Several organizations that help support businesses will get a financial boost with grants worth nearly $1.5 million. Michigan Works and Northwestern Michigan College are among the businesses getting the help.
Governor Granholm announced Friday an award of $1,462,725 in Regional Entrepreneurial Collaborative (REC) grants to nine organizations that will serve 53 of the state's 83 counties.
The grants, funded through Michigan's No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program, will help prepare entrepreneurs for business startups and establish entrepreneurial support systems.
"To further diversify the state's economy and create new jobs, we have to foster a culture of entrepreneurship in Michigan and help individuals launch and grow their businesses," Granholm said.
On May 12, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG), the state department charged with overseeing the NWLB program, issued a request for proposals to develop and support the creation of regional entrepreneurial collaboratives throughout Michigan. The self-defined regions were challenged to create a culture of entrepreneurism through collaborative support mechanisms that will drive local workforce development.
Required REC partners included local chambers of commerce, workforce development organizations, Small Business Technology & Development Centers, SCORE (formerly known as Service Corp of Retired Executives), economic development organizations, financial institutions, and postsecondary educational institutions.
Based on its review, DELEG awarded the following grants:
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board/Six County Employment Alliance, Centers of Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Excellence -- $200,000; serving Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Baraga, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Iosco, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft, and Wexford counties.
LEAP, Inc., Greater Lansing Regional Entrepreneurial Collaborative -- $199,576; serving Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.
Middle Michigan Development Corporation, Mid-Michigan Entrepreneurial Collaborative -- $144,026; serving Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot and Isabella counties.
Montcalm County, Montcalm Alliance -- $104,000; serving Montcalm County.
Muskegon County Department of Employment & Training, Muskegon/Oceana Entrepreneurial Collaborative -- $148,808; serving Muskegon and Oceana counties.
Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw Valley State University Regional Entrepreneurial Collaborative -- $ 199,997; serving Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.
South Central Michigan Works!, South Central Michigan Works! For Entrepreneurs -- $200,000; serving Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties.
Thumbworks! A Michigan Works! Agency, Thumb Area Research & Innovation Network -- $90,000 serving Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.
Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Bay Regional Entrepreneurial Collaborative -- $176,318; serving Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
"Entrepreneurship is a key factor in Michigan's economic growth," said DELEG Acting Director Andrew S. Levin. "These grants are vital to providing local communities with a cohesive register of entrepreneurial resources and business startup support system."
"These grants will help local communities with a cohesive register of entrepreneurial resources and a business startup support system."
Michigan's 187,300 small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) account for 98.4 percent of state employers and 52 percent of employment. Preparing individuals for entrepreneurial endeavors has been a key component of the NWLB initiative since its inception in 2007.
