WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Small Business Administration Friday published a package of final rules that will revise regulations to strengthen its 8(a) Business Development program to better ensure that the benefits flow to the intended recipients and help prevent waste, fraud and abuse. The rules were published in The Federal Register and will become effective
TROY - Automation Alley is accepting applications for an upcoming trade mission to China with an optional visit to Taiwan. The mission is scheduled for May 13-20 with an extension to May 24 for those interested in traveling to Taiwan. Participation is limited to 10 companies; registration deadline is March 21. Cities that will be
WASHINGTON ? Lenders who participate in the U.S. Small Business Administration's Preferred Lender Program can approve loans through the agency's new Small Loan Advantage program beginning Feb. 15. At the same time, the agency will begin accepting applications from community-based, mission-focused lenders who are interested in making SBA-guaranteed loans through the new Community Advantage program.
LANSING ? Gov. Rick Snyder will soon announce the break-up of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth and movement of economic development functions to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Gongwer News Service has learned. Multiple sources told Gongwer of the impending changes to one of the state's largest and most critical departments. Snyder
LANSING ? Michigan is on its way to spending $25 million a year on the popular "Pure Michigan" advertising campaign after a bill using 21st Century Jobs Fund money passed a House committee unanimously on Tuesday. Clean Water Action reacted to the vote by saying lawmakers should be just as dedicated financially to cleaning up
AUBURN HILLS ? In a Southeast Michigan economy still struggling to dig itself out of a prolonged recession, Plex Systems remains an exception. The manufacturing ERP software maker posted a 27 percent revenue growth in 2010 over 2009, President and CEO Mark Symonds predicts another 25 percent revenue increase this year. While the privately held
DETROIT ? New Century Career Center will host its first class next week to teach a dozen entrepreneurs who have well drilling businesses how to tap into the geothermal heating and cooling industry. It?s just the first class of what school director and co founder Jeremy Eckhous hopes will be dozens of vocational-training classes to
LANSING - More responsiveness to the needs of struggling Michigan businesses and greater transparency were calls Republican lawmakers made to Michigan Economic Development Corporation officials on Tuesday. With the state struggling economically over the past 10 years, Rep. Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) put it straight to the new CEO Michael Finney by asking what the MEDC
ANN ARBOR - Most local officials do not think their workers are overpaid in terms of salary and wages, a study by the Center of Local, State and Urban Policy at the University of Michigan said. But many do think their workers get benefits that are more generous than the general public. The survey is
YPSILANTI ? Valentine's Day Feb. 14 also marks the launch of the $120 million Venture Michigan Fund II, which follows on the heels of the fully committed $95 million Venture Michigan Fund 1. To make the launch, four private equity capital experts will host a press roundtable at the Eagle Crest Conference Center in Ypsilanti