COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation from Joe Borgstrom from Place and Main Advisors of East Lansing during their Tuesday work session on an economic development strategy for the county.
The consulting firm contracted with the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance last year to work with the four cities and villages in the county, so that economic development and community marketing strategies could be developed. Economic development summits were held last summer in Coldwater, Bronson, Union City and Quincy so that those communities could become more qualified for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.
The recommendations included focusing more on higher paying jobs. Barriers to growth included transportation and the lack of available local talent.
Downtown vacancies were also a big issue in Coldwater, Bronson and Quincy.
Borgstrom said there was a general lack of awareness about the product which is Branch County. He also said there is a “flat out need” for housing across the board. As for the quality of life, Borgstrom said increasing access to the water was important especially with all of the lakes in Branch County.
