MARQUETTE, MI— Nonprofit lender Northern Initiatives and business incubator Start Garden have been awarded $3 million to help underserved entrepreneurs in the state.
The money comes from the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency.
Northern Initiatives, based in Marquette, and Start Garden, based in Grand Rapids, will use the funds to continue a program that connects entrepreneurs to resources, assistance, and capital. The project hopes to enroll 400 early-stage entrepreneurs over four years, with a goal of creating 300 businesses and 645 new jobs.
Northern Initiatives and Start Garden have already launched their partnership, with the 10 finalists of this year’s “Start Garden 100” automatically eligible for a $20,000 loan.
