The Biz grew out of the work of the E-Pillar of HomeTown Partners. The E-Pillar is in the midst of a 3 year statewide project “Creating Entrepreneurial Communities” through the Land Policy Institute. The Biz is here to help you make a transition into starting and running your own businesses. The resources below provide a wealth of free information for entrepreneurs and jobseekers. Most of the organizations offer free or low cost advice and market research specific to your situation. Visit the library and get started in our Michigan Room, where we house much of our business collection, and get more information on local and regional resources. You can even get started right now by checking out our links to some of the best online resources listed below.
To learn more about the E-Pillar and to get help starting your business, contact Michael Evans at Hastings Public Library at 269-945-4263.
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Barry County Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber seeks to represent and promote the attraction, retention, and development of the educational, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and civic interests of the greater Barry community.
The MSU Product Center
The MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) can help you develop high value, consumer-responsive products and businesses in the agriculture and natural food sectors. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or an established company, the Center is your key to the front door of MSU’s vast and varied technical expertise, research, outreach, and educational services.
The Small Business Resource Links of S.C.O.R.E
SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow and succeed nationwide.
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center provides counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.
MeL has data and information on business and the economy in Michigan, the U.S. and the world
The One Stop Business Resource Center is designed to help you start and manage your Michigan business.
Explore economic activity in your own community and across the country.
Open Office – Free Productivity Software
The leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.
Business Week called it, “the most-visited forum for small business on the Web”
Read Entrepreneur Magazine’s features and columns for free and sign up for six different newsletters.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) -
Programs and services to help you start, grow, and succeed
SBA Free Small Business Training
The SBA has a virtual campus offering online courses, publications, free podcasts and videos, and other technical assistance. Courses are self-paced and take about 30 minutes to complete.
SBA Frequently Asked Questions
At the Library
Jobs
MeL has resume help, job postings, career exploration resources and job search aids
