- Gratitude Edition - 

Main street businesses are the heartbeat of our lakeshore area communities and they need your support now more than ever. CLICK HERE to access our website, where we've assembled local holiday gift guides to encourage patronage at area startups, restaurants and retail businesses this holiday season. 
Lakeshore Advantage Events Manager, Kelsey Sivertson's, article on supporting virtual event logistics for the Disability Network will cause you to pause and reflect on growth and gratitude.  READ ARTICLE
Express your gratitude via the universal love language: ice cream. Hudsonville Ice Cream is awarding people who go above and beyond with ice cream to spread holiday cheer and bring happiness to those who give selflessly. This includes teachers, first responders, healthcare workers and more. Nominations are being accepted HERE.   
We are grateful for support partners who assist manufacturers with sales, business growth, exporting and international market opportunities.
Current programs include: 
MEDC eCommerce Webinar Series (free): Join experts from Amazon to learn about opportunities available for Michigan companies on Amazon and how to grow international sales using the platform.
  • Intro to Amazon - December 3 @ 2pm. Register HERE
  • International Sales with Amazon - December 17 @ 2pm. Register HERE.  

International Trade Internship Program: Apply by December 31 for this program that matches exporting companies to enthusiastic students who can assist in achieving international growth. The program recruits qualified students and pays half of their wages so companies can focus on expanding their international market reach. Apply HERE.  

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) Program: Small to mid-sized manufacturers whose sales have been hurt by imports may be eligible for up to $75,000 in federal matching funds to implement projects they deem critical to their success. The Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC) has helped manufacturers in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio via the TAAF program for 36 years, and recently received $1.1 million to continue providing support to import-impacted manufacturers. Contact Scott Phillips HERE to learn more (or call at 734.787.7509). 

PMBC Access and Certification Grant: Eligible companies may qualify for up to $15,000 to offset half of pre-approved expenses per fiscal year. The grant is designed to increase supplier access to local and global procurement opportunities, improve competitiveness in advanced manufacturing for small businesses, enhance supplier capabilities and open doors to new industry verticals. Learn more and apply HERE

We Are Thankful for Our Investors

Investor Spotlight: DTE Gas Company

Matt Paul, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Gas, shares about company culture, service keys of being safe, caring, dependable and efficient, having a growth mindset, and personal experiences that have made him more grounded and grateful. 

Read Matt's interview HERE

Grateful to Live in a Great Place for Business 

Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for foreign direct investment projects. Detroit ranks as the number one MSA in the nation for this category, according to Site Selection Magazine.
A Smartest Dollar report finds the Grand Rapids MSA (of which our region is a part) has the largest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the US

Holiday Cheer

Zeeland Board of Public Works is awarding $15 Power Dollars to households who decorate the outside of their homes with holiday lights to spend at participating Zeeland businesses. 
Award-winning distiller Joseph A. Magnus & Co. will relocate from Washington D.C. to Holland to be closer to pre-prohibition founder's roots. 

Thank You, New Lakeshore Advantage Investors

Lakeshore Advantage investor support positively impacts the region's economic health.
Contact Beth Blanton at beth.blanton@lakeshoreadvantage.com to learn more. 
This news and events update was sent to you as a service of Lakeshore Advantage. We send communications on a regular basis to keep you up-to-date on information that may be helpful to you as a West Michigan primary employer. Please direct questions, comments and future submissions to Emily Staley at emily.staley@lakeshoreadvantage.com.
616.772.5226
www.lakeshoreadvantage.com

West Michigan's Business Advantage
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