Providing resources for communities and entrepreneurs to create and retain jobs in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan & Emmet Counties.

Nov
28
Mon
Northwest DDA Forum @ Elk Rapids Governmental Center
Nov 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance in partnership with Networks Northwest invites all DDA members throughout the Northwest Region to join together in a discussion of topics important to downtown success. Following are details for the upcoming meeting.

Agenda:
  • Presentations on How to Find the Help You Need
  • Group Discussion Topic: How Do You Keep Your Help?
  • Community Updates
Speaker:
 
  1. Harold (Buck) Love, Business Services Coordinator , Northwest Michigan WORKS! will present the various programs and tools offered by MI WORKS to assist in finding employees along with information and statistics to help understand some root causes to local challenges in filling job openings.
Discussion:
 

How Do You Keep Your Help?: Participants will share examples of successful strategies they use to keep their employees. Retention is critical to ending the “help wanted” crisis.

Dec
14
Wed
Starting a Business @ North Central Michigan College
Dec 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:30 am

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. This comprehensive 2.5 hour workshop also incorporates the SBDC’s fundamental Writing a Business Plan workshop and fully covers topics such as determining concept feasibility, startup costs, financing options, the basics of business planning, along with other necessary resources to launch. The workshop features instruction by a SBDC Small Business Consultant, held in partnership with North Central Michigan College, and is a pre-requisite to meeting with a SBDC consultant one-on-one.

Speaker(s): Kathleen Bagley, SBDC Small Business Consultant

Co-Sponsor(s): North Central Michigan College

Classroom/Workshop Directions: Workshop will be held on the campus of North Central Michigan College in Room 536 SCRC which is located inside the gym building. Follow Howard Street to the very end and park in the Parking Lot 6. Upon entering the building, take the first hall on the left and then the first door on the right where you’ll find Room 536.

Contact the SBDC at sbdc@networksnorthwest.org or 231.922.3780 for more information.

 Fee: Free
How to Become a Government Contractor @ Northeast Michigan Consortium Michigan Works!
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

REGISTER EARLY!
There is no charge for this class, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

What does it take to become a successful government contractor?

What services and resources are available to a small business pursuing the government market?

If your company has been considering the field of government contracting, this FREE class will give you the insight you need.

Did you know the federal government purchases more than $518 billion of goods and services a year, and the State of Michigan utilizes over 1,100 multi-year contracts worth billions of dollars?

Find out what it takes to sell your goods and services to the federal government and the State of Michigan. In addition, learn about the services and continuous support the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has available to help your company with the contracting process.

Jan
11
Wed
Referral Magic: How to Supercharge Your Sales and Profits in 2017 @ North Central Michigan College
Jan 11 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

LET US HELP YOU MEET YOUR 2017 SALES GOALS:
Do you have lofty sales goals for 2017?  Let us help you blow those goals away!  The East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a seminar event on Jan. 11th titled, “Referral Magic:  How to Supercharge Your Sales and Profits in 2017.”  The presenter is nationally acclaimed speaker and author Tony Rubleski who has more than 20-years of experience in helping individuals exceed their goals.  Tony will be making his return to Northern Michigan on Wed. Jan. 11th at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey.  The seminar will run from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the college’s Library Conference Center.  The cost to attend is just $75/person.  For those who wish to send four or more from their sales department, there will be a discounted rate at $60/person.  Those who attend the seminar will learn:

  • Effective ways to connect and engage at a deep level with current clients
  • Lessons from the top sales people in the world and what they do differently
  • The three big things you must know about the customer of today
  • Proven ways to generate more referrals and repeat business

Pre-registration for the seminar is required as a sell-out is anticipated.  To register, contact the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce at 231-347-4150, or register on-line at www.petoskeychamber.com.

