MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Local tech leaders gathered at Campfire CoWorks Friday afternoon to discuss a plan to accelerate tech jobs in rural communities.
Lucid Coast led the stage and laid out a vision of what could be done in the near future. Lucid Coast CEO Keith Glendon said the potential for UP’s tech jobs in the next couple of years is obvious.
“We have a lot going on with some very important partners with some ambitious goals to create significant job growth in technology in Michigan over the next 12 to 24 months,” Glendon said.
Michigan Jobs, IBM and other state and national companies have joined Lucid Coast on the platform. Glendon said he grew up in UP and there is a lot of potential for tech careers in Marquette and beyond.
“There are many others working to build economic growth and vibrancy in UP, not just in Marquette,” Glendon said. “And opportunity for young people, career changers, people with disabilities, veterans.”
The forum is still focused on the development of schools. Students from Northern Michigan University attended. Jeff Stothard, CEO of Advanced Integrated Solutions, said it’s encouraging to see the passion from the next generation.
“What can we do with students who are going through something like this,” Stothard said. “To explain to them the fact that you have that opportunity to get a job that might not be here. But here you can work remotely, you know, with a big corporation like IBM or Finastra.”
Glendon said the forum on Friday was the starting point to get the ball rolling for development. Additional meetings may be held if more people are interested.
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