Local News

The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County held its annual meeting Tuesday afternoon. The meeting updated stakeholders, economic partners and community leaders on the current economic climate of the county as well as reported results for 2019 and the five-year plan from 2014-2019. 

Donna Russell-Kuhr, Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for the EDA, shared the five-year plan results, which were overall, positive. Indicators in the specified time period included the first time for population growth in the county since 2005. In those five years, more than $1.7 billion was invested into St. Clair County, creating more than 3,000 new jobs with the unemployment rate dropping from 9.3% to 3.9%.

In 2019, the EDA reported investments of nearly $1.5 billion, mainly with the announcement of the DTE Blue Water Energy Center set to open in 2023, growth of 526 new jobs, 282 housing starts, and average unemployment at 4.8% for the year. 

Going forward, Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA, said the focus for the organization in the next two years will center around talent, developing attractive places and supporting next-generation businesses.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

After four-and-a-half years in business, Great Lakes Italian Restaurant has announced plans to close. The Fort Gratiot eatery is located in the former Pizza Hut building near the Pine Grove and 24th Avenue intersection. In a letter to the public, the owners said that they will be closing permanently on Saturday, February 15 at 10 p.m. 

The restaurant started as a pizzeria and eventually grew into a full-service Italian restaurant with a popular Sunday Brunch and catering options. In a statement to the public, the owners said they, “are deeply humbled by the loyalty of the guests who now feel like family,” and have “agonized over how to say goodbye” to customers.

 The building, equipment, and liquor license are being offered for sale or lease to prospective entrepreneurs. In keeping with Great Lakes Italian’s tradition of community engagement, leftover food is intended to be donated to local charities. Great Lakes Italian has also offered to buy back any unused gift cards until the end of February.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

A traffic crash on Monday morning at the intersection of Smiths Creek and Wadhams road led to serious injuries. According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7 a.m., it is believed that a 2005 pickup driven by a 63-year-old male from Kimball township was traveling westbound on Smiths Creek through the intersection with’ a green light when a 2011 SUV driven by a 47-year-old male from Croswell traveling at approximately 55mph went through a red light and collided with the pickup truck. 

The driver of the pickup did not appear to be wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were transported by ambulance to local hospitals. The 63-year-old male was then transported to Detroit with life-threating injuries. His condition is unknown at this time and the accident is still under investigation. A St Clair County Sheriff’s Department accident Reconstructionist was called to the scene and the intersection was closed for several hours.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Thirty-six St. Clair County TEC students placed in the top three at the regional SkillsUSA competition, qualifying the group to move on to the state competition in April.

On February 8, students from seven programs at the St. Clair County Technical Education Center competed. According to a weekly newsletter, overall, TEC had more than 50 students compete in the regional contest that included categories such as auto and collision repair, construction, digital media technology, engineering and robotics, metal machining, and welding. Students from Culinary Arts competed at the regional contest on Feb. 7.

The photography contest in the Digital Media Technology category and Information Technology will have their regional contest later this month. In all, St. Clair County TEC is expected to have more than 70 students from 10 programs compete at the State contest in Grand Rapids April 17 to 19. 

The St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) is facilitated through St. Clair County RESA and provides high school students with the opportunity to develop skills that help them find their place in the work world.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Small towns often have the biggest hearts and last Friday’s high school basketball games between the Yale Bulldogs and the Cros-Lex Pioneers proved it. The girls’ and boys’ teams both brought their compassion and respect to the games with the “Coaches vs Cancer” Game. Both schools worked together to raise awareness and support for local families who are dealing with cancer and its effects in their own ways.

A second-grader, Brynlee Wing, who attends Avoca Elementary in the Yale District, who is fighting neuroblastoma, was honored and supported at the game along with her family. The family of Travis Campbell, whose brother is the Cros-Lex Boys’ Basketball Coach, was also supported as they grieved the young man’s loss to cancer just that week. 

To raise money, organizers held a 50/50 raffle and in the end, the winner donated his prize back to the cause. Over $1,200 was raised to be split between the two families. Yale won the girls’ game and Cros-Lex won the boys’ game, but both towns showed their winning spirit and showed what being a neighbor means for these rural communities.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

One of St. Clair County’s largest career fairs is already filling up. St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is looking for businesses to attend the annual career fair, but participants will want to move fast. The fair is not until April 23, but the college is lining up employers who are looking for new recruits. SC4 says that the Career Fair traditionally brings in hundreds of students, alumni, and community members who are just getting started in their careers or are looking to make a job switch.

There is also a partnership with other stakeholders in the economic scene in the area. The Blue Water Chamber and Economic Development Alliance (EDA), along with the Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works agency and the City of Port Huron and McMorran Place all have a hand in the Career Fair. According to Bonnie DiNardo, Director of Community and Alumni Relations at SC4, “The Career Fair is a great opportunity for employers in our region and across the country to showcase their company, network with other employers and, above all, find the best candidates from our community’s rich talent pool.” 

Along with getting to meet potential employees face to face, employers registered with SC4 can take advantage of the college’s online employment system for both students and alumni, Career Coach. Interested employers can get the registration details at sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.