For close to three decades, the Cass County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) has focused on fostering growth among local enterprises. Each year, the organization convenes its members for an in-person gathering to review achievements and chart future strategies. This year’s annual meeting took place at Chase on the Lake Resort in Walker, drawing community members, business owners, and supporters.
As a nonprofit entity, maintaining transparency with donors and stakeholders is essential, according to Mike Paulus, Executive Director of CCEDC. “It’s vital that our supporters understand how their contributions are being used,” he emphasized.
Tyler Wittwer, a business consultant with the organization, noted that the EDC’s role isn’t widely recognized across the region. “Even I wasn’t fully aware of what we do before joining,” Wittwer shared. “Working alongside Mike opened my eyes to the support system we offer—something many in the community don’t realize exists. Part of our mission is to highlight the progress happening here and the network behind it.”
Attendees at the Wednesday event shared personal stories about how the EDC assisted them, whether launching new ventures or overcoming operational challenges. The organization provides guidance and resources tailored to individual business needs. “Our goal is simply to support people—offering assistance however we can,” Wittwer explained.
A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the annual Legacy Business Award, recognizing long-term contributions to the local economy. This year’s recipient was D.W. Jones, a property management firm established in 1976.
“Remaining operational for a single year is challenging; sustaining a business since 1976 is extraordinary,” Paulus remarked. “We honor this perseverance annually because it reflects immense commitment, effort, and resilience.”
Skip Duchesneau, President of D.W. Jones, Inc., expressed surprise at the recognition. “I truly didn’t anticipate this,” he said. “We’ve always aimed to contribute positively to the community and have supported the EDC’s initiatives over time.”
The event blended celebration with purpose, featuring lighthearted elements like custom walk-up songs and a taco bar, while showcasing the EDC’s impact over the past year. Among its recent initiatives, the CCEDC is leading a workforce housing project on the eastern outskirts of Walker. Additionally, the organization has issued more than $562,000 in low-interest loans, which helped launch five new businesses within the county.
“Expanding our local communities is crucial,” Duchesneau added. “We require employment opportunities, housing options, and population growth. These efforts not only safeguard residents but also empower individuals to secure financing and turn their aspirations into reality.”
The meeting concluded with a discussion on strategic goals for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in October, underscoring the EDC’s ongoing commitment to regional development.
— news from Lakeland PBS
— News Original —
Cass County Economic Development Corporation Hosts Annual Member Meeting
For nearly 30 years, the Cass County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) has had a mission to grow local businesses. Once a year, they meet with their members face to face. This year, the meeting was held at the Chase on the Lake Resort in Walker. n n“We are a nonprofit, so it’s very important that we stay connected with our supporters and they know where their funds are going,” said CCEDC Executive Director Mike Paulus. n n“It’s something that’s not really well known throughout the community,” stated Tyler Wittwer, a business consultant for the CCEDC. “Before I started doing it, I really didn’t know anything about it, either. I’ve known Mike for years and and when we started working together, I realized, really, this is a service that most people don’t know about. So that’s a big part of it, is showing that there is growth here and there’s people supporting this.” n nDuring Wednesday’s meeting, community members and Cass County business owners had the opportunity to speak about their experiences with the EDC. n n“They can be anywhere from starting businesses to needing help with their business, trying to work through issues,” Wittwer elaborated. “Basically, we’re there just to help people out, give them a helping hand with whatever they need.” n nAnother aspect of the meeting is handing out the EDC’s annual Legacy Business Award, which goes to one business every year. This year, it went to property management company D.W. Jones. n n“It is difficult to stay in business a year, much less since 1976 when D.W. Jones was founded,” said Paulus. “So every year we try to recognize and award that longevity because it takes a lot of dedication, blood, sweat, and tears.” n n“I was surprised for sure,” said D.W. Jones, Inc. President Skip Duchesneau. “I was not expecting it. We try to be a good steward of the community and we’ve been supporters of the EDC.” n nEverything from walk-up songs to a taco bar made the yearly get-together a fun event to showcase what the EDC has done over the past year. n n“We’re spearheading a workforce housing development just on the eastern edge of Walker,” said Paulus. “We lent over $562,000 in low-interest loans to various businesses. That resulted in five brand-new business startups within the county.” n n“We need to keep growing our local communities,” Duchesneau added. “We need jobs and we need housing and we need people. So I think it can help people—to protect people, and it can also help them get their financing to see their dreams.” n nThe final aspect of the annual meeting was to talk about the CCEDC’s future plans, as their next fiscal year begins at the start of October.