Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood is making an effort to establish one-on-one relationships with businesses.
Community development director Michael Brown said Friday while many communities focus economic development activities on attracting new businesses, it’s just as important to retain existing businesses.
“They already have an invested interest in the community and are important to the strength and character of a community and its economy,” he said in announcing the new program.
The city has been broken up into economic development zones and each member of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority, Ironwood Economic Development Corporation and the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation has been assigned a zone.
Each member is then responsible for carrying out the program for his or her zone.
They will meet with owners and managers of the businesses in their zones at least once per year, Brown said.
“The purpose of the meetings is to learn more about the business and how the city can assist the business,” Brown said.
The visits will also allow the city representatives to inform the business people about current programs and assistance available through the city’s website.
Brown said data collected from the visits to the businesses will assist the city by:
—Stronger relationships between the city and the business community.
—Providing contact information to assist in the event of an emergency.
—Assisting the city with understanding operations of the business to determine if there are any opportunities available through financial assistance.
—Allowing the business to list commercial/industrial properties for sale/lease through the city’s on-line site selector/real estate finder program at no cost.
—Including the business in an on-line business directory through the city’s website.
—Providing informational emails regarding business programs and events.
For more information, Brown may be contacted at his office in the Memorial Building, 932-5050.
—Ralph Ansami
