MAILING ADDRESS

300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI  48913
MNGC@Michigan.org

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Bob Metzger
517-241-9993
metzgerb@michigan.org

Bob Metzger joined the Michigan's Next Great Companies Movement in January 2008. In his career, Bob has worked for some great companies, some near-great companies and a couple that still had a long way to go. All of those experiences help him in focusing the strategic direction of the Movement.

CO-DIRECTOR

Germaine Kowatch
517-335-7830
kowatchg@michigan.gov

Germaine Kowatch has an extensive background in human resources, workforce planning and training & development. She has devoted her career in service to the State of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Transportation. Germaine joined the Michigan's Next Great Companies Movement in April 2008 and is in charge of administration and event management.

MORE CONTACTS

MNGC is an economic development initiative focused on attracting and growing companies with great workplace cultures. Following are some of Michigan's outstanding collaborative organizations and specific resources for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and firms looking for opportunities:

• Michigan Business One Stop. Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/business. Michigan's premier government online service dedicated fully to the successful operation of new and existing businesses.
• The Michigan Advantage Web site, a part of MEDC: www.michiganadvantage.org. For live customer support, call 1.888.522.0103. By email: MEDCservices@michigan.org.
• The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center. Web site: www.misbtdc.org. Regional offices across Michigan provide information about support for small business, and most services are free.
• The Small Business Association of Michigan. Web site: www.sbam.org. This organization is an advocate for existing small businesses. Their services help small business owners work smart, access business expertise and get discounts through group purchasing programs.
• SCORE. Web site: www.score.org/index/html. Free local counsel from experienced small business owners, in affiliation with the Small Business Administration.
• Michigan Women's Marketplace. Web site: http://www.miwomen.com/. Michigan's 6,000+ online women's business community.
• Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women. Web site: http://www.growbusiness.org/.  Organized to help women in west Michigan become successful entrepreneurs.
• Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. Web site: http://www.mmtc.org/. The Center provides Michigan's small- and medium-sized manufacturers with operational assessment, process improvement training, mentoring services, Web site technical assistance and market diversification tactics.
• Michigan WORKS! Web site: http://www.michiganworks.org/. Customer-focused organization providing assistance to employers and job seekers.
• Center for Empowerment and Economic Development. Web site: http://www.miceed.org. The Center provides entrepreneurs and business owners with technical, financial and professional enrichment support services.