LINK U.P. is reestablishing the former young professional group in the area. This new personal development organization is designed to introduce and engage working individuals. It is open to all types of careers and occupations. Sign up to attend the launch event or learn more here.

Thank you to all who attended the 2022 Alliance Annual Meeting on March 16. The gathering provided time to network, a review of The Alliance's actions in 2022 and a preview of what to expect in 2023. The Annual Report is now available on the website. Printed copies are available by request.

A new initiative was announced at the meeting called Belong, a talent attraction and retention campaign. The multi-media approach will feature Alliance Investors, their employees and the communities they are building within our community. The purpose is to demonstrate the opportunities for individuals to find belonging while living and working in the Dickinson County area. If you are interested in learning more or how your company can be involved in Belong, please reach out to Lois Ellis.

The Alliance hosted two opportunities for local, state and federal elected officials and staff to gather with community leaders during the Pine Mountain Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament.

Thank you to First National Bank & Trust for hosting the morning event at their tailgate booth, which served as a great start to the beautiful day.

Thank you to the team at the Upper Peninsula Tourism and Recreation Association for their participation and financial support of the afternoon reception held at Pine Mountain Resort. About 60 individuals attended the event, and we are grateful to the many state officials who made the trip to experience first-hand the positive impacts the annual ski jumping tournament creates for our area.

Check out the latest stories and subscribe at UPwordMichigan.com!

The Alliance Talent & Education Task Force has updated and released the 2023 Next-Level Career digital magazine. The publication serves as a resource for area students, educators, and families. It is branded with our new SHIFT theme as we continue to work to shift perceptions about what a successful career looks like. View the magazine here. 

The publication contains the following:

In April, The Alliance will once again recognize local high school graduates pursuing careers in manufacturing and technical occupations upon graduation. The social media campaign asks for student nominations from parents, teachers, and friends, with one random winner selected from each of the eight area high schools. The winning students will receive a prize package of gifts from area companies and The Alliance. Watch for the kick-off announcement and call for nominations on April 3 on our social media accounts. Companies – if you wish to donate prizes for the students, please reach out. 2022 winners are pictured above.

Each year, The Toro Company supports nonprofits worldwide by donating turf and landscape maintenance products to help maintain the organization’s facilities and further its mission.

Job skills training, family crisis centers, schools, equestrian services, arboretums and zoos are just a few examples of the nonprofit sectors that have benefited from this program in the past. Qualifying organizations must be located within 40 miles of an office, manufacturing or distribution location of The Toro Company and be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Applications for 2023 must be submitted by May 15, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (CDT).

Apply here or email BOSS with any questions.

The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) recently announced the launch of a relief fund focused on assisting small charitable nonprofit organizations. The $35 million MI Nonprofit Relief Fund, being administered by MNA, is designed to provide aid and recovery to nonprofits with annual revenues of less than $1 million that can demonstrate necessary expenditures and/or losses incurred after March 3, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Small nonprofits could receive one-time grant funds from $5,000 to $25,000 in Spring/Summer 2023 to continue or expand their services to areas hit the hardest by COVID-19 and to populations that are underserved and underrepresented. The program is now open for applications. The application deadline is May 5. Apply here!

The Office of U.S. Senator Gary Peters and the U.S. Small Business Administration Michigan District Office invites you to attend an informative discussion to learn about the programs and services of the SBA available to your small business. Whether you’re a start-up or established, finding resources for your business can be challenging. This session will help established and new business owners get up-to-date on SBA programs and services.

SBA 101 Informational Webinar

You must register in advance for this session.