2021 brought over 800 Jobs and $167 Million in Regional Investments

February 16, 2022

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County hosted its virtual Semi-Annual meeting yesterday, February 15.  The organization shared key measures from 2021, including that the region benefited from 584 total new jobs from attraction projects, community development and business expansions totaling $167 million in private investment.  With support from the Michigan SBDC and The Underground incubator, an additional 270 jobs were created through small business startup clients with 56 new businesses started.       

"During the continued challenges of a health pandemic in 2021, our organization is pleased to see our region continue to prosper with solid economic growth.  While continuing the EDA’s normal activities of recruiting new businesses and marketing the region for business, living and work opportunities, the economic development has also proudly provided a tremendous amount of support to area businesses during the pandemic, said Dan Casey, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA). “As a result of the EDA’s outreach, 112 St. Clair County companies received 142 grant awards in 2021 totaling over $11 million dollars related to pandemic assistance, energy efficiency, business development and workforce training.” 

St. Clair County added  380 single family homes, lofts and apartment units in 2021.  There are nearly 1,000 new housing development projects planned or underway.  The EDA will continue to work with residential developers and community leaders to bring additional housing options to the region, including affordable workforce housing. 

 A total of 70 projects occurred across the St. Clair County region. While local companies battled one of the tightest and most difficult labor force markets in recent history, several area companies still expanded facilities and added workforce, resulting in expansion projects totaling $27.1 million.  The region also attracted $117.9 million in new business investment and $22.1 million in Community Development.

Looking forward to 2022, the EDA will begin construction of the EDA Business Center.  The organization shared it already has several initiatives underway, including administering several City of Port Huron CDBG grants, assisting St. Clair County RESA with the Tri-Share Child Care Grant program,  increasing child care options in the county, additional Talent Attraction marketing, and a focus on large parcel development-ready sites for business attraction.       

The EDA is hopeful that economic growth in St. Clair County for 2022 will be even greater with several potential projects already in the pipeline.  In 2022, while facing continued labor challenges and high inflation, two issues that greatly impact our businesses and residents, the EDA will continue working harder than ever to strengthen the economy.     

“As always, the EDA has an ambitious agenda, but as the organization celebrates its 70^th year of leading business, community and economic development in St. Clair County, the EDA team and Board of Directors is committed to working together with local, regional and state partners on growing our county’s economy,” said Brian Moran, President of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA).   

(click to view annual report) 

About EDA of St. Clair County
The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County is a private non-profit organization that provides general purpose economic development services throughout St. Clair County.  EDA offers a wide variety of services involving business recruitment and business retention and expansion with the overall goal of growing the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents in St. Clair County.  The EDA of St. Clair County is supported by a membership of over 150 businesses from the private & public sector passionate about supporting community and economic development.  To learn more about the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County visit:  www.edascc.com.