ESCANABA — I recently was given a presentation on population trends comparing the State of Michigan, the UP & Delta County. A category called “Domestic Migration” really caught my eye. We have worked really hard sharing our story looking to attract and retain talent in Delta County. Based on the charts from 2021 -2023, our strategy is working. Delta County has had three consecutive years of positive Domestic Migration, meaning we are attracting more residents from other states or counties than we are losing. We are bucking the trend for the same timeframe for the state, as it is losing more residents than it attracts from other states. We all know what a great place Delta County and the U.P. is to live, work and play. It is evident that others are seeing the opportunity here and want that great quality of life.

The Chamber’s Business After Hours events have started for the 2025 season. It is a great program to shine the spotlight on your business and show the community why you are special. This past Wednesday we had an opportunity to see all of the changes Debi and Chris Haley have made to their building creating the Haley Station Wedding & Event Venue. I had not been in the former one-time home of the Station Bar & Grill for many years. I did play softball for the bar in 1978 before moving away from the area, so I had some experience in the establishment. Debi and Chris are the perfect example of what we are trying to do. We have someone that wanted to move back to the area from another part of the country, invested in a business location and have created something that will add value to the area. The BAH event at Haley Station was well attended and everyone left impressed by the changes they have made. The next Business After Hours event will be on April 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Escanaba Country Club. If you have not been to a BAH event in a while or ever, you should make it a point to come out and see the sponsor business. It is always a very good networking opportunity for you as well.

After the Escanaba Country Club opens its doors to all that would like to attend the next BAH event, they and all of our local golf courses will start their seasons with the many charity golf events that are so important to our charities. The ECC will kickoff with the 4th Annual Soo Line Steam Engine Golf Scramble on May 29h. The funds raised will help keep an important part of our area’s history alive and well, as they continue the upkeep and maintenance of the steam engine parked along the highway in Gladstone. The following week will bring the Delta County Chamber Golf Classic to the Escanaba Country Club on June 5. The Chamber event has a long tradition of fun and camaraderie, while helping support a great organization. I hope you can make the events or some others during the season.

Great new projects in Delta County continue to make it to the finish line. Friday we had the dedication of the Daniel J. Kobasic Memorial Welding Center at the Delta Schoolcraft ISD. It is a state of the art training facility that has made the ISD welding program more efficient and effective. The outlook of giving more of our young people career options that will bring them long-term success with an opportunity to stay in the area is a welcome sight. I hope to see you at the many events on the calendar for 2025.

Best wishes.

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Ed Legault is the executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance