HARRISVILLE — A revival of the Alcona County Economic Development Corp. is in the works.

County Commissioner Dan Gauthier brought forward the idea of reviving the EDC. Gauthier told commissioners he had discussed the idea with county board https://www.thealpenanews.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#edit_timestampChairman Craig Johnston.

“Over the last six months, Craig and I have been talking about trying to get the EDC committee and board back up and running again, even though we serve as (the EDC) right now,” he said.

Gauthier said the county’s previous economic development group went dormant after it ran out of funding and that an EDC hasn’t been operational for at least five years. He said county commissioners have been filling in where they can, but that there should be a designated group available to help individuals who want to do business in the county.

He said the county needs some group that’s available to promote the county, to know what properties are available, to answer questions prospective business owners may have, and to guide them through the process of launching an Alcona County establishment.

Gauthier said he has been in touch with Lindsey Gardner, government and public policy educator with the Michigan State University Extension, who will lead a seminar in Grayling later this month about opportunity zones, economically distressed areas that may be eligible for tax breaks.

Gauthier said Gardner agreed to speak with commissioners after the meeting. A group of 10 citizens interested in serving on the county EDC board would come along.

He said they would get more information about how to structure the county’s first informal EDC meeting.

Gauthier asked fellow commissioners if they would consider using $200 from the county’s EDC fund to take the group out to dinner.

Commissioner Carolyn Brummund the trip is something commissioners would usually chip in money to pay for. Despite her concerns, Brummund said she would rather allocate $300 from the fund, in case the bill should come in just over $200.

County board Vice Chairman Adam Brege also expressed his support for the meeting.

“I think this is a unique situation where we’re trying to rebirth our EDC Board, and I think it’s a worthy cause to use some of the money to do that,” he said.

Brege said having an EDC board would help commissioners shape policy based on the opinion of local businessmen.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.