STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
2004 Guide to Starting a Business in Michigan (PDF file; 80 Pages)
URL:http://medc.michigan.org/services/startups/GuideToStarting.pdfThe Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.
In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."The Albion Economic Development Corporation
309 N. Superior Street, PO Box 725, Albion, Michigan 49224-0725
Phone: (517) 629-3926
Fax: (517) 629-3929
E-mail: mhindenach@albionedc.org
URL: http://www.edc.albion.mi.us/The Albion Economic Development Corporation is a public non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the economy of the Albion Michigan community through the attraction, retention, and development of new and existing businesses.
Center For Empowerment and Economic Devlopment
2002 Hogback, Suite 12, Ann Arbor, Mi. 48105
Phone: (734) 677-1400
Fax: (734) 677-1465
E-mail : info@mail.miceed.org
URL: http://www.miceed.org/People face many obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. These include lack of capital, bad credit, no credit, and insufficient collateral. Entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities, may demonstrate the ability to operate successfully, but do not have access to traditional financing and so they need alternative sources of money. CEED recognizes this need and operates loan programs that extend credit to business who have been turned down by area banks. Each program has separate qualifications as explained below. All loans are provided with the goal of creating good jobs, decent working conditions, encouraging alternative ownership structures for traditionally undeserved persons.
Community Action Agency
1214 Greenwood Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49203
Phone: (517) 784-4800
Fax: (517) 784-5188
E-mail: mkreucher@caajlh.org
URL: http://www.caajlh.org/Community Action Agency programs and services help people help themselves. It is our mission to promote self-sufficiency in individuals and in our surrounding communities.
Cornerstone Alliance
PO Box 428, Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
Phone: (616) 925-6100
E-mail: info@cstonealliance.org
URL: http://www.cstonealliance.org/Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services provides business and financial guidance to small businesses with emphasis on income disadvantaged, women, and minority owned businesses.
Dept. of Career Development
201 N. Washington Square, Victor Office Center, 1st Floor, Lansing, MI 48913
Phone: (517) 241-4000
E-mail: career@state.mi.us
URL: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcdAt a time when many Michigan businesses cite finding qualified workers and training opportunities as their number-one concern, the Michigan Department of Career Development (MCDC) is the state's new workforce development agency. Career Development helps workers find jobs and employers recruit and train skilled workers. In addition, the department works with K-12 schools and community colleges to establish a career preparation system that would enable every Michigan student to research occupational opportunities and the path that will lead to employment.
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
211 W. Fort St., Ste. 900, Detroit, MI, 48226
Phone: (313) 963-2940
Fax: (313) 963-8839
URL: http://www.degc.org/The DEGC offers a broad range of financial, technical and development assistance to commercial, industrial and service firms, developers and investors alike wanting to do business in Detroit.
Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute
455 West Fort Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone: (734) 961-8426
Fax: (734) 961-8426
URL: http://www.deibus.org/Formerly known as the Detroit Self-Employment Project, the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute is a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) Corporation that provides entrepreneurial training, technical assistance and start up capital to individuals with limited financial resources. Since October 1990 the organization completed thirty-two entrepreneurial training cycles with low-income participants. DEI participants have started 422 businesses. The Institute has now been designated as a U.S. Small Business Administration "Women’s Business Center".
Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency
320 E. Aurora Stret, Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone: (906) 932-4200 or (800) 881-2984
Fax: (906) 932-9781
E-mail: gocaa@mail.portup.com
URL: http://www.mcaaa.org/directory/goccaa.htmGrand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
25 Sheldon SE, Suite 210, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 458-3404
Fax: (616) 458-6557
E-mail: grow@voyager.net
URL: http://www.growbusiness.org/GROW Mission Statement: GROW equips women to become economically independent by becoming successful business owners. GROW Vision Statement: Women possess a range of talents and traits that enable them to become capable and successful entrepreneurs. Grand Rapids Opportunities For Women provides women who want to start or expand their own businesses with the necessary knowledge, skills and personal support to undertake such a venture. This allows women to reach for their dreams as well as their goals to strengthen their personal lives, their families and their communities. GROW enthusiastically supports women in developing their personal capacities and acquiring new resources and skills for economic independence and personal fulfillment.
