Echo Quality Grinding President Jim Kowal accepts the ÒProject of the YearÓ award from Northern Lakes Economic Alliance vice chair Rick Diebold. Courtesy Photo

"They have created a better way of life for many," said NLEA vice chair Rick Diebold in announcing the award. He said the firm, operated by Jim Kowal, started in 1978, in a 14,000 square foot building.

"Right now they employ 19 people, which is a 300 percent increase in the past two and a half years,Ó"Diebold said. The parts manufactured at the facility are used for the engineering, medical, agricultural and automobile-related industries.

"Some of them are even orbiting the earth as part of the international space station,Ó"Diebold said.

The firm plans to add two additional employees later this month, expecting to add an additional six employees by year-end.

"When they (NLEA representatives) came to question me, they told me I was going to get the project of the year award," Kowal said. "(NLEA president) Andy Hayes and Rick tried to explain what the award meant." Kowal went on to say, compared to last year's winner, Boyne USA Resorts for their Mountain Grand Lodge project, his business was smaller in size and scope.

"We are just a little business on the backroads and we appreciate the fact the little guy is recognized for his efforts,Ó"Kowal said. "On behalf of all of the small businesses in the backroads of the county, it is an honor and I'm proud to serve this area. This is nothing new for me, but consists of hard work, dedication and self-sacrifice and perseverance."

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Vice President Jim Donaldson served as the keynote speaker for the event and addressed the positive and negative aspects of the state's business climate.

"We all know these are challenging times in Michigan," Donaldson said. "Pfizer's closing was a shock to us and we are still trying to recover from that in Ann Arbor. Another thing is the Big 3 in Detroit decline in market share and the budget crisis in Lansing as well as Comerica moving to Dallas."

On the plus side, Donaldson said Michigan was ranked third in the United States as a manufacturing location and sixth in the entire United States for an international business location, as well as the second in the Midwest.

"This includes economic development in Asia and Europe, where we have had some success over the past few years,Ó"he said.

Donaldson also touted the state's strong university system, which has brought over $1 billion in research into the state, including the cyclotron facility and the business schools for the University of Michigan.

"There is a lot of world-class research going on," Donaldson said, Michigan is ranked fourth in the United States in patents.

"There is a lot of strengths that we are achieving but are not being recognized," he said. "There are companies investing in Michigan to the tune of $5.2 billion dollars and we were ranked in the top 10 in the site selection magazine."

Some of the state's successes included the landing of the Google adwords division in Ann Arbor late last year; the fact that Ford Motor Company has agreed to invest $1 billion dollars in the state for new projects and United Solar has invested in new plants in Greenville.

"We need to get the word out that we have funding for businesses and travel development," Donaldson said.