Economic Development in Mason County

In 2022 the Chamber Alliance of Mason County contracted with The Right Place, a nonprofit organization driving economic development in West Michigan. Mason County joined six other counties—Lake, Oceana, Mecosta, Newaygo, Montcalm and Ionia—in partnership with The Right Place, which is headquartered in Kent County. Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman was hired as Economic Development Director for Mason County in April 2022, and works on both business development and community development. Kristi meets with an advisory board on a bi-monthly basis comprised of members from the business, education, nonprofit and municipal sectors. While she is employed directly by The Right Place, Kristi spends most of her time in Mason County and has an office at the Chamber Alliance building in downtown Ludington.

Her work of economic development falls essentially into three categories: PEOPLE, PLACE and PROSPERITY.

PEOPLE = supporting education and training for emerging talent and local employers;

PLACE = supporting or facilitating initiatives to improve the lives of residents, such as housing development and multiuse trails initiatives;

PROSPERITY = supporting existing companies, helping with business expansions, and attracting new companies to Mason County.

To discuss needs or opportunities for your business or organization, or for Mason County as a whole, contact Kristi at (616) 970-8978 or at zimmermank@rightplace.org.