Courtesy photo Mark Bader, EMP VP of Engineering and Manufacturing, shows Delta Force students the popularity of EMP‘s engine cooling systems.

ESCANABA — Delta Force students learned their local economy’s global reach from business leaders during Economic Development Day on Thursday, Oct. 6. In the final session of this year’s Delta Force class, students learned from business owners and community leaders about the inner workings of our local economy.

The day started at the Commerce Center with a presentation by Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, who spoke about U.P. business opportunities. Presentations by Rotary representative Joe Powers and Kiwanis representative Gordy Fitch followed. Students enjoyed breakfast sponsored by BayBank while learning about the importance of service in helping develop the economy, and how they can get involved.

Vicki Schwab and Jen Tucker gave presentations on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, highlighting how the organization has goals to leverage private investments, and has successfully rehabilitated and revitalized communities. Students then received prizes for successfully answering trivia questions.

Robert Micheau with Visit Escanaba also spoke, sharing some of the successes he and his staff have had, including developing a new website. He also highlighted the fact that Visit Escanaba has reached over four million people on social media this year.

While students ate a delicious lunch of lasagna, salad and breadsticks made by Grab ‘N Go, Chamber Executive Director Vickie Micheau shared with students the history of the Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce, which currently serves 700 members.

She discussed the process of the U.P. State Fair going from being funded by the State of Michigan to being transferred to a regional U.P. governing board. Taking over the operations of the Fair was a daunting task, but Micheau explained how the management agent and board have worked together to successfully run the fair since 2010: “Communication is the key to a successful organization,” she stressed.

The process of running the fair — Michigan’s only state fair — as Micheau explained, “was to develop an action plan, articulate the desired outcome, and build consensus to get it done.”

Students then moved on to the afternoon session, which included tours of EMP (Engineered Machined Products) and VanAire, where they learned about the manufacturing process, and how these two companies design, manufacture and distribute their products worldwide.

Mark Bader, EMP vice president of engineering and manufacturing, led students on a walking tour of EMP’s Advanced Products building. This facility houses engineering and testing for EMP’s electronically-controlled pumps and fans. Bader shared that each of these components runs on a staggering 77,000 lines of computer code.

Students then headed out to the Gladstone Industrial Park to tour VanAire, Inc., manufacturer of valve automation hardware and industrial wastewater treatment systems. Students saw firsthand how the company has set the standard for their niche product lines.

“We engineer, design and manufacture every product that leaves our shop to exacting specifications,” said Eric Miller, VanAire co-owner and VP of manufacturing. “We’d rather be perfectionists and set a new standard than punch the clock and go home.”

VanAire CEO and Co-Owner Steve Soderman agreed: “VanAire strives to be the best at fulfilling our customers’ needs and that sentiment runs strongly through our entire organization.”

Delta Force student Connor Cappaert was impressed by the global presence of EMP and VanAire and how they’ve cornered the market on their products. “It’s interesting how profitable a niche can be in the market,” he said.

Students then returned to the Commerce Center and heard from Ed Legault, Executive Director of the Economic Development Alliance, who presented on the fact that the best leaders learn to collaborate. “We can make so much more happen if we’re coordinated than if we try to do things on our own,” he stressed.

Students also heard from area entrepreneurs, including Mark Ammel, owner of Bobaloon’s, Don Martin, auctioneer and owner of U Putt Family Fun Center, and Chris Doyle, owner of Independent Machine Company.

Students learned about the challenges and rewards entrepreneurs face in running their businesses.

Martin shared his philosophy in running U Putt: “If you base your overall philosophy on helping your employees, and putting the needs of your community in front of your own, you will be successful.”

Ammel agreed: “If you focus on building the community first, eventually it will take care of you. Most of the successful businesspeople around here are also heavily involved in their community.”

Delta Force students celebrated their graduation from this leadership program at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Oct. 13. Created by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Force encompasses a series of ten full-day sessions covering key segments of our community.

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Victoria LaFave is with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.