MARQUETTE — Chris Germain, CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, gave a comprehensive report to the Marquette City Commission at its meeting on Monday.

It’s been about a year since the Germain took over the partnership.

The organization covers a lot of aspects of making life and business better for people in Marquette County. Germain describes LSCP as “boots on the ground” as a business league in economic work and business networking. It provides professional services and is essentially a chamber of commerce, which doesn’t exist as a separate entity anymore in the county.

Germain oversees a staff of 12 full-time and one part-time positions.

The LSCP works hard to retain and grow existing businesses. The former Ishpeming chamber building now houses the Small Business Support Hub, which supports Marquette County and seven counties in the Upper Peninsula.

One of LSCP’s major areas of focus is accelerating housing partnerships and consists of 25 collaborative organizations under Housing Now.

In the past year, LSCP was recognized for its Childcare Spark program, which worked with individuals wanting to open a home-based child care center. Seven people went through the program. This is more affordable as a small business and less complicated to start than a bricks-and-mortar child care center.

It also opens child care options across the county. Germain expects more child care in-home start-ups this year.

Another major win for the LSCP — and the Marquette area — is the addition of a commercial flight to Minneapolis out of Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. And they are working on securing a Detroit route.

Commissioner Sally Davis expressed excitement about the new Minneapolis route. “I think the additional Minneapolis route will bring a lot of business to Sawyer,” she said.

“It’s nice to have this entity to unify not just Marquette, but Ishpeming and Negaunee. it opens doors for these communities,” said Paul Schloegel, Marquette mayor pro tem.

In other business, Marquette Police Detective Lt. Chris Aldrich presented certificates of recognition for lifesaving efforts to Pam Waters and Michael Watts.

On Nov. 11 at the Baraga gym during a pickleball session, a player had a medical incident and collapsed.

Waters, a nurse, immediately started performing CPR and Watts assisted her until medical first responders arrived.

“They saved a life that day,” Aldrich said.

Vickie Fee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542. Her email address is vfee@miningjournal.net.