Vol. 24 July 2011 Newsletter
Broadband Internet Progress Update
Aerial and underground construction is in progress on Merit Network’s Round 1 fiber-optic installation in the NLEA region. Funding for 1,017 miles of fiber was made possible by the 2009 "Stimulus Package". Merit Network hired seven Michigan-based contractors to install the fiber. The fiber will connect Community Anchor Institutions, such as libraries, education, government and health care to Broadband services. Round 1 work is expected to be 60-70% complete by the end of this year. Once fiber is in place, local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will have the option of offering connecting Broadband services to homes and businesses. A new report by Connect Iowa shows businesses with a broadband connection are likely to generate more revenue and jobs.
$3 Billion for Michigan Companies
Michigan’s businesses have new ways to buy and sell, raise capital and connect with each other through Pure Michigan Business Connect. A new $3 billion public-private initiative, announced by Governor Snyder strengthens the administration’s economic gardening philosophy through an alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), State of Michigan agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations. Read more and register to; become a supplier, learn about small business loan programs and legal assistance, and other services to help your businesses grow.
MORE for Entrepreneurs
A new online referral system meant to help Michigan entrepreneurs start or build their businesses launches Friday July 22, 2011. After several years of development, the nonprofit Matching Opportunities and Resources for Entrepreneurs — or The MORE Program plans to go live with the InsYght system, which gets to know the people it's helping through an online questionnaire. Once the system collects information to form a profile on each user, it prescribes the next steps that a person or company can take to meet goals and connects the user to specific resources and contact people who can help.
Downtown Board to Meet First Time since 2003
The Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is getting fired back up. Harbor Springs mayor Al Dika said, "There is an energetic group of people... that want to make Harbor Springs more fun downtown." Dika said other communities nearby, such as Petoskey and Boyne City, have done a good job of doing just that. He said efforts such as the chamber's Placemaking Program, led by the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Placemaking Committee, have "got everybody thinking" about how good Harbor Springs could be. A list of DDA members can be found at cityofharborsprings.com. Click here to view the full article at petoskeynews.com.
Finding Topnotch Talent
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is host to a one-stop talent portal designed to connect skilled job seekers with employers. Companies can register to post openings and gain access to other talent acquisition services. Job seekers can search for positions around the state, create profiles and add their resumes to the talent database. The MEDC Job Portal is being used in concert with the Michigan Talent Bank. For more information visit www.hiremi.org.
Mapping the 2010 U.S. Census
Browse population growth and decline, changes in racial and ethnic concentrations and patterns of housing development. Visit www.nytimes.com and glide your cursor over the map to display statistics for every county in the United States. Click "View More Maps" to switch mapping options.
Great Workshops, Seminars & Conferences
July 27: Fundamentals of Starting a Business
Aug. 3: CATeam Training
Aug. 10: Michigan Lean Conference