Greetings! We hope you enjoy our June 2018 Newsletter!
Monroe County's Lead Economic Development Organization geared up with a growth strategy for the 21st Century ...
Monroe County Link Plan - Enthusiasm & Progress
On June 15, the second meeting of the entire Monroe County Link Action Team was held. This meeting brought all six Pillar Team Captains and Members together in one room. The teams have not met collectively since the initial kick-off meeting that was held January 12. The enthusiasm and excitement that filled the room in January is still growing and evolving!

Tim Lake, President & CEO of the BDC, started off the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking each person for their out-of-the-box support and dedication to the success of the Monroe County Link Plan. The MCL Action Team members step out from their daily responsibilities and comfort zone without any compensation. Their work is invaluable in positioning Monroe County to grow and adapt to the changing 21 st century.

Each Pillar Team Captain presented a general overview of lessons learned and what their year-end 2018 projected goals and expectations entail. View Pillar Teams' highlights .

The next scheduled meeting for the Team Captains will be held via conference call in September, then in November, the entire Monroe County Link Action Team will be together again to go over what has been accomplished in 2018 and expectations for 2019.

We are seeing great things happening in Monroe County. And, we are so excited for the future of our community!
Informational Breakfast for Manufacturers to Learn More About MFG Day 2018
JULY 15, 2018 - 7:30 to 9:00 AM
The Monroe County Business Development Corporation and the Monroe County Intermediate School
District have been busy preparing for the next Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) 2018! October 5 is
National Manufacturing Day and is an opportunity for our local manufacturers to open the doors to our Monroe County students.

For the past two years, we have organized site tours for 8 th graders in our local school districts. From
the feedback of both education and business, this has been a very positive opportunity and paves the
way for our next generation of workers. Research shows that the earlier students are exposed to more
career opportunities, the more open-minded they are to what is available.

Please join us for an Informational Breakfast to learn about past successes and the flexibility in
scheduling this worthwhile event! The breakfast will be held on Tuesday, July 17, from 7:30 to 9:00 am at the Monroe County ISD located at 1101 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, in the Administration Building.
Just click the button and send LuAnn an email to register to attend the Informational Breakfast!
Please include the name and email address of any guests you would like to bring as well. After you send the email, we will send you an electronic meeting invite to hold the date on your calendar!

For questions, please feel free to contact Jennifer LaDuke (734-322-2720) at Monroe County ISD or LuAnn (734-241-8081 x102).

We look forward to this being another stellar MFG Day for Monroe County!
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A Tool To Help Businesses Touch Students
The MI Bright Future initiative brings together education, industry, students and job seekers by providing a safe, free, one-stop place for employers to connect with their future workforce, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Livingston County recently created a great video to share in their community. It features Carrie Bonofiglio, Business Partnerships Coordinator for MI Bright Future, as she discusses how businesses can benefit from being a part of this exciting program.

Take a minute to watch ... then, take another one to get your business connected to Michigan high school students, your future workforce.

Contact Carrie Bonofiglio via email or by calling 517-282-1246 with questions about the program.
Skilled Trades Training Fund - Preparation is Key
Over the past four years, SEMCA Michigan Works has helped 102 companies in Southeast Michigan to obtain STTF approval and be awarded $7.8 million. This resulted in 4,744 employees receiving training and 1,542 new hires!

The Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) awards grants to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current employees and individuals to be hired. Training is customized to meet employee skill requirements and is short-term in duration, preferably less than three months, with no training extending more than six months.

The Skilled Trades Training Fund application process
will open in Fall 2018 with 2019 Fiscal Year funding

The Talent Investment Agency (TIA) grants the funds to employers through Michigan’s workforce system, commonly known as  Michigan Works! Agencies  (MWA). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers and availability of federal funding sources. The MWA Business Services staff can then determine whether STTF grants would be appropriate to help close the skills gap. During the application period MWAs submit STTF applications to TIA on behalf of their partnering employer.

Get started on this process early by contacting Steve or Julie at Michigan Works! Monroe Service Center.
Steve Mihalec , cBSP
Business Services Representative
Email or Phone: 734-240-7961
Business Services Representative
Email or Phone: 734-240-7960
And, there is more ...
> Register to attend the Small Business Manufacturers Outreach Event and learn how your manufacturing and re-engineering capabilities may fit into the supply chains of 3 Department of Defense (DoD) agencies.

This event will be an opportunity for Small Businesses to sell to the Army and Air Force. Seminars will be delivered on topics crucial to helping small businesses learn how to get into the process of looking for bids opportunities and how to actually submit the bids. One-on-one opportunities will also be available to speak directly to procurement officers from these two branches of the military.  

The event will be held on the University of Toledo campus.  This is a free event but space is limited; please click on the above link to see more information and register!  
>> The Monroe County Intermediate School District continues to create great programs for ALL students in collaboration with MCCC, the BDC and all 9 local school districts. These camps help our youth learn about exciting STEM careers they may never knew existed which benefits Monroe County's future workforce ... learn more here .
  Please feel free to contact us anytime!
Tim Lake  x101 |  LuAnn Hogberg x102
734-241-8081