Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance

The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) takes a leadership role in Houghton, Keweenaw and Baraga Counties--helping to expand and diversify the area's economic base in order to create family sustaining employment and to increase the economic well-being of the Keweenaw Peninsula region.

KEDA designs and implements proactive, sustainable programs that are focused on retaining and expanding existing firms, starting up new businesses, attracting entrepreneurs and companies to the Keweenaw and initiating projects that create the conditions for future economic growth.

Event: February, 2012 KEDA Member Meeting to feature Keweenaw National Historical Park

Wednesday, February 8th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am

The February member meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feburary 8th at the Finnish American Heritage Center in downtown Hancock.  A hot breakfast sponsored by the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be available beginning at 7:15 a.m., and the meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting will feature a presentation by Mike Pflaum, Sjuperintendent of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, and Scott See of the National Park Advisory Commission on future plans for the Quincy Smelter site and the newly opened Calumet Visitor Center.   Plans are being developed for the Quincy Smelter site that may be redeveloped for both historical and commercial uses, and may become the headquarters for the Isle Royale National Park.  To prepare for eventual reuse, the site is undergoing clean-up and stabilization.

Members are encouraged to bring guests.  The meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and last for one hour. There is time for member announcements, and for networking both before and after the meeting.  For more information, contact Phil Musser, KEDA Executive Director, at 906-482-6817 or pmusser@kedabiz.com.

News: KEDA Makes Expansion Loans to Local Businesses

A number of local manufacturing, service and technology companies are expanding and in need of funds to purchase equipment and for working capital.  Since September, KEDA has provided a $30,000 working capital loan to a Houghton County technology company, a $30,000 loan to a Baraga manufacturing company and has just completed a $100,000 working capital loan to a Houghton County manufacturer.  KEDA, the SmartZone and the Houghton County revolving loan fund all have funds to loan to local businesses.  Contact Phil Musser at 906-482-6817 for more information and to apply.

Event:MIOSHA 1/2 Day Safety Workshops: Excavations: The Grave Danger and Electricity: The Invisible Killer

March 1, 2012

Both courses are 1/2 day, Excavations in the morning and Electricity in the afternoon.  You may sign up for either or both workshops.

Excavations: The Grave Danger will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.  Cost is $75 and the course will cover:

Part 9. Excavations

Materila handling

Electrical hazards

Soils identification

Hazardous Atmosphere

Electricity: The Invisible Killer will be held from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.  Cost is $75 and the course will cover:

Explanation of the primary electrical hazards in construction

Review the MIOSHA standards that apply to electrical safety in construction

Explain ways to avoid electrical hazards in construction

These courses will be held in the Community Room just off the lobby at the Lakeshore Center, 600 E. Lakeshore Drive in Houghton, Michigan.  The cost of $75 per workshop includes course materials and a certificate of completion from Macomb Community College.  Payment can be by check or Visa or Mastercard. To register or for more information, contact Phil Musser at 906-482-6817 or pmusser@kedabiz.com.

News: KEDA Creates Keweenaw Air Service Task Force

KEDA has taken the lead in creating a Keweenaw Air Service Task Force to monitor air service to the business and overall Keweenaw community, and to proactively support the Houghton County Memorial Airport to improve service and to increase the number of flights serving the Keweenaw.  Eric Peterson, a former member of the City of Houghton City Council and a frequent flyer, has agreed to Chair the Task Force.  The 20-member Task Force is being formed in recognition of the importance of air service to local companies and to economic developmennt of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The Task Force meets every few months to review air service developments and to identify initiatives to improve our local air service.  Most recently, the Task Force met with a SkyWest Airlines representative to discuss such issues as increased air service, decreasing passanger leakage to other airports, alternate landing site in the event of inclement weather and other issues.  Comments and concerns regarding air service can be addressed to either Eric Peterson at epeterson@medassets.com or by contacting KEDA Executive Director Phil Musser at 906-482-6817 or pmusser@kedabiz.com.

