The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth recently conducted workshops around the state to explain how counties, cities, and townships could apply for Energy Efficiency and Conversation Block Grants (EECBG). It looks like $17.4 million in EECBG will be available through the State of Michigan. All local units of government in Clinton County are considered non-entitlement and must apply through the state. The purpose of the program is to develop and implement projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions. The key word is EFFICIENCY. This program is not directed at new renewable technology, but is helping communities to simply become more energy efficient. A variety of activities are eligible for funding. One item that was stressed by the state was the high priority the state has placed on collaboration. 

 

For further information on this program go to www.michigan.gov/recovery or call John Czarnecki at the Clinton County Economic Alliance 517-669-1345.

 

Another pot of stimulus money that is becoming available is targeted for Broadband development. There will be three rounds of funding with applications due for the first round on August 14. There is an opportunity to apply for one or both federal programs for broadband development. First is through the Broadband Initiatives Program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the other is the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program run by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Both programs will allow for grants and loans to be made to facilitate broadband development in rural areas and underserved areas of the County.

 

The Clinton County Economic Alliance (CCEA) will be holding an informational meeting on August 19 at 9:00 a.m. at the RESA offices in St. Johns. Officials from the State of Michigan Information Technology Department will provide an overview of both programs and the application process. Broadband service is becoming a necessity when companies are considering a location. For Clinton County to be competitive it is important all areas of the county have broadband service.

 

If you are interested in attending please contact CCEA at 517-669-1345 or email

czarneckij@cceami.org. 

 

Besides meeting with the major employers in the county, CCEA has made it a point to meet with every local governmental unit once a year. The purpose of the meetings is to update the local offices on CCEA goals and objectives for the year and discuss any issues or questions they may have regarding economic development activity in the county.

 

CCEA has met with 14 local units of government since the beginning of the year. From conversations with them, all are concerned with the reduction in revenue stemming from reduced revenue sharing, payments from the state and declining taxable value on property. Due to their prudent financial management, none are facing the challenges the state is with their budget.

 

We will be meeting with the remaining communities during the second half of the year. If a community should have any issues dealing with state government programs, please contact CCEA at 517-669-1345. Also, if you are undertaking an infrastructure project and wonder if there is any state or federal programs that can help, please give CCEA a call.

 

CCEA will be conducting an information session on available Broadband grants and loans that is becoming available. The session will be held on August 19 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the RESA office in St. Johns. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by phone at 517-669-1345 or e-mail at czarneckij@cceami.org.

 

On Wednesday, November 11, MSU’s Product Center will mark its third annual Product Center Conference “Making It In Michigan” again this year at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. The key note speaker is Dr. A. Elizabeth Sloan, President of Sloan Trends Incorporated. Dr. Sloan is a world renowned consumer trending and marketing specialist who will discuss the latest consumer trends and ideas from local markets, as well as around the world. For more information and registration, please go to www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu.

Our new Web site www.clintoncountyeconomicalliance.org has given us a global presence on the Internet.  About half of the visits we receive each week come from referring sites.  To help us drive more traffic to the site, please add a CCEA link to your own Web site.  The more the CCEA Web Site is linked to, the higher it will appear on search engines such as Google.  This helps raise awareness about our county throughout the world.

 

The Small Business Association of Michigan launched a totally redesigned Web site at www.sbam.org that includes a new free online membership community, daily blogs, podcasts and videos, social networking, online tools to improve business efficiency, and a dynamic legislative action section.

 

“We are planning to use the power of this new Web site to dramatically grow our membership and our legislative clout, and provide new tools that SBAM members can use to influence the legislative process,” says SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. “Through the power of social networking and online collaboration, we’re going to allow small business owners to come together in a genuine, useful and valuable online community.”

 

Highlights of the new Web site include:

 

·         A reorganized Resources section to help members take better advantage of SBAM’s many money-and-time saving products and services.

·         Comments. Every SBAM member can post comments on news articles and other Web site content.

·         Forums that provide discussion threads on all kinds of subjects important to the success of small business.

 

June unemployment numbers again showed Clinton County rate to be among the lowest in the state at 10.7 percent. That is an increase over the May number of 9.9%.   We continue to be well below the state rate of 15.4 percent and slightly above the U.S. unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. 

What does success taste like? For Linda Hundt it would be “Tom’s Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie”. Last spring, this unique pie won the Best of Show in the Professional division of the American Pie Council/Crisco® National Pie Championships. She topped 138 entries judged by 170 pie tasters ranging from professional chefs to everyday pie lovers.

“Day after day, we focus on using the right ingredients, not only in our pies, but in running our business,” said Hundt, owner of Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe in downtown DeWitt, Michigan. “Receiving this award only validates our mission of treating our customers to the very best.”

It has been a sweet ride for Hundt who in 2002 started selling pies made in her home to farm markets and high-end restaurants. This is just one more recognition in a string of regional and national awards. At the National Pie Championships in 2008, she won three first place awards after winning one first place the previous year.

 

Sweetie-licious graduated from Hundt’s home in 2005 to her current retail café bakery at 108 N. Bridge Street in DeWitt. The old brick building in the historic downtown fits well with her mission of giving customers a slice of nostalgia with comfort food, vintage ambiance, and merchandise. 

 

Hundt takes pride in blending her vintage recipes with locally-grown produce. In addition to her nationally recognized pies, she also offers a variety of desserts along with soups, salads, sandwiches, and quiches. All items on the menu are made with only fresh quality ingredients with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

 

If you want a taste of success, visit Sweetie-licious in DeWitt or http://www.sweetie-licious.com.

 

·         $5,000 Professional Grand Prize, National Pie Championships / Food Network Pie Challenge (Apr. 2009)

·         Three first places - National Pie Championships (Apr. 2009)

·         First place - National Pie Championships / Food Network Pie Challenge (Apr. 2008)

·         Three first places - National Pie Championships  (Apr. 2008)

·         One first place - National Pie Championships  (Apr. 2007)

·         Silver medal - Great Lakes Regional Chefs Competition  (Feb. 2007)

·         Most Creative Dessert - Girl Scouts Capital Council (Mar. 2007)

·         Best Display - Girl Scouts Capital Council (Mar. 2006)

o   Learn about the new federal program to provide Broadband service to under-served areas. Officials from the State Department of Information Technology will be on hand to explain how to apply for these funds. Clinton County RESA Office, 1013 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns. Register at 517-669-1345 or carrs@cceami.org.

 

o   Meeting will adjourn at 11:45 for a joint meeting with the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce open to all members and guests.  You must RSVP the Chamber at 989-224-7248 for their luncheon meeting.   Clinton County RESA Office, 1013 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns. 

o   Charles Ballard, MSU Economist, will be the lunch speaker

 

o   Learn what opportunities are available in the defense industry.  Clinton County RESA Office, 1013 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns.  Register at 517-669-1345 or lehmank@cceami.org

 

o   A discussion regarding state and federal programs that can assist small businesses in securing loans. Clinton County RESA Office, 1013 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns.  Register at 517-669-1345 or lehmank@cceami.org

 

o   Mary Ellen Sheets, founder of Two Men And A Truck, will share her story about how she started her business and grew it into a company with 200 locations worldwide.  Clinton County RESA Office, 1013 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns.  Register at 517-669-1345 or lehmank@cceami.org