COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LINKS
Economic Development Administration
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121), as amended, to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The MEDC’s mission is keeping good jobs in Michigan and attracting more of them. Their mandate includes: attracting new business to Michigan; keeping businesses in Michigan and helping them grow; providing information on Michigan and its industries; site location assistance, financial assistance; employee recruitment and training; and coordination of site development, resources, and services.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created by Congress in 1953 to help America's entrepreneurs form successful small enterprises. The SBA’s mission is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters. SBA's program offices in every state offer financing, training and advocacy for small firms. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide.
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development CenterSM network provides a full range of services for a variety of small businesses that are emerging and growing throughout Michigan – new venture companies, existing small businesses, expanding businesses, new technology companies, and innovators. The MI-SBTDC is known throughout Michigan for its quality counsel, training and market research capabilities. The Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University is the home of the State Headquarters for the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center network.
Founded in 1985, The Right Place, Inc. is a regional, non-profit economic development organization that is directed by a board consisting of business and community leaders. Its mission is to promote area economic growth through high-quality employment, productivity, and technology. To do so, the program focuses on retaining existing jobs, supporting local business growth, and attracting new businesses to the Greater Grand Rapids area.
This site offers regional economic development data, commercial and industrial real estate listings, business profiles and infrastructure information for the seven-county region of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Kent, and Newaygo Counties. Data include general regional information such as county profiles, economic development contacts, and resources by county. Other regional data include statistical tables including cost of living, education, workforce, population, and employment information; infrastructure resources and map; and site and building data. Other resources include a searchable database of businesses in West Michigan by NAICS code; and links to additional community resources.
The Michigan Works! System is a customer-driven workforce development system that serves employers and job seekers to ensure that employers have the skilled workers they need and workers have good jobs that provide economic self-sufficiency. The heart of this system is the Michigan Works! Service Centers. There are over 100 Service Centers providing locally designed and operated services to meet local labor market needs. The Michigan Works! System is open to everyone for information gathering, local and state labor market information, and self-serve career information, including necessary skill levels for good jobs.
Manufacturing Matters to Michigan
MM2M (Manufacturing Matters To Michigan) is a grassroots, nonpartisan advocacy program designed to support the threatened manufacturing segment of our state’s economic base. Through its various elements, MM2M brings manufacturers and the service sector together in an effort to strengthen the political and market environment so that Michigan can retain its heritage as a center of world class manufacturing.
Starting a Business – Online Business Startup Wizard
The Online Business Startup Wizard is the State of Michigan's interactive tool to guide users through completing forms needed to start their business. It includes helpful information and business startup forms from Department of Treasury, Department of Labor & Economic Growth, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency. You'll find links to many other state, federal and business organizations as well.
Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA)
The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA), founded in 1960, exists to advance economic development throughout Michigan, and increase the individual member’s effectiveness in the economic development profession. The association’s goal is to provide a variety of services and programs which will enhance members' abilities and skills in economic development. Through education, legislative updates, public relations and networking, MEDA makes it possible for its members to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
The Michigan Downtown Association was formed to encourage good development, redevelopment and improvement of communities throughout the State of Michigan, with special emphasis on downtown areas within the State. MDA members include any person, organization or government body within the State of Michigan that supports economic development.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth
The State's Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) opened for business officially December 8th, 2003. Governor Jennifer Granholm created DLEG to promote job creation and economic growth in Michigan by centralizing and streamlining the state's job, workforce, and economic development functions under one department.
COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
Allegan County
Contact: Michael Lombardo, County Administrator
County Services Building
3283 – 122nd Avenue
Allegan, MI 49010
269-673-0205
Ionia County Economic Alliance
Executive Director: Diane Smith
545 Apple Tree Drive
Ionia, MI 48846
Phone: 616-527-8014
Fax: 616-527-8410
Kent County
Contact The Right Place, Inc. (listed above)
Mecosta County Development Corporation
Executive Director: William Mrdeza
246 North State Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: 231- 592-3403
Toll Free: 800-632-6782
Fax: 231-592-4085
Montcalm Alliance
Contact: Franz Mogdis
621 New Street
P.O. Box 805
Stanton, MI 48888
Phone: 989-831-5261
Fax: 989-831-8727
E-mail: fmogdis@montcalm.cc.mi.us
Contact: Dan Massy
301 West Upton
Reed City, MI 49677
Phone: 231-832-7397
Fax: 231- 832-6197
Ottawa County Economic Development Office
Executive Director: Ken Rizzio
6676 Lake
Michigan Drive
P.O. Box 539
Allendale, MI 49401
Phone: 616-892-4120
Fax: 616-895-6670
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