Federal Procurement Represents a Huge Potential Market for Local Companies

Federal procurement represents a huge potential market for local company products.  Some Keweenaw companies have had success in selling their goods and services to federal agencies, including the U.S. military, but many local companies have not yet entered this market due to the difficulty and complexity of the process and to the lack of personnel to devote to procurement.  There is now help!  KEDA is providing Elizabeth Tolsdorf, who has expertise in federal procurement, with the resources to start up a consulting business, Superior Research Services, that can work with your business to:

• Determine if state or federal government are buying your products and services
• Register with those state and federal agencies procuring your goods and services
• Monitor daily solicitations and notifying you of possible bids
• Interpret solicitation documents
• Help to submit bids, quotes and proposals
• Set up payment procedures, and
• Conduct market research to identify non-government markets, potential customers and competitors

Elizabeth can work with your business on an hourly, per job or retainer basis.  To explore the possibility of getting into government procurement, contact her at etolsdorf@charter.net or 906-337-0365.  SRS is a KEDA-affiliated company; KEDA members receive a discount.

You are also encouraged to attend government procurement workshops sponsored by the Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) serving the Upper Peninsula, and to arrnange a visit by the UP PTAC representative, Don Makowski.  Contact Don at 906-789-0558 x 244 or via e-mail at dmakowski@jobforce.org.  The next procurement workshop is:

 Federal government Contracting 101, Thursday, January 14th, Video Conference at the Lakeshore Center conference room, 600 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, 9 am - noon.  This seminar will teach you how to classify your product, getting registered, small business programs, how to find procurement opportunities and information on PTAC services.  The seminar is free and is also being held in Escanaba at the Michigan Works Job Force Board at 2950 College Avenue. To register, contact Trisha DeGrand at 906.789.0558  x231 or tdegrand@jobforce.org.

For a complete listing of PTAC seminars, go to www.nwm.org/ptac.asp.  For more information on federal contracting, contact Don Makowski at 906-789-0558 or at dmakowski@jobforce.org. 

News: Federal Recovery Act Assistance for Small Businesses

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has created a new web site to provide information on the Federal Recovery Act.  to find the provisions that apply to small businesses, go to www.MichiganAdvantage.org/Recovery and click on "ARRA Program Information And Updates," then click on ""ARRA Information for Businesses."  You will find information on:

• 5-Year carryback provision to increase tax refunds for small businesses
• Write off up to $250,000 of investment
• Reduced Estimated tax payments
• Extension of bonus depreciation deductions
• Incentives for investors to put money in small businesses

For more information, call the MEDC Assistance Center at 517-373-9808.

News: USDA Announces Renewable Energy Grants and Loans for Small Rural Businesses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently announced the availability of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency grants and guaranteed loans for small business in rural areas.  The grants and loans can be used to conduct energy audits, feasibility studies and to purchase energy efficient equipment or construct energy efficient facilities.  For more information, go to www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs and click on Farm Bill 9006 resources.  Or, contact KEDA for a summary sheet describing eligibility and types of projects.

News: Long-Term, Fixed Asset Financing Available Through SBA 504 Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers up to 40% of project costs at below market rates for fixed assets (real estate, buildings, equipment).  Total project costs must be at least $200,000 up to $10 million, and the borrower must be a small business with a net worth less than $7.5 million and average net profit less than$2.5 million for the past two years.  The Michigan Certified Development Corporation packages these funds in the form of debentures that are sold in the market place.  A bank loans 50% of project costs and the borrower provides 10% equity which does not necessarily need be cash.  The 504 funds are provided at a fixed rate for 20 years for real estate and 10 years for equipment.  Read a longer description of this financing program by clicking on "finmechs" in the pull down menu in the upper left corner of this page, then scroll down to "Federal Financial Assistance."  Contact Phil Musser for more information.