Business leaders in Ottawa County are voicing their concern over the Board of Commissioners’ recent decision to close its Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The Board made the “surprising” decision to close the DEI office on Tuesday as commissioner Sylvia Rhodea said the Department had created more damage than good since its inception in 2019.
“Our community recognized it as a destructive, divisive agenda,” Rhodea said. “They were effecting change. So much change, that we are here today.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ottawa is the fastest growing County in Michigan as of 2021.
Business leaders in Ottawa County say there is now real fear mounting that closing the DEI office will have a negative impact on the ability to recruit and maintain talent in the area; specifically, persons of color; who may view the board’s decision Tuesday to also change the County slogan from “Where you belong” to “Where Freedom Rings” as an indication that all might not be welcome.
Local economic development organization, Lakeshore Advantage released this statement:
“The number one challenge reported by employers in this region is access to talent, and our research shows that employers who proactively invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies are more likely to grow,”
Meanwhile the West Coast Chamber of Commerce in Holland, Michigan had this to say,
“Our favorable business climate played a role in (Ottawa County’s) growth, which was driven in large part by…being an attractive and welcoming community for all. And we can’t afford for this to change.”
Meanwhile the Ottawa Board said Tuesday its citizens “do not need a county government to help us get along.”
