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Create the Dream Hosted by Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor University's Gainey School of Business is proud to announce its inaugural Create the Dream business plan competition and workshop series at the Spring Arbor University's downtown Jackson site. The competition is open to anyone considering starting a business or those in the early stages of beginning a new business. The competition will provide participants with a chance to test their business ideas. They will meet and share information with others seeking to start or grow a new business.
The workshop series will be held on three separate Saturdays, June 7, June 14 and June 28. These workshops are designed to give participants the tools and basic skills necessary to evaluate, prepare and implement a plan for their business ideas. A completed, written plan is the essential tool and a key step for setting goals and action steps as entrepreneurs progress through their business start up and growth.
The first workshop will introduce participants to the world of small business and entrepreneurship, with practical methods of personal evaluation, business principles and discussion with other entrepreneurs on the key elements of starting and building a business. The workshop will also introduce some of the essential steps to turning a “dream” into a reality.
During the June 14 workshop, participants will have an opportunity to review the steps required for developing a business plan. They will leave the session with resources and materials to help get started and complete their own plans.
The final workshop on June 28 will allow participants to polish sections of their business plans. This is the session that will help them dig into the sections that need some additional work or familiarity with skill sets. Participants will review and enhance their major areas plan including product or service, sales and marketing, operations and finance, as well as strategic planning.
Those who participate in the workshops will be able to complete their business plans and submit initial plan evaluations on July 5. Ten finalists will be notified by July 8 in order to present their plans at the July 12 competition, which is open to the public. The presentations will be judged by a group of business and community leaders.
The workshops and the business plan competition were created in an effort to encourage entrepreneurship in the three county regions of Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee. New business ventures are a proven boost to the economy by creating jobs and increasing commerce. The workshops are limited to the first 60 registrants due to space limitations. The business plan competition winner will receive a prize of $4,000 from the Business Plan Competition sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Leland Boren. Additional prizes and awards will be announced at the first workshop.
To register for this program, click here.
Schedule recap
Entrepreneurship-Dream to Reality
June 7 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Spring Arbor University-Jackson Campus
You Can Prepare a Business Plan and Smile
June 14 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Spring Arbor University-Jackson Campus
Your Plan, Fine Tuning for Success or What Skill Needs Do I See?
June 28 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Spring Arbor University-Jackson Campus
July 5 Deadline for business plan submission receipt (submit in electronic form to eknight@arbor.edu or if by mail, Spring Arbor University, Attn: E. Allen Knight, Director; Hosmer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
July 8 Notification of finalists
July 12 (9:30 a.m.) Business Plan Presentation, Sergeant Auditorium, Jackson District Library, 244 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49201
New Law Strengthens Our Tools to Compete for Jobs
April 28-Governor Jennifer Granholm today signed into law a package of bills reforming the state's major business incentive to allow more flexibility in meeting interstate and international competition for business investment.
Under the reforms, a company that is retaining or creating a minimum of 50 jobs can qualify for a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Michigan Business Tax credit. For the first time, tourism attraction projects including cultural, historical, or scenic sites can qualify for MEGA business tax credits. The reforms also pave the way for small, high-tech businesses in "creative class" industries like architectural design to qualify for the incentives as well.
Individuals or groups that win procurement contracts with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Energy, or Homeland Security can receive MEGA tax credits based on creation of at least 25 qualified new jobs.
"This is a great new tool allowing us to reinvigorate the state's economy by bringing not just new companies but whole new industries to Michigan," Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James Epolito said. "It will strengthen Michigan in the competition for job creation and investment."
Sams Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Ribbon Cutting
April 18-Sam's Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of the company this weekend. This morning, the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to honor the silver anniversary at the Jackson location at 3600 O'Neill Drive.
Sam's Club staff and customers,the Chamber's staff, board and Ambassadors and Blackman Charter Township supervisor Ray Snell were present.
To learn more about Sam's Club, log onto www.samsclub.com.
Is your business celebrating an anniversary, re-location, expansion or other milestone? Contact the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce at (517) 782-8221 to learn how you too can hold a ribbon cutting.
City of Jackson Receives Brownfields Grant
The EPA has selected the City of Jackson Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for a brownfields revolving loan fund grant. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the City of Jackson Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities for sites contaminated with petroleum and hazardous substances. Grant funds will be used for marketing, management, and oversight of the program. $600,000 will be used for hazardous substances and $400,000 for petroleum.
The City of Jackson has a long history of manufacturing dating back to the late 1800s. Industries were drawn to the Grand River for water power and transportation. Although manufacturing still is the largest employment sector, many manufacturing jobs have disappeared. The decline has left a legacy of abandoned, underused, and contaminated properties, many along the Grand River. These sites have had a negative impact on the city's groundwater supply and tax base. Brownfields cleanups conducted through the RLF grant are expected to reduce contamination along the Grand River and help Jackson leverage funding for redevelopment efforts.
