The IFS Cluster is quickly growing legs and will soon be completely up and running. Jamie Hess, Education Consultant, Office of Career and Technical Education of State of Michigan is working with the IFS members to help develop a new finance curriculum in Michigan schools. The Education Workgroup is starting to work on a regional asset map of resources, indentifying skill gaps, and connecting academic programs to business needs. The IFS has continued discussion with both MSU and Olive...

 The first group of roundtables has met 3 times and continues to collaborate. The second group plans to start meeting this fall. This group is looking for participants and will begin inviting fresh faces this week. 

 After winding down from the first mentoring session, the Leap has been developing invitation list for next group and hopes to start again in September. If you would like to participate in the next round of 5 on 5’s please contact Dru Mitchell, mitchelld@leapinc.biz. 

Leap and the SBTDC have been working together to refine the list of 2500+ new businesses in the region to determine which are still in business and what these companies would need from the organizations. The goal is to touch each of these businesses by the end of 2010 and the team is ready to get started. 

 Ray De Winkle, SVP of Global Business Development is interviewed by Walt Sorg on TalkLansing.net

 Bill Demmer gives an update on the initiatives coming out of the Business 1st strategy team. 

 View Press Release Here

 Business 1st Co-Chair Blogs on Deep Change

This web-based tool will feature a comprehensive database of the Greater Lansing region’s business resources and services, to help businesses at every stage of the business life cycle.  Users will be able to search relevant resources and then click the live link to access more information.  

Two new Business Roundtable groups kicked off in May.  22 business leaders from the region will be meeting monthly with peer business owners, leaders and executives to connect in a small group setting to exchange ideas, share insights and discuss business challenges and concerns.  The sessions will be led by a skilled facilitator in a confidential setting.  If you are interested in joining a future roundtable groups, please contact Leap Business Services Manager Dru Mitchell at 51...