The nonpartisan nonprofit Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation (LPEF) — whose mission is to strengthen and sustain the economic vitality of businesses and communities while being sensitive to the natural beauty of Leelanau County — elected Jim Bardenhagen of Bardenhagen Farms as president at its annual meeting on February 24. Re-elected as chairperson was Patricia Soutas-Little of Solira Laboratories. Emily Heston of Falling Waters Lodge was elected vice-chairperson, while Scott Walker of Due North Marketing Communications was elected secretary, and Elmwood Township Supervisor Jeff Shaw was elected treasurer.

New board members are Todd Avis of Leelanau Education Group, Brayton Farr of State Savings Bank and Dick Guzowski of Ski Enterprises.

Other board members include LPEF founder Tim Haring, Casey Noonan of Noonan Farms, Ed Beuerle of Northern Building Supply and Laura Galbraith of Venture North Funding & Development.

LPEF’s initiatives include workforce housing in collaboration with the Leelanau County Housing Action Committee, broadband internet through LPEF’s Leelanau Internet Futures Team, early childhood health and development with the Infant-Toddler Collaborative Review Committee and the Leelanau Early Childhood Development Commission. The nonprofit also works on business recovery from the pandemic via the LPEF Leelanau Recovery Team in partnership with the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Resiliency Program in cooperation with Venture North and the Leelanau Township Community Foundation.

LPEF may be reached through email at hello@leelanau4business.com or via its website.