Investor Spotlight

In this edition of Investor Spotlight, Nicole Wilson, Vice President of Economic Development at the Midland Business Alliance, sits down with Sharon Miller of ITH Staffing for a conversation about career growth, community, and the importance of leading with integrity.A Hemlock native, Sharon came to Midland more than 50 years ago looking for a place where she could build both a career and a life for her family. From those early days, she created an opportunity for herself that eventually grew into a successful staffing business serving a wide range of industries, from science and accounting to HR, sales, schools, and manufacturing. Along the way, she also expanded into other ventures, always staying open to learning and responding to the needs she saw around her.Sharon shares that integrity and honesty have always been at the center of her work. Whether helping a business find the right fit or encouraging others to step into leadership, she believes in listening carefully, doing what is right, and being honest when a better answer is needed. She also speaks to the accessibility of leadership in Midland, noting that strong communities are built when people of all ages and backgrounds recognize that they, too, can lead.Her reflections on Midland highlight what makes the community special: a strong network of people willing to share ideas, solve problems together, and contribute their knowledge to make the region stronger.Listen to the full episode now to hear Sharon’s inspiring story and her perspective on leadership, mentorship, and what makes Midland such a unique place to grow.

In this episode, Nicole Wilson, Vice President of Economic Development at the Midland Business Alliance, sits down with Avik Dey, President & CEO of Capital Power Corporation.Avik shares how a mentor first sparked his interest in energy as a truly global industry—one that shapes communities, economies, and even borders. He also reflects on why MCV is so special: a once-mothballed nuclear site that was transformed into one of the preeminent power plants in North America, run by a lean, highly skilled team of about 75 employees right here in Midland.From AI and data centers to reshoring industry and grid reliability, Avik explains how electricity is now the backbone of economic growth—and why extending the life of MCV through a new long-term agreement with CMS is such an important win for affordability and reliability in Michigan.🎥 Watch the full Investor Spotlight to hear how Capital Power and MCV are “powering change by changing power” in Midland and beyond.

In this edition of Investor Spotlight, Nicole Wilson, Vice President of Economic Development at the Midland Business Alliance, sits down with Wendy Kanar of Poznak Dyer Kanar Schefsky Thompson PLC to explore her journey in law and her decision to build a career in Midland.Wendy shares how her natural inclination to ask “why,” negotiate, and speak up led her into the legal profession, where she now advocates for people’s hopes and dreams through estate planning and transactional work. She reflects on why Midland ultimately won out over larger markets like Chicago, describing it as the “perfect size” community—big enough for new ideas and opportunities, yet small enough that individuals can be heard, make a difference, and raise a family with a high quality of life.She also highlights the firm’s broader impact in Midland: often working behind the scenes to help nonprofits launch projects, support businesses as they form, merge, or expand, and walk alongside clients as they turn “big ideas” into reality. Wendy speaks to the region’s unique culture of accessible leadership and mentorship—from being guided early in her career by community leaders, to now learning from and collaborating with younger colleagues who bring fresh perspectives and new ways of solving problems.