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Osceola Economic Alliance
Facilitating Community & Economic Development in Osceola County, Michigan
 

HOME → ABOUT OEA → 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

   2007 Accomplishments

2007 Specific Projects 

  • Assisted Osceola County obtained a $1,617,054 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.  The grant requires no match.  It will be used to remove scrap tires from one of the largest remaining illegal scrap tire dump sites in Michigan.  

  • Assisted the Village of Marion obtain a $105,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund  grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  The grant will be used to help fund a $145,000 improvement project at the Marion Veterans Campground and Fairgrounds.

  • Served as the “local administrator” for Osceola County’s $175,000 Housing Rehabilitation, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  The CDBG was previously obtained on behalf of the County several years earlier.  In December a new $175,000 Housing Rehabilitation, CDBG request was submitted to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and is awaiting funding. 

  • Assisted the Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority obtain a $200,000 Community Wide Assessment of Petroleum Substances grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a $200,000 Community Wide Assessment grant for Hazardous Substances also from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

  • Completed a major revision to the Osceola County website.  Improvements involved both appearance and functionality.  Some of the improvements included improved navigation, the addition of downloadable forms, and comprehensive information added for several departments.

Annual Programs & Services

  • Visited manufacturers as part of the Business Retention & Expansion program (BR&E).  BR&E visits were conducted at fifteen Osceola County based manufacturing companies.  Follow-up BR&E assistance was provided on an “as needed” or “when requested” basis”.
     

  • Served as the County’s point of contact for certain housing issues.  Assistance was provided to ten individuals/families.
     

  • Provided counseling, research, referrals, and other services to sixty-two existing or start-up small businesses.  Assistance ranged from providing answers to simple questions to development of complete business plans.
     

  • Maintained the Osceola Economic Alliance website.  The website serves as a tool for both business attraction and as a resource for small businesses.  During 2007 the website had 8,821 “visits”.
     

  • Maintained the Osceola County website.  The website is a very useful tool in keeping citizens informed about Osceola County government.  During 2007 the website had 67,445 “visits”.
     

  • Provided Community Development related services to local governments and non-profits in Osceola County.  Assistance may be short-term in nature or in the form of projects long-term in duration.  Several of the projects this year included the maintenance of the Osceola County Township Association (OCTA) website, completion of the Hartwick Township Land Use Plan, and the beginning of the Hartwick Township Zoning Ordinance.

Additionally, involvement with local and regional boards is a means to further different programs within the county, learn about different programs, ensure the interests of Osceola County are considered on a regional scale, and a way to develop relationships that prove beneficial when working through thru issues or problems.  The OEA had involvement with several local and regional boards:

               West Michigan Regional Planning Commission, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee.  This  committee addresses economic development issues across a seven county region.

               Michigan Works! West Central, Workforce Development Board.  This board addresses workforce development issues across a five county area.

               LeRoy Farmers Market Committee:  This committee serves as the governing body for the LeRoy Farmers' Market. 

               Osceola County Planning Commission:  This commission is responsible for the County's Land Use Plan and for making recommendations on issues involving land use.
 

Osceola Economic Alliance
301 W. Upton ● Reed City, MI 49677
Phone: 231-832-7397 ● Fax: 231-832-3381
Email the OEA

August 21, 2008