Lenawee County
How Infrastructure Connects To Economic Development
Infrastructure is a major driver when it comes to businesses coming to Lenawee County. Manufacturing and Industry make up the largest workforce in Lenawee. Connectivity and logistics are important in terms of site selection. Any major employer looking to do business here also must consider the workforce talent and development infrastructure in the area. Other considerations are sustainable energy. Below is a breakdown of what Lenawee County has to offer and how Lenawee Now serves as an Economic Development Engine For A Better Tomorrow.
Manufacturing and Industrial Base
Manufacturing is the largest industry in Lenawee County. Roughly 20% of people that are employed in the County workin manufacturing.
For manufacturers, having access to affordable industrial land, reliable utilities, transportation and buildings ready for use is critical. Lenawee’s infrastructure (industrial parks, available sites, services) makes the county an attractive location for such firms.
Logistics And Connectivity
Lenawee County railways and roads support business and cargo movement. The Lenawee County Airport is equipped for business and general aviation. Commercial and industrial sites (industrial parks) are ready for business. Proximity to major metros and regional transport networks offers a logistical advantage for distribution, manufacturing shipping and supply-chain connectivity.
Workforce and Talent Infrastructure
Infrastructure is not all pipes and roads. As industries modernize the need for skilled labor rises. Infrastructure in areas such as training and education becomes as vital as physical infrastructure. In Lenawee, collaboration amongst educators, employers and workforce development agencies are working to close talent gaps in manufacturing, trades and other in-demand sectors.
Sustainable Energy Infrastructure
Energy infrastructure and renewable energy developments can also support industry growth.
Historically, there have been solar-array installations in the region supplying renewable energy in Lenawee County.
Such energy infrastructure investments can help support industrial and manufacturing operations, especially with the increasing energy demands of advanced manufacturing.
Lenawee Now
How to Leverage and Improve Infrastructure for Development
Lenawee Now is essentially the Economic Development Engine of the county connecting infrastructure to economic development. Lenawee Now works with strategic partners at aligning infrastructure (land, workforce, financing, site-selection) with business needs. The current strengths of infrastructure include:
Site Selection and Land/Industrial-Site Readiness
Lenawee Now maintains a “Site Selection Center” to help businesses. Whether relocating, expanding or starting up we identify prime industrial and/or commercial sites in the county. Lenawee Now highlights available industrial parks, affordable land and infrastructure readiness.
Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion
Lenawee Now actively works with local municipalities, regional partners and state agencies to attract new businesses, while supporting (through incentives and assistance) businesses already located in the county.
Workforce and Talent Pipeline Development
Lenawee Now collaborates with the school system, technical centers, employers and workforce-development agencies to develop and sustain a pipeline of skilled workers — especially for manufacturing, trades, chemicals, etc.
Financial Incentives, Grants and Financing Tools
Through programs like the county’s Business Revolving Loan Fund, the state-level incentives (e.g. tax abatements, property tax incentives for industrial/high-tech, warehousing/distribution under Michigan law) and energy-efficiency financing (e.g. via PACE in participating jurisdictions), Lenawee Now helps lower the cost and risk for businesses to build or expand in the county.
Support for Innovation and High-Growth Sectors via SmartZone Lenawee Now partners with the Adrian‑Tecumseh SmartZone to support startups, tech-driven businesses and manufacturing and or advanced-materials firms. Through SmartZone, businesses get access to facilities, site-prep, financing and networks that support growth.
Strategic Regional Partnerships
Recognizing that companies don’t locate based on county borders alone, Lenawee Now collaborates with regional development organizations, such as, the Detroit Regional Partnership, Regional Growth Partnership (which spans parts of Ohio and Michigan) and the Greater Ann Arbor Region to market Lenawee County to companies looking broadly across Southeast Michigan and beyond.
Addressing Broader Community Infrastructure Challenges
Lenawee Now recognizes that economic development is not just business, it’s about place. Their efforts (sometimes through related community-wide initiatives like One Lenawee and Housing Lenawee) include efforts to improve housing availability (redeveloping underused sites, encouraging downtown revitalization), childcare and other quality-of-life factors — which are important for attracting and retaining workers.
Contact Lenawee Now!
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