Lake Superior State University is proud to welcome Dr. Christopher Merrett, a nationally recognized expert in rural economic and community development, for a free public lecture on sustainable economic planning for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Dr. Merrett’s presentation, “Planning for Sustainable Community Economic Development in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” will explore demographic and economic trends across the Upper Midwest. His talk will address regional challenges such as population decline, an aging workforce, and technological change, while highlighting opportunities for locally driven development through strategic visioning, entrepreneurship, and cooperative initiatives.

Dr. Merrett currently serves as Dean for Innovation and Economic Development at Western Illinois University and Executive Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and a 1986 graduate of LSSU, he will also be on campus to receive the Kenneth J. Shouldice Professional Achievement Award

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact:
Connor Tetzlaff, Assistant Director of University Marketing
📞 906-635-2692 | ✉️ CTetzlaff1@lssu.edu