Eslinger moves into economic development position at NMU

Northern Michigan University has a new person, Robert Eslinger, leading the charge for economic development.

 

Eslinger’s new role will be special assistant to the university’s president for economic development, as well as the director of the Center for Innovation and Industrial Technologies, in NMU’s Jacobetti Complex.

 

Among his responsibilities will be leading the school’s economic development strategy, coordinating community engagement activities related to economic development, and guiding university research on economic and workforce issues. He will be the main administrator for the center, as well.

 

“Historically, the focus seems to be more on the facility than the programs. People have grouped everything together as ‘the Jacobetti.’ Every time you take a business owner, community leader or government official on a tour, the first response is always, “I didn’t know you did that here’ or ‘NMU has a program in that?’,” says Eslinger. “We want to change that by putting attention on the programs, where it belongs, and by creating synergy between the three organizations involved in industrial technology, innovation and workforce training.”

 

Eslinger’s previous experience includes a stint as executive director of business services for Michigan Works! in the Upper Peninsula, and most recently, overseeing NMU’s continuing education and workforce development department and directing the Center for Rural Community and Economic Development, which will become part of the new Center for Innovation and Industrial Technologies.