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Suipi’s East End Eatery serving up award-winning fare in Battle Creek
Fun story about Suipi’s East End Eatery in Battle Creek, owned by “Suipi, 49, who seems to have a permanent big smile [and] is a model of perseverance.” In 2013 she went to Battle Creek from Burma (now...
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Municipal Finance in Michigan Municipal League
An article in Review, a monthly publication from the Michigan Municipal League, highlights the new Michigan CDFI Coalition. (Article starts on Page 31 or download a PDF here) Michigan CDFIs are working...
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Northern Initiatives Reaches $100 Million in Loans to Small Businesses
Milestone arrives as the nonprofit lender is celebrating 30 years of supporting Michigan small businesses Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender supporting small businesses in Michigan, has reached...
View ArticleIndustry Founders Challenge CDFIs to Embrace a More Expansive Vision
Nonprofit Quarterly writer Steve Dubb covered the OFN Conference, including the Gramlich Award given to two of our board members, Mary Houghton and Ron Gryzwinski. The Gramlich Award is offered...
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How some Southwest Michigan entrepreneurs stack the odds in their favor
Wonderful story about our Entrepreneur Education programs in Battle Creek: In the Battle Creek area, there’s an education program for would-be entrepreneurs to help them deal with all the unknowns....
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Where Banks Fear to Tread: CDFIs rush in to finance startups and small...
Rick Haglund writes in the Traverse City Business News (subscription): Most Michigan CDFIs, which must be certified by the Treasury Department, are located in the southern half of the state. Just a...
View ArticleOlvera Enterprises to expand
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business has a nice article on the expansion of Supermercado Mexico. With the new CEO in place, co-owner Javier Olvera hopes to position Supermercado Mexico to add more stores...
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Happy Leap Day Birthday, Cafe Rica
Our favorite Battle Creek coffee (and so much more) shop opened on Feb. 29, 2020, so they celebrated their First Birthday this year, with some really fun things. Festivities will include buy one, get...
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Federal aid for low-snow winter
As Michigan continues to face record high winter temperatures, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michigan small businesses impacted by lack of snow to apply for federal funding from the Small Business...
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CDFI leaders testify in Lansing
Elissa Sangalli and Jennifer Hayes testified before the Michigan State Senate March 6. They talked to the LEO/MEDC Appropriations Subcommittee about the importance of CDFIs and the impact they have on...
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Elissa Sangalli named Leader of the Year
Northern Initiatives President Elissa Sangalli, shown here with CEDAM board member Charlotte Smith, was named Leader of the Year by CEDAM Michigan at its annual meeting. Annually, the Community...
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Myconaut awarded NSF grant
Myconaut, providers of affordable, nutritious mushrooms for Northern Michigan University and local businesses, is also a biotech startup that Northern Initiatives is thrilled to support. Founders Ryan...
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Siblings Without Rivalry
Try and keep a dry eye while reading this wonderful Second Wave story about Rebecca Macleery, our customer and owner of Kalamazoo Dry Goods, and her sister, Jennifer Faketty, owner of Confections with...
View ArticleBusiness Equity Initiative Fund Grantees Announced
11 Small Business Owners will Share $50,000 Muskegon, MI – The Business Equity Initiative Fund, at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, has awarded $50,000 in grants to women business owners....
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Northern Initiatives awarded Platinum Seal
Northern Initiatives recently earned a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-3130767 We work...
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Registration Open for U.P. Business Planning Cohort
Free Business Plan Classes for U.P. Entrepreneurs Five-week online cohort starts Oct. 1 A free cohort will help U.P. entrepreneurs develop a business plan, as well as discover other resources for...
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Restaurants in the News
Jessica Tyson, left, and Danyel Detomo, a host of “America’s Best Restaurants” The Candied Yam, Grand Rapids The Candied Yam in Grand Rapids and Slap Shot Sandwiches in Negaunee have been in the news....
View ArticleNorthern Initiatives awarded grant to help build climate resilience
Small businesses throughout Michigan will get financing, technical assistance MARQUETTE, MICH. – Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender, has been awarded $250,000 to help entrepreneurs throughout...
View ArticleTwo learning opportunities for entrepreneurs
U.P. residents can write a business plan; everyone can learn about business loans Two learning opportunities are available from Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender working throughout Michigan....
View ArticleNorthern Initiatives helps rural entrepreneurs build businesses, community
Stories in Issue Media publications highlight Northern Initiatives’ work with rural entrepreneurs. “Location is vital to rural entrepreneurs. They are the most creative entrepreneurs out there,”...
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