Jan
12
Thu
MEDC Community Development Overview @ City of Petoskey-Council Chambers
Jan 12 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Please join the MEDC to discuss the strategic direction for Community Development.  Dan Leonard, Senior Community Assistance Team (CATeam) Specialist and Sarah Rainero, Regional CATeam Director will be present to review strategy and answer any questions.

Where: City of Petoskey – Council Chambers
Time: January 12th, 2017 @ 10:00 am

Please RSVP by 1/9/2017 to Dan Leonard via email @ leonardd6@michigan.org

Jan
13
Fri
Luncheon Lecture with NCMC – Great Lakes Center for the Arts @ North Central Michigan College
Jan 13 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

North Central Michigan College presents Luncheon Lectures at the Library Conference Center (unless otherwise noted) on the Petoskey campus. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.  Lecture begins at 12:15 p.m.  Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Reservations are required.  Please call 231-348-6600 or luncheonlectures@ncmich.edu

Click here for more details

Jan
17
Tue
Writing a Business Plan-SBDC Online Workshop
Jan 17 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Writing a Business Plan – Online only

Topic: Business Plan
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Online

“Writing a Business Plan” is designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for self-employment success, this course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing, finance, legal, regulatory issues, operations, information based planning and management are key components of this workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included. Live examples of effective business plans are used as course material.
“Writing a Business Plan” is designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for self-employment success, this course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing, finance, legal, regulatory issues, operations, information based planning and management are key components of this workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included. Live examples of effective business plans are used as course material.

Speaker(s): MI-SBDC Staff

Fee: Free

Already Registered? Sign in for more information.

Jan
23
Mon
Financial Management- SBDC Online Workshop
Jan 23 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Financial Management – Online Only

Topic: Financial and Accounting
Monday, January 23, 2017 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Online

“Financial Management” introduces basic accounting concepts and how to apply financial information that helps small business owners manage a business more effectively. Key documents including Cash flow Statement, Profit & Loss, and Balance Sheet are explained, using specific small business examples. The course is designed to help entrepreneurs understand accounting principles and financial statements, and work more effectively with the accounting team.

Speaker(s): MI-SBDC Staff

Advance, separate registration and payment by each individual attending is required.

Fee: Free

Already Registered? Sign in for more information.

Jan
24
Tue
2017 DNR Recreation Grant Workshop @ Carl T. Johnson
Jan 24 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

2017 DNR RECREATION GRANT WORKSHOPS

Grants Management Section, Finance and Operations Division

MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND PROGRAM

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND PROGRAM

RECREATION PASSPORT GRANT PROGRAM

INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM

 

No pre-registration is necessary and there is no cost for the workshops.

Call 517-284-7268 for information

Jan
26
Thu
DDA Forum @ East Jordan City Hall
Jan 26 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance in partnership with Networks Northwest invites all DDA members throughout the Northwest Region to join together in a discussion of topics important to downtown success. Following are details for the upcoming meeting.

Please RSVP to jess@northernlakes.net  or call 231-582-6482 to reserve your spot as space is limited!

Agenda:

  • Presentation on Commercial Redevelopment Incentives
  • Group Discussion Topic: Marketing Your Downtown
  • Community Updates
  • Walk-through of the Cannonball Development in downtown
    East Jordan, home of Blue Smoke, Northern Michigan’s Newest Restaurant.

Speaker:

Sara Christensen, Community Development Director for Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will present information on how downtown building owners and local units of government can work together to use commercial redevelopment incentives as a tool for downtown revitalization.

Discussion:
 
Group discussion will focus on best practices for marketing your downtown. Where should marketing efforts be focused? How can we attract new businesses and keep them? And how can we highlight our downtowns to help them thrive? Share your ideas and best practices and get answers from fellow participants.
 
Where?
East Jordan City Hall
201 Main Street
East Jordan, MI 49727

When?
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (followed by optional lunch at Blue Smoke, Northern Michigan’s newest restaurant!)

RSVP
Email: jess@northernlakes.net or
call Northern Lakes Economic Alliance
231-582-6482

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