Resources
Think Local First 2014
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Services for Entrepreneurs and Want to be Entrepreneuners:

The Biz Resource Center at Washtenaw Community College is a partnership program between the Richard W. Bailey Library and Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC), which serves the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw. They have compiled an extensive collection of updated resources available for small business owners. As a resident of any of the above listed counties, you have access to resources and research services for small businesses. 

Stop by the Bailey Library on Washtenaw Community Colleges campus to see how they can help you. Come and experience the new opportunities for entrepreneurs and those just curious! 

They are located on the first floor of the Gunder Myran Building at W.C.C., 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48105. For more information, call (734) 973-3429 or visit their website at this link. 

When you are ready to develop your small business plan contact the Michigan Small Business Development Center located on Washtenaw Community College's Campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Email at [email protected] or call 734-547-9170 for the following services:

  • Training and individual consultation for anyone interested in starting a small business. Topics include: business planning, financing your business, legal issues, marketing and sales strategies, managing cash flow, building your team, and more.
  • Assistance for existing businesses includes: planning for and managing growth, understanding financial statements, strategic planning, marketing, etc.
  • Consultation for early-stage, technology-based companies, such as alternative energy, life sciences, homeland security and advanced manufacturing.
Where Did Think Local First Come From? Our Parent Organizations - BALLE and AMIBA!

We are part of a network of local business networks across the United States and Canada. 

Some of our recommended resources are:
  • ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES. One well-done study we cite a lot is the Andersonville (Chicago) Study of Retail Economics, which compared 10 locally-owned businesses to 10 non-local businesses and found that for every $100 spent with a local firm, $68 stays in the Chicago economy; for every $100 spent at a chain store, $43 stays in Chicago. The Andersonville Study can be found at this link. And a full list of studies can be found by clicking here.
  • PARTNER ORGANIZATION LINKS. The BALLE and AMIBA websites have a great list of organizations working towards living economy ideas under the categories of economic sustainability, local food systems, downtown preservation, land trusts, community capital and other categories. Here are the links to these two national organizations. Click here for BALLE, and here for AMIBA.