Established in 1982, the Huron County Economic Development Corporation is a public non-profit organization established under the provisions of Act No. 338 of the Public Acts of 1974, as amended.
Mission
The Huron County Economic Development Corporation leads collaborative economic development efforts to revitalize communities, invest in business and industry, and support the partnerships and infrastructure that strengthen Huron County’s economy.
Vision
Huron County’s economic future is rooted in its natural assets, driven by innovation, and sustained by vibrant communities that attract talent and investment, creating a high quality of life.
The Huron County EDC Staff
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Samantha Schnettler
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As Executive Director of the EDC serving Huron and Sanilac counties, I lead economic development efforts focused on business and community growth, strategic investment, and long-term economic resilience. My approach is grounded in collaboration, strategic planning, and using data to help communities identify opportunities and turn ideas into action. My role also includes providing executive direction to the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Prior to joining the EDC, I spent 15 years as a small business owner and also served in an executive role in manufacturing. I was named the Michigan Economic Developers Association’s Emerging Star in 2025 and received the Birgit M. Klohs Fellowship to support my continued professional development. In 2026, Huron County EDC received an International Economic Development Council Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its talent attraction efforts under my leadership. I live in Harbor Beach with my husband and our three Australian Shepherds.
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Leandra Wolschleger
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
As the Program Coordinator at the EDC, I’m excited for the opportunity to support the growth of Huron and Sanilac counties by coordinating programs that promote business development, workforce initiatives, and economic vitality.
I’m proud to call Harbor Beach, MI, my hometown, where I’m surrounded by family and my two golden retrievers. After earning my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Management from Grand Valley State University, I returned to the Thumb region to build my career.
Throughout my career, I’ve built a strong work ethic and diverse experience, working mainly in agriculture and the healthcare sector prior to joining the EDC, where I focused on marketing, communications, and community engagement to support business growth and development.
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Heather Severance
CEDAM FELLOW
I am an economic development professional with a passion for helping organizations and communities grow by building strong relationships, developing collaborative solutions, and using data to inform decision-making. My career has spanned public sector leadership, professional services, and entrepreneurship.
I currently serve as a CEDAM Fellow with the Huron County EDC through Michigan’s Community Growth Academy, where I support community and economic development initiatives focused on building local capacity, strengthening collaboration, and creating new opportunities for growth. This role allows me to bring my experience to work that supports communities throughout Huron County while expanding my own experience in the economic development field.
Board of Directors
Bringing their time and talent to the table, the Huron EDC has ten representatives on its Board of Directors. The EDC strives to offer a voice from all communities and regions of Huron County. Especially important is diverse and progressive business representation. Each Director has an area of expertise and an industry that they know well. By bringing their experiences, backgrounds and individual perspectives together, this group can focus on the economic development of Huron County and the Thumb Area of Michigan.
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Becky Bachman
I serve as the City Manager for the City of Bad Axe, where I work closely with City Council, residents, businesses, and community partners to help move Michigan’s Thumb area’s largest city forward. Prior to becoming City Manager in 2023, I served as the Bad Axe City Clerk beginning in 2017 and previously worked as a deputy clerk for Huron County.
My experience in local government gives me a firsthand understanding of the opportunities and challenges our communities face, from downtown development and infrastructure to attracting investment and creating places where people want to live and do business. I am proud to bring that perspective to the Huron County EDC Board and to work collaboratively toward continued growth throughout the county.
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Debbie Cunningham
My name is Debbie Cunningham, President of Northstar Bank. I have been a resident of Elkton for most of my life, and thoroughly enjoy all aspects of small town living. I have over 20 years of community banking experience and strive to make Huron County a better place by volunteering at many different community events and organizations. As an active board member of the Huron County EDC, I add strength from a financial business perspective.
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Mike Eisengruber
I am President of BAMP Marketing & Consulting Inc, a dry bean marketing company located in Sebewaing, MI. We work directly with local dry bean farmers from the Thumb and surrounding areas. I bring to the Economic Development Board, an expertise in the agribusiness field and I help to represent the West side of the County. I really enjoy working with a very diverse group of individuals on the EDC board along with a great Executive Director and staff. We are continually challenged with growing and promoting the many wonderful aspects that Huron County has to offer, not only to our local residents but to the many visitors who travel to the Thumb area. I look forward to serving on this board and welcome your ideas to promote the valuable assets of Huron County.
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Connie Koutouzos
I have been the President & CEO of the McLaren Thumb and Caro Region Hospitals since November, 2021.
I am a Michigan Technological University graduate receiving a Master in Business Administration (MBA). I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing Administration (MSN) from Northern Michigan University.
