Exclusive Benefits for Partners of the

Lake Superior Community Partnership

2011 Partnership Application

Intertwined through all Partnership projects and processes is the conscious effort to support business in Marquette County, with the objective to return our Partners’ annual dues investment to them through a variety of means.

The Partnership oversees a group of programs, projects and services specifically geared to add value to your partnership. Dividends paid out or lower premiums associated with our insurance programs, participation in the Partnership’s Gift Check Program, free or low cost advertising and marketing options, member discounts on informational seminars and expanded networking opportunities that our Partners take advantage of are all designed to add value. To view theSmall Business & Marketing Resource Guide, click here.

Many Partnership programs and projects are completely dependant on the volunteers that are the heart and soul of this organization, with staff providing administrative support to these efforts. In this manner, community minded business people directly impact the actions of the Partnership. Projects and meetings have been tailored to fit the increasingly busy lifestyle of 21st century business people while retaining effectiveness. New volunteers are always welcome and encouraged to become a part of the effort for a brighter future. If you’re interested in volunteering, please call us at 226-9658 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Business Development

Insurance Coverage

Brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Partners of the Lake Superior Community Partnership can now sign up for ChamberAdvantage, a partnership between the Lake Superior Community Partnership and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that offers specially priced small group health, dental, life, vision and disability plans to companies with 2-99 eligible employees. Choose from several valuable plans and get the strong local service Blue Cross Blue Shield is famous for.
Click here for a list of insurance agents. While your competition is busy cutting corners, you get preventive care programs, prescription drug coverage and one-stop shopping for a complete benefits package. Enrolling is easy. Just contact one of the following representative.

Seminars and Workshops

Seminars and workshops are available at reduced cost for members on timely topics such as MIOSHA inspections, grant writing, search engine optimization, marketing, accounting and finance.

Gift Check Program

When your business becomes an LSCP Partner, you’re automatically included in the list of nearly 800 members who can redeem gift checks.
LSCP gift checks make it easy for employers to recognize and provide incentive programs to their employees.
The gift check program has generated nearly $3 million since the inception supporting shopping locally and promoting Partners’ businesses and services.

Networking Opportunities

Business After Hours, LSCP Annual Dinner, Golf Outings, LSCP Comedy Zone, 40 Below and more!

Relocating and Visiting Leads

Community Enhancement

Web site

Nearly 45,000 visitors to our Web site in 2010, bringing tourists and business to Marquette County. Only LSCP Partners are listed on our Web site with a link to your site. You are encouraged to link to our site as well.

Information Requests

The LSCP responds to over 4,000 specific information requests every year. Members are encouraged to display their promotional brochures at our two offices for distribution to inquiries.

Community Calendar

Area events are listed on our countywide community Calendar of Events (sponsored by the Marquette Country Convention and Visitors Bureau) both in print and online. Partners are encouraged to add their information on an ongoing basis.

Community Event Services

The LSCP provides various services for event organizers: notices on calendar of events, event promotion, administrative and marketing services, registrations, bag stuffers and accounting services.

Lake Superior Leadership Academy

A professional development class preparing Marquette County’s present and future leaders for new challenges and opportunities.

Mine Tours

LSCP partners with Cliffs Natural Resources to provide mine tours throughout the summer months. It provides a unique opportunity to see an operating iron mine.

Promotional Publications

Publisher and distributor of the annual Marquette County Vision Magazine, a publication focused on the continual economic development of Marquette County.
Publisher and distributor of the official Marquette County map.
Publisher and distributor of the “Award Winning Community” rack card.
Stock member brochures at Marquette General Hospital, which sees thousands of unique visitors per day.
Work with travel writers on various stories highlighting Marquette County.
Publisher and distributor of the Anatomy of a Murder Scrapbook.

40 Below: Marquette County's Young Professionals

A professional development organization designed to engage and introduce young professionals to the County’s business community and help them expand their networking opportunities.

