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

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.

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.

Core Partners

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