Resources
Below you will find the resources to help your business thrive here in Iron County. Whether you are a startup, a business looking to expand or you are seeking to pivot or change markets, give us a call or shoot us an email, and we’ll make sure you are hooked up with the right tools to take that next step.
Support and Services
The Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance serves as a business resource guide related to running a business here in Iron County. Contact the ICECA if you need more information or have any questions.
Co-working at the Windsor Center
If you are here on vacation but still need to get some online work done or have a video conference call or meeting, the Windsor Center now has a co-working facility just for you! The site features three office cubicles with 100 Mbps wired broadband access (and 25Mbps WiFi), a laser printer and a conference room outfitted will full video conferencing facilities.
Rates are very reasonable ($25/hour for the conference room, $5/hour for a cubicle, and $0.05/page for laser printing), access is 24-7 (there is a keypad for access) and you can sign up online.
Local Mentors Are Here For You
MEDC
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works
U.P. Michigan Works! (UPMW) is a driving force in the competitive world of workforce development and economic prosperity and serves the 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We connect employers, job seekers, training institutions, partners, and the community to maximize state and federal workforce resources. We support businesses to recruit, upskill, and retain top talent, and we coach individuals to be better employees. Through workforce development, we help people and businesses Get Ready to Win!
Michigan SBDC
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) enhances Michigan’s economic wellbeing by providing counseling, training and research for new ventures, existing small businesses and advanced technology companies.
In the Upper Peninsula, the Michigan SBDC has a regional office in Escanaba and a Business resource Center in Marquette.
The Michigan SBDC provides assistance with business plan development, market research, raising capital, business workshops, technology commercialization, financial management, export strategies and strategic planning.
Northern Initiatives
Many times, lending is focus on low-income, disadvantages, and underserved communities. CDFIs are certified by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which provides funds to CDFIs through a variety of programs.
WUPPDR
The Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region office (WUPPDR) has been providing general planning support to the western six counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through its many programs, projects and services.
While WUPPDR’s programs are quite diverse, all support the core mission: to foster stable and diversified economies in the Western Upper Peninsula. WUPPDR also serves as the regional clearinghouse for federally and state-funded programs. Through this role, WUPPDR enhances intergovernmental coordination and encourages opportunities for public comment on projects of regional significance.
PTAC
Did you know the federal government purchases more than $350 billion of goods and services a year and the State of Michigan has a diverse portfolio valued at more than $11.6 billion?
Do you want to sell to the government? Do you need help understanding the requirements of government contracting? Do you need help making contacts?
PTAC provides NO FEE assistance to businesses that are interested in doing business with state and federal government agencies.
Access to Capital
Northern Initiatives provides loans to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations that might not qualify for loans for banks for a variety of reasons. NI does not offer banking products such as deposit accounts or home mortgages. NI is able to devote more time and attention to helping a small business owner succeed in his or her community. Northern Initiatives (NI) is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). A CDFI has a primary mission of community development, serves a target market, is a financing entity, provides development services, remains accountable to its community, and is a non-government entity.
Northern Initiatives provides business loans to existing and start-up companies. Loans range from $1,000 to $1,000,000 in size, with terms ranging from 3 to 7 years for working capital and equipment loans and 10 to 25 years for loans related to renovation and purchase of commercial real estate.
The Regional Revolving Loan Fund (RRLF) serves businesses that generally don’t qualify for traditional financing. Loans typically support equipment purchases, working capital, or construction for new or existing businesses. Northern Initiatives administers these funds for 14 communities in Northern Michigan. Go to the Business Loans page to learn more about applying or contact your local NI Lender directly.
Each one of NI’s loans comes with access to a suite of practical trainings and tools on topics that matter to every business owner – money, marketing, and management. The process starts with the Business Advancement Review which helps to determine what money, marketing, and management skills you may want to strengthen to help you reach your business goals. Upon completion of the review, you’ll have 24/7 access to a custom training plan that includes videos, presentations, hands-on tools, and templates. Upon completion of the training plan, you will have access to a coach to create a custom action plan to reach your goals.
Questions?
Contact our team
Zach Hautala, Director, Zach@iron.org
Louisa Kniivila, Office Manager, Louisa@iron.org
Visit Our Office:
50 East Genesee Street, Iron River, MI 49935
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday: 10:00AM–2:00PM