Lead to Succeed - Zach Hautala (Director at Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance), Jacqui McElroy (Director of Business Development at S.C. Swiderski), Kortni Wolf (Development Manager at S.C. Swiderski), and Gerard Valesano (City Manager at the City of

In the first episode of Lead to Succeed in 2025, host Steve Arwood sits down with key players behind a major housing project in Crystal Falls. Guests Zach Hautala (Director at Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance), Jacqui McElroy (Director of Business Development at S.C. Swiderski), Kortni Wolf (Development Manager at S.C. Swiderski), and Gerard Valesano (City Manager at the City of Crystal Falls) discuss how a proactive and cooperative approach led to 68 new middle-market rental units in a region facing a housing shortage. Learn how city leaders, developers, and economic partners worked together to create a model that other U.P. communities can follow. Tune in to hear how this project came to life and what it means for the future of housing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Learn more about InvestUP at https://www.investupmi.com. Connect with us on social media at https://www.linkedin.com/company/invest-up-mi/.