Granholm, MEDC Encourage Young Graduates to Boost State Economy, Promote Entrepreneurial Opportunities

As many as 92 organizations, schools and businesses – more than in any other state – plan activities promoting entrepreneurship.

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and MEDC President and CEO Greg Main today announced a week of activities aimed at inspiring young Michiganians to go into business for themselves. Events being co-sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 16-22, include the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour of four university campuses. As many as 92 organizations, schools and businesses – more than in any other state – plan activities promoting entrepreneurship.

“Every company in Michigan today, from partnership to corporation, started with an idea or inspiration that somebody turned into a business,” Granholm said. “In that spirit of entrepreneurship, we are encouraging Michigan citizens to explore the educational and technical resources available to help them change the direction of their career and the direction of our state’s economy.”

Global Entrepreneurship Week was started in 2008 with four goals: to awaken young people around the world to their own potential for success in starting and growing a business; to network young people across boundaries, cultures and disciplines in an exchange of ideas; to enlist entrepreneurs around the world to coach and mentor the next generation of enterprise talent; and to demonstrate the importance of entrepreneurship to a nation’s economic health. Last year more than three million people in 78 countries took part. This year 87 countries are participating.

Campuses on the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour will be open to the public as follows: Michigan Technological University, Houghton; (Nov. 16), Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie; (Nov. 17), LEAP (Lansing Economic Area Partnership)/Michigan State University, Lansing (Nov. 18) and Northwood University, Midland (Nov. 19).

“Over the long term, Michigan needs to build a culture of entrepreneurship because the days are over when one big industry with a few giant companies could be relied upon to drive economic growth,” Main said. “The MEDC is pleased to partner with small business development centers, local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce around the state to help young people take positive steps toward building their own companies.” Other entrepreneurial events statewide include:

• Flint: Field trip to the Michigan Business Center;
• Ann Arbor: Tour of the Menlo Software Factory, Starting Your Own Business presentation by SPARK economic development agency;
• Sterling Heights: Regional Chamber of Commerce, Breakfast & Business;
• Boyne: Area Chamber of Commerce, Business After Hours;
• Holland: Lakeshore Advantage economic development agency, The Lakeshore’s Next Top Entrepreneur Competition.

Go to http://migew.com/ for a statewide Global Entrepreneurship Week calendar of events.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.