GLDPartners and partner Cambridge Systematics have just begun a project in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to review the region’s infrastructure and market competitiveness – toward developing a regional focus on targeting the attraction of supply chain investment to the region.  This region is quite interesting because of its location, its Seaway system access, airport and because of its cross-border setting.   GLDPartners has worked on statewide infrastructure analytics and competitiveness positioning in Michigan previously and has substantial experience in cross-border settings and in Canada.  This project is an excellent example of local leadership and cooperation, including the regional planning organization and its economic development and corporate partners.

 

Sault Ste Marie Evening News

May 4, 2017

A national firm with 40 years of experience in creating success strategies for the transportation and logistics industries will soon focus its attentions on the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Cambridge Systematics, Inc., was awarded a $100,000 contract to delve into the region’s industrial spaces, transportation infrastructure and logistics-related companies with the purpose of developing a plan to attract firms to EUP.

The resulting strategy will be implemented by the area’s planners and economic developers, which is why it was jointly funded by Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning & Development (EUPRPDC), Chippewa County, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Community Development Block Grant program

Collaborating with Cambridge will be Global Logistics Development Partners – an investment advisory firm currently working with Cambridge on a wide variety of projects including one related to Michigan’s trade infrastructure.

“We are really excited about the team of Cambridge Systematics and GLDPartners,” said Planner Eric Wedesky, of EUPRPDC. “They had an extremely strong proposal and we are confident they will offer the region a new direction that exceeds those efforts outlined in the past,” he noted.

The consulting team will look closely at existing infrastructural assets in the region and target potential candidates in industries related to transportation and logistics. An umbrella term of sorts, logistics refers to those services that play any role in the movement of goods. Warehouses, inventory management companies, fleet management and firms that specialize in supply and demand planning all fall under the heading of logistics. With a more detailed account of the area’s assets in hand, both consultants and local stakeholders will be able to make a business case for relocation to the EUP.

“The region is rich with infrastructural assets and is strategically located in terms of its position on the Great Lakes and at an international border crossing,” said Jeff Hagan, CEO of EUPRPDC. “We have the raw materials but have previously lacked a well-devised plan for how to best present ourselves to the companies we are targeting. This project will give us both a detailed assessment of what we have to offer, as well as an actual strategy for approaching prospects,” he said.

Together, the two consulting firms will conduct site visits in mid-May, including meetings with local stakeholders and project partners. Beyond those funding the project, EUPRPDC is hoping to work with a number of other partners, including the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, economic development organizations throughout the EUP, trucking and logistics firms already located in the area, industrial property managers, tribal community developers, and higher education institutions.

The goal of studying the area’s infrastructure is expected to be complete in August and will be followed by the outreach plan no later than February.

A Local Technical Assistance Grant is also funding the project and is provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

For more information on the EUP Transportation Logistics Strategy, contact EUPRPDC at (906) 635-1581.