JoAnn Crary, President of Saginaw Future, a not-for-profit economic development organization in the Saginaw, Michigan area, speaks with our International roving Host, Bruce Levine, about this well-endowed metropolitan area at the base of Michigan’s “thumb.” JoAnn paints a picture of Saginaw as a very attractive business location featuring a perhaps surprising number of corporate headquarters, and significant businesses in the areas of advanced manufacturing, medical technology and health care, high tech, and agribusiness.  It even is home to the company that makes pickles and peppers for Subway!

JoAnn calls our attention to some unique initiatives in the Saginaw area –one called Fast Start, an award-winner,  combines the efforts of Saginaw Future, the local community college and the Michigan Works workforce development agency to help ensure that businesses have access to trained prospective employees when they need them. She also discusses Community Ventures, another effort undertaken with Michigan Works that provides support for individuals from marginalized populations to get and keep good jobs.

The final part of the interview features JoAnn sharing her perspective on the field of economic development and, more specifically, the considerable value provided by IEDC to practitioners.  She describes some of the research efforts undertaken by that organization and also gives us a preview of one of her areas of focus during her upcoming tenure as IEDC’s Chair.