BEAR LAKE, MICHIGAN – Grants and loans for businesses available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development will be the centerplate for a workshop set for Tuesday, August 12, 2014 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Bear Lake Methodist Church, located at 7861 Main Street, Bear Lake, Michigan 49614.

Alan Anderson, Area Specialist for USDA Rural Development will talk about a menu of opportunities for businesses to seek capital and grants through the agency, including Energy Grants, Value Added Producer Grants, Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans, Rural Business Enterprise Grants and others.

The workshop is sponsored by the Alliance for Economic Success, the Small Business Development Center, the Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and the Lakes to Land Regional Initiative.

“Our organization has a long history of partnering with financial institutions, businesses and communities in rural areas to help businesses grow and expand,” Alan Anderson said.  “Whether you are a farmer, manufacturer, retailer or any form of commercial business, we hope you’ll join us on August 12 to see how we may help you.   We take pride in having strong relationships with lending institutions to help meet the capital needs of businesses so we hope all banks, credit unions and other financial institutions will join us.   We will stay as long as needed to talk with individuals and set up follow up appointments.  We especially appreciate the cooperative nature of this opportunity.”

Area banks, credit unions and business owners are encouraged to attend.  The workshop is free-of-charge and open to the public.

Due to limited space, those wishing to participate are asked to contact Susan Hornkohl, Alliance for Economic  Success at 231-723-4325 or aesmanistee@gmail.com.