Economic Development Alliance (EDA) Reports Regional Successes and Economic Impact for 2022

February 17, 2023

Link to EDA's 2022 Annual Report:  Building for The Future 

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, the Economic Development Alliance reported year-end results and key metrics from 2022 in business attraction, expansion/retention and community development at its Semi-Annual luncheon. The economic impact from over forty regional projects was proof that despite high inflation and nationwide economic challenges, St. Clair County, Michigan is strong and growing. In fact, the EDA shared that our community is already a potential finalist for three large-scale projects in 2023.

“There is momentum in our region right now” said Dan Casey, CEO for the Economic Development Alliance.“While we still need to close any potential deals, and that is always the hardest part, the future looks bright for St. Clair County. I want every business that invested in their facilities and people in 2022 to know that we appreciate your efforts to positively impact the county’s economy.”

2022 Key Economic Impact Metrics

Overall New Investment: $562.4 Million (New Business / Existing Business / Community Development)
New Jobs: 1,283
New Business Starts: 59
New Housing Starts: 429
2022 Average Unemployment: 4%
Scroll down for 2022 project recognitions and business award results 

As part of the EDA’s Semi-Annual luncheon, several regional projects were featured and recognized, including:

Attraction:
Axiom Engineered Systems (EDA worked for three years to attract this company to St. Clair County) - $13 million in the Village of Capac for its first U.S. production facility 
Blue Water Co-packing (New Beverage Co-packing facility in Port Huron)

Expansion / Retention: 
St. Clair Packaging (invested $550,000 in new equipment in City of Marysville) 
Cargill, $68 million (facility upgrades and technology investment in City of St. Clair) 
Magna Electric Vehicles for a major $426 million expansion (doubling its current size in City of St. Clair)  

Community Development
Riverbank Theatre LLC for the $3 million-dollar Boardwalk Theatre project (now under construction)
Duke Broadband and Fiber (increasing high-speed internet to over 350 homes and businesses in Ira Township)
Wrigley Center Entertainment - $900,000 investment (expanding our region’s entertainment offerings)
Marine City Apartments - Over $2 million investment (remodel of a vacant historic building)
St Clair County Community College - for $2.6 million investment (renovations to its welding lab and alterations
to ensure that all the tools needed are in the lab to prepare future welders).  
EDA also recognized the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as its Partner of the Year.  The MEDC
has been involved in some of the most important economic development projects to occur in our county.

As voted on by EDA membership, the following awards were also presented to EDA member businesses:

Excellence in Business, Small Business:Huron Dental
Excellence in Business, Medium/Large Company: All Star Services and Lake Huron Medical Center
Talent Attraction, Retention and Workforce Development: Magna Electric Vehicle Structures
Legacy Award: Eastern Michigan Bank

The EDA shared the organization’s priorities for 2023:

• Growing our population and attracting talent
• Helping companies to transition to the mobility sector
• Supporting companies during a possible recession, including helping some diversify
• Attracting more residential development, including affordable housing
• Building the new EDA Business Center, with groundbreaking expected this summer