Oceana County Economic Alliance

Our Vision

The Oceana County Economic Alliance fosters economic prosperity as the central hub for the promotion, support, and growth of Oceana County.

Our Mission

To create a diverse economic environment by strengthening talent, leveraging resources, and supporting the retention, expansion, attraction, and creation of Oceana County businesses.

Partnership

Gradually the Oceana County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will begin the process of dissolution, leading to a new era of economic development in Oceana County with a new agency. The EDC will be replaced with a newly established nonprofit organization called the Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA).  The OCEA is in the final stages of establishing itself as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, allowing financial support from the community to be used as a possible personal or business tax deduction (please consult your tax advisor directly).

The OCEA is partnering with The Right Place (Grand Rapids) to provide economic development services to Oceana County. The Right Place has several decades of experience working in West Michigan with a network of partner agencies to provide results-based economic development.  To learn more about The Right Place, please visit the agency’s website at https://www.rightplace.org/.  You can find a link to the OCEA on the website as well by using this link: https://www.rightplace.org/for-local-business/oceana-county.

Just like our predecessor organization (the EDC), OCEA needs local community and business support to meet our overall strategic goal(s) of business retention, expansion, and recruitment. Please contact one of the following individuals to learn more about the opportunity to support OCEA.

Mr. Gayle Forner, President gforner@fbinsmi.com
Dr. Robert J. Sobie, Treasurer rsobie@oceana.mi.us
Ms. Jodi Nichols, Business Development Coordinator nicholsj@rightplace.org

Oceana County Economic Alliance
Ms. Jodi Nichols
844 S. Griswold Street
Hart, MI 49420
(231) 742-3328

Historical Information Re: Oceana County Economic Development Corporation

The scenic agricultural community of Oceana County is located on the shore of Lake Michigan about an hour North of Grand Rapids. Devoid of the urban sprawl, Oceana County is the permanent home of more than 20,000 Michiganders, while attracting thousands of tourists to the area each Summer to experience the recreation and relaxation of the unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline.

Oceana County Economic Development Corporation was a corporation to assist business development needs in Oceana County. We offered a wide array of services to present and prospective new business; including financing, site selection, research information, education, networking opportunities with economic development agencies, workforce development, and trade. Our Corporation partnered closely with local, regional, and state agencies to create a strong link for industry needs.