The Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan’s Product Development Committee is focusing efforts on one of its four primary objectives, to increase access to capital for travel-related businesses. They are creating Project Tourism for April 19, 2017 where hospitality based businesses will compete at a live event for cash prizes for a special project.

Six hospitality-based companies will be selected as finalists to compete for cash prizes- First place prize is $7,000, second place is $2,000 and third place is $1,000. Judges will consist of traditional and non-traditional lenders and industry leaders. Finalists will each have five minutes to present their special project and compete for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes to help towards that project. Finalists will be judge by a panel for 80% of the vote, 20% will come the attendees of the event.

Want to apply?

What new project could you tackle with $7,000 to leverage funding? Dream big about what you could do with $7,000. The pitch should describe a tourism related capital project. How much total capital is needed? How will these funds enhance your business and therefore benefit our tourism industry? How this could be a catalyst to something bigger? Please send your pitch with no more than 250 words about how this could change your business, your community or your industry. Explain your plan or project with as much detail as you can. Ideal candidates would use the funds as leverage for loans with traditional and nontraditional funders. Deadline to apply- March 15, 2017. Click here to apply: https://goo.gl/forms/Y6PGjHIfGY1f9Ms23

Individuals in the beginning stages of starting a business, in need of accessing capital, or simply considering self-employment, will have the opportunity to attend a Starting a Business workshop Wednesday, April 26 in Petoskey. The workshop is being offered by the Northwest Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with North Central Michigan College. It will be held from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in Room 536 of the Student and Community Resource Center, 1515 Howard Street. The workshop will be facilitated by SBDC Small Business Consultant Kathleen Bagley. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required by contacting the SBDC at 231-922-3780 or you can register online.

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The Talent Attraction committee of Northeast Michigan Council of Governments is hosting a networking night (and focus group) targeting the young professional age group (roughly 25-35) in the Cheboygan area. We are interested in hearing why you live in Northern Michigan, what you like best about the area, and what you think would attract the younger crowd. We invite you to join us at the Mulligan’s for an evening of free appetizers, discussion, and networking. Drinks will be available for purchase. Feel free to invite people you think would be interested, and please RSVP!

Click here for details

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and the City of East Jordan invite you to participate in an interactive workshop promoting brownfield redevelopment and placemaking. This educational opportunity is open to the public, members of local government, planners, economic development professionals, downtown development and brownfield authority members. Topics include rural brownfield redevelopment, creative placemaking, and grant and loan opportunities for local governments.

Please RSVP by July 28th to lowej2@michigan.gov

Learn about training dollars available for your company!

The Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) provides funding to companies for workforce training.

$30 million is available statewide.

At this session, learn about:

• The application process
• Types of training
• Grant requirements
• Funding parameters

More Details