At Lenawee Now, we have been busy planning and implementing programs and events to stimulate economic development and promote an outstanding quality of life in our community. These efforts have been focused on two central themes for the past few months: entrepreneurship and talent development.
Entrepreneurship is the key to building a strong economic base in our community. One of the newest programs, Lenawee Investment Opportunity Network (LION) FUND, is being administered through Lenawee Now. Entrepreneurs can gain access to funding that helps them start or expand their small business. The LION fund was created earlier this year through the generous support of a group of local investors and ProMedica.
The LION FUND recently awarded two promising new business venture loans. The first, Lenawee Intergenerational Learning Academy (LILA), is a child care center focused on building relationships between children and senior citizens. LILA is unique in that it offers child care services seven days a week from 5:00 am until midnight providing needed coverage for second-shift workers in our community. They are opening two locations, one in Blissfield and one in Adrian.
WetNose Resort and Supplies, which provides day care and overnight stays for dogs while their owners are away, is the second business to recently receive funding through the LION FUND. Their unique approach to doggie day care has been a huge hit with local residents. Dogs are treated to their own room with a comfy bed and a television, as well as ample play time with other dogs, and pet owners receive daily progress updates. WetNose also sells pet supplies and custom dog collars. Both of these new businesses contribute to building a quality of life in the community that makes it desirable for people to live and work here in Lenawee County.
Another new exciting program is the new joint partnership with LaunchLENAWEE, a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs. The program provides training, mentoring and resources that are necessary for a startup successful. After completing the LaunchLENAWEE program, entrepreneurs will have sound business and financial plans that they can bring to Lenawee Now to be considered for financing opportunities. It is truly a win-win for everyone.
As we continue our efforts to help emerging businesses expand in our community we, also, are focusing our time on making sure these businesses can find talented workers to hire from our communities. This fall, we engaged students in career education through two hands-on experiential programs. As part of national Manufacturing Day, 400 students from nine districts across the county had the opportunity to tour manufacturing facilities and learn about potential careers in manufacturing.
Students, also, had an opportunity to learn about careers in agriculture as part of the Agriculture Career Day. This event was designed to help students see the full picture of opportunities in the agriculture industry. Students spent half the day at the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s Center for a Sustainable Future and the other half at the Hudson Dairy, which is owned and operated by MilkSource.
These types of programs introduce students to careers they may have never considered before, inspiring a new generation of workers for the businesses in Lenawee County.