Traverse Connect is the lead economic development organization for the Grand Traverse Region. Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s priority has been to help all businesses in our community and serve as their advocate at the local, state, and federal levels. The staff continues to help connect business owners with area financial institutions, navigate state and federal grant and loan programs, locate resources for managing a remote workforce, address cash flow concerns, and access unemployment. Traverse Connect serves as the advocate for business at the Grand Traverse County Joint Operations Center and as the Grand Traverse County FEMA Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure Emergency Support Function Coordinator.
Traverse Connect is preparing for the second phase of our response to the health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re focused on the following solutions to help drive the economic recovery of the Grand Traverse Region:
- Advocating on behalf of businesses in the continued state and federal legislative response to the health and economic crises
- Creating solutions to safely open and operate customer-facing businesses to get owners and employees back to work
- Charting the course for the future of the northern Michigan economy by addressing the current unemployment spike while finding new opportunities and solutions for industries adversely affected by continued management of an ongoing health crisis
We will work and advocate for:
- Additional funding sources and mechanisms to provide businesses with the necessary liquidity to restart or continue operations
- Clear guidelines for safe operating practices to keep workers and customers safe, including expanded COVID-19 testing, use and availability of PPE, employing modified social distancing practices, and comprehensive cleaning procedures
- Comprehensive COVID-19 testing to identify and prevent future outbreaks to help bring Michigan together, drive our economy forward, and end the current economic crisis
- Broadening of talent attraction and development programs to help diversify and build our economy in new areas, such as technology, traded industries, and remote work
Traverse Connect remains, especially now as we address health and economic crises, focused on our strategic goals of growing and attracting business, attracting talent, and leading the regional economic strategy for the Grand Traverse Region.
