- Page 14 - Key Business Conditions Business Retention and Expansion Results Business Retention and Expansion of Economic Based Firms (manufacturing) Number of manufacturing firms: 1995/109* 2000/166 Number of manufacturing firms which closed between 1995 and 2000: 2** Number of manufacturing expansions between 1995 and 2000:  44* (Source: Survey of Economic Development Directors in Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo and Osceola counties. Lake county does not employ an EDC Director.) [Data unavailable for Newaygo county] [Data unavailable for Newaygo county. Both plant closings in Mason county.]     Barriers to Retention and Expansion   Yes No 1. Recruitment of workers 4 0 2. Training of workers 2 2 3. Capital formation 1 3 4. Physical infrastructure 3 1    "E-Commerce high speed telecommunications network"      "Expansion of high tech infrastructure" 5. Regulations 0 4 Key issues that will have a significant effect on future development in your county:   Yes No 1. Globalization (foreign trade and world market competition) 3 1 2. Environmental regulations (e.g. air quality standards, re-development of brownfields) 3 1 3. Energy (e.g. de-regulation) 4 0 4. Taxes 4 0 5. Land use 4 0 6. Other 4 0 • "Potential increase in anti-growth, anti-economic development philosophy" • "High tech infrastructure must be constantly upgraded to keep up with industry" • "Cooperation among local units of government" • "Access to high speed Internet" Michigan Works! West Central