The
Upper Michigan Green Aviation Coalition is just the kind of partnership it takes to get business development done, and the
U.S. Small Business Administration must agree, because it just announced it will support the coalition through a one-year pilot (no pun intended) program.
The program, "Innovative Economies," is meant to support small business participation in regional economic clusters, which is pretty much the definition of the coalition.
"Maximizing a region's economic assets is one of the best ways to create long term job growth, and that's what SBA's new Innovative Economies pilot initiative and the Upper Michigan Green Aviation Coalition are doing," says Michigan Works! CEO Orrin Bailey.
Employment agency Michigan Works! is part of the coalition, which has as one of its goals increasing aviation jobs in the U.P.
"The additional funding will help expand the Coalition's development, provide opportunities for industry networking, increase airport growth, attract investment, which, collectively will ultimately enhance the ability to create jobs locally and compete on a national and global scale," Bailey says.
Ten awardees were chosen to participate in the pilot program, out of 173 applicants. The Upper Michigan Green Aviation Coalition, which brings together public and private members, has as its goal developing new business, promoting investment, develop technology, and expand the field of green aviation.
The award will focus on supporting website development, brochure and advertising development, tradeshow booth development, financial training and small business counseling, as well as professional memberships and networking tools.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Orrin Bailey, Michigan Works!
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