Northern Initiatives

09/28/2026

We're looking forward to being in Benton Harbor Thursday for the Cornerstone Alliance Elevate Entrepreneurship Awards. Graduates of the Business Plan Certified program will be celebrated and Amelia and Kirby Briske, founders of the Historic Blue Dress Wedding Venue in Michigan, are the keynote speakers.

09/25/2026

Our friends at Make it Marquette have a great blog post about our friends at MycoNaut. Even the title is fascinating: "Ancient Solution for New Pollution." These scientists are harnessing the power and wisdom of Mother Nature, and helping the planet heal from pollutants and chemicals.

Meet Myconaut, a Marquette startup microorganisms to develop site-specific approaches to environmental remediation.

09/23/2026

The roof isn't the first thing you notice at Right Brain Brewery. There are a lot of other really cool things there, and some people go their entire lives without even thinking about the roof. But not owner Russ Springsteen. He thought about that roof A LOT, every summer when he climbed up there to patch it. This year, however, heavy snow, torrential rain, and flooding put an end to the roof, and to Russ' summer tradition. Northern Initiatives understood the importance of the iconic Traverse City brewpub — not to mention the pinball machines — and helped get that roof fixed — for good.

09/21/2026

We had a staff retreat in the U.P. last week and one of the highlights was visiting Partridge Creek Compost, a longtime customer that is working with several other longtime customers in one of the best examples of community sustainability we've ever seen. Food waste from multiple sources — including Northern Michigan University, schools, restaurants, households and more — is mixed with other organic waste, then cooked, sifted, refined and returned as beautiful, life-giving soil! Director of Operations Aaren Joki loves his work, and pointed out the Ishpeming operation is in the "most hostile environment" of any compost farm in the U.S. — and they are making it work!

09/18/2026

The end of summer can be sad, or it can be a celebration of the beginning of Pot Pie Season! They know how to celebrate at Peace Pie Company in Marquette.

09/16/2026

Is this the life you dream of? Commercial Lender Lucy McCraven is retiring and we're wondering if we can fill her shoes. Check out the job description and see what you think!

https://northerninitiatives.org/careers/

09/14/2026

Judy Hunter was thinking about retirement — more time to paint watercolors like this one — when the owner of JB's Hair Designs in Petoskey beat her to it. Judy could have walked away. Instead, she bought the business in 2016 — retirement dreams and all.

How's it going? “We haven’t been able to take new customers in six months,” Judy smiles. She works five days a week, which includes Saturdays (“I have never had a Saturday off.”), when she perms the hair of several nonagenarians. “They always say, ‘See you next week, the good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.’”

Read her success story: https://ow.ly/Te5r50ZLU2v

09/11/2026

Here's a great opportunity for makers — but the deadline is soon! The Grand River Makerspace is offering a cash-and-access grant for makers, artists, and small manufacturers. Bring an idea — early-stage or already running — and pitch it for real funding and real shop time. Get all the info here ➡️https://ow.ly/c7nP50ZIUhc

09/09/2026

Hello County! Come see us Thursday at Wildlife Plaza, 288 E. Miller Road, 5-7 p.m., and let's talk business! Have you been wanting to start a business, or grow your existing business? That's what we're here for! Thanks to the Michigan Works Northeast Consortium for inviting us.

09/08/2026

We love to get together with people who are passionate about food, land, health, and community — and they're gathering Wednesday in Onaway! We'll be at the Northeast Michigan Regional Food Summit, learning and collaborating and touring. Commercial Lender Colleen Duflo is on an afternoon panel: Access to Capital, Grants and Technical Support for a Robust Local Food Economy. https://www.nemihfi.org/events