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| Volume 91 Issue 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Now
at the new chamber office! |
Chamber creates team to help small businesses sustain themselves...
The goal of BEAT is to help the business sustain itself, especially in the first five years. The program is also offered to established businesses that may be experiencing difficulties. The BEAT group will utilize the experience, skills and expertise of chamber members to offer business guidance and assistance to entrepreneurs in the following disciplines:
Process:
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County, which created a Small Business Incentives Committee to oversee the distribution of grant and loan funding to downtown businesses, will utilize BEAT if a business seeking funds needs assistance to fulfill the criteria of a business plan. “Many people looking to start a small business have a difficult time getting past the business plan and if they need funding, even grants, a strong business plan is required. BEAT will help them identify holes and give advice on how to prepare a winning business plan to the financer,” said Chamber President, Vickie Ledsworth. “Furthermore, developing a business plan is a crucial learning exercise for anyone wanting to start and sustain a business. As the business changes, the business plan should also change.” John Diller, owner of Pringle’s Sweet Shoppe opening in the spring utilized the Chamber for assistance with his business plan before applying for funding assistance from the Community Foundation. Representatives met with Diller and his accountant to discuss his business plan and areas where it could be improved. The result was a successful funding request to the Foundation’s Small Business Incentives Committee. With the current state of the economy, Ledsworth has received half a dozen calls just in the last week regarding new business start-ups and requests for information on funding incentives. “A down economy can present people with the motivation to take things in their own hands and open a business. Some, like Peter and Linda Whipple, who are opening The Whipple Tree, have owned a business before and may not need additional help, while others need a guide to come along side and help them through the process and that’s what our team can offer them.” Businesses do not have to be a member of the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce to receive assistance. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Vickie Ledsworth, Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce at (810) 985-7101. To learn about other local chamber activities, visit www.bluewaterchamber.com View more events in our full Photo Album here! November Events
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In the Spotlight: Baker College Expansion "The Meeting Place"
In addition, Baker also enhanced their Surg Tech lab area and built a "mock" pharmacy tech area for their students. Included in the makeover was a techonology upgrade for the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting areas. Baker prides itself on having a focus on students, student learning and making sure their faculty has the resources students need to facilitate learning. Sy Design was the architectural firm and Sheldon Construction was the company that did the structural work. Sy Design oversaw the project as well. They were finished in record time and Baker feels confident in the quality of work. They said that both companies were customer-focused and treated everyone with respect. Their actions and profesesionalism certainly spoke well for our community. For more information: www.baker.edu or stop in to see for yourself! |
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Visiting
Nurse Association receives national recogntion
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Red
Mudd Studio Holiday Show a huge success! 
Local
Pet Sitter named Best Pet Sitter in Michigan and Best Dog Walker
in Michigan in the 2008 Readers Choice Awards for Michigan Tails
Magazine! 
12
Tips of Christmas from our friends at the Michigan Retailers Association |
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Board
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