts to bolster Lenawee’s workforce and businesses provided some fruitful results throughout the summer. Starting in June, Lenawee Now worked collaboratively with the Launch Lenawee Program, held by the Adrian Armory. The program took place starting in late June. Entrepreneurs start with a business idea and create a business plan by analyzing the competition, finding their target market, analyzing price strategies, and much more. Currently, the Launch Lenawee graduates are thriving in the community. Lenawee Now pleased is to have the opportunity to participate and offer our expertise
On July 27th, Lenawee Now partnered with Siena Heights University, Wacker, and other companies from around Lenawee County to celebrate National Intern Day. # Interns from the Lenawee County region toured some of the amazing recreational opportunities Lenawee has to offer, including hiking in Hidden Lake Gardens and making art at Adrian Center for the Arts. This demonstrated reasons to work in Lenawee after graduation. Pat Farver described the community, and how people know and care about their fellow residents, noting there were some great things to do in Lenawee and many opportunities in metropolitan areas within a reasonable driving distance.
In the fall, we were excited to work on various initiatives in the manufacturing field, including Manufacturing Day,
Additionally, Lenawee Now worked to launch initiatives to help companies increase output and reduce costs. Through partnerships with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) and Automation Alley, The Industry 4.0 Technology Showcase was held in Lenawee County. This event was designed to help Lenawee’s manufacturers assess areas for improvement, including efficiency, and to help them find the necessary tools and funding for becoming an effective facility. According to Chuck Werner Manager of Operational Excellence for the MMTC: “Automation can be used to fill the dull, dirty, or dangerous jobs that manufacturers struggle to find the associates to fill. And the use of data, and analytics can tie shop floor performance directly to the financial results of the business, allowing leaders at all levels of the business to see where they should be investing and spending their time,” We hope to continue these efforts into 2024.
For the final event of the year, Lenawee provided the region an opportunity to network and learn valuable insights from author, speaker, and executive coach, John U. Bacon. Bacon has worked with companies like Microsoft, Google, and Ford Motor, and has an extensive background in sports journalism, contributing to outlets like The New York Times and ESPN.
Nearly 200 attended his keynote speech. Event sponsors were also treated to a VIP lunch and exclusive leadership training with Bacon. The keynote address drew a diverse audience from Lenawee County, including students from various educational institutions. Bacon shared his transformative experiences coaching the Huron High School hockey team.
Looking forward to 2024, Lenawee Now is excited to create more initiatives and opportunities for a stronger and more prosperous Lenawee.