The LSCP is here to help

Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on August 17, 2015

At last week’s board meeting, we did something a little different. We had one of our clients and partners come in and share how exactly we have assisted them over the years. We were excited to welcome Jill Korpi, owner of CrossFit 906 in Ishpeming. In this age of data, we tend to get caught up in the numbers or metrics. My board of directors constantly reminds me that it’s the anecdotal stories of client success that go to the heart of what we do.

Jill told the board about how she got started. Caralee Swanberg, VP of Economic Development, offered to help with a ribbon cutting and business plan when they were first getting started. The LSCP has been involved with CrossFit 906 ever since. She noted specific help with accounting, including helping them move to electronic funds transfer instead of taking only cash and check payments. She also discussed how the business started with only her and her husband as trainers. Caralee helped her get a staff on board including additional trainers and an office manager. CrossFit 906 started with no business plan. Our staff was able to help them create a business plan that can be consistently tweaked as time goes on and the business climate changes. Jill noted that she didn’t think her business would be where it is today (they’ve undergone three expansions in five years!) without our assistance, which was all provided at no cost. Hearing stories like this makes me so proud of this organization and our staff!

This is just one story of how we have assisted businesses. With our highly educated and credentialed staff (two certified economic developers, a certified fundraiser, a certified economic gardener, certified EMSI specialists and a global business professional) we are able to assist any size business in any stage. Services we provide include entrepreneurial assistance, site location, financing assistance, business plan creation, state and federal incentive support, grant writing, research, support letters, strategic planning, marketing and more. We encourage anyone with a business idea or a business to contact us to find out how we can assist. Our new business development and marketing resource guide provides a nice snapshot of the services and resources available to the community as well.

Recently, ABC10 produced a three part series about the LSCP featuring Cognition Brewing Company and Biogenic Reagents, showcasing details on how we assisted them. I encourage you to watch the series to learn even more about our services.

Here is a quote from Jay Clancey, owner of Cognition Brewing Company: “You are a fantastic resource and hopefully will help others in my position to have the confidence to “take the plunge” and create other businesses. Marquette County is very fortunate to have you and your organization available to all of us.”

We appreciate when our clients are willing to share their stories. Their journey can help open doors for others with business ideas.

We are here to serve you. All of our services are low to no cost. It is our investors, Chairman’s Circle and other partners that provide the resources that allow Marquette County to have an economic development organization ready and able to serve. Contact us anytime at 906.226.6591 for more information on how we can help!

Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.