The Niles Main Street DDA scored a big win for one of its upcoming initiatives last week.
First Source Bank announced it would donate $25,000 toward Main Street’s Creative Economic Development Center for Entrepreneurs.
“First Source is supportive of Niles DDA Main Street’s plan to make Niles a regional hub for entrepreneurs,” said Mary Chmiel, senior vice president and supervisor of branches for the bank. “The center will provide the type of services and guidance needed to help entrepreneurs succeed.”
It was in December that Lisa Croteau, executive director of Niles Main Street, and Carri Harrington, the economic restructuring chair for the DDA, announced they would convert the former Pickwick Club space located in the 200 block of North Fourth Street into a business incubator.
“Where this whole idea was born was from French Market,” Croteau said.
There, many community members get a chance to show off their specialties: arts, fashions or food.
Croteau said the center would serve as a place where the entrepreneurial spirit could be harnessed and turned into business.
Those interested would be able to rent out the full service kitchen to mass produce their product, while also being exposed to opportunities of learning the ins and outs of starting a business.
“This allows people to go to the next level,” Croteau said.
The donation by First Source Bank, Croteau said, takes the project to the next level.
“This allows us to see this as a real project because there’s now money to actually get the equipment fixed,” Croteau said.
The kitchen is a unique element to the center, Croteau added. Those interested in going into a food-related business for themselves can rent out full use of the kitchen, get help in learning how to “batch up,” cooking for the masses and learn more about product placement, financing and other aspects of small business through planned training courses.
Croteau said Main Street is currently in talks with Michigan State University to develop such courses.
“We are also hoping to provide services for other entrepreneurs of any kind,” Croteau said. “We would like people to make us their first stop.”
All of the opportunities will be available at a nominal fee. Croteau hopes the center will also serve as a valuable hub for entrepreneurs where like minds can come together.
“That whole entrepreneurial spirit of having a place where people of the same mind can come together and brainstorm,” Croteau said. “There’s phenomenal value in getting like minded people together.”
Chmiel and Harrington, First Source banking center manager in Niles, presented the donation recently at the Niles French Market to Croteau and board members Jim Scarpone, Mark Whitfield, Lucy McCauslin and board chairwoman Chickie Landgraf.
“We’re thrilled that First Source sees the value in this project,” Croteau said.
Still, the organization is looking for more partners interested in helping with donations of funds or services.
Main Street is also hoping to hear from those interested in utilizing the center or taking advantage of its opportunities.
Potential partners or interested community members can learn more by contacting Niles Main Street at 687-4332.