| In the fall
of 2010, the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce entered the Michigan State University Land
Policy Institute's "Creating Entrepreneurial Communities"
program. Along with the Chamber, the DDA and the City of Imlay City formed the SEED Group.
SEED stands for Small business, Entrepreneurs and
Economic Development and the SEED Group is now a team of volunteers that
represent a variety of businesses and organizations in Imlay City. The
Imlay City SEED Group is dedicated to bringing entrepreneurs into Imlay
City while strengthening the businesses already established in the
region.
The group has gone through extensive training and attended
seminars to gain the knowledge and resources to bring, maintain and grow
business in Imlay City.
The team now consists of 6 members: Dana Dunlop, Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce
Kim
Marrone, Imlay City DDA Wayne O'Neal, City of
Imlay City Paul LaFontaine, Imlay City Ford Walt
Bargen, Lapeer County Bank & Trust Kristen
Vali-Hax, Ruth Hughes Memorial Library
The SEED Group encourages entrepreneurs to visit the DDA website for information regarding programs available to young businesses. Another valuable resource is the Ruth Hughes Library's website, www.ruthhughes.org. Here you will find information regarding business plans and other valuable resources. The SEED Group also hosts "Entrepreneur Meet Ups". The Meet Ups offer a relaxed networking atmosphere where established businesses and entrepreneurs can meet, share ideas and resources and expand their networks. Our next Meet Up will be Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Countryside Banquet Center. The free event begins at 5:30pm with networking, appetizers and a cash bar. Later in the evening, Walt Bargen, of Lapeer County Bank and Trust, will answer your business financial questions.How you can get involved in the SEED Group: *Volunteer your time *Participate in
an up and coming mentoring program * Share your
ideas and suggestions to your networks and promote Imlay City within
them *Attend Town Hall meetings and the monthly
SEED networking meetings
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