SOUTHWESTERN ALLIANCE

Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance Berrien County Manufacturers Council 

September 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 9

 
In This Issue...
The 360 Group (sponsored by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission) recently hosted an economic development forum at Andrews University.  One of the highlights was a panel of four entrepreneurs at various stages of business development.  All of the panelists expressed a desire to be better informed about opportunities and resources that could be applicable to their situation.
 
It is an important part of our mission to provide contacts, links to resources, educational opportunities, and other information related to doing business in southwest Michigan.  We work with a variety of organizations and partners to collect, update, publish, and announce all of the opportunities and resources in a timely manner.  There is an enormous amount of information available and knowledgeable people who are ready to help. 
 
It is our goal to really step up and work with our partners to develop an information network so comprehensive that, with your help, no entrepreneur or business owner in southwest Michigan will be disconnected from the resources they really need.
 
In this issue we are:
  1. Inviting you to a seminar about "Painless Internal Auditing"
  2. Providing financial information related to the "Small Business Jobs Bill"
  3. Sharing information about "Available Warehouse/Distribution Services and Space" which could also be the perfect location for a small start-up business
  4. Extending an invitation to a fun event featuring Lake Michigan College president Bob Harrison
  5. Sharing a link to the Niles Daily Star's story about a local business (Sycamore Creek Cabinetry) starting up and already going strong in Niles
 
Please help us make the connection between what business owners need to know and which organizations are providing the information - we'll use this newsletter to share and build that network!
 
 
Painless Internal Auditing
  • Do your auditors dread conducting audits - or have to be reminded over and over when it's time?
  • Does your auditing team have to hustle just before a surveillance audit to get audits done?
  • Do non-conformance issues keep coming up, even though you have identified them in the past?
As part of their "Manufacturing on the Rise" seminar series, the Michigan Manufacturing Technical Center (MMTC) will present, "5 Easy Steps to Painless Internal Auditing" that will transform your internal auditing system into an effective and powerful tool for your business.  In partnership with the Berrien County Manufacturers Council, this seminar offers a real learning experience - at no cost!
 
Seminar Information: (Although there is no cost, please RSVP to help facilitate the arrangements)
October 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (continental breakfast provided)
Berrien County RESA Building (formerly known as the ISD)
711 St. Joseph Avenue, Berrien Springs, Michigan
 
Please register by contacting either the MMTC through Amy Winkler at 616-771-0561 or by emailing
Amy Winkler or by contacting the Berrien County Manufacturers Council through Shelley Klug at 269-683-1833 or by emailing Southwestern Alliance.
 
 
Small Business Jobs Bill
The Michigan Certified Development Corporation (MCDC) is committed to growing the economic base in Michigan.  All of their loans are serviced locally and 100% of their staff is located in Michigan.  MCDC's five locations provide personal service to borrowers and banking partners.  They recently issued the following information related to the Small Business Jobs bill (HR 5297):
 
"The final bill contains the following program enhancements for SBA programs:
  • Fee Reductions - extends the authority for 504 and 7(a) fee reductions and the 90% 7(a) guarantees through December 31st, or until $505 million in appropriations to support them is used.
  • Maximum Loan Amounts - permanently increases the loan maximum on 504 loans, including public policy loans, to $5 million, except small manufacturer loans and energy loans are increased to $5.5 million. Also increases the maximum amount of 7(a) loans to $5 million gross and $3.75 million net (or guaranteed amount).
  • Alternative Size Standard - pending SBA establishment of an alternative applicable to both 504 and 7(a), establishes a standard of maximum tangible net worth of $15 million and 2-year average net income after Federal income tax of $5 million, which will apply to both programs.
  • Debt Refinancing - establishes a temporary 2-year program of business debt refinancing through the 504 program independent of the usually required job creation/preservation goals of one job for $65,000. This enables 504 to be used for refinancing of qualified existing debt without business expansion.
 
For more information please call the MCDC office at 616-884-0390.
 
Warehouse/Distribution Space and Services Available
We love the Simplicity Building and can vouch for the important central location and amazing opportunities available there so we asked the owners to tell the rest of the story... 
 
"The Simplicity Industrial Center is a multiple service facility offering manufacturing, distribution, long/short term storage and office space to commercial users.  The Center features heavy utilities, multiple ceiling heights to 28.5 feet in a well-cared for facility that is divisible into spaces ranging from 2,000 square feet in size to the largest room of 48,000 square feet, with individually metered utilities and services.  Norfolk Southern provides rail service to the Center and is in the process of upgrading their existing rail spur, which should be completed by the end of September.  The former corporate offices of Simplicity Pattern are available for lease in flexible square footage options.
 
The Center is staffed and provides general warehouse services to customers who do not wish to maintain and staff their own facility or are in need of overflow capacity.  The Center will take delivery, store and ship your product on demand and as you need it to be done during normal weekday business hours and other times upon request.
 
If you are looking for a partner that can deliver quality and flexible building space and service solutions that will enhance your bottom line, the Simplicity Industrial Center is the real deal and is interested in showing you what they can do for you and your business.  Call the ownership (Jeff) directly at 517-202-9421."
 
 
Roast a President?

The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan will be hosting a Community Roast in honor of Dr. Robert Harrison. Dr. Robert Harrison, the ninth president of Lake Michigan College, serves on numerous boards: Hospice at Home, Lory's Place, YMCA of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance (past president), the Berrien County Brownfield Authority, and the Berrien County Council for Children. Bob is also chairman of this year's United Way campaign.

 

It is no surprise that Bob was recognized with the Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award in 2007. He doesn't merely say, "We need to give back to the community and nonprofits," he lives those words.  Right from the start, Bob has sought input from the business community, support from political leaders and wisdom from area leaders. Under his stewardship, in spite of a struggling economy, the college has seen its greatest growth in the past two years, the second highest growth in 28 community colleges in Michigan.

 

Please help us honor Dr. Harrison and his outstanding community legacy. Tickets can be purchased at the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan.  Please click here for more information and to RSVP :  Bob Harrison Community Roast Invitation.

 

The Roast will be held October 14, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the LMC Mendel Center.

 

 
Niles Welcomes Sycamore Creek Cabinetry
It is always a pleasure to welcome a new company to the Niles area but when it is a company like Sycamore Creek Cabinetry, we're even more proud.  Of all the places he could have chosen, John Derda chose Niles because he wants to help put Niles people to work!  Please click this link to read their story in the Niles Daily Star. 
As always, your input is important - please contact me with your calendar events, announcements, or suggestions for topics at:
 
Shelley Klug, Executive Director
Southwestern Alliance
Phone: 269-683-1833
Fax:     269-683-7515