Grand Traverse County and City of Traverse City employees evacuated the Boardman Avenue campus - including the Governmental Center - in downtown Traverse City following a bomb threat Wednesday. While the campus was eventually deemed safe by authorities, many employees were allowed to go home early for the day as authorities worked to sweep the premises.

County Administrator Nate Alger sent out an emergency alert shortly after 2:30pm to Boardman campus employees stating that "out of an abundance of caution, we have asked non-essential personnel to leave the buildings. We are preliminary checking out the information, and there is no evidence that the threat is credible." Alger asked employees to stand by for updates.

Shortly after 3pm, Alger messaged employees again. "After further investigation, we do not believe the threat is credible, and it appears law enforcement has the situation in hand. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are going to have a sweep of the buildings conducted by law enforcement. This will take some time. If you took your personal belongings with you upon exit, you may leave for the day. If you did not, please do not enter the buildings until the sweeps are completed."

Another update was sent to employees shortly before 3:30pm. "The Boardman campus and courts remain under county/city administration-controlled entry, and employees that have their belongings may go home for the day. All other county and city buildings may come off of lockdown at this time and resume normal operations as directed by your supervisors/managers."

Finally, at 4:40pm, an update went out to employees stating that all Boardman campus buildings have been "rendered safe" by Traverse City Police Department Chief Matt Richmond. "All regularly scheduled activities can resume immediately," the update stated.

City Manager Liz Vogel tells The Ticker the threat was directed at the county, not the city. However, county and city employees share building space on the Boardman campus. "Our staff have gone home for the day," Vogel says. The incident follows a ransomware attack on the county and city that occurred on June 12 and has continued to impact operations two weeks later.