Have A Business Idea?

We know how intimidating it can be to start a business from a seedling of idea. There are many considerations, including finding a source of capital, finding funding, business support, marketing, and more.

The following list of resources are the best resources in the Northeast Region to help you foster your idea and bring it to life.

Relevant Resources

C.O.O.R. ISD

Career and Technical Education Programs that develop and deliver new talent to the workforce.

Develop Iosco

Develop Iosco promotes economic development in and around Iosco County in the State of Michigan through facilitating various efforts that focus on regional assets, quality of life and education opportunities that stimulate economic growth and stable communities. We are a group of leaders from diverse businesses, government agencies, financial institutions, real estate developers, Chambers of Commerce, healthcare, recreation, tourism, retail and cultural sectors who facilitate economic development through programs, financial assistance and mentorship.

Farm to Fork Alcona

A volunteer committee dedicated to helping Alcona County become a healthier and more vibrant rural economy driven by new and growing agri-business. Farm to Fork Alcona is a steering committee under the umbrella of Inspiration Alcona, a 501c-3 non-profit.

Flight Path Creative

Flight Path Creative started in 2004, and is a team of professional marketers, creative designers, and experienced developers that work together to deliver the best possible results for our clients every single time. As a full-service marketing communications firm, we offer a broad range of services, including responsive website design and development, logo design, media buying and planning, search engine marketing, social media management, video production, photography, and more.

Michigan Works Region 7b Economic Development Assistance

Michigan Works! Region 7B

We are uniquely positioned to help businesses take full advantage of all that Michigan has to offer. Through a broad-based coalition of partners in finance, economic development, education and consulting, we offer confidential, free of charge information and support to assist you in meeting the personnel and operational needs of your business cost-effectively and efficiently. This assistance is offered to both large/small businesses and startups in all industry sectors. We are well versed in solving company needs.

Region 7B Michigan Works! has provided high-quality business development services for 30+ years. We carefully listen to our customer’s wishes, understand their vision and do everything we can to exceed our customers’ expectations. No matter how big or small the needs are, we go above and beyond to make the process enjoyable. Every organization is unique, including its employee needs, capabilities, and objectives. As a provider, we do not offer the same services to all; every engagement is custom designed to meet the organization’s specific requirements and goals.

North Central Michigan College

North Central Michigan College is a public, two-year community college with its main campus located in Petoskey and additional locations in Gaylord and Cheboygan. NCMC offers 24 associate degree programs and 39 certificates. North Central students have the assurance of transfer agreements between colleges and universities, and high school students enrolled in our Early College program have the opportunity to graduate with their high school diploma and an associate degree in five years (one year after their high school graduation). Our University Center partners (Lake Superior State University, Spring Arbor University and Central Michigan University) offer bachelor's degrees on our Petoskey campus. NCMC's Fall 2018 enrollment was 2,341 students, and since it was founded in 1958, the college has awarded 11,000 degrees and certificates. North Central employs 100 full-time faculty and staff and 134 part-time staff and adjunct faculty. The college's annual operating budget for 2019-2020 is $16.1 million, with revenues from three main sources: Emmet County property taxes, tuition and fees, and state appropriations. Our Corporate and Community Education division provides community and continuing education, workforce development, safety training, Lean learning, professional development programs and customized corporate training. A Residence Hall provides on-campus living to as many as 100 students per semester. Other campus amenities include the Harris Gardens, a sculpture garden featuring 26 works of art from internationally-renowned artists, our 195-acre Natural Area, and the Student and Community Resource Center, which features three official NCAA-size basketball courts, a community walking track and circuit/cardio fitness rooms. Our meeting rooms and campus facilities are available for community events including trade shows, lectures, sports camps, board meetings and weddings. North Central’s core philosophy is to improve the quality of life for its students and communities it serves. We are proud of our 60-year history and excited about the future. Working together, we can make the greater Petoskey region even more attractive to investment, and our economy stronger, more diverse, and resilient.

Northeast Michigan Council of Governments

Cities, townships and counties in rural areas often cannot afford the staff to do grant writing, comprehensive land use, zoning, transportation planning, digital mapping, economic & community development, integrated environmental planning, & the coordination of other services. The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) was established in 1968 as a multi-county organization to pool resources for the assistance of local governments in the region. NEMCOG is governed by a policy board that includes elected officials, business leaders and citizen representatives from throughout the eight-county region. Services are supported by local government appropriations, special services contracts and state and federal grants.

NEMCOG is a catalyst for strategic planning and, in this role, has assisted local governments obtain millions of dollars in federal and state grants for vital local projects and services. In addition to planning, NEMCOG also sponsors many other programs, including Community Correction and Watershed Projects.

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

The NLEA is a regional economic development organization serving Cheboygan County (NE MI) as well as Antrim and Charlevoix Counties (NW MI). We have a full-time professional staff as well as a vast array of partner organizations all working towards helping companies create and retain jobs.

Roscommon County Economic Development Corporation

Providing economic development services is a key priority for Roscommon County. Services are provided through a partnership with Roscommon County, Northern Transformation, and Michigan Works Region 7B. This partnership is an effective way to provide workforce and economic development assistance to new and existing businesses within Roscommon County.

The Roscommon County Economic Development Corporation has several sub-committees that focus on workforce and business development, countywide marketing, and community development projects.

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