Introduction of board

Acknowledgement of committee members

Announcements:

• Chemistry conference
• Golf Outing
• Clothing Matters

Dana Lowell:  Introduction of Amy Banninga

Questions:

Q: any examples of businesses that have waded into this process so far?

A: Lots of applicants from Michigan, making sure that the programs are open to smaller businesses too. Not many winners yet, because the program’s so yoiung.

Q: First place for a small or medium sized business to start?

A: Michigan Advantage is designed and targeted to them.  Third generation of the website since April.   Trying to make it better.

Q: What’s the MEDC’s role?

A: Public/Private…has a lot of contacts to help constituents.  MEDC sits on the review boards of some agencies.

Q: There are also opportunities to apply for employee training.  Will the MEDC help direct companies to that, is there are a role for a pub/priv partnership

A: Funding was restricted to Community Colleges and other educational programs, she doesn’t know if this will change.  Some leeway is opening up on who can teach.

Dana: Introduction of Chris Byrnes, Viability:

Grant funding is available, not for operations, but for projects such as R&D and w infrastructure programs.   A lot of money is out there for energy saving.

DSIRE.ORG à federal grant opportunities for energy project gants, rebates and the more

MPSC at most has a three-week window of opportunity to apply for grants – hopefully this will change as it’s geared more to the private sector.