A new program from the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation has been launched to support small and mid-sized businesses across the state, and seven Northwest Michigan businesses are among them.
There are fifty-four initial companies receiving business development support through the Pure Michigan Business Connect Economic Gardening Pilot Program. Support comes in four areas: strategy and management, market research, Internet and social media strategy, and geographical information systems.
"The goal of this program is to help these second-stage companies grow and in turn, generate new private investment and create new jobs for Michigan," says MEDC CEO and president Michael Finney. "The program is part of our toolkit for economic gardening that’s built on Michigan’s broad asset base of strong corporate enterprises, innovative entrepreneurs and rich technology resources."
In Northwest Michigan, the companies are: Classic Instruments of Boyne City, which builds instruments for the auto industry; Cygnus, Inc. of Petoskey, which makes computer workstations for the healthcare industry; Frontier Computer Corp. of Traverse City, providing global IT solutions; R.M. Young Company of Traverse City, which makes weather instruments; Springfield Commercial Roofing in Kingsley, which provides roofing, building analysis and insulation systems; Alfie of Traverse City, which markets companies through embroidery, screen printing and other products; and Island Airways of Beaver Island, which is a transportation and warehouse company.
The companies were chosen from nominations from local economic development representatives across the state. They were chosen based on the markets they serve, their growth potential, and their likelihood of benefiting from the services.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michael Finney, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
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