MEDC, Southwest Michigan First join forces to serve region

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Southwest Michigan First are joining forces.

 

In a move that gives the MEDC a physical presence in the region, Susan Novakoski will join Southwest Michigan First as the business development manager for the MEDC. She will cover Southwest Michigan First's expanded region which includes Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.

 

For communities that have strong economic development organizations, such as Battle Creek Unlimited in Calhoun County and Cornerstone Alliance in Berrien County, organizations which are close partners with Southwest Michigan First, those relationships are expected to grow and strengthen, says Ron Kitchen, CEO Southwest Michigan First. 

 

"By coming together in a spirit of collaboration we will each bring forward our strengths that can be amalgamated to create an even stronger region of nearly 1 million people and allow us to compete globally," Kitchens says.

 

The MEDC is realigning territories across the state to reflect Governor Snyder's plan to regionalize economic development in Michigan in an effort to better serve the region's employers, future customers and partners.

 

Novakoski's duties will center on strengthening Southwest Michigan First's and the state's relationship with primary employers in the region to foster job creation and retention efforts.

 

The collaboration will help to better serve companies for the overall economic benefit of the region and increase our ability to respond faster to their needs,  says Ron Kitchens, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Michigan First.

 

Novakoski's experience includes more than 10 years in economic development in communications and business development across all industries with the MEDC. 

 

Most recently, she focused on serving the state's food processing companies and managed a portfolio of over 50 companies, including Kellogg, Gerber, Post and major fruit processors to grow the industry statewide. She holds a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University.

 

Southwest Michigan First is an organization of privately funded economic development advisors who act as the catalyst for economic success in Southwest Michigan.