Mecosta County

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.

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