Small Business Resources
The following resources can assist you in starting and operating your small business:
Lake Superior Community Partnership– The L.S.C.P can provide a number of services for your business.
- Posting job openings on their website.
- Health Insurance
- Workers Comp Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- LSCP Gift Checks
- Revolving Loan Fund
- Business Start-Up Resources
- Advocacy
- Advertising Opportunities
- Networking Venues
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Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center– The MI-SBTDC network provides a full range of services for a variety of small businesses that are emerging and growing throughout Michigan- including new venture companies, existing small businesses, expanding businesses, new technology companies, and innovators.
The MI-SBTDC network is a grassroots advocate for small business working in partnership with local resources to grow and strengthen companies. New ventures, in particular, may be unfamiliar with funding sources and support services. The MI-SBTDC can provide the following services:
Counseling- One-on-one meetings with experienced business consultants are available to assist small business owners in the process of building viable business plans, establishing strategies for growth and survival, creating practical marketing approaches, dealing with unexpected challenges, and generating realistic financial goals.
Training- The best place to start building business success is with education. A range of training programs are offered statewide. Focused on the needs of local entrepreneurs, training is available at the local level in a variety of formats. How to get started, determining legal structure, accessing financing, effective and selling, and e-commerce seminars are offered throughout the 12 MI-SBTDC regions. Ishpeming is located in region 1, and the region 1 office is located in Escanaba.
Research- The underlying success for businesses of all sizes is information including the size and characteristics of industries, the marketplace, competition, foreign trade, and customer demographics.
Anyone interested in starting a small business can pick up a free copy of the MI-SBTDC’s publication “Guide to Starting a Small Business” at Ishpeming City Hall.
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Michigan Certified Development Corporation SBA 504 Loan Program– This is an economic development loan program that provides small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for the acquisition of major fixed assets such as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment.
To be eligible a business must have a tangible net worth of less than $7.5 million and an average net profit, after tax, or less than $2.5 million for the past 2 years.
A business can use a SBA 504 loan for the following purposes:
- Purchasing land, buildings, machinery and equipment.
- Land improvements.
- Renovations of addition to an existing building.
- Construction of a new building.
- Leasehold improvements.
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Michigan Business One Stop– This is the Michigan.Gov site that allows you to pick up the necessary licenses and permits to start your business in Michigan. It also provides a number of small business resources, such as financing and business tax information.