SAUNEMIN - The Saunemin mayor, who thought of the idea of starting a countywide economic development organization, was chosen Wednesday to be its interim chairman.

"We are all thinking about it, but I don't think we would have all gotten together here as this group if it wasn't for Mike Stoecklin," Dwight Village President James Mixen said. "The man has done a lot of work in getting us together and … he does a lot of work in getting us going."

Electing the interim board of directors and committee chairs for the I-55 Growth Association was the focus of the meeting of the Livingston County Mayors Association. The meeting drew about 25 to 30 city and county officials and business community leaders.

The 43-member organization to be drawn from both the public and private sectors will work to retain current businesses and attract new ones.

Others unanimously voted in as interim directors were: Mike McCoy of the Pontiac-based construction company McCoy Construction, who will act as vice chairman; Shirley Seabert of the Dwight Area Chamber of Commerce, secretary; and Bank of Dwight President Bob McNamara, treasurer.

Stoecklin and McCoy will serve as co-chairmen of the bylaws committee. State Bank of Graymont President Ron Minnaert was elected to chair the funding committee, and County Board member Carl Borngasser was elected that committee's vice chairman.

The two committees will present their ideas at the Livingston County Mayors Association meeting in February.

The idea of the I-55 Growth Association was originally presented to a group of city and county officials in October.

If all goes according to the schedule, the final 43 members will be appointed by no later than May 1, 2008.

Everyone at the meeting seemed to agree the county needs an organization committed to economic development, and they were excited to see what outcomes it could bring.

"It's been enjoyable putting it together and I've learned a lot of things in doing it," Stoecklin said. "I think it's an important step that we need to take."

Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy said: "It's very nice to see a large group of diverse people here working together,". "It's a wonderful, new opportunity for the county."