Regions
Mecosta County
The diversified economy of Mecosta County is centered on agriculture, higher education, and a broad range of manufacturing specialties.
Mecosta County is home to a prospering rural economy, centered on agriculture, higher education, and a broad range of manufacturing specialties. There are also various festivals, recreational trails, events, dining, and small businesses to support. The county has many undeveloped and developed sites that are competitively priced for the region.
Recent Mecosta County News

The Right Place & MCDC assists Big Rapids Products, Inc. with expansion
Metal stampings supplier to add 60 jobs, invest $3 million with Big Rapids expansion

The Right Place, Inc. & Vibrant Futures receive $150,000 grant to assist in expanding childcare options in region
The Right Place will partner with Vibrant Futures to provide leadership and support in expanding the childcare footprint in Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Barry and Ionia counties

New Battery Component Manufacturing Facility in Big Rapids to create 2,350 jobs
Gotion chooses Big Rapids for $2.3B investment
Mecosta County Development Corporation
A collaborative effort between Mecosta County, the City of Big Rapids, Ferris State University, Big Rapids Township, Mecosta Township and other local private sector partners, the MCDC’s mission is:
To facilitate and initiate economic development that expands and diversifies the Mecosta County economy, thereby creating job opportunities for area residents.
In 2021, the Mecosta County Development Corporation partnered with The Right Place, West Michigan’s leading economic development organization, to provide economic development services for Mecosta County.
This partnership greatly enhanced the MCDC's capabilities, bringing new support and services to Mecosta companies. The county is now a regional player in West Michigan, with access to a wide variety of economic support.
Mecosta County Development Corporation's 2022 Board of Directors
Officers
- Michele Graham, Mecosta Township - Chair
- Mark Gifford, City of Big Rapids - Vice Chair
- Bill Stanek, Big Rapids Township - Treasurer
- Jeremy Mishler, Ferris State University - Secretary
Board Members
- Michele Albright, Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce
- Arlene Anderson Vincent, Ice Mountain
- Jim Bachmeier, Ferris State University
- Bruce Baker, Baker's Management
- Dave Bee, WMRPC
- Marilyn Bradstrom, Mecosta County
- Paul Bullock, Mecosta County*
- Senator Bumstead, State Senate
- Jim Chapman, Green Township
- John Currie, Clear Lake Golf Course
- Chris Doxsee, TC Energy
- Josh Eling, Isabella Bank
- Jerry Everett, Big Rapids Township
- Brad Fath, Csernai, Lerner & Fath
- Robert Fisher, Lake Osceola State Bank*
- Jerry Garner, Century 21 Real Estate
- Fred Guenther, Big Rapids
- Tim Haist, Big Rapids Public Schools
- Dave Hamelund, Hamtech, Inc.*
- Linda Howard, At-Large
- Kitt Jarzabkowski, Gerber Construction
- Shelly Keene, West Central MichiganWorks!
- Mark Klumpp, Morton Township
- Connie Koepke, Mecosta Visitors' Bureau
- Rep. Tom Kunse, State Representative
- Gary Lambrix, Lambrix Serve All
- Andrea Leslie, Corewell Health Big Rapids
- Michelle Lewis, Deerfield Township
- Steve Locke, MOISD
- Randy Maxwell, Greenridge Real Estate
- Jeremy Mishler, Ferris State University
- Michelle Moen, Edward Jones Investments
- Dr. Bill Pink, Ferris State University
- Dan Ramlo, Leprino
- Ed Richter, Lakeside Motor Sports
- Thomas Rowland, Horizon Bank
- Steve Sims, Haworth Manufacturing
- Gretchen Spedowske, MOISD CTC
- Tom Stephenson, Connect Michigan
- Patrick Tiedt, Consumers Energy
- Carolyn Towsley, Austin Township
- Mark Warba, Attorney
- Gary Wendlowsky, Ferris State University
- Jonathan Wilson, DTE Energy
*Executive Committee Member
2022 Annual Report & State of the Region ReportMecosta Co 2022 Annual Report FINALpdf (938.439 KB)State of the Region 2022 Mecostapdf (147.547 KB)
Contact
Kelly Wawsczyk
Executive Director, Mecosta County Development CorporationKelly serves as the Executive Director for the Mecosta County Development Corporation. In this role, she leads the promotion of economic development in Mecosta County through the attraction, retention and expansion of business and industry.
Full Bio

Kelly Wawsczyk
Executive Director, Mecosta County Development CorporationKelly serves as the Executive Director for the Mecosta County Development Corporation. In this role, she leads the promotion of economic development in Mecosta County through the attraction, retention and expansion of business and industry.