ALMA — Alma College and the city of Alma, along with several community partners, will benefit from a $2 million allocation in a federal funding bill signed into law in March. – A hub centered on small and medium-sized businesses.
Among the goals of Mid-Michigan's new Small Business Innovation, Incubation and Development Center (BIID) is to support and enhance the startup and growth potential of small businesses and entrepreneurs in key sectors of Mid-Michigan's economy. Includes: The hub will be located in the former Brown Printing Building in downtown Alma and is expected to be operational 18 months after being allocated.
“Higher education institutions like Alma College must play an important role in developing a vibrant economic ecosystem in their local communities. Through this partnership with the City of Alma and community stakeholders, the BIID Project We will build infrastructure that meets the economic needs of the central region of the state,” said Alma College President Jeff Abernathy.
“We are pleased that the federal funding bill was signed into law, and we appreciate the efforts of Senator Gary Peters for helping us achieve this goal. I would like to thank Executive Director Raymond Barclay, those who laid the foundation for this project, and our local partners, especially the City of Alma. We look forward to launching this project in the coming days.”
The BIID project involves many major employers in Gratiot County's manufacturing community. Includes Alma College, City of Alma, Greater Gratiot Economic Development Corporation, Gratiot Technical Education and Alma Public Schools, Merrill Technologies, Mid-Michigan Community College, and Montcalm Community College.
The BIID project is the latest in a growing list of partnership initiatives between Alma College, the City of Alma and local stakeholder groups. Alma Aspires Project, University-Region Collaboration Center, Wright Reppien Opera House, etc. It will fill a currently vacant building in the city's downtown business district and allow people to shop, eat and live locally every day.
Alma City Manager Eric Ripley said the state-of-the-art center will bring small business owners to the city's downtown area where they can grow and retain their businesses. It will also provide opportunities for students across the region to develop their capabilities in technology, business and engineering-related skill areas for small and medium-sized businesses.
“The BIID project will provide new positive economic development projects and jobs to continue the revitalization of Alma's historic downtown,” Ripley said. “Providing opportunities like this to learn and grow their business ideas shows that our community values these types of individuals. We want our clients and students alike to We hope you will develop your business acumen and ideas, or advance your talents, aspirations and plans here in Alma and the surrounding area.”
College and high school students in the area will have the opportunity to participate in customized instruction, customized training, and short courses through BIID. In addition to these educational opportunities, meetings are underway to determine exactly how Earmark will be used to best serve the future development of small businesses.
Peters, a 1980 graduate of Alma College, supported passage of the spending bill. The bill included several local projects and issues that were important to communities across Michigan, like Alma.
“This bipartisan legislation will provide critical resources to communities in Michigan and across the United States. It will protect the Great Lakes, secure our borders, strengthen our national security, promote economic growth, and improve quality. This shows how much we can do if we put politics aside and bring common sense solutions back to the American people. ,” Peters said in a statement.