Small Business

This week we want to shine the spotlight on Eastern Upper Peninsula Wood Shavings, located in Kincheloe. After a devastating fire destroyed their shop in December of 2018, they have rebuilt and will soon be at full production of their nationally recognized products. Production begins in the Eastern Upper Peninsula starting with the logs which are harvested locally using a mixture of spruce and balsam. Processing and packaging are all completed at the plant in Kincheloe where there is no propane or natural gas involved in the drying process. The end result is organic, super absorbent, premium bedding. The naturally… Read More »

From Bridge Magazine By Mike Wilkinson So you’ve got this great business idea, one that will liberate you from your current job or offer a lifeline after losing one. With Michigan hurt by a marked decline in the number of new businesses created in the last decade, you think your idea is a sure-fire winner. Your husband thinks it’s a great idea, too, as does your Aunt Irene. Can’t fail, right? Hold on a minute. Business leaders contacted by Bridge Magazine for our recent article on the dearth of entrepreneurs in Michigan say they see new business owners make the… Read More »

 (Bridge photo by Mike Wilkinson) Article by Mike Wilkinson | Bridge Magazine – MLive.com In a tiny brick building on the west side of Jackson, Jeff Drushal is living his dream, stepping out onto a ledge that is both frightening and exhilarating. Married and with a daughter, Drushal, 34, just left a steady job as a supervisor in a machine shop and surrounded himself with decades-old – but still working – metal cutters, lathes and welding guns. He is betting on his own skills and business acumen to make the transition from employee to employer. In five years, he hopes… Read More »

(Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) – January 12, 2016:  Entrepreneurial spirit was in full force at St. Francis French Immersion Catholic School last week, where YouLaunch kicked off 2016 with the first Market Your Thoughts workshop in Sault Ste. Marie. Forty grade 7-8 students learned what it means to be an entrepreneur and how great ideas can come to life.  Students were asked to illustrate what an entrepreneur looks like and were left with the challenge to create a business plan for an idea that would make Sault Ste. Marie a better place. St. Francis French Immersion teacher Micaela Mansfield provided… Read More »

From The Petoskey News: ELMIRA — Elmira has been an interesting place to be over the past few weeks to say the least. More specifically, the railroad tracks running through town, across M-32, have been a captivating area bustling with activity as several enormous pieces of equipment have arrived by train. This equipment was later transported to the Alpine Power Plant as the Wolverine Power Cooperative-owned project continues to advance toward completion. “Everything is on schedule and we are excited with how (the project) has advanced,” said Ken Bradstreet, government affairs consultant for Wolverine Power Cooperative. “It’s been very good… Read More »

SAULT STE. MARIE November 9, 2015 – Essar Steel Algoma Inc. announced today that it has sought protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in order to strengthen its financial health and solidify its long-term business prospects. The Company has initiated a corresponding filing in the United States under Chapter 15 to recognize and give effect to the Canadian filing. The Company fully expects to continue normal operations during its restructuring. “We have taken aggressive measures that succeeded in curtailing costs and significantly enhancing productivity, ranking Essar Steel Algoma among the top… Read More »

The UPWARD Business Plan Competition is to encourage entrepreneurs to explore new ideas, and create and begin new businesses The competition is open to all residents in the Upper Peninsula, Marinette and Florence Counties. Competition winners will receive startup seed capital, as well as mentoring services and media exposure. This region wide contest is an opportunity to compete for cash and in-kind prizes, but it’s also a chance to get constructive feedback on your business… plan and to help move it from a virtual business to a reality. Why Enter? • Judges, mentors and other resources will help you gain… Read More »

The 4th Annual UPWard Initiative Business Plan Competition has been designed to encourage entrepreneurs to explore new ideas and start new businesses in the Upper Peninsula. The competition is open to all residents in the Upper Peninsula, Marinette and Florence Counties. Competition winner will receive cash prize, as well as mentoring services and media exposure. New and existing businesses are encouraged to participate. This region wide contest is an opportunity to compete for cash and in-kind prizes, but it’s also a chance to get constructive feedback on your business plan and to help move it from a virtual business to… Read More »

  Bipartisan Bill Would Eliminate Outdated Paperwork for Michigan Small Businesses FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2015 Allison Green 202-834-2281 Zade Alsawah 313-505-4810 Media@peters.senate.gov WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would reduce burdensome paperwork and cut red tape for small businesses.  The Microloan Act of 2015 eliminates three outdated provisions in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Microloan Program that have been unchanged since the program’s establishment in 1991 and only create unnecessary paperwork for small businesses and entrepreneurs. “Small businesses and startups are… Read More »

A grant opportunity designed to encourage growth in Michigan’s food and agriculture industry was announced today by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams. “This is a great chance for our food and agriculture businesses to find innovative ways to expand and grow.  Food and agriculture in Michigan is a $101 billion industry. This is one avenue to help spur job creation, support local communities and drive new economic development,” said Clover Adams. Applicants for grant funds will be asked to describe how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the food and agriculture… Read More »