The EDCMC team, community leaders and national partners marked the impact of ERC Fellow Tracey Clark Jefferies and her work with Vibrant Michigan City initiatives, entrepreneurship, leadership development and community engagement.

“Tracey has been an integral part of our team as we continue to implement neighborhood and entrepreneurship initiatives,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “She has led key Small Business Roundtable events, entrepreneurship development initiatives, Neighborhood 101 and grant proposals.”

The city of Michigan City was one of 65 cities nationally that received an ERC Fellow as part of the Economic Recovery Corps program launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the Fellow Program was to help communities accelerate recovery as well as tackle economic challenges to spark more inclusive, resilient economies.

“Tracey’s work has strengthened our efforts to build a more connected, opportunity-focused Michigan City. She has helped bring together residents, entrepreneurs, neighborhood leaders and partner organizations around a shared vision for our community’s future,” said Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch. “We are grateful for her dedication and excited that her fellowship has been extended so she can continue contributing to initiatives that will have a lasting impact on our city.”

The National Partnership Site Visit was a platform to showcase Michigan City’s momentum and Clark Jefferies’s impact as well as allowed representatives from the National League of Cities, International City & County Management, National Association of Development Organizations, International Economic Development Council and the Economic Recovery Corps to see firsthand how strategic partnerships are bolstering community goals in ERC Fellow cities.

“Partnerships continue to be essential to transformative changes that are behind Michigan City’s synergistic path,” Hulse said. “We are fortunate that Tracey’s fellowship has been extended for three additional months and look forward to having her continue working on vital projects and initiatives.”

“When I came into the city, I could see this community has so much to offer,” Clark Jefferies said. “As part of my role as an ERC Fellow and experience in identifying braided-funding opportunities, I was able to build a database worth $1.2 trillion for MC. This is a team effort, and I would truly call the program Economic Recovery Fellow/Team.”