Join our vibrant community as the next Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Executive Director. We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader to play a leading role in shaping the future and directing the growth of a unique, historical college town in the midst of an energetic economic renaissance. AEDC focuses on driving economic revitalization by attracting businesses, supporting workforce development, and investing in strategic infrastructure to create a vibrant community where residents can live, work, and thrive.

We are looking for a leader that reflects AEDC’s values and vision.

As the leader of AEDC, you will guide strategic economic development, lead and support growth and collaboration initiatives, and leverage AEDC’s property portfolio and other tools to meet AEDC’s long- and short-term goals.

You will also be responsible for building strong relationships with community, regional, and state organizations to maximize Albion’s opportunities for economic growth.

Current activities you will lead include but aren’t limited to:

• Continuing development and marketing of Albion’s industrial parks.
• Acquiring and administrating relevant federal, state, and local grants and funding sources to facilitate home improvements, affordable housing, business expansion, and other economic initiatives.
• Providing business coaching support for existing, expanding, and new Albion area businesses.

Required skills:

We are looking for an energetic leader with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and measurable success. AEDC’s ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Relationship Building: Forming trusted relationships with stakeholders at local, regional, and state levels.
• Strategic Thinking: Reflecting and acting strategically with critical analysis, long term vision, and proactive problem solving .
• Operational Management: Managing the organization with fiscal integrity and stewardship.
• Boardsmanship: Working collaboratively with a volunteer board to realize the board’s mission and goals.
• Leadership and Management: Leading, supporting, motivating, and managing a team of career and volunteer staff.

Education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required (e.g., business, economics, public administration); a master’s degree is preferred.
• Extensive experience in economic development, business management, commercial real estate development, business education, or a related field is essential.

Annual salary range: $80,000-$110,000

Application Special Instructions

Send cover letter and resume to: Bruce Nelson, Interim Executive Director, AEDC at bnelson@albionedc.org

www.albionis.org • www.albionedc.org

115 N. Superior Street, Albion, MI 49224 unsubscribe

ART UNDER THE ALBION TOWER 2025

Press Release

The second Art Under the Albion Tower will be June 27 and 28, 2025. Artists in any
media and artisans with hand-made items of all kinds are invited to participate. In
addition, this year we are welcoming performers of music and dance; we will have a stage
set up. Businesses and non-profits may reserve a space as well.

DATES: JUNE 27 4PM to 8 PM JUNE 28 10AM to 3PM

You may participate either day or both days. Overnight security
LOCATION: CROWELL PARK (the park under the Albion Water Tower)

FEE OPTIONS: The overall fee to participate is $10/day; you can have any available space
on the lawn areas and set up your own tent and/or table To be inside the large tent, there is
an additional fee of $10/day. For us to supply a table, there is a flat fee of $10. There is no
fee for non-profits.

PERFORMERS: A 12 ft x 16 ft stage, with sound system, will be available for musicians
and dance performances. Performers will be paid $50/hr, and must schedule in advance
for a one- hour slot, which includes set-up and take down.

If you are interested in participating, or have questions, contact Mary Slater,
AlbionArtsCommission@gmail.com as soon as possible. Further information will be
forthcoming as the time of the event approaches.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Press Release

April 28 Collection Event

Calhoun County will hold a free recycling event from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Bailey Park, 1350 Capital Ave. NE., Battle Creek. This event is open to all Calhoun County residents. We accept only residential material, and participants are asked to remain in their vehicles. 

To assist with traffic flow on Emmett St. and Capital Ave. NE, participants should plan on making a right turn from Emmett St. onto Wagner Dr. to enter the event. This will be the only available entrance. View map here.

Please pack your car so that items can be unloaded in the following order:

Scrap Metal – stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, lawn mowers (remove fuel), metal patio furniture, metal railings, sheet metal, rims (no tires), metal fencing, metal doors, metal pipes, and bike frames. 

The following items with refrigerant will be accepted: refrigerators, mini-fridge, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers, and water coolers.

Electronics – stereo equipment, DVD and VHS players, projectors, gaming consoles, computers, laptops, Chromebooks, LCD and CRT computer monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, scanners, servers, switches, routers, cellphones, iPads and tablets, iPods and MP3 players, e-readers, printers, floor copiers, fax machines, copy machines, televisions (LCD, plasma, projection, and CRT), microwaves, toasters, blenders, mixers, vacuums, lead-acid batteries, power tools (including their rechargeable batteries), cameras, electronic toys, Christmas lights, and wires and cords from electronic devices. 



Household Hazardous Waste – Oil-based paint, fuels (in fuel cans), solvents, acids bases, pesticides, household cleaners, mercury (place in Ziplock bag), medications, sharps (inside rigid puncture resistant container w/lid), household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, propane cylinders (20 pounds or smaller), gas cylinders (no foam insulation), fire extinguishers, aerosol cans, PCB and non-PCB lamp ballasts, oxidizers, self-heating solids, flammable solids/liquids, toxic inorganics/organics, lighters, chlorophenols, lead, self-defense spray, peroxides, water-reactives, isocyanates and cyanide.  

