Leading a small town right now means working harder every year to keep businesses open and the lights on, and you don’t need another report telling you what’s wrong. You need a way forward that fits your needs, and it starts with what you already have.
The small-scale manufacturers already working in your community, from the hot sauce bottler in a rented kitchen to the industrial design and machine shop tucked away in town, create better-paying jobs and bring more money into the community than most other businesses.
They’re also the kind of businesses that give young people a reason to stay local or come home.
Putting this approach to work, Marysville is currently participating in a Recast City program. They are discovering hidden assets, removing barriers, and creating action plans. Once the program is complete, they will be better equipped to fill vacant storefronts, launch support for entrepreneurs to secure investments and redevelopment projects, build stronger networks to connect existing business owners and community leaders, and implement policy changes that remove barriers to business growth.
In this hands-on workshop, Ilana Preuss, founder of Recast City, will work alongside leaders from across the county to help you find the businesses already in your towns, figure out what they need to stay and thrive, and settle on one first step to grow local wealth.
Join us on November 17, 2026 from 9AM – 12PM
Location:
Community Foundation of St. Clair County, 500 Water Street, Port Huron, MI 48060
There is no cost to attend.