GRAND RAPIDS - Douglas Kelly, partner at Evolve Solutions, has been elected as the new president of aimWest. Kelly previously served as vice president and secretary of the organization. He succeeds Daniel Estrada, who served as president from 2008-2011. Kelly joined the board of aimWest in September 2010. Kelly has been a partner at Evolve
ANN ARBOR - Arbor Networks recently announced that it plans to add 20 jobs at its location in Ann Arbor. As part of its expansion, the IT technology security company was awarded a tax abatement to support property improvements and new equipment at its Ann Arbor facility. ?Attracting and retaining Arbor Networks in the Ann
LANSING - On October 28, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Holland-based Lakeshore Advantage will team up to host Pure Michigan Opportunity Lakeshore - an event designed to bring together young professionals, college students, and recent college graduates with Lakeshore area employers with more than 300 jobs to fill. In addition to the career networking opportunity,
LANSING - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is hosting a Community Development Workshop on October 27 in Brighton. ?This workshop is a golden opportunity for economic developers and local officials to learn about all the tools available to facilitate strong communities,? said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. ?Putting Michigan?s economic and community development
ANN ARBOR - At this forum you will learn about personality traits that impact entrepreneurialism, create a marketing plan for your business, learn about legal, accounting, franchises, business plans and financing options. You will receive one on one counseling with a business expert and have an opportunity to get advice from a variety of business
DETROIT - CEOs of small businesses are encouraged to participate in a nationally recognized program designed to assist growth in 2nd Stage businesses. The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center will present Venture Forward, starting January 20, 2012, at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, to help the existing business owners looking to grow. Venture Forward
MIDLAND - The MidMichigan Innovation Center will host its third annual IP Goola Affair where it provides an update on latest issues in Intellectual Property for entrepreneurs on Halloween morning. This year, just in time for the event, the President signed into law the most sweeping changes in patent law in the US in history.
TROY ? Walsh College is hosting its fifth annual BusinessLIVE conference October 20 at the Troy campus from and features 10 break-out sessions plus a Kick-Off Keynote Michigan Business Success Story: George W. Auch Company. Auch President Vince DeLeonardis will discuss the 100-year-old family business culture and employee ownership. Tickets are $50. Exhibit space is
ANN ARBOR ? Twenty-two student-run companies at the University of Michigan shared $34,500 in the Dare to Dream business concept contest run by The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the U-M Ross School of Business. Students won grants and tenancy in TechArb. Ann Arbor SPARK also provided scholarship awards
DETROIT - Detroit business owners will have a unique advantage entering the global marketplace as the result of a newly established partnership between Wayne State University's TechTown and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). Local entrepreneurs can access the services and financial assistance products of Ex-Im Bank, as well as a variety