Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO). These are investment programs designed to fill the "moderate" or "risk/moderate" returns gap between venture capitalists and the banks. BIDCOs obtain their capital from equity investments and by borrowing money. Contact Arcadia BIDCO Corp. (269) 324-4880

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will assist in locating, expanding, starting or growing your business in Michigan.
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
Phone (517) 373-9808
Fax (517) 335-0198

The Michigan Department of Career Development has many programs to assist business in retaining and expanding job opportunities in Michigan. They can be contacted at:

201 N. Washington Square
Victor Office Center
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 373-9808

Federal Level:

SBA 504 Program - This program offers long-term fixed-rate financing for capital assets by helping small to medium sized businesses. Projects are financed through a combination of private lender financing, SBA support, and individual provision of capital and collateral. SBA-504 programs offer loan terms of 10 or 20 years and finances the loans by the sale of federally-guaranteed debentures. Call (269) 392-2389 Holland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Go to the top of the page

Labor Market Information

Employment and Training Administration
http://www.doleta.gov

Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.kazoochamber.com/

"Michigan Works! has opened an office in the Chamber Building to directly assist employers with the Michigan Works! system. The system is designed to help you find qualified employees in this current economy. Please feel free to call David Parkhill at 269-381-3243.

Michigan Department of Career Development - provides up to date labor market information
http://www.michlmi.org/txt_home.htm

National Center for Education Statistics
http://www.icesa.org/

Sturgis Chamber of Commerce
http://www.sturgischamber.com/

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce
http://www.trchamber.com/

The Upjohn Institute for Employment Research - The Upjohn Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization devoted to finding, evaluating and promoting solutions to employment-related problems.
http://www.upjohninst.org

U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder
http://http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet

US Workforce - a gateway to information on the Workforce Investment Act
http://www.usworkforce.org

U.S. Department of Labor This web site houses a wide range of data and information related to labor statistics.
http://www.bls.gov

Specific information of interest within the U.S. Department of Labor web site:

Employment Projections
http://www.bls.gov/empocc1.htm

Occupational Outlook Handbook Find the outlook for any occupation.
http://www.bls.gov/ocohome.htm

Occupational Outlook Quarterly
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm

WorkForce A - The National Association of State Workforce Agencies is the national organization of state administrators of unemployment insurance, employment and training services, and labor market information programs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
http://www.icesa.org/

Go to the top of the page

Job Applicant Referral Services

Any of the Michigan Works! Service Centers can help you find the right employee. Call 1-800-285-WORKS (9675)

Electronic Job Listings/Employer Databases

The following are places you can go to post a job electronically or look for a qualified candidate:

Michigan Works! - homepage of the new ES registration process. Register your resume or job order, connects with America's Job Bank and America's Talent Bank.
http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage

America's Job Bank - America's Job Bank (AJB) For the employer it provides rapid, national exposure for job opportunities. America's Job Bank where you can see qualified applicants.
http://www.ajb.dni.us

Career City - access a database of jobs.
http://www.careercity.com

Career Magazine - job openings, employers, resume bank, entrepreneur's corner and much more
http://careermag.com/careermag

Career/NET - is a digital resume program designed to match job seekers looking for permanent employment, internships and summer jobs with employers searching for qualified candidates to fill their job openings.
http://www.careernet.com

CareerPath - on-line access to the help wanted classified ads from major newspapers.
http://careerpath.com

Career Shop IT- one stop shop for the hottest IT jobs and the latest technology news and information.
http://it.careershop.com

Chronicle of Higher Education/Career Network- job listings in higher education.
http://chronicle.com/jobs

Hospitality Net - Internet resource for the Global Hospitality Industry
http://www.hospitalitynet.org

Job Bank USA- database of jobs that you can search by key word, job title, necessary skills, salary range, location. You can also post your resume
http://www.jobbankusa.com

Job Options
http://ww1.joboptions.com/jo_main/index.jsp

Job Web - sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Where graduating college students and professional hook up with employers.
http://www.jobweb.com

Med Search - health care employment site.
http://www.medsearch.com

Monster Board - provides job postings
http://monster.com

Seasonal Jobs - jobs in national parks, cruise jobs, camp jobs, resort jobs, ski jobs, ranch jobs, jobs by state and much more!
http://www.coolworks.com/showme/

SmartPros - SmartPros is the most comprehensive online resource for professionals in accounting, financial services, human resources, insurance and law.
http://accounting.smartpros.com/

Sports Related Job Listing and Resume Bank
http://jobsinsports.com

Work Web - Work Web is a free resource to businesses, job seekers and community service providers. Work Web has numerous national partners joining the network, including many Workforce Development boards. Provides job information state by state.
http://www.ipicsolutions.com

WWMT - homepage of local CBS TV station. Contains some employment classified ads.
http://www.wwmt.com

WWW Employment Office
http://www.employmentoffice.net

Go to the top of the page

Small Business Information

Many nonprofit and educational organizations can assist you in reaching your business goals. Most of the services are FREE. The following organizations are ready to answer your questions and assist you.

SCORE - Counseling for business start-ups and existing business, business workshops
Contact: Mary Lou Szostek, Dale Wells
Phone: (269)381-5382
Fax: (269) 343-0430

Economic Development and Planning - Small business loans are available for eligible businesses within the City of Kalamazoo that will provide employment opportunities to low-to-moderate income residents.
Contact: Antonio Mitchell
Phone: (269) 337-8044
Fax: (269) 337-8429

Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.kazoochamber.com/

Stryker Center/Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kalamazoo College - Market/Product research service, one-on-one counseling/consulting, training seminars and classes, lenders assistance program provides assistance in obtaining a commercial loan.
Contact: Tamara Davis
Phone: (269) 337-7350
Fax: (269) 337-7415

Sturgis Chamber of Commerce
http://www.sturgischamber.com/

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce
http://www.trchamber.com/

Women's Business Development Center - Technical assistance for starting your business or for existing women owned businesses.
Contact: Pat Guenther
Phone: (269) 381-4000
Fax: (269) 344-6510

The following are links to other small business related sites:Michigan Small Business Development Center
http://www.michigansbdc.org/

Small Business Administration On-line
http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/

Small Business Association of Michigan
http://www.sbam.org/

Small Business Connection Magazine
http://www.mcs.net/~jkleb/

Go to the top of the page

Other Sites of Interest

Dun & Bradstreet
http://www.dnb.com/

Payroll Tax Information - this site contains extensive data regarding federal and state payroll taxes.
http://www.payroll-taxes.com/

Tax and Accounting Sites Directory - a guide to internet resources.
http://www.taxsites.com/

Tax Information for Business - IRS website
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/plain/bus_info

Go to the top of the page

Kalamazoo-St. Joseph/Michigan Works!