How Our Target Area Fared
The expected is realized as jobless rates in the north peak in January and February. Mackinac leads the way at 24.2% and Cheboygan is right behind at 20.9%. We now show more parts of the State in this data so it begins to reveal interesting differences between rural and urban, north and south.
View the January/February 2018 Data Sheet (Adobe PDF File).
How Northern Initiatives Fared
We are adding people and relationships, reflecting a larger geography to serve. We recently welcomed Jill Paquette, Venard Roberson, Deb Schultz and Rachel Thomas. Our staff distribution is 15 in the UP, five in lower Michigan and one outside of the state.
Monthly Musings from President Dennis West
During the month of February, Northern Initiatives received an award from the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance as the non-profit organization of the year. We are gaining in receiving awards and getting recognition for the longevity and volume of work as we cross the 25 year threshold and over 1,000 loans made.
Where we received the award at the Operation Action UP luncheon, I also got the chance to be the keynote speaker. One of our customers, Blackrocks Brewery, received one of the Business Excellence Awards.
Blackrocks was on tap recently when I was at a restaurant in Lansing and I have seen their beer featured in Muskegon and in Detroit. They are one of the good stories of people who have pursued a dream and made that dream grow, adding jobs and a positive reputation for their home community.
That is the excitement of working with start ups – how will the dream manifest? We expect a big leap in loan volume this year, which will bring about more dreams and opportunities. It is a fun business.
Loans Closed January – March
Baraga
Mayo Collision
Berrien
Five Pillars Farm
Calhoun
Torti Taco
Dickinson
Westwood Hair Salon
Gogebic
Copper Peak
Kent
Placita Olvera LLC
Marquette
Be”You”tiful Salon
HotPlate Pottery
Montcalm
Venue 20
Newaygo
CSC Transportation
Otsego
Sure Stop Auto
JR Smith Excavating
Roscommon
Westside Express Grocery
Wayne
Corridor Sausage Co.
Support Northern Initiatives
Northern Initiatives wishes to thank our funders, investors and donors for their continued support. Northern Initiatives provides money + know how to start-ups and growing businesses. We invite you to join us to help more businesses start and grow. Please consider giving a donation today.
Two Northern Initiatives customers have been dishing out some of the best tacos in Michigan! Torti Taco of Battle Creek and Harvest/Roaming Harvest of Traverse City. Check out the article where these businesses were ranked in the top 10 of the best taco places in Michigan.
