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

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.

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.

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