Local Companies Recognized at "Michigan Celebrates Small Business" Awards

Congratulations to Food For Thought, Inc., BaabaaZuzu and Grand Traverse Pie Company! These three local companies all made the list of "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch," an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The nominees were honored at the "Michigan Celebrates Small Business" awards ceremony in Lansing last Thursday.

MEDC Announces 21st Century Jobs Fund Business Plan Competition

The Michigan Economic Development Council is seeking proposals from for-profit companies seeking to create or expand viable, sustainable Michigan business opportunities in competitive edge technologies with near term job creation (five years or less). The program objective is to oversee a competitive process to award funds to encourage economic diversification in the four competitive edge technology sectors:

• Advanced Automotive, Manufacturing and Materials
• Alternative Energy
• Homeland Security and Defense Technology
• Life Sciences

To learn more about how your business can apply to receive this special MEDC funding, visit the 21st Century Jobs Fund 2008 Business Plan Competition page on the MEDC website.

Grand Traverse County Highlights

• Hagerty Insurance cleared the first of many hurdles in their quest to further build out in Old Town this week.
• Our Revolving Loan Fund continues to swell, with a current balance at just over $1 million.

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Leelanau County Highlights

• Sugarloaf, Cherry Capital Foods and the Leland County Courthouse and Sheriff Dept. are among the spotlighted organizations in this month's Leelanau report.
• Leelanau BRA and Planning department held a joint session to learn about Brownfield and Landbank tools and opportunities.
• Revolving Loan applications are waiting pending the upcoming Strategic Planning Session scheduled for April 29.

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Benzie County Highlights

• Crystal Mountain, Graceland Fruit, the Betsie Lake Utility Authority and BioTech Agronomics are among the spotlighted organizations in this month's Benzie report. 
• Benzie County EDC and Traverse Bay EDC have renewed an administrative and marketing support arrangement for the calendar year of 2008.
• Our Revolving Loan Fund balance is approximately $800,000, and the EDC is working with prospective companies on loan applications.

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