Greetings! We hope you enjoy our August 2016 Newsletter!
Greater Ann Arbor Buyer's Summit

The Greater Ann Arbor Buyer’s Summit was held last week in Ann Arbor and over 300 companies from the region applied to attend. A group of Monroe County companies participated by promoting their products and services to buyers from Consumer’s Energy, Martinrea International, and the University of Michigan among others.

Some local companies also participated as buyers to expand their purchasing options. Participants were able to hear a buyer’s panel from local universities explain their procurement processes, hear a motivational speech from Rep. Debbie Dingell, and browse the various vendor tables for business information including our own table from the Greater Ann Arbor Region pictured below.

The Pure Michigan Business Connect program helps Michigan businesses grow by connecting with other Michigan businesses. The program database, which includes information about other upcoming summits, can be accessed from the front page of the BDC website, just click on the orange box entitled "Business Connect." 
Greater Ann Arbor Region partners from the Monroe County BDC, Enterprise Group of Jackson, Hillsdale EDP and Lenawee Now
Our table filled with treasures of information
First Ever Manufacturing Day in Monroe County
Monroe County will be participating this year in National Manufacturing Day October 7 through the Monroe County Intermediate School District (ISD) and the help of BDC's Charlene Page. Because student engagement is essential to drive interest in manufacturing careers, we will bring 100 Monroe County 8th graders to various industrial companies throughout the county to see operations first-hand. 

Manufacturing Day is a great opportunity for our Monroe County businesses to get our youth excited about potential careers. Students will visit plant floors for tours, see product demonstrations, and meet employees. Following the plant tours, students will be taken to the Monroe County Community College Career Technology Center for lunch and a tour of the educational programs needed to do these jobs.
Click on the logo to watch a video from the Manufacturing Day website
Click logo to view a video from the Manufacturing Day website!

If you have any questions about this program or want more information, please contact ISD's CTE Director, Jennifer LaDuke  or Charlene Page at BDC.
Summer Camps Proved Successful
For the 4th year, the area youth have ventured out and learned new things by attending the Monroe County Intermediate School District's (ISD) Summer STEM camps! These camps were made possible by collaborative efforts of the ISD, Monroe County Community College (MCCC), and Monroe County BDC.

This year, there were 6 different camps offered with a total participation of 142 students; Advanced Robotics 36, Arduino 17, Robotics 46, Tetrix 17, Weather 8, and Stop Motion 18. The ISD partnered with Axis Engineering for field trips in the EV3 Robotics camps.

Robotics teams have been formed in Monroe County over the past years partly as a result of these camps. For information about starting teams for grades K-12 or providing sponsorship, please contact Bill Hite at 734-242-5799, ext. 2000.

A special thank you to ISD's Bill Hite and Angela Murphy for their input and support.
Things Worth Noting ...
BDC's Annual Event ... A New Name, A New Focus
Every year, the BDC holds an annual event to enlighten and share content that may be of interest and benefit to our manufacturing businesses.
This year, we have newly titled our event "Focus on the Future." Plan to join us on Thursday, September 29! We will be hosting guest speakers that will discuss initiatives that will affect our community ... our county ... our region ... our state.

Watch your email for more details in the next couple weeks!
  • The Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) provides awards for employer training. STTF ensures Michigan's employers have access to the talent they need to compete and grow, and individuals have the skills they need for in-demand jobs. You still have time to see if your business may benefit from these funds but the deadline is fast approaching. Please contact Charlene Page for more information.

  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources in Monroe County - SBDC services are available at Monroe County Library on M50 the 1st Monday of each month from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. For more information, contact Kelly Robertson Notar at rkk103@wccnet.edu or 734-249-5987.

  • Did you know ... 49.33% of Monroe County's population is male; 50.67% female!
  Please feel free to contact us anytime!
Tim Lake  |  Charlene Page  |  LuAnn Hogberg