Business Development MMDC to provide EDC services to Gladwin County

“This is a great opportunity to provide economic development services to Gladwin County in coordination with our other activities acress Middle Michigan,” stated Jim McBryde, President and CEO of Middle Michigan Development Corporation. “We look foward to serving another rural county and connecting with valuable resources to create a more resilient environment for the communities and the residents located across our growing service area.”

MMDC has worked closely with Glawin County’s team of economic leaders for many years. After Bob Balzer left the role as EDC Director for Gladwin County in 2021, the county began contemplating a different structure. Matt Lang, the current Director of Gladwin County Economic Development Corporation, will spread his time between supporting Michigan Works! Region 7B and being the boots on the ground for Gladwin County economic development efforts.

“This feels like a natural evolution for our county,” notes Scott Govitz, Chairman of the Gladwin County EDC. “Not only does this maintain a clear point of contact for economic development work, someone who lives and works in Gladwin County, but it expands services through the added support of the entire MMDC team and puts us on the map with regional partners.”

TheMiddle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) has formally entered into a contractual agreement with Gladwin County. This contract will allow MMDC to provide economic development services on behalf of the county and will expand its coverage area beyond its current oversight for Clare, Isabella, and Osceola counties.

Gladwin County Chamber of Commerce

989.426.5451 • gladwincountychamber.org

Business development organization & visitor information

City of Beaverton

989.435.9343 • beavertonmi.org

City services

City of Gladwin

Chris Shannon, City Administrator

989.426.9231 • gladwin.org

City services

Gladwin County, population just over 25,000, features over 20 major manufacturers, including Saint-Gobain, Brown Machine, Roll-Rite, and Loose Plastics, all of which will be important conntection points for MMDC as it extends its services into the county.

“Economic Development isn’t constrained by county lines,” explains McBryde. “At Middle Michigan Development Corporation, we’ve invested in rural communities for years. For our communities, economic growth and success have more to do with synergies that emerge from collaborations and shared support than from isolation or exclusion. By expanding our reach into new rural areas, we will be better equipped to support every community within our middle Michigan service area.”

Beaverton Downtown Development Authority

989.435.9343 • beavertonmi.org

Downtown development planning

Gladwin Downtown Development Authority

Chris Shannon, City Administrator

989.426.9231 • gladwin.org

Downtown development planning

Gladwin County EDC & Michigan Works! Region 7B

Matthew Lang, Director 989.426.8571 • michworks4u.org

Government development & employment agencies

Small Business Development CenterMid Michigan

Anthony Fox, Director 989.317.4623 • sbdc@midmich.edu

Free and low-cost business consulting

Gladwin Zettel Memorial Airport in Gladwin County is both a jewel for travelers and county citizens. The airport is the gateway airport to Northern and national forest land, lakes and rivers, ORV and snowmobile trails, and superb hunting and fishing spots. Your choice of new and recently remodeled motels, hotel and spa, antique shops and numerous restaurants are only one to two miles from the airport.

Three courtesy cars are available 24/7 and you are welcome to keep them for overnight use. Gladwin Zettel Memorial Airport is a major contributor to Gladwin County businesses and directly impacts a large percentage of the jobs in this county of 25,500 year-round residents. Companies often use GDW as a base to visit their locations throughout a six-county area. There are also a few ultralight aircrafts based at GDW. For those who like turf, GDW has 15/33, a 2,580’ x 150’ runway. GDW has self-serve 100LL and Jet A fuel available 24/7, and assisted/full service during regular business hours seven days per week.

GDW holds several popular fly-in breakfasts each year – in the airport pavilion – some feature WWII war birds, and rides are often available. Breakfasts often coincide with events at the Gladwin County Fairgrounds, which are located adjacent to the airport and are used throughout the year for festivities such as the antiques the county fair.