GRAND RAPIDS – The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center update for January 2009 highlights what’s happening statewide for the SBA-backed entrepreneur friendly group based at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. Those highlights include a new study for the UP, entrepreneurship training in Muskegon and the Annual Collaboration For Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor.
Region 1 – MI-SBTDC
Region 1 MI-SBTDC has been actively engaged in the Upper Peninsula/Northeast Wisconsin Regional Innovation Grant Steering Committee. The regional innovation grant was awarded to Michigan Works! The Job Forace Board and the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance (UPEDA) from the United States Department of Labor for the development of a regional economic imp act study and resulting implementation plan for the 15 counties for the Upper Peninsula and the two northeastern counties of Marinette and Forence County. “Small Business Development and support of Entrepreneurs play a significant role in the economic viability of our region and we cannot do this initiative without our valued MI-SBTDC partner,” noted Joe Esbrook, President of Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance. For more information on the Regional Innovation Grant, Upeda.Org
Region 7 MI-SBTDC Venture Forward
Region 7 teamed with Lakeshore Advantage and Ottawa County Michigan Works to bring the Venture Forward entrepreneurship training course to displaced workers in West Michigan. Venture Forward is an intensive, eight week program that helps individuals evaluate business opportunities and develop action plans for owning their own businesses. The program is being help at Lakeshore Advantage in Zeeland and features three hour sessions each week which are facilitated by Nacey Boese and Joanne Fowler. Sessions are interactive and include small group activities, hands-on coaching, entrepreneur guest speakers, and market research assistance. The training materials are provided at a discounted rate by the nationally recognized FastTrac NewVenture program. Due to the sponsorship of the Ottawa County Michigan Works! Eligible dislocated workers receive a 100% scholarship. The goal of the program is to keep talented workers in the area and help them foster opportunities. See the website for additional details click on LakeShoreAdvantage.Com
Region 12 MI-SBTDC ACE 2009
Calling Great Lakes Region Entrepreneurs Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship, Thursday, January 22
If you’re an entrepreneur in the Great Lakes region, you need to come to the Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship. At ACE, you’ll join an exciting, forward-thinking community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders – people like you who have the vision and drive to build new ventures for a new future. The Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship is an event that celebrates and promotes entrepreneurship in the Great Lakes region. ACE brings together entrepreneurs, service providers, investors, students, government agents, and other members of the business community to network, learn, and connect.
For more details, click on ACE-Event.Org
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