Bikeability

LSCP partners with the Marquette County Bikeability Committee to discuss ways to provide a safer environment for the growing cyclist population. Members of the committee include city staff from planning, police, engineering, and manager's departments; bike commuters, KMK Bike Club members, Northern Michigan University personnel, and business representatives.

Economic Development

Business Retention Efforts

The Economic Development Team at the LSCP can review company business plans and activity to assist in retention/expansion activities.
The LSCP and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Marquette County, in cooperation with our local, regional and state partners, have teamed to support the creation of 1,400+ and the retention of 1,200+ jobs.

Entrepreneurial Assistance

The LSCP works with the Marquette County EDC, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Works! and Northern Initiatives to assist start-up and expanding businesses.

Business Advocacy

Serving as an advocate for business Partners, the LSCP assists businesses seeking resolution of governmental regulation, governmental incentives and business to business cooperation.
LSCP keeps up to date on local, state and national issues affecting business and shares information as appropriate.

Prospect Management

As a primary first contact for business prospects, the LSCP directs prospective businesses to our Partners for business guidance and services.

Site Selection

Serving all of Marquette County, the LSCP directs businesses to locations most suitable for their establishment and expansion needs.

Financing

Available through the Marquette County EDC, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), local financial institutions and other conventional sources.
LSCP Economic Development Team is knowledgeable about local, state and federal incentive programs available.

Workforce Development

Workforce Development efforts are through the Lake Superior Partners in Education and Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation.
Collaborate with K-12 and Universities on programs that prepare students for future careers.
Online job posting service available to all LSCP Partners.

Marketing and Advertising

LSCP Lobby

Member information and business card rack is displayed and available in the LSCP lobby.

LSCP Web site

All Partners are listed on the LSCP Web site and have the option to link their Web site to the LSCP searchable database. We also have our RSS feed featuring the latest news and all encompassing Marquette County information that keeps our members well informed and connected to the Lake Superior Community Partnership. Partners can also record their special announcement on our Web site Podcast.

Business After Hours

An event that takes place to showcase Partners' businesses. By attending the event, guests and hosts are provided with an optimum opportunity to network and make valuable business connections.

Marquette County Vision Magazine

Promote your business strategically with an ad in the Marquette County Vision, the official Partnership-sponsored, newsstand-quality publication that targets the audience you most want to reach. The LSCP and other key businesses will distribute more than 10,000 copies of Marquette County Vision throughout the year to prospective residents, new businesses, site consultants, developers and visitors. Your ad will be seen by potential customers before they have a chance to find your competitors.

Marquette County Map

The LSCP sponsors the only full color map for the entire County! Advertising opportunities are available for you to showcase your business in 20,000 copies that are distributed locally and nationally.

Member to Member Benefit - "Key to the County"

This program provides incentives for LSCP Partners businesses and employees to do business within the community and with other Partners. It’s a win-win situation! Click here for a list of participating members.

Email Broadcast Service

Partners can take advantage of our email broadcast service. Email broadcasts are sent to nearly 3,000 members and are $60.

Press Releases/News Articles

The LSCP writes press releases about Partner businesses and events which appear in The Mining Journal, Upper Peninsula Business Today, The Action Shopper, Marquette Monthly as well as the LSCP Web site, RSS feed and social media.

Ribbon Cuttings/First Dollars/Ground Breakings

Celebrating a grand opening, remodel, new location, anniversary or breaking ground for a new project? The LSCP can coordinate a ribbon cutting, first dollar ceremony or ground breaking for your occasion and issue press releases after the event.

Office Depot Discount Program

The Office Depot personal and company discount programs will save you money on office supplies, back-to-school supplies, computer accessories and much more!
Personal Discount Plan (For Employees), Company Discount Plan (For Employers) and Employer Tool Kit (For Employers).

The LSCP Conference Room

The LSCP’s conference room is available free of charge to Partners needing a meeting space for 10 people. Coffee is available as well.

Free Notary Public Use

The LSCP provides free notary public use to Partners.

Access to Mailing Labels

Partners can take advantage of purchasing mailing labels. We can print our Partner listing on labels for a fee of $80.