The Background

In 1989, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce created the Muskingum Industrial Growth Committee (MIG) to act as a conduit for private investment in the economic future and development of Muskingum County.  As the representative of the business community on development issues, the Chamber used MIG to give focus to its efforts to generate resources and work in concert with the Port Authority, which was also created in 1989, and other governmental agencies on economic development.

The Chamber Board of Directors at that time firmly stated its belief in the need for Chamber involvement in economic development and private sector investment in local development initiatives.  Yet, the Board also desired to avoid factions and competition within the community in regard to economic development.  Therefore, a development partnership was established with the Port Authority providing public sector resources and leadership in pursuit of economic development supported strongly by the Chamber through MIG.  A comprehensive joint economic development plan was adopted by the two organizations to give structure and direction to the community’s efforts.

Beginning in 1989, 13 local companies and individuals pledged three years of funding to the MIG program.  Since then, the commitment and the number of contributors have expanded to include as many as 20 participants.  The funds have been employed in cooperation with the Port Authority, and a work plan and budget based on the original economic development plan is each year approved by the members and implemented by Chamber staff.

In 1998, ten years after its formation, MIG adopted a new name that would better represent the broad development mission of the program.  Thus, the MIG members adopted Muskingum Growth Partnership as their new name, and the program continues to fulfill its mission as the private sector vehicle for investment in economic development.