Michigan SBDC

11/05/2026

🚀 We're Hiring!

Do you have a passion for helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses? The Michigan SBDC is looking for a Part-Time Business Consultant to serve the southern Greater Washtenaw Region, including Monroe, Hillsdale, and Lenawee counties.

In this role, you'll help aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs navigate everything from business formation and market research to securing their first customers and accessing capital.

Ready to make an impact on Michigan's small business community? Learn more about the position and apply today!

10/15/2026

📢 We’re Hiring!

The Michigan SBDC is looking for a Centralized Client Onboarding Specialist to help connect Michigan entrepreneurs with the small business resources and consulting they need to succeed!

💻 Remote position (Michigan residents only)
⏰ Part-time, up to 29 hours per week
💲 $16.50/hour
📍 1-year temporary position

If you have strong communication skills, enjoy helping people, and are comfortable working with digital tools and systems, this could be a great opportunity!

🔗 Apply through GVSU Careers today: https://hubs.la/Q04BdXPn0

09/30/2026

⏰ LAST CALL! Applications for the 2026 Downtown Pitch close TODAY!

Do you own a business in a downtown district, DDA, or commercial corridor in Isabella, Clare, or Osceola County? Or are you dreaming of opening one here? This is your chance!

Two tracks, cash prizes:

Launch Downtown ($5,000+) — new or soon-to-open storefronts and entrepreneurs seeking a downtown location.

Grow Downtown ($10,000+) — existing downtown businesses expanding physically, adding staff, or launching new products/services.

Support from SBDC, MMDC, and CMURC, plus student teams from CMU, Ferris, and Mid Michigan College to help you prepare your pitch

Community Pitch Night: December 1 at the Ideal Theater in Clare, with a People's Choice Award voted on by the community

Don't miss out. Apply today at https://mmdc.org/downtown-pitch

09/18/2026

📣 U.P. small business owners—don’t miss this opportunity!

The SBA is coming to Manistique to hear from local entrepreneurs and connect you with valuable resources to help your business grow, including access to capital, counseling and more.

Bring your questions, challenges and ideas! 💡

📍 The Hive on Cedar, Manistique
🗓️ September 23
🎟️ Free event—register today! https://hubs.ly/Q04xPM-R0

09/17/2026

📣 U.P. small business owners—this one’s for you!

The SBA is coming to Houghton on September 22 to hear directly from local entrepreneurs and connect you with resources for growing your business, including access to capital, free counseling and more.

Bring your questions, challenges and big ideas! 💡

📍 The Bluffs, Houghton
🗓️ September 22 | 11 AM–1 PM
🎟️ Free event—register today! https://hubs.la/Q04xPJVG0

09/14/2026

We’re proud to sponsor the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Michigan Chapter 2026 Fall Conference: Crossing the Bridge – Connecting Michigan’s Care!
Members of the Michigan SBDC's Growth Team will be in attendance.
🗓️ September 14 - 15
📍The Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan

You won’t want to miss this year’s sessions:
● Agentic AI Transforming Clinical Workflows
● Michigan’s Role in National Innovation
● Connected for Michigan — a statewide interoperability update
● Michigan’s Health IT Roadmap & the Bridge to Better Health
● HealthFocus – A rapid‑fire session on emerging trends in digital health, analytics, and care transformation
● 2026 Patient Satisfaction Report – What Clinicians Are Saying

Join us as we tackle the future of health IT. Register today! https://hubs.ly/Q04xnlZf0

09/11/2026

When Kate and Jason Meyer purchased LaFontsee Galleries & Framing, they faced unexpected expenses, financial challenges and a location that limited their potential. With guidance from the Michigan SBDC, they made strategic changes that strengthened the business and opened a new door to growth.

Today, LaFontsee Galleries is focused and positioning themselves for future growth. Beautify your office and home by visiting them at their galleries in Grand Rapids and Douglas!

