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Business Support Resources

Entrepreneurs and small businesses can access further assistance from any of the business consultants and professionals listed in our membership directory.

Community Profiles provided by MSUExtension.

MTEC SmartZone — Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) SmartZone is a nonprofit business and technology incubator located in Houghton-Hancock Michigan. They are one of 20 SmartZones in the State of Michigan. MTEC facilitates the creation and success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. They provide entrepreneurial services to facilitate the commercialization of technology emerging from Michigan Tech Research and private companies. MTEC exists to expand educational opportunities and knowledge pertaining to scientific and technological research and development among public and private entities. MTEC’s focus is on commercializing ideas, patents, and other opportunities surrounding corporate, university, or private research institute efforts.

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA)— takes a leadership role in Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, helping expand and diversify the area's economic base. KEDA initiates and implements proactive, sustainable programs focused on retaining and expanding existing firms, starting up new businesses, attracting entrepreneurs and companies to the Keweenaw, and initiating projects that create conditions for future economic growth.

Entrepreneur Support Center (ESC) — ESC is a resource center that provides entrepreneurs with a place to work, with direct guidance from business counselors to foster ideas, and start and develop businesses into companies that create jobs for the local community. ESC has helped launch about two companies a month since it opened in April 2011.

Jutila Center for Global Design and Business (JGDB) — Jutila Center for Global Design and Business utilizes direct assistance from its host, Finlandia University, and area collaborators to help stabilize management and accelerate the growth of young businesses. In 2012, the incubator houses 29 companies yielding 42 employees, in five clusters of firms specializing in retail, service, health, family support and sports industries.

Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) — SBDC provides a broad range of support services to local companies through local business counselors housed at KEDA and Michigan Tech, regional business counselors based in the Escanaba SBDC office, and technology company specialists located throughout the state.

Superior Innovations at Michigan Technological University (SI) — SI is a private, for-profit company established by Michigan Tech under the non-profit Michigan Tech Entrepreneurial Support Corporation (MTESC). Both MTESC and SI serve as tools to help transition early stage discoveries from University labs into successful commercial enterprises.

Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) — Serves as the regional clearinghouse for federal and state funded programs and provides a wide range of services including technical assistance to local units of government, grant writing and administration. Fostering stable and diversified economies in the Western Upper Peninsula, WUPPDR enhances intergovernmental coordination and encourages opportunities for public comment on projects of regional significance.

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is a team of dedicated specialists who help people and businesses be more successful.
Across the Upper Peninsula, we join together to help maximize the state and federal resources to help companies improve their work-forces and our people to be better employees.
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is committed to supporting and constantly improving the U.P. economy.

State of Michigan

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) - Stats, Rankings & Messaging (SRM)