Vol. 5 April 2009 - Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

Vol. 5, April 2009 "On-line" Newsletter

Features:
1. Annual Luncheon, May 11 Reserve Tickets Now!
2. The Biggest Customer in the World Wants to Buy From YOU!
3. NLEA to Establish Rapid Response Team
4. "Breezeway" Task Force Recognizes NLEA Efforts
5. Do You Want to Diversify, But Don't Know Where to Start?
6. NLEA Annual Report Highlights
7. Money Available from USDA for Energy Efficiency
8. Two New Business Resource Centers Opened!
9. Links
10. Great Workshops, Seminars & Conferences

Don't miss this great networking event!

1. Annual Luncheon, May 11 Reserve Tickets Now!

It's time to reserve your tickets for this exciting event. Over 240 reservations have been made already! Simply click the link below or call the NLEA office (231-582-6482) to sign up.

Join local, state and federal business, community & government leaders all working for the economic vitality of our region.

Monday, May 11 at Boyne Mountain.

Click here for a reservation form.

2. The Biggest Customer in the World Wants to Buy From YOU!

The Government continues to be the biggest potential customer available to manufacturers. If you want to diversify and add government contracts to your mix than you need to learn about PTAC. Our regions PTAC office holds monthly office hours at the NLEA office in Boyne City (1st Tues. each month 10am – 2pm) and will teach you how to identify and bid on contracts.

For more info on the program and to learn how this paid off for a small manufacturer in Harbor Springs, click on the link below to see the feature article that appeared recently in the Petoskey News Review.

http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2009/04/13/news/doc49e3344412a2a545994788.txt

The next session is Tue. May 5. To find out more and RSVP, contact the NLEA office.

3. NLEA to Establish Rapid Response Team

Linn Williams

To better respond to timely requests for available industrial and commercial sites, the NLEA is enlisting the support of area commercial Real Estate professionals.

Linn Williams, Boyne City resident and active community volunteer has agreed to head up the effort. Retired now, Linn has over 20 years of real estate experience and was active on the Washtenaw County EDC (the forerunner of the Ann Arbor Spark program).

The effort will consist of a multi-task approach involving recruiting a team of Real Estate professionals as volunteers, updating our inventory of available sites, and communicating with state MEDC site location specialists as they recruit companies into the state.

"We are fortunate to have someone of Linn's caliber and experience help with this effort" states Andy Hayes, NLEA President. "She will be a great addition to our team."

L-R: NLEA President Andy Hayes; Breezeway Task Force Member Mary Faculak: NLEA Staff Member Jan Kellogg; Breezeway Task Force Member Thomas Mann

4. "Breezeway" Task Force Recognizes NLEA Efforts

Members of the Breezeway Task Force extended their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the NLEA Team for their support and services with the Breezeway Project. Noting their resources and dedication as major components to the receipt of $25,000 in grants from the State of Michigan, Centers for Regional Excellence.

Funds for this project will be used for signage and promotion of the scenic local road (C-48) that ties East Jordan, Ellsworth and Atwood together. By collaborating on this project, these communities are hoping to attract more tourists to the area to have a look at its many unique local attractions.

More information regarding this project can be found at: www.RideTheBreezeway.com

5. Do You Want to Diversify, But Don’t Know Where to Start?

Every manufacturer is thinking of ways to diversify. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is hosting specialized “summits” each month around the state to help manufacturers learn how to diversify into four areas. Open to manufacturers only, the summits will cover aeronautics, medical devices, government contracts and alternative energy. Soon you will be receiving information about the summit to be held in our area (July 15 – Traverse City, Gaylord). For a complete list of dates and locations in the state email: info@northernlakes.net

6. NLEA Annual Report Highlights

The NLEA Annual Report is available electronically; simply click the link below to see the highlights for this past year. Tough economy, yes…but we have many successes and have made progress. A special thanks to companies that have worked hard to create and retain jobs and our many local partner organizations.

Check out the report and let us know what you think.

7. Money Available from USDA For Energy Efficiency

The Rural Energy for America Program, through USDA – Rural Development, offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agriculture producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. Eligible applicants include agriculture producers; rural small businesses, as defined by the Small Business Administration’s standards; private entities including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and cooperatives; and electric utilities. With the exception of the entities described above, all other non-profit organizations and public entities are excluded. Application deadlines have yet to be announced. Information regarding the program can be found at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs.

8. Two New Business Resource Centers Opened!

The Cheboygan Business Resource Center is located in the Cheboygan Area Public Library.

The NLEA recently opened the fifth and sixth Business Resource Centers in our area. This valuable resource is a result of a partnership effort with local libraries, chambers of commerce, sbTdc, NW MI Works and other business resource partners.

The Business Resource Centers offer a wide variety of print and electronic guides and reference materials covering many relevant business topics, as well as suggested federal state and local websites to assist with business formation and business planning.
In addition to resource materials, free and confidential business counseling is available from sbTdc certified business counselors.

For a complete list of BRC locations, seminar topics & dates, and/or to schedule a business counseling appointment simply contact your local chamber of commerce or visit the NLEA website.

The Petoskey Public Library is host to Petoskey's second Business Resource Center.

9. Links

Check out this article from Entreprenuer Magazine that lists all sorts of free resources for your business.

The Best Things in Life are Free!

10. Great Workshops, Seminars & Conferences

Click below for location, complete details and how to register.

April 22: Human Resource Mistakes to Avoid

April 22: How to Start a New Business

April 24: Green Energy Day at the Energy Demonstration Center

April 28: Leading in a Time of Change

April 28 & 29: Embracing a Green Future

April 29: Financing Options for Your Business

May 5: Introduction to Government Contracting

May 11: "Green Today, Jobs Tomorrow" Conference

Click here for a description of events.