Listen to their story and see how the Michigan SBDC can help your business. https://tinyurl.com/bdd549et

09/09/2026

Michigan's small business community is filled with innovators, risk-takers, and leaders who deserve to be recognized.
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards!
If you know a Michigan small business making an impact in its community, industry, or region, now is the time to nominate them.
Let's celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business leaders helping Michigan thrive.
Submit a nomination today: https://hubs.la/Q04x1XPh0

09/02/2026

Under the direction of Michigan SBDC Lead Center leadership, the Centralized Client Intake Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for transforming the Michigan SBDC’s intake process from a regional "patchwork" into a high-performance, standardized statewide model. This individual will oversee a centralized team of Intake Specialists to provide a professional, consistent, and efficient "front door" for all clients. The Manager balances high-level systems orchestration—including AI integration and tech stack management—with daily team supervision to ensure every client is efficiently triaged and matched with the right consultant based on geography and expertise. This position is grant-funded and subject to the availability of funding. https://hubs.la/Q04wfFC-0

09/02/2026

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Regional Director will play a key role in catalyzing business development efforts across the Capital Region (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton Counties). SBDC is a grant-funded department of LCC’s Community Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) division, and the program contributes to the growth and vitality of the Michigan economy. This program helps new and existing small businesses to start, grow, improve profitability, and create jobs. This position guides the strategic alignment, long-term planning, management oversight, and outreach efforts in order to promote Michigan SBDC’s mission in the region. The Regional Director ensures that all programs are operating in compliance with Federal, State and College statutes, contractual requirements, and policies.

This position requires an in-person presence on LCC’s Downtown campus. https://hubs.la/Q04wfv5N0

08/27/2026

SBA Business Recovery Centers listed below are scheduled to close permanently on Friday August 28th at close of business.

08/20/2026

08/13/2026

July 23, 2026 (Mt Pleasant, MI) - Migizi Economic Development Company, a wholly owned enterprise of The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, and Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC), an Entrepreneurial Service Organization with regional CoWork business hubs, have joined for...

08/12/2026

Calling all in Clare, Isabella and Osceola Counties located in a downtown or commercial corridor - tonight is our first info session for Downtown Pitch! If you are interested in learning more about what all is entailed, join us this evening at 6:30 pm online or on August 24 at 9 am. Sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/262114129047046

08/03/2026

🎉 Guess what?! Downtown Pitch is BACK and bigger than ever! 🎉

If you own a business in a downtown or commercial district in Clare, Isabella, or Osceola County, this is your chance to compete for up to $10,000+ in funding while gaining valuable business coaching, mentorship, and support throughout the process.

Thinking about opening a business in one of our communities? We'd love to hear from you, too!

Join us for a FREE Kick-Off Webinar to learn how the program works, who is eligible, and how you can get involved.

📅 Webinar Dates:
• August 12
• August 24

Don't miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level. Register today and see if Downtown Pitch is the right fit for you!

Learn more and apply: https://mmdc.org/downtown-pitch
Sign up for an info session: https://form.jotform.com/262114129047046

07/28/2026

The Match on Main initiative strengthens local economies by funding structural, equipment, and aesthetic improvements for small businesses in commercial districts.

- Read the full Epicenter story - bit.ly/4fgoTEx

07/23/2026

SBA Disaster Relief Assistance

Gratiot County businesses and residents affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 10–21 may be eligible for SBA disaster assistance. EIDLs may be available even when a business did not experience physical property damage.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to help eligible businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters recover from the storm damage and related economic losses.

📅 Application deadlines:

🏠 Physical damage loans: August 31, 2026
📉 Economic Injury Disaster Loans: March 30, 2027

Economic Injury Disaster Loans may help eligible small businesses and nonprofits cover:

- Payroll
- Fixed debts
- Accounts payable
- Other necessary operating expenses

🔗 Learn more and view the SBA fact sheet and news release on our website:

https://ggdi.gratiot.org/business-support-services/

📞 Questions about SBA disaster assistance may be directed to (800) 659-2955 or [email protected].

07/15/2026

07/15/2026

New Voluntary Registration System Available for Michigan Cottage Food Businesses ✅🍞

Are you a home-based Michigan food producer?

Michigan cottage food businesses now have access to a new Voluntary Cottage Food Registration System, designed to support home-based food businesses as they grow. The new system, operated by the Michigan State University Product Center, allows these businesses to formally register. This allows businesses to use a code and their phone number instead of their address on their product labels.

Voluntary registration helps cottage food entrepreneurs:

- Market their product while keeping their address private
- Demonstrate legitimacy when selling at farmers markets, events or directly to consumers

By creating a centralized record of cottage food businesses, the new system also helps state and local partners better understand and support Michigan’s growing homebased food sector.

Voluntary registration costs $50 and can be completed through the MSU Product Center’s Cottage Food Business Voluntary Registration webpage. The process is designed to be simple, accessible, and supportive for new and existing cottage food operators.

For more information on the Voluntary Cottage Food Registration System and details about registration, visit the MSU Product Center webpage: