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In this Issue
In Other News
BAF Grantee:
Dirt Works, LLC
Dirt Works, LLC has developed an intuitive and inexpensive visual reference product named Johnny Ball™ for the earth moving industry.
The product is expected to compete with more costly laser and GPS instruments that help machine operators determine the level and grade of the terrain they are working.
BAF funds assisted with development of prototypes and production molds so the company can begin to fulfill customer orders. Dirt Works, LLC was founded by John Miller (above), a professional excavator and West Michigan entrepreneur.
Learn more about MAREC assistance for Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) grants
UPCOMING EVENTS AT MAREC
For the most up to date event information, please visit our Events Calendar.
All events are at MAREC unless noted.
Directions
March 6, 2013
Entrepreneur Workshop: Fundamentals of Financial Management
Presenters: e-merge, MSU-Extension, SCORE, MISBTDC
March 23, 2013
NABCEP Photovoltaic Installer Exam Prep Class - SAVE THE DATE!
Presenter: Daniel Alway, Four Elements Energy
April 10, 2013
Entrepreneur Workshop: Writing a Business Plan
Presenter: MISBTDC and SCORE
April 24, 2013
Entrepreneur Workshop: Business Legal Issues
Presenter: Parmenter O'Toole
May 8, 2013
Entrepreneur Workshop: Marketing Your Business
Presenter: FineLine Creative
May 22, 2013
Entrepreneur Workshop: Financial Management
Presenter: H & S Companies
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From the Director
A diver descends into Lake Michigan to secure the WindSentinel’s anchor chain in preparation for towing the research buoy to port.
As I reflect on the efforts of staff and various project partners over the past few months, “diversity of effort” is a description that comes to mind. Activities ranging from welcoming Corlnet, LLC and Penters, LLC as new business incubator tenants, hosting the roll-out of the Muskegon Angels, launching a new solar study project and preparing for the 2013 offshore wind energy research season leaves little doubt that we are in full operational mode on a number of fronts.
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MAREC Welcomes New Incubator Tenants
Two start-up companies recently joined MAREC’s incubator program to take advantage of its business development services for promising early-stage companies.
Based in Muskegon with an office in Grand Rapids, Corlnet, LLC is a nearly two-year-old company that offers proprietary software products, managed services, and custom software development to clients across the U.S. in locations such as West Michigan, California, Texas and Florida.
More about Corlnet, LLC and Penters, LLC
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Gov. Snyder Shares Energy Vision in Webcast at MAREC and Across State
Nearly 60 people from West Michigan filled MAREC’s seminar room on November 28 to hear a live webcast of Gov. Rick Snyder's vision for the state on energy and the environment.
People from West Michigan businesses and organizations, including the Sierra Club, Muskegon Chamber of Commerce and Grand Valley State University, listened to Snyder’s messages on the importance of preserving Michigan’s natural resources, such as the Great Lakes, and also focusing on alternative energy and how the state can leverage it.
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GVSU Computing Senior Project Assists MAREC Clients
Above, capstone students with GVSU staff, faculty and clients. From left: Joe Graczyk (MAREC), Andrew Sharrah, Steve Dinka, James Derck, Jason Jesperson (Logical Lighting), Andrew Hinson, David Lange (School of Computing and Information Systems), and Chad Lawie (LongerDays).
Two MAREC incubator tenants recently received valuable consulting support from senior students in GVSU’s School of Computing and Information Systems. In turn, the students gained unique practical hands-on experience serving start-up businesses as clients and solving genuine business needs.
Learn how GVSU information systems majors helped
LongerDays.com and Logical Lighting Systems >
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MAREC Partners with New Muskegon Angels Investment Group
MAREC was host to a news conference on February 8 announcing a new Muskegon investment group formed to advance the development of business start-ups and mature companies in the Lakeshore area.
The idea of an Angel group in Muskegon began in 2012 when individuals in the business community decided Muskegon needed its own Angel investment group rather than relying on investment groups elsewhere.
Mike Olthoff of Nichols and Larry Hines of Hines Corporation spearheaded the effort, with leadership assistance from John Pridnia of Rehmann, Paul Jackson of Warner Norcross & Judd and Eric Seifert of Grand Valley State University.
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From left, Larry Hines, Mike Olthoff and Eric Seifert at the news conference announcing the Muskegon Angels.
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WindSentinel Buoy Completes Research Season
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Taking advantage of mild December weather, the Meredith Ashton prepares to tow the GVSU WindSentinel buoy to shore for winter retrofit.
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The GVSU WindSentinel at its overwintering spot near the NOAA/GLERL Lake Michigan Field Station. Click the image for a live webcam view of the buoy.
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On December 18, a hearty group led by a crew from Andrie Specialized boarded a tug in Muskegon and successfully retrieved the GVSU WindSentinel research buoy from its 2012 research location, 35 miles offshore from the Michigan coastline.
The retrieval concluded a successful seven month deployment at the Mid-Lake plateau, a relatively shallow region, directly west and east of Muskegon and Milwaukee. The plateau has long been of interest to scientists and those interested in exploring the potential for the development of wind energy generation in the Great Lakes.
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Michigan Energy Office Funds Solar Thermal Assessment Project
A new grant from the Michigan Energy Office (MEO) will enable MAREC to collect and study data to assess solar thermal system costs and efficiency improvements for using solar thermal in Michigan’s climate.
The grant will also allow MAREC Program Director Kim Walton to collect data from some 200 new solar thermal system installations for residences now in operation across Muskegon, Oceana, Oakland, Livingston, and Pontiac Counties.
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New MAREC Solar Center to expand education and demonstration
The new Solar Center at MAREC will expand education and demonstration space for classes, training and other activities. The building, adjacent to MAREC, is designed to demonstrate and house the solar equipment used for research and training. A solar panel test bed will be placed nearby as part of the MEO grant (see story). In the future, both solar thermal hot air and solar thermal hot water systems will be installed on the Solar Center.
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Accelerator Funds Remain Available to Assist Business Start-Ups
A new round of funding from the State of Michigan has made grant dollars available to entrepreneurs in high-technology industries through the Business Accelerator Fund (BAF). The BAF program’s goal is to help growing, high-tech Michigan companies obtain accelerator services to leverage business development and job growth.
Last year, MAREC assisted five companies with securing BAF awards totaling $132,991. This year MAREC staff will once again identify and assist qualified Michigan companies in priority sectors with development of business accelerator awards up to $50,000.
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Keeping in touch
Check our online Events Calendar often; offerings are added regularly. We look forward to your participation!
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Thank you for spreading the word about what we do!
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