Notes from an Interview with Nancy Lindsay (Executive
Director of Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce) on 11 July 2001
Q. Would you describe Cheboygan as a tourist town?
A. NL suggested that Mackinaw City was more of a tourist
town than Cheboygan. Few of Cheboygan’s businesses closed during the
winter and it was also the County seat. She described Cheboygan as a
family community and pointed out that the major grocery stores were located
in the City too. However, Cheboygan certainly welcomed tourists - and there
were attractions nearby - but the City was more of a resort town.
Q. What do you mean by ‘a resort town’?
A. NL described a resort town as being one where people
stayed for a whole week to enjoy the Lakes or Inland Waterways. People
visiting Cheboygan tended to be campers, outdoor enthusiasts or interested
in winter sports.
Q. Who are the main employers in the area?
A. Proctor and Gamble used to employ 700 people in the
area, but pulled out of the area 10 years ago. Great Lakes Tissue, which
employs about 160 people locally, replaced them. Other big employers
include the Hospital, Wal-Mart and the School Board. Cheboygan Cement,
which has 5 plants in the area are also a big employer. Generally, agricultural
and industrial employment is reducing. The other employers are mainly
small businesses, with a growing number in the service industry.
Q. What would you describe as the opportunities for Cheboygan’s
development?
A. The Casino being built in Vanderbilt (south of Indian
River ) will have a big impact on Cheboygan because there are few hotels there.
There is also talk of an expansion and another airline using Pellston .
This is connected to a new community called Bay Harbour being built near
Petoskey. The community is aimed at the top end of the property market
and it is thought that the airport will expand to accommodate business travel.
Cheboygan City airport is likely to remain small and private.
Q. What would you describe as the threats to Cheboygan’s
future?
A. A Mall is being built in Gaylord. This may have
a negative affect on Cheboygan because Gaylord has access to Interstate 75.
Q. What are Cheboygan’s strengths?
A. NL suggested that Cheboygan’s strength is that it is
the hub of North East Michigan. It also has good links to other parts
of the State, it is the home of a Coastguard Cutter and is the local Government
centre. It isn’t seasonal. NL also described the “U.P. factor”.
Low population and low land prices are attracting people to the area to live.
The area is attractive with many lakes and Inland Waterways. Cheboygan
also has an Opera House and an annual County Show and Arts Festival.
Q. How has Cheboygan’s population changed?
A. When Proctor & Gamble left Cheboygan, many of their
workers moved with their jobs to Green Bay, Wisconsin. However, many
of them kept their property in Cheboygan and they are now moving back to retire.
Consequently, there is a large and growing retirement community in Cheboygan.
Also, although many single people leave Cheboygan to find employment and
to go to University, they come back to Cheboygan with their families to start
businesses. Cheboygan is seen as an attractive place to live.
In terms of population, people are moving out of the City into the townships
(Benton Township has the largest population growth in the County).
This is due in part to the changing nature of work. Technology means
that more people work from home.
Q. How else is Cheboygan changing?
A. NL described the Streetscape Project, which is designed
to boost the City’s self-esteem and pride. It is designed to attract
new businesses and people to the area and involves the beautification of the
Main Street as well as other projects. Cheboygan is also building a
new marina to attract boaters to the area during the summer. Leisure
and tourism are growing areas of interest for Cheboygan, particularly Lighthouse
tourism and Bois Blanc Island. Again, the people coming to Cheboygan
come for ‘outdoor’ pursuits including hunting and fishing.