Kent County program helps dislocated workers start small businesses

The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) has teamed with Kent County Michigan Works! to bring the first FastTrac NewVenture entrepreneurship training course to displaced workers in Kent County. Two programs have been completed in Ottawa County and 15 participants have already launched businesses.

The FastTrac NewVenture program aims to help dislocated workers evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning their own business.

“When I took the class I wasn't sure if I was ready to start my own business,” said Raymond Nowak, owner of a computer repair service for residential and small businesses called Fast Teks. “The program helped me focus on one of my business ideas, and it allowed me to test my business plan with professionals and participants in the class. The NewVenture program gave me confidence and the tools to start my own business.”

The FastTrac information session is scheduled for June 17th at Grand Valley State University, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton Street, Room 138E, Grand Rapids, from 2-4 p.m. The session will be facilitated by Cathleen Kaiser, FastTrac facilitator and MI-SBTDC training manager. To register for the information session contact MI-SBTDC Region 7 office at (616) 331-7370 or e-mail at [email protected].

Participants in the session will acquire an overview of the program's key objectives, benefits and features. They will learn how this program assists entrepreneurs to develop a business concept through each step of the business planning process.

The NewVenture for Dislocated Workers program is a partnership with the Kauffman Foundation and the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, located at Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business.

About MI-SBTDC
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center provides counseling, training and advocacy for Michigan's new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses, new technology companies, and innovators. The MI-SBTDC is located at the Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As host of the MI-SBTDC State Headquarters, the Seidman College of Business oversees the 12-region MI-SBTDC network. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest MI-SBTDC by calling (616) 331-7480 or visiting www.misbtdc.org .

About The Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people's eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo. and has approximately $2 billion in assets.