Northern Initiatives

06/22/2026

We knew J.bird Provisions was the place to go in Charlevoix (stopped in just last week!) but now the world knows, thanks to this great article in Travel + Leisure Wow!!

https://ow.ly/RokH50Zfcwi

06/19/2026

06/17/2026

We had a trivia party this week and one of the questions was "What does 'CDFI' stand for?" Read this and be amazed at all the things CDFIs do!

Rural communities often experience a lack of capital access due to bank mergers, or community banks leaving their areas. CDFIs step in to bridge the gap by providing crucial capital, workshops, and referrals to rural communities — funding affordable housing, high-quality education, and community d...

06/15/2026

Northern Initiatives has been named Michigan SBA Microlender of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Association.

For more than three decades, Northern Initiatives has used SBA programs to help underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses access capital. According to the SBA, Northern Initiatives has issued 615 SBA microloans totaling $13,025,410 since 1994. In 2025, the year for which the organization is being honored, Northern Initiatives made 22 SBA microloans totaling $580,245.

The SBA microloan program provides loans of up to $50,000, with the average loan around $13,000. Across Michigan, the SBA delivered $1.3 billion in financing in 2025.

Chuck Hurst, Northern Initiatives Vice President of Lending, accepts the SBA Microlender of the Year Award from Laketa Henderson, SBA District Director.

06/15/2026

We can't wait to see you Tuesday at Duffy's Garage & Grille in Petoskey! Join us for appetizers, trivia and celebration of summer! RSVP here: https://ow.ly/t0zo50Z9jAc

See you soon!

06/12/2026

¡Gran oportunidad para nuestros emprendedores que hablan español del sector alimentario! Estos talleres se llevan a cabo en Battle Creek, pero están abiertos a cualquier persona en Michigan.

Great opportunity for our Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs of the food sector! These workshops are being held in Battle Creek, but they are open to anyone in Michigan.

Regístrese aquí: https://r5i9x.share.hsforms.com/2EgSZkKjGSWq7_l44vEb_qw

Preguntas?
Favor de comunicarse con José Aste por correo electrónico: [email protected] o por teléfono en (305) 815-5731

06/10/2026

Are you at Opportunity Finance Network's Small Business Finance Forum in Austin? Yahoo! We have excellent sessions for you to attend, plus our Initiate booth! Business Coach Mary Bickel will talk about the powerful assessment tools in our learning portal - and how those tools lead to action. Development Manager Natasha Koss is presenting a capitalization solution we're really excited about, and you will be too! (You have to choose though, because both sessions are 9 a.m. Friday.) Meanwhile, stop by our Initiate booth to get a demo that will astound you!

06/08/2026

Hello friends! Long winter, eh? Let's celebrate its end, summer's start, and your wonderful entrepreneurial spirit. Join us for Happy Hour at Duffy's Garage & Grille in Petoskey! We'll be there June 16, 5:30-7 p.m., so drop in for appetizers, networking, and TRIVIA WITH PRIZES. How can you resist? RSVP here: https://forms.gle/smTUBGDTvohhSAiz8

06/05/2026

This is one of our most inspirational businesses - Uproot Market & Eatery! First of all, it's in an historic downtown building that sat vacant for 50 years and has now been beautifully restored and enlivened. Second of all, it is a DELICIOUS store! The Battle Creek region has mastered the art of growing food, and Uproot seizes on all of it! Manager Stacy Niemann says this is the job she's always dreamed of. The ways the entrepreneurs and businesses in downtown Battle Creek support each other is the most inspirational thing of all.

06/03/2026

Next Cycle Michigan is hosting its Summer Showcase in Traverse City on June 24 and you can attend! There will be 16 businesses pitching their reuse, recycling, recovery, and recycled-content projects to potential investors and partners - and also competing for money. We'll be rooting for Northern Michigan University and Partridge Creek Compost, both of whom are ready to do more in community compost. The event is free; registration is required. https://ow.ly/wQas50Z1Ipt