Michigan State University and Midland Tomorrow were selected to receive an additional two-year, $1.1 million grant through the 21st Century Jobs Fund for their RSPPA2 pre-seed funding program for start-up companies. The 21st Century Jobs Fund is an initiative of the State of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation intended to spark new investment and create high-tech companies and jobs to diversify Michigan’s economy.

This year was the fourth that Midland Tomorrow hosted its Annual Awards Breakfast. This year, we were proud to honor nine deserving individuals and businesses for their achievements. Over 300 community leaders in business, education, foundations and nonprofit organizations registered to attend at the Great Hall at Valley Plaza Resort on October 16 to celebrate the winners that have made outstanding contributions to Midland's economic development and quality of life - and witness firsthand the exciting new ways they are developing our technology industry to move Midland toward the future. More information and a downloadable copy of the event presentation is available by clicking the "Learn More" link below.

“Leading in Today’s Turbulent World,” a sustainable approach to achieving bottom-line success, will be held on Thursday, November 2 at the MidMichigan Innovation Center in Midland, MI. As a result of attending this interactive program, leaders will discover ways to enable a more productive, creative, and collaborative work climate, which in turn simultaneously improves bottom line performance, customer service, job creation and retention, and employee morale.

Free Entrepreneur Orientation/Business Plan Basics Seminars, hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, will take place throughout the Tri-Cities over the coming weeks. Each seminar is an overview of what it takes to start a business, where to go for information and assistance, the business plan and why you need one, licenses and permits, funding and the myth of “Free Money," and resources available to help set up your business.

Know a young professional who has contributed his or her time and talent in notable ways to your organization and to the community? WNEM TV-5, First State Bank and Interlude Magazine are seeking nominations for the second annual RUBY award, created to honor the upward, bright and young. Nominees must be under 40 years old, and they must either live or work in Bay, Midland or Saginaw Counties.

Application deadlines are fast approaching for the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant programs, which are offered through the Small Business Administration's Office of Technology. To view upcoming deadlines for each federal department, click the "Learn More" link below.

Sherman McCorkle, President and CEO of Technology Ventures Corporation, says the startup of an entrepreneurial company falls into three stages: technology creation, product development and successful commercialization. Lack of funding, problems with manufacturing, scale-up issues and intellectual property concerns can all combine to turn the product development stage into the "valley of death" for a potential new technology startup company. To help entrepreneurs gain the winning edge, McCorkle offers eight tips for crossing the "valley" safely.

Grant opportunities are available through the U.S. Department of Defense for entrepreneurs interested in technology transfer - creating innovative technology for use in specific military applications. The Department of Defense is the largest research and development enterprise in the United States, putting $60 billion per year into development of technology for specific needs. $1.2 billion of that money goes into small business innovation research (SBIR) grants, providing entrepreneurs the opportunity to "transition" their technology into use by the military.

On November 8th, Mark H. Clevey will visit Central Michigan University to present the findings from the Michigan Entrepreneurship Score Card for 2005-06, published by the Small Business Foundation of Michigan (SBFM) in collaboration with the Edward Lowe Foundation, Central Michigan University and others. This report uses 127 standard metrics to benchmark Michigan against all other states with regard to “Entrepreneurial Dynamism.” The purpose of the report is to provide reliable benchmark data to foster an entrepreneurial economy in Michigan. In 2005-06 Michigan received a “D” in Entrepreneurial Dynamism - up from an “F” in 2004-05.