The Community Growth Fellowship is a 15-month, full-time professional opportunity for individuals eager to make a difference in Michigan’s local economies. Fellows are placed with local governments, nonprofits, and coalitions across the state to help design and implement strategies that drive economic resilience, workforce development, small business growth, and inclusive community planning. The selected fellow will be based on-site at the Huron County Economic Development Corporation in Bad Axe, Michigan.

Michigan’s economy is changing rapidly as communities across the state adapt to shifts in utility, manufacturing, and workforce needs. To help local leaders navigate these transitions and plan for long-term prosperity, LEO launched this new initiative to strengthen local economies, support workers, and prepare communities for the future. This gives Huron County a major opportunity to build on our county’s strengths while planning for sustainable, inclusive growth.

A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is only as strong as the people it represents. Data and research provide critical context, but it’s the voices of residents, business owners, volunteers, municipal leaders, and local officials that ground the plan in reality. These sessions gave us the chance to hear directly from those who live, work, and invest in Huron County every day.

Placemaking is a people-centered approach to planning, designing, and managing public spaces. It involves collaboration with community members to transform underutilized areas into vibrant, welcoming places that reflect the local identity; think parks, festivals, public art, or even trash cans in a downtown corridor. When done well, placemaking strengthens community ties, stimulates economic activity, and enhances the quality of life for residents.

EGLE introduced Scenario-Based Planning, a process designed to support decision-making in both the short and long term. This approach helps urban and rural planners navigate the uncertainty of the future, particularly the challenges posed in coastal communities. With water conditions often shifting in unpredictable ways, it’s critical for coastal leaders to be prepared.

In a historic first, Samantha Schnettler, Executive Director of the Huron County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC), was honored with two statewide awards at the Michigan Economic Developers Association’s (MEDA) Annual Meeting in Holland, Michigan. MEDA has never before presented two awards to the same individual in a single year, underscoring the exceptional impact of Schnettler’s leadership and achievements.

The Elkton DDA has an overarching goal of establishing a positive economic environment for residents and businesses, and works to accomplish three objectives

1. Improve the quality of life for residents

2. Improve the appearance of the district

3. Business development 

With the kickoff of our planning process for the new comprehensive economic development strategy, we are eager to build our collaborative efforts to foster economic vitality, support local businesses, encourage sustainable growth, and enhance quality of life across Huron County.  

This program is tailored to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and startups that are within their first two years of business. It's open to businesses located in Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), through funding provided by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), is seeking qualified firms or individuals to conduct a comprehensive county-wide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure assessment. This project is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP). SEP provides grants to states to support the adoption and implementation of energy waste reduction and renewable energy strategies.

This assessment will focus on three key objectives: modeling future demand for EV charging, identifying optimal sites for charging station installation, and outlining potential funding sources to support implementation

Scenario-based planning is a framework that allows coastal communities to engage in creative visioning for the future around which the community can plan. Scenario-based planning allows for adaptive, resilient planning because it plots different future narratives against each other.

The  Huron County Economic Development Corporation has been awarded $50,050.00 through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)’s Community Energy Management Program to conduct an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Assessment across the county.

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation is proud to share a valuable opportunity for local businesses interested in expanding through government contracting. On Tuesday, July 8, East Michigan APEX Accelerator will be hosting walk-in office hours at the Bad Axe Area District Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!

Huron County is embarking on the creation of a dedicated economic development strategy and has selected TPMA to lead the process. TPMA is a national leader in economic development strategy, adept at helping communities develop and implement proven, data-informed solutions to help them reach their full economic potential. This comprehensive planning effort will establish a framework for the Huron County Economic Development Council to facilitate economic vitality, sustainable growth, community impact, and the support local businesses need to thrive. 

“Mental health care should be accessible to everyone, no matter where you live. Whether you're in a rural area with limited resources or a city with fast-paced demands, you deserve compassionate, quality support.”

Attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch while hearing directly from representatives across multiple levels of business support—from local development teams to state and federal agencies. This informal yet informative gathering gave participants insight and support programs designed to help businesses expand, innovate, and thrive in today’s world

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation is seeking proposals from qualified consultants or firms to provide strategic site readiness support services. The selected consultant will assist in creating an inventory of development-ready sites in Huron County, using nationally recognized criteria to evaluate site readiness.

This exclusive event offers business owners and CEOs an overview of key resources for growth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to access valuable tools for scaling and thriving in today’s market. Space is limited, RSVP today.

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to

conduct an economic impact study for the proposed Century Oaks Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The study will assess the project's economic, fiscal, and employment impacts on the community and region,

using the IMPLAN modeling system (or similar).