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The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (AAESA) and Allegan County Economic Develop Team, in coordination with McKenna Associates and The Consortium for Community Development, held its first workshop to foster growth in the areas of 21st Century Skills and Economic Development. Hosted on April 21, 2009 at The Silo in Allegan, MI, over 70 business leaders and educators came together in two facilitated workshops to uncover crucial areas for expansion and progress throughout Allegan County.

The first workshop focused on what 21st Century Skills the leaders of tomorrow will need to be productive employees in Allegan County and beyond. Skills core to 21st Century Skills are: Life and Career, Learning and Innovation, Core Subjects and Information, Media and Technology.

“The event was an essential stepping stone in creating a smooth transition from being a student to an employee in Allegan County” explains Mark Dobias, AAESA Superintendent. “Equipping students with the skills they need and seeking wisdom from the businesses in the area is a win-win proposition.”

Carl Spikner, Chief Operating Officer of The Consortium for Community Development, focused in on what businesses are looking for in order to thrive. Future workshops will align these growth initiatives to the skills graduating seniors will need before entering the workforce.

“A grant from the West Michigan WIRED initiative allowed us to bring the entire county on board, to become part of the vision for preparing students to be successful 21st century learners,” stated Laurie Schmitt, Assistant Superintendent for the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency.

After the conclusion of the 21st Century Skills workshop, McKenna and Associates facilitated a second discussion on Economic Development. Specifically, the group centered on particular areas that community leaders felt were key to successfully encouraging growth throughout the county. Areas included agriculture, tourism, education, manufacturing, municipalities, non-profit, financial services and faith-based businesses. The group concentrated on how best to facilitate Economic Development efforts.

“Using the information gathered at the April 21st workshop, our Project Team will continue to work with McKenna to develop an overall Economic Development structure and plan for Allegan County,” explains Kevin Ricco, Allegan County Director of Economic Development. 

This Allegan County Economic Development “road map” will be in line with surrounding county’s plans as well as that of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The plan recommendations will be completed by the end of June and will culminate with a presentation to the Board of Commissioners. These recommendations will be considered as part of the County’s 2010 budget planning process.

At the same time, the next step for AAESA will be a series of follow up workshops with a core group of business leaders called the Talent Stream.  The Talent Stream members will work with AAESA, McKenna and The Consortium for Community Development to draft a plan to accomplish their tasks within the next 12 months.

“Perrigo was excited to be included as a community partner in such an important event,” shared Bob Carlson, Director of Employee Relations at Perrigo and Talent Stream member.  “Improved K-12 programming and post-secondary education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math will not only create a workforce to meet the needs of local industry but will also demonstrate a community that values and invests in those who reside within the community.”

Carlson went on the say that direction and focus is one of the keys that will help to attract the much needed outside talent that will consider Allegan as a desirable destination to buy a home, raise a family and educate their children.

In addition, for the 21st Century Skills portion, a DVD will be created including various interviews of business leaders and graduating seniors as well as excerpts from the workshop. This DVD will be distributed to all school districts throughout Allegan County as an educational tool.

For more information and to become part of the solution, contact those listed above or go to the AAESA website and click on the Business & Community tab at www.alleganaesa.org.