I bring over 35 years of health care experience in nursing and administration, serving most recently as the President and CEO of a community hospital in Northern Michigan. I am passionate about health care in the rural setting.
I live in Huron County, residing in Ubly with her husband Andreas and Roscoe, a 12-year old miniature Yorkie. I have one adult child, Christina, who resides in Grand Rapids. In my free time I enjoy community involvement and downhill skiing.
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Dr. Nancy Lubeski
As a Huron County native, I returned home to serve as the Superintendent of the Huron Intermediate School District. I have been an educator for over 25 years in schools in Michigan and around the world. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia and Fulbright Scholar in Malawi.
I currently enjoy living in Port Austin and surrounding myself with family. I look forward to bringing my experiences to the EDC to positively influence the future of Huron County through the power of education and youth development.
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Scott Maust
I am a third-generation Huron County farmer and co-owner of Farm Crest Foods and Active Feed Company, continuing a family business that has operated in the Pigeon area since 1957. I also serve as the Huron County Commissioner for District 3.
As both a business owner and county commissioner, I bring perspectives from agriculture, business, and local government to the Huron County EDC Board. I understand firsthand the importance of supporting local employers, strengthening our workforce, and creating the conditions that allow businesses and communities to grow. I am proud to work alongside other local leaders to support Huron County’s continued economic success.
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Kevin Mazure
I am a lifelong Huron County resident who brings both deep community roots and hands-on utility expertise to my role with the Huron County EDC. Since 2022, I have worked for Thumb Electric Cooperative where I have been an active part of one of the region's most important infrastructure initiatives: connecting rural residents, businesses, and community institutions with reliable broadband internet. My work sits at the intersection of two critical utilities, electric power and broadband, providing me with a practical understanding of the infrastructure that modern rural economies depend on.
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Clark Ramsey
I am a lifelong Huron County resident and currently serve as Director of Marketing, Communications & Business Development for Scheurer Health. I am also the owner of Clark Ramsey Productions and have spent much of my career working in communications, broadcasting, marketing, and business development throughout Michigan’s Thumb.
Growing up in Harbor Beach and working with businesses, organizations, and communities across the region has given me a deep appreciation for Huron County and the people who make it a great place to live and work. I bring experience in healthcare, business development, communications, and community engagement to the Huron County EDC Board, along with a strong interest in helping our communities grow and creating opportunities for the people and businesses who call Huron County home. -

John Shetler
Since 1980, I have been part of the Active Feed Company's operations, which include Farm Crest Foods and Huron Gas LLC. A lifetime resident of Huron County. Currently representing Huron County in the private sector, on the regional GST MI Works Thumb Board. Being able to serve on the EDC board allows me an opportunity to share in the potential growth and economic development throughout Huron County.
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Kevin Soper
My manufacturing career has spanned nearly 20 years now, learning and growing at 5 different sites in 3 different states. Born in Huron County and raised in the Thumb, my family and I were able to return home when I accepted a position at the Corteva Agriscience site located in Harbor Beach in 2016. I now serve as the Site Leader for the facility, and am honored to serve the county through the EDC board.
History
History of the Huron County Economic Development Corporation
1974
State of Michigan passes Act 338 to provide for the creation public economic development corporations
1982
Huron County Commissioners recognize the following:
Reported unemployment of 21.5%, but officials suspect actual figures exceed 25%
Continuing deterioration of the local non-farm economy because of plant closings and manufacturing cutbacks
The Board of Commissioners, following an approved application of 3 incorporators, formed an EDC with an initial board of 9 directors under the guidelines of Act 338. The original founders stated the EDC was formed “in an effort to coordinate, develop, and aid a planned, systemic approach to develop a strong economic base for the people of Huron County.”
The first grant application was for $25,000 from the Michigan Department of Commerce, with a $7,500 local match. Under this grant the board aimed to:
Develop New Jobs
Attract New Industrial Developments
Diversify Economic Base
Retain and Expand Existing Businesses
How they spent the money:
Conducted a survey to develop strategic priorities to better understand the following:
Need for financing for buildings, renovating, and other job development activities
Identify problems of doing business in Huron County from existing business owners
Identify opportunities with respect to local units of government developing programs to assist businesses
Develop resources and create a brochure for prospective employers with information on labor supply, buildings, and financing
1986
First paid, full time staff of the EDC is hired - Administrative Assistant Diane Nelson
1987
First full time Director is hired - Executive Director Carl Osentoski
2023
Carl Osentoski retires, Samantha Schnettler hired to begin leading in 2024