Transcript Microenterprise Development Resources in Michigan

Microenterprise Development
Resources in Michigan:
Assessing Coverage, Access, and
Outreach
Claire Glenn, MNM Coordinator
Tracy Pierce, MNM Research Assistant
Thank you
Michigan State University
Center for Regional Economic Innovation
What is Microenterprise?
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Very small business
Five employees or fewer
$35,000 or less
Why Microenterprise?
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Create jobs
Increase the tax base
Promote local purchasing and hiring
Place-making
Microenterprise in Michigan
95%
91%
88%
Association for Enterprise
Opportunity.
http://www.aeoworks.org/pdf/st
ates/Microbusiness_State_Fac
tsheet-MI.pdf
Support for Microenterprise
Microenterprise Development Organizations
(MDOs) provide:
Training
Technical Assistance
Microenterprise Lending
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Microenterprise Legislation
Why does this research matter?
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Microenterprise Amendment to the Michigan Strategic Fund
Self-Employment Assistance Legislation
Research and Methodology
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MNM members
MicroTracker census
22 out of 29 MDOs in Michigan
Two rounds of surveying
Results: Coverage
Service Provided
Number of MDOs
Technical Assistance
20
Training
13
Lending
10
Total Respondents
22
Results: Coverage
Urban bias of MDOs providing microlending services
Location
Number of MDOs
Metro Detroit
6
Grand Rapids
2
Lansing
2
Ann Arbor
1
Benton Harbor
1
Marquette
1
Results: Online Tools
MichiganMicro.org
Results: Outreach Strategies
Strategy
Ranking Points
Word of mouth
33
Referrals
27
Presentations/speaking
26
Website
12
Hosting events
10
Social media
9
Email/newsletters
5
Radio/TV
1
Results: Outreach Strategies
Struggle to reach communities:
Specific industries
Specific neighborhoods
Specific demographics
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"Outside of existing networks, there is no way to reach the vast majority of clientelle."
Solutions and Conclusions:
(1) Expand Service Coverage
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Policy advocacy
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Microenterprise amendment to MSF
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Self-Employment Assistance legislation
MDO partnerships
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EDCs
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Chambers
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Commercial Lenders
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Other MDOs
Solutions and Conclusions:
(2) Broad, Low Cost Outreach
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Grassroots marketing
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Coin canisters
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Cause-related pin-ups
Engaging social media
Television and radio
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Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
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Local news
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CC programs
Solutions and Conclusions:
(3) Increase Funds
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Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
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Educate CRA officers
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Report compliance and non-compliance
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Collective clout
Solutions and Conclusions:
(4) Improve Brand
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Events
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Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
Resource directory and cmaps
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Partnerships
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Networking
Q&A with Tracy and Claire