Idea Works
169 Monroe N.W., Suite 320, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 454-4033
Fax: (616) 454-4474
E-mail: ideaworks@ideaworksllc.com
URL: http://www.ideaworksllc.com/The founders of IdeaWorks, LLC have taken a similar approach to helping new businesses get started and existing businesses expand into new areas. IdeaWorks harnesses the science of good business formation in a unique environment that fosters creativity.
Jackson Economic Development- Enterprise Group
Phone: (517) 787-0442
E-mail: vweaver@enterprisegroup.org .
URL: http://www.enterprisegroup.org/The Enterprise Group of Jackson is a full-service economic development agency that provides a single access point to businesses that are looking to locate to or expand in Jackson County, Michigan.
Kent Area MicroBusiness Loan Services
Masonic Temple Building
233 E. Fulton, Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 771-6880
Fax: (616) 771-8021
URL: http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=568Kent Area MicroBusiness Loan Services (KAMLS) is a non-profit, community-based economic development corporation with a coalition of over thirty organizations, including banks, non-profits, educational institutions, and governmental offices. KAMLS provides small business loans and technical assistance for "pre-bankable" start-up and growing companies.
Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund
520 West Ionia, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 485-4446
Fax: (517) 485-4761
URL: http://www.lansingmicrofund.org/
Geographic Area Served: City of Lansing, Michigan (Urban)
Mission: The Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund helps people start or expand small business in distressed communities by providing business training, small loans, and networking opportunities.Michigan Economic Development Corporation
201 North Washington Square, Victor Office Center, 4th Floor, Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-9808
E-mail: Customer-Assistance@state.mi.us
URL: http://medc.michigan.org/The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the State of Michigan's one-stop resource for businesses seeking to grow in Michigan. Whether it's an expansion, a relocation or even a concern with another agency of state government, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation can help. From site location assistance to job training grants, from help with permits to tax abatements, we're the state's economic development corporation.
Michigan State University Extension
108 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: (517) 355-2308
Fax: (517) 355-6473
E-mail: msue@msue.msu.edu
URL: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/home/Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities.
MicroEnterprise Works!
A Program of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
2568 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 971-0716 x26
Fax: (734) 971-0826
E-mail: rweir@aacil.org
URL: http://www.aacil.org/mew.shtml"MicroEnterprise Works is a program of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL) that assists people with disabilities to become entrepreneurs. We have a complete array of small business development assistance and follow-up services, including a workshop on entrepreneurship and one-on-one consulting. We provide services to people with disabilities primarily through referrals from Michigan Department of Career Development/Michigan Rehabilitation Services counselors in Southeastern Michigan. However, we also work with clients from the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the Veterans Administration."
Northern Economic Initiatives Corporation
228 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 228-5571
Fax: (906) 228-5572
URL: http://www.northerninitiatives.com/Service Area: Upper Peninsula including Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keewenaw, Luce, Macinaw, Marquette, Menonimee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft counties. Northern Economic Initiatives Corporation (NEICorp) of Marquette, Michigan is a non-profit community development corporation working to improve the competitive position of the Upper Peninsula economy. NEICorp provides services that help solve the marketing, workforce development, financing, production, and management issues confronted by existing and emerging Upper Peninsula firms.
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments Project INVEST (formerly Community Commitment Fund)
PO Box 506, Traverse City, MI 49685
Phone: (231) 929-5000
Fax: (616) 929-5012
URL: http://www.nwm.cog.mi.us/Project Invest is a Microenterprise (small business) program of Northwest Michigan Works! Our mission is to help business owners realize their full potential. We do this by assisting individuals in four ways – through education, technical assistance, personal and business coaching, and financial assistance.
One Stop Guide for Starting a Business in Michigan
(Note: PDF format and 89 pages)
URL: http://medc.michigan.org/services/startups/MIStartUp.pdfProject Invest
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
2194 Dendrinos Drive, PO Box 506, Traverse City, MI 49685
Phone: (800) 692-7774 or (231) 929-5000
Fax: (616) 929-5012
E-mail: mmay@nwm.cog.mi.us
URL: http://www.nwm.org/business/invest/Project Invest is a small business (otherwise known as micro-enterprise) development program. Its mission is to help individuals develop and establish successful small businesses through which income can be derived, and perhaps other people may be employed.
Starting a Business in Michigan
FINANCING A BUSINESS
URL: http://medc.michigan.org/services/startups/financing/
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