Household Hazardous Waste Tips:

• Empty containers can be thrown away.  
• Latex paint is not hazardous. Tips on drying it up are available on our website.
• Please separate paint cans from the rest of your items.
• Pack your items so they stay upright.  
• Use tarps and leak proof plastic totes or buckets to prevent spills in your vehicle.  
• Please label all items that are not in their original packaging.  
• You may be asked to park and wait if you want your gas cans returned.

If you have an item that is not on our accepted list, please check out our other recycling events, recycling guide, and tips on our website calhouncountymi.gov/recycling. Polystyrene is only accepted at the Marshall Recycling Center.  

Milton Barnes announces the creation of the “Wildcat Golf League.” Play will occur at Burr Oak Golf course north of Parma and all are welcome. CLICK HERE FOR SIGN-UP AND ALL INFORMATION for player information. Have questions beyond information on the sign-up form? Contact Milton.

Milton Barnes President/Founder 

Play Right Sports Academy 

www.playrightsports.org

(269) 425-1202 

by John Face

January 21, 2025

Way overdue, but I want to shout out to the City of Albion street department crews.

This winter I have noticed the excellent work they have done on snow and ice removal for our streets and sidewalks. Specifically primary roads during storms and downtown Superior Street and sidewalks.

As someone who is downtown 3 times a week between 4 and 6 A.M., it has been so nice to park and enter the businesses that I am responsible for with clean walks and streets.  Hats off team.  Sometimes we forget to say thanks.

I also want to thank the leadership of the street department. The rule is it all starts at the top is true, and they too deserve acknowledgment.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Press Release

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating five separate fires that have occurred in the 400 block of South Webster Street in the Village of Homer over the past few months. These fires, while small and quickly contained, are believed to have been set intentionally.

Ensuring the safety of the community is a top priority, and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Homer Fire Department to determine those responsible for these incidents.

Residents are urged to report any unusual activity, provide surveillance footage from the area, or share any information that may assist investigators in solving these cases.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Hess at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 269-781-0880 or Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch at 269-781-0911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer by calling 269-781-9700.

Budget Deficits Questioned, Leaves Many Asking Questions, Where’s the Money

By John Face

January 10, 2025

After the Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting on Thursday, January 9, it was decided that Virgie Ammerman, the EDC President, needed to go. Ammerman sent her resignation letter later in the day. In question was Ammerman’s ability to operate the EDC correctly, mostly her running the agency on over a $400,000 deficit in 2024, with a budget proposal of nearly half a million dollar deficit for 2025. Follow this link to our entire series on the EDC President by clicking here.

In her short tenure, Ammerman has been under constant pressure as she has spent money on several things that were concerning to some on the Albion City Council and on the EDC Board. It wasn’t until the elections of 2024, when the citizens eliminated council members who had protected her and some of the EDC Board who enabled her, that serious questions began to surface.

This writer is aware that she had up to 7 – 9 employees in an organization that rarely had two or three at any given time in its history. This writer was getting ready to release yet another story on money spent on pet projects of the city council, former council members, and a couple of EDC Board members.

City Watch is working on following up on this, so stay tuned.

By John Face

High School Basketball Held at Albion College

Coach Turner

Mike Turner became an assistant men’s basketball coach at Albion College in 1970 and took over the program in 1974. In 34 years on the sideline, the Britons posted a record of 527-319 and competed in the 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2005 NCAA Tournaments. Turner’s teams earned five MIAA championships, and the 1978 squad went to the final four, finishing third in the nation. The Britons posted four consecutive 20-win seasons from 2003 to 2006, including two league championships. As Albion’s longest-serving coach in any sport, Turner, a 1969 alumnus of Albion College, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

Turner has been active with many national and regional basketball committees and chaired the NCAA Division III Tournament Committee for three years. He had a combined 72 seasons of head coaching experience at Albion, including 30 in men’s golf, four in men’s soccer, and four in men’s tennis.

Turner and his wife, Peg, a 1969 alumnus, reside in Albion.

Turner Classic

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Jackson High School and Play Right Sports Academy will sponsor another top-quality high school basketball day. Teams from around the state have been invited to participate in this event, which will be held at Kresge Gymnasium at 111 South Huron on the campus of Albion College in Albion, MI.

The day-long event begins with local favorite Concord High School taking on Gull Lake with a 3:30 P.M. tip-off. This game will be followed at 5:15 P.M. with Port Huron Northern taking on East Kentwood. The days’ games will end with what looks to be a classic game between two powerhouse teams, Jackson High versus Brother Rice at 7:00 P.M.

The cost to see any and all games is $5.00 per person, and they will be available at the door. Tickets may be purchased online if you wish by clicking here and look for the Turner Classic.

By John Face

December 27, 2024

Albion Malleable moves forward on properties they purchased near their Brewery which is located at 420 South Superior. In the short term the three homes that were located on the northeast corner of Ash and Clinton Street, which is behind the restaurant, were razed this past week with the help of the Calhoun County Land Bank.

They will turn the area into a green space for the short term with plans for future growth being discussed. The demolition work was completed by Handy Excavating from Quincy Michigan.