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For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.
County Profiles and Data. Profiles of all 83 Michigan counties are available.
Community Assessment Teams. This is an intense two to four day workshop to answer specific community questions.
Board Development and Training. Workshops and customized on-site training for non-profit governance.
Citizen Planner Certificate Program. This is an evening course for people who serve on, or interact with, local planning commissions.
Small Town Design Initiative. A process to stimulate creative thinking about a community's physical environment.
Home Based Business
A notebook and other educational materials are available to conduct programs for home based business.
Contact: Mark Thomas, Van Buren MSU Extension - (269) 655-8308
Labor Shortage Analysis
A research project to find available labor to enter the labor market is being conducted.
Contact: Colletta Moser - MSU Dept of Ag Econ. - (517) 353-3298
Rural Retailer Program
Materials, including bulletins and a computer program, are available to help small retailers analyze their financials and an their business for more profit.
Contact: Van Varner, Novi Ext. Center - (248) 347-0269
Business Retention and Expansion Program
The MSU Business Retention and Expansion Program involves the community in a program designed to keep businesses in the community and help them grow. Volunteers are trained to visit local businesses and conduct a survey. Follow-up teams of trained volunteers and professionals follow-up to solve local and state problems identified by the businesses.
Contact: Mark Thomas, Van Buren MSU Extension - (269) 655-8308
CAT - Community Assessment Team
The MSU CAT is an exercise where outside experts visit a community, city, or county to give expert advice to answer the questions raised by a local committee. The visit is a 2-4 day event involving numerous citizens. It is often the catalyst to get the community working to solve local problems.
Contact: Local County Extension Director
Basic Economic Scans for Counties and Communities
Specific local data and other detailed demographics and economic data is available from MSU Extension.
Contact: Local County Extension Director
General Workforce Development
This program focuses on improving the understanding of and the utilization of the existing and potential workforce.
Contact: Mark Thomas - Van Buren County - (269) 655-8308
Human Resource Management for Small Business
A Course taught by MSU HR Specialists in your community to help small businesses develop and manage their Human Resources.
Contact: Bill Carpenter, Iosco County - (989) 984-1057
Contact: Colletta Moser, MSU Dept. of Ag Econ. - (517) 353-3298
Fast Trac
FastTrac is a 9- 11 week intensive entrepreneurial training course directed at those who would like to start a business or improve their present business. FastTrac I students develop a feasibility plan, while FastTrac II students develop a "Business Plan".
Contact: Van Varner, Novi Ext. Center - (248) 347-0269
Going Solo
Going Solo is a complete package for guiding aspiring entrepreneurs into the world of business ownership. The materials have been developed for both young and adult entrepreneurial training programs. The flexible and adaptable design can be customized for virtually any setting.
Contact: Dave Ivan, Clinton County- (989) 224-5240
Nx Level
A ten session, 30-hour course that addresses those questions every entreprenuer needs to answer before starting or expanding a business venture. Participants develop a business plan during the course to test the feasibility of thier business concept and to act as the blueprint for their venture.
Contact: Dianne Novak, Hannah Tech Center- (517) 432-8754
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