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants.
To learn more about the EPA Brownfields, log onto www.epa.gov/brownfields.
Ribbon Cutting at Arbor Hills Golf Club
Arbor Hills Golf Club celebrated its Grand Opening of the Arbor Grille on Friday, April 11, with a ribbon cutting, coordinated by the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Located in the clubhouse overlooking the 18th green, the Arbor Grille offers lunch, dinner or appetizers.
To learn more about the Arbor Hills Golf Club or the Arbor Grille, call (517) 750-1400 or log onto www.arborhillsgolf.com.
Is your business celebrating an anniversary, re-location, expansion or other milestone? Contact the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce at (517) 782-8221 to discuss holding a ribbon cutting.
Granholm Announces Fund Competition to Create Jobs
April 10-Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced a second competition for 21st Century Jobs Fund awards designed to diversify Michigan's economy and create jobs. Applicants will compete for up to $30 million to grow businesses in the areas of alternative energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and homeland security and defense.
“The 21st Century Jobs Fund is the cornerstone of the most comprehensive and aggressive strategy in the nation to diversify our economy and grow high-tech companies,” Granholm said. “Michigan has a gold mine of resources in technology and talent, and we are working to turn that innovation into good-paying jobs for our citizens.”
The 21st Century Jobs Fund is a $2 billion, ten-year initiative proposed by Governor Granholm, approved by the Michigan Legislature, and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to accelerate the diversification of Michigan's economy. The first round of funding resulted in the Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization (SEIC) board awarding $126.3 million to 78 organizations. Those organizations, in turn, are doing high-tech research, commercializing new products, and creating new jobs.
Proposals in this round focus on companies in the later stages of development that are ready to create jobs. Proposals will be accepted only from for-profit companies that demonstrate a viable and sustainable business opportunity in the competitive-edge sectors of life sciences, alternative energy, advanced automotive materials and manufacturing and homeland security and defense.
Funding will be based on a competitive, independent peer review process. Awards will be announced in early September.
To view the Request for Proposal and specifics on the application process, click here.
An application fee of $500 is required for each proposal and is due at the time of submission. Proposals must be submitted electronically and are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 4, 2008.
For more information on the 21st Century Jobs Fund and the MEDC, click here.
South Central Credit Union Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
It used to be South Central State Employees Credit Union. Now it's called South Central Credit Union. To celebrate the name change, SCCU held a ribbon cutting Thursday, April 3, coordinated by the Greater Jackson Chamber of commerce.
SCCU says this name was selected to better represent its diversifying member community. It also allows the credit union to maintain a comfortable continuity for its membership while positioning for future growth.
To learn more about South Central Credit Union, call (517) 787-2220, visit its office at 958 West Monroe Street or log onto www.southcentralcu.org
Jackson is a great place to live and work
Forbes magazine has named Jackson, Michigan as one of the best small places for business and careers. Some of the criteria used by the financial magazine include the cost of doing business, job growth, population and educational attainment. To view the report, click here.
Steves Ranch Celebrates Expansion with Ribbon Cutting
Steve's Ranch Family Restaurant celebrated its expansion on Thursday, March 20, with a ribbon cutting, coordinated by the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
Steve's Ranch is proud to be the Jackson Chamber's 2007 Brick Award winner. This award recognizes businesses in the Jackson area that have physically upgraded their facilities by improving the exterior of an existing building. This downtown business's upgrades have enhanced the entire area, contributing to a more vibrant streetscape and business environment.
Steve's Ranch offers banquet areas, catering and take-out menus.
It is located at 311 W. Louis Glick Highway. For more information, contact 517-787-4367 or log onto www.stevesranch.com
SmartZones: March 20 Update
At 11:33 a.m. this morning, the Senate passed both the Smart Zone bills (HB 5609 and SB 1203) unanimously!
House Bill 5609 now goes back to the House to be enrolled. Senate Bill 1203 now goes to the House for passage. It is expected the two bills will be sent to the Governor together for her signature.
They would allow adding three more SmartZones to the existing 12 in Michigan. This will open up the process for Jackson County to compete for a SmartZone designation. It provides resources to existing businesses and can attract new businesses.
Note: Because of a constitutional requirement that all bills must be before each legislative chamber at least 5 days before the chamber can pass the bill, the earliest the House will be able to take up SB 1203 will be after the House returns from its upcoming break. That means the earliest the House will be able to take up SB 1203 will be the week of April 7.
But we are almost there; at this point the biggest hurdles are behind us.