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

Aug
23
Tue
Meet and Greet with NLEA Staff @ Festival Square
Aug 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

We’re coming to you with free lunch!

Come enjoy lunch, meet NLEA’s newest staff members and learn how we facilitate economic development projects in your county.

Aug
25
Thu
Learn about Funding for Workforce Training @ University Center
Aug 25 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Michigan’s Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) provides funds to companies to increase the skills of existing workers and to prepare new hires to enter the workforce.  

Since 2013, North Central’s Corporate and Community Education (CCE) has worked with dozens of area businesses, training nearly 1,000 workers in manufacturing, health care, agriculture, hospitality and other occupations. This year, we look forward to helping our regional businesses improve their workforce and grow their business.  

In August, the college will host presentations by Networks Northwest, the Northeast Michigan Consortium, and Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works to explain the 2016-2017 Skilled Trades program.  Please join us and learn how your business can benefit from this great opportunity.  The Skilled Trades Training Fund Information sessions will be held:

Thursday, August 18, 2 – 4 p.m.
North Central Michigan College Library Conference Center
1515 Howard Street
Petoskey

Monday, August 22, 9 – 11 a.m.
Straits Area Education Center  
504 Division Street
Cheboygan

Thursday, August 25, 2 – 4 p.m.
University Center  
80 Livingston Blvd.
Gaylord

RSVP to 231-348-6613 or email:  jtisdel@ncmich.edu or hleithauser@ncmich.edu.

Sep
15
Thu
Northern Michigan Buyer’s Summit @ Lakeside Resort & Conference Center
Sep 15 all-day

Pure Michigan Business Connect, in partnership with Michigan Works! Upward Talent Council, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Northwest Council of Michigan Governments, Northeast Council of Michigan Governments, and Roscommon County, will be hosting the Northern Michigan Buyer’s Summit on September 15th in Houghton Lake, Michigan at the Lakeside Resort & Conference Center. This invitation-only matchmaking initiative will match qualified Michigan suppliers to a variety of buyers (listed below) from a variety of industries to attempt to fill procurement gaps. To be considered for an opportunity to attend the summit, please fill out the application by August 21st, 2016, to apply click here.

Sep
20
Tue
Doing Business with Camp Grayling and the USDA Forest Service @ University Center
Sep 20 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm

At this workshop you will hear from contracting officials about how to do business with their agencies. After the presentations at roundtable sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet with these contracting officials to discuss your company’s capabilities.

In addition, you will hear from a Small Business Administration (SBA) representative on various Socio-Economic program certifications and how they can help your company in the pursuit of government contracts. Check out the flyer below for more information.

NE MI PTAC Workshop

Sep
22
Thu
2016 Flint Matchmaking Summit @ Riverfront Banquet Center
Sep 22 all-day

Pure Michigan Business Connect, in partnership with the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan will be hosting the 2016 Flint Matchmaking Summit on September 22nd in Flint, Michigan at the Riverfront Banquet Center. This invitation-only matchmaking initiative will match qualified Michigan suppliers to a variety of buyers from a variety of industries to attempt to fill procurement gaps. Anything from apples to furniture to marketing assistance. To be considered for an opportunity to attend the summit, please complete the application by August 22nd, 2016. Click here for details.  

 

Sep
26
Mon
Regional DDA Forum @ Cheboygan City Hall
Sep 26 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance hosts meetings for the DDA’s throughout the Region on various different topics that are important to downtown’s. Join us for our next meeting, details are below.

Agenda:

  • Presentations on TIF Reform Legislation
  • Group Discussion Topic: Making the most of “Shoulder Seasons”
  • Community Updates

Speakers:

Justin Knepper, DDA Director for Sault Ste Marie, MI and Michigan Downtown Association TIF Reform Committee Member

Lee Chatfield, Michigan Representative for the 107 House District and member of the Tax Policy Committee.

Oct
5
Wed
Starting a Business Workshop @ North Central Michigan College
Oct 5 @ 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

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 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Room 536 of the North Central Michigan College Student and Community Resource Center, 1515 Howard St.

The workshop is offered by the Northwest Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with North Central.

The workshop will be facilitated by Kathleen Bagley, SBDC small business consultant. She will help aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company and evaluate market and sales potential for their products or 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. This workshop is a requirement prior to meeting with an SBDC consultant one-on-one.

There is no charge to attend the workshop, but preregistration is required by calling (231) 922-3780. Online registration is also available at sbdcnorthwest.org.

Oct
18
Tue
2016 Pure Michigan Utility Summit @ Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center
Oct 18 all-day

Pure Michigan Business Connect, in partnership with Consumers Energy and DTE Energy will be hosting the 2016 Pure Michigan Utility Summit on October 18th in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. Nearly 20 utility tier ones will also be exhibiting at the event and networking with suppliers. To be considered for an opportunity to attend the summit, please complete the application below by September 6th, 2016.

Oct
24
Mon
Northwest Michigan Housing Summit 2016 @ NMC Hagerty Conference Center
Oct 24 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Northwest Michigan Housing Summit 2016 @ NMC Hagerty Conference Center | Traverse City | Michigan | United States

Community leaders, developers, housing partners and the public are invited to:

  • Get up-to-date on the housing scene in Northwest Michigan
  • Hear from the MacArthur Foundation about new research and how it impacts policy decisions
  • Work with public communications consultants to plan an awareness campaign about housing in Northwest Michigan
  • Learn about financing alternatives for housing in small cities and rural communities
  • Discuss local government roles and opportunities to impact housing needs

Draft agenda is available online at http://www.networksnorthwest.org/planning/planning-policy/housing/northwest-michigan-housing-summit-2016.html

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.

Core Partners

Get the NLEA E-Newsletter
Be in the know about programs and events to benefit your communities and businesses.