Annual review: 2021 was not business as usual

Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on December 28, 2021

As we close 2021 and look back on our year, one thing is clear: in 2021 there was no such thing as ‘business as usual’.

Every business, family and community organization has spent 2021 adapting to the constant change that has marked the past two years, and the Lake Superior Community Partnership was no exception. In fact, there were more than most at the LSCP, which kicked off the year with the retirement of the long-serving LSCP – and the first! – CEO, Amy Clickner.

I began my role as CEO of the LSCP in late February of this year, when the world was still virtual and vaccines were on the way. Things have moved on quickly: restrictions on businesses have since been lifted, much of the world has returned to ‘in person’ status and the economic recovery has left us all in whiplash as we went from record unemployment to labor shortages, from tighter budgets. and reduced spending to register demand for goods and services.

Meanwhile, the LSCP continued, although it was by no means an ordinary year.

As the economic upheaval from COVID continues to transform business needs and opportunities in 2021, demand for LSCP’s services was greater than any other recent year (excluding 2020): LSCP served more than 630 customers, provided business planning assistance and resources for new funding programs, market data and advocacy.

And despite the challenges of event planning in 2021, the LSCP worked around protocol changes, successfully virtualizing the annual celebration, Marquette County Ambassadors’ “trips to Lansing,” and other events, while our golf outing and Lake Superior Leadership Academy were back in person. We were also able to continue our online learning opportunities and add new virtual events such as the Housing Solutions Summit.

Throughout the year, we engaged with local leaders, lawmakers and advocates to ensure Marquette’s voice was heard. We worked with partners to find regional solutions to some of the region’s most challenging economic needs, such as labor, infrastructure, housing, childcare and broadband, all of which were exacerbated by the pandemic. And together we advocated investment in solutions to these problems at the state level, with the unprecedented opportunities that new state and federal funding offers.

As we navigated this new economic and operational reality, the LSCP developed a strategic plan that would provide the organization with some direction and focus, and help us take stock of all that has happened and is about to happen. We are already taking action on our strategic goals of collaboration and governance, building new partnerships and increasing our organizational capacity. The strategic plan also helped guide one of our big decisions this year, to move from the LSCP’s old home on Front Street to a new space downtown, which will provide significant opportunities for coordination between the economic development organizations of the United States. Marquette County.

While all the changes in the past two years have not necessarily been easy, in the case of the LSCP, it has proven to be one of our greatest strengths: the flexibility and adaptability that allows us to respond to crises and changes to support our community. This stems from a long history of adapting to new economic conditions, from the forward-looking mindset of the LSCP board, and above all from the dedication, passion and knowledge of our employees, who have remained steadfast and positive throughout the rollercoaster ride we have had. created. was 2021. Looking to 2022, we can expect a lot more change; but we can also expect the LSCP to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Sarah Lucas, CEO, writes a biweekly column for the Mining Journal.