By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
August 6, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

CARO ‹ The U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USARD) presented Tuscola and Huron counties grants totaling $188,500.

USDA Director Gene DeRossett presented a $45,000 grant Friday to Tuscola County for their Enterprise Facilitation project.

“This is the second year the county has gotten this grant,” said Tuscola County Commission Chair Jerry Peterson, who added that he feels the board of commissioners have a responsibility to the county because jobs are a necessity for economic health of communities.

The county contracted with the Sirolli Institute last year to develop their enterprise facilitator economic program in the county to stimulate business development.

Tuscola County Enterprise Facilitator Board of Director Chair Amanda Roggenbuck said there are about 100 members involved in the enterprise facilitator program, and they come from all walks of life, background, and a wide rage of ages.

The Sirolli Institute is a global, not-for-profit, education and training organization of experienced professionals with the mission of introducing Enterprise Facilitation to communities seeking to grow their economies from within by using an enterprise facilitator.

The state of Michigan is watching Tuscola County’s efforts to improve its economy from within by helping perspective entrepreneurs develop their business. And according to USDARD State Director Gene DeRossett, Keweenaw County is also working with the Sirolli Program.

“A majority of businesses fail in the first two years, and this program you are developing helps them. Small businesses are our backbone, but communities need to support their own businesses,” said USDARD Area Director Douglas MacDowell.

Plus, the Small Business Association of Michigan will receive a $65,000 grant for an economic gardening project for Tuscola County,

“Federal government is investing locally in good ideas of business development,” said State Senator Jim Barcia (D - Bay City). “We can’t wait for businesses to come to us. We have to market ourselves, draw them here, and especially develop businesses here.”

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) received a grant from USDARD for an “Economic Gardening” projects.

“Entrepreneurs provide a return on investment by creating a future that benefits both them and us (i.e., economic prosperity, job creation, innovation, community development, social progress, national/environmental/energy security and reinforcement of the American Dream,” said Small Business Foundation of Michigan Director Mark Clevey.

Some of the key points in economy gardening is assessing the growth potential of entrepreneurs in Tuscola and connecting entrepreneurs with market research, and helping these entrepreneurs effectively use the research results to help grow their small business.

According to Rawson Memorial Library Director Kate Van Auken, local libraries will play a part in this.

“We will be supporting the entrepreneur via research to help grow their business or providing ‘community economic gardening services,’” said Van Auken.

State Rep. Terry Brown (D - Pigeon) said small businesses development is the hope of Michigan’s future and Tuscola County is a leader in that effort.

In Huron County, the village of Port Austin received $70,000 for improvements to their farmers market.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.