Program builds on Initiate resource portal for Michigan
small businesses

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is partnering with community and economic development organizations, financial institutions, and other small business support organizations to work one-on-one with businesses at the local level. A new series of training cohorts, intended for partner organizations that serve small business customers, will use a ​“Train the Trainer” model, teaching them how to establish a consistent business retention program locally, how to build trust with business owners, how to use available tools to understand business needs, where to direct businesses using the MEDC.Initiate portal, and more.

Small businesses across the state also now have access to tools and resources to help them launch and grow in Michigan, including an online small business learning platform offered by MEDC called Initiate. The Initiate resource portal covers topics such as money, marketing, management, and COVID-19 resiliency resources by using a variety of learning methods including videos, templates, and guides.

“As we continue to address the adverse economic impacts of the pandemic, business retention efforts at the local level remain vital as we leverage an all-hands-on-deck approach to recovery,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. ​“Through our training series and the robust Initiate resource portal, we can continue to work together to create a path toward economic recovery for small businesses throughout Michigan.”

Amber Parsons, owner of Harwood Gold store and cafe in Charlevoix

Over the next year, the MEDC in partnership with Northern Initiatives, will be offering three training cohorts, each lasting about 12 weeks, that will provide four strategic learning sessions for trainers.  Registration is required and space is limited.

Each training cohort will serve as a shared learning community, in which program participants will have the opportunity to meet throughout the year with Northern Initiatives staff and other cohort members as part of a peer learning group.  In addition, cohort participants and the businesses you serve will have access to the online resource platform MEDC.Initiate.  

How to register

Program participant registrations will be accepted through noon on Monday, April 19 for the Spring 2021 training. Participants will be notified by Wednesday, April 21 as to their registration status. Two other cohorts are scheduled for fall 2021 and winter 2022. For specific dates, visit here.

Registration forms will be submitted online.  Access the registration form here. There is no cost to register.

The Initiate Cohort Trainings will fill on a first come, first serve basis with eligible program participants, based on the selected dates indicated in your registration form. Consideration may be giving to ensure each cohort represents diversity in location, organization size, and organization type.

Northern Initiatives is the creator of the Initiate platform and a Community Development Financial Institution based in Michigan. They have trained community and economic development organizations serving 33 states on how to utilize the Initiate platform and enhance their business retention programs.

“The Initiate portal and training have been immensely valuable to Niles and our businesses ever since we learned about it. Several of our businesses signed up for the program as I was going through the training. As we all know, small businesses can be fiercely independent. One of the things I love most about Initiate is that they can explore and learn on their own, knowing I am there if they need me,” said Director of Niles DDA Main Street Program Lisa Croteau. ​“All agree that it is the absolute best business resource sight any of us have ever seen. As a matter of fact, I sent a new business there just last week and am excited about getting reengaged with the program to bring new businesses this spring as we, hopefully, start to emerge from COVID. Thank you for continually finding amazing resources to help Michigan’s small businesses not only survive, but thrive.”

To learn more about MEDC’s Community Development Small Business Services, please contact Suzanne Perreault at perreaults@michigan.org or visit https://www.miplace.org/small-business.