AGRIPRENEUR CLASS OFFERS HELP FOR FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES 
Food or farm business entrepreneurs ready to take their concept to the next level can learn how at a series of classes in Petoskey. “Agripreneur Focus: Developing Your Food or Farm Business” will be offered in six, four-hour long classes beginning February 18. The class is being offered by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with the Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) Product Center.
MEDC is partnering with the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers to connect you with experts from Germany and the United Kingdom to begin your global export expansion to these dynamic markets. Traveling to Frankfurt, Germany, and London, United Kingdom, this trade mission will give you a competitive edge by opening new markets and establishing new strategic relationships. To register, please contact: David Newhouse at 517.331.6715 or newhoused@michigan.org.
Pure Michigan Business Connect, in partnership with FCA, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota, and nearly 50 of their tier one partners is excited to announce the 2016 Pure Michigan Automotive Matchmaking Summit to be held on March 2nd at COBO Center in Downtown Detroit. This matchmaking initiative will target both production and non-production commodities in an effort to fill open procurement gaps with qualified Michigan suppliers. To date, we have received over 400 needs from purchasers listed below. Because of the continued interest and participation, please make sure to check the application periodically, as more needs will be uploaded over the application period.To be considered for an opportunity to attend the summit, please complete the application below by January 15th.
Buyers participating include: FCA, Ford, GM, Toyota, Advics, Aisin World Corporation of America, Alberici Constructors, American Axle & Mfg., ATS Automation, Inc, Barton Malow Company, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Borgwarner, Inc., Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Caretera Gestamp, Comau Inc., Commodity Management Services (CMS), Dana Holding Corporation, Delphi Automotive, Denso International America, Inc., Faurecia, Flextronics International, Federal-Mogul Corporation, Flex-N-Gate, Fujitsu Ten Corporation of America, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., International Automotive Components, Jasco International, Johnson Controls, Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., J-TEKT North America, Kautex Textron, Kelly Services, Inc., KUKA Systems Corporation North America, LEAR, Linamar, MSX International, NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc., Plastic Omnium Auto Inergy, Ryder System, Inc, ThyssenKrupp, Toyoda Gosei, TRAM and QSS, TRW/ZF, and Walbridge.
MORE DETAILS
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Christ (Christm@michigan.org).
Join MEDC’s trade mission to accelerate your export sales to Mexico and Peru or sell to the market for the first time. Save valuable time by working with in-country experts who will help you navigate the market and put you directly in front of prospective business partners. Mission participants will receive customized B2B meetings and turnkey business services to save time and maximize potential to increase sales.
To get more information about this mission, please contact Emily Tucker at 517.862.9865 ortuckere4@michigan.org.
This full day matchmaking initiative will be held at the Radisson Hotel (100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007) on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Featuring multiple opportunities for all companies invited to attend, this event will create a platform linking buyers to Michigan growers and processors. We have received over 200 open procurement needs from 27 participating buyers.
To apply to attend the summit, and review the needs submitted by the aforementioned purchasers, please follow the link below. The deadline to apply is February 28th, submissions received after that date will be considered for needs that have not been fulfilled: http://www.michiganbusiness.
MCACA will be conducting free informational workshops on grant guidelines and the application process for potential applicants throughout the state in April in anticipation of the June 1, 2016 deadline. Workshop attendance is not required for grant applicants; however, updated guidelines and application process changes will be reviewed at each meeting, so attendance is encouraged. Pre-registration or RSVPs are not required.
- April 29, 2016 (10:30 a.m.) – Cheboygan Area Public Library, 100 S. Bailey St., Cheboygan, Michigan
MCACA will offer grants through six programs: Operational Support, Project Support, Capital Improvements, Arts in Education Residency,Mini-grants, New Leaders
Michigan nonprofit organizations, schools and municipalities are eligible to apply for projects that would take place between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Information about specific grant programs as well as the guidelines is available on the web atwww.michiganadvantage.org/arts
The Starting a Business Workshop is intended for individuals in the beginning stages of starting a business, in need of accessing capital, or simply considering self-employment. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. Start-up costs, financing options, and business planning are introduced, along with necessary steps to getting started. This workshop is a pre-requisite to meeting with a consultant one-on-one. The presenter is SBDC Business Consultant Kathleen Bagley. There is no cost to attend; however, pre-registration is required. The workshop is being held at North Central Michigan College, 1515 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770. For more information, contact the SBDC at sbdc@networksnorthwest.org or (231) 922-3780. Register online.
Dana is seeking qualified Michigan companies to fill 13 diverse needs ranging from bill payment, processing and auditing, to engineering design and consulting, to precision tooling. We encourage you or anyone you know that may be interested in this opportunity to apply using the link below. The priority application deadline is Sunday, April 3. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Michael (MichaelR2@michigan.org) or Bobby Chasnis (ChasnisR@michigan.org).
We look forward to your participation!
Application Link: http://www.michiganbusiness.
Save the date!
2016 NLEA SchmoozaPalooza
This year’s annual event will kick off with networking and dessert followed by our outstanding awards and presentations.
More details to come…
Job seekers can learn about local job opportunities in manufacturing at a special Northwest Michigan Works! Career Connection event June 3 in Boyne City. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance office, 1313 Boyne Avenue.
The Career Connection will feature a panel of local manufacturing employers including Classic Instruments, Magna, and Van Dam Custom Boats. The employers will discuss their open positions, company benefits, and work culture.
Job seekers attending the event should bring copies of their résumé and come prepared for an interview after the panel discussion. There is no charge for the event and there will be a drawing for prizes. More information is available by calling 231-347-5150.
