We like a program from the city of Ishpeming’s Downtown Development Authority that’s designed to spur and support business development.

The Ishpeming DDA is accepting applications from potential businesses for startup grants that total $2,500 each.The Start Up Assistance Grant program can be used for business establishment expenses in downtown Ishpeming.

This will also include one-year memberships to the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Chamber of Commerce.

Applications will be judged by the DDA, with the program available to businesses that fall within the DDA’s serviced geographic boundaries.

The committee will be scoring businesses based on if they’ll create jobs, complement existing businesses and are not similar to existing businesses in the community.

Applicants are asked to seek assistance in their startup from the Lake Superior Community Partnership, the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Chamber of Commerce or the Michigan Small Business Development Center for business planning assistance.

For more detailed information and access to the application, visit ishpemingcity.org and search for the business assistance startup grant.

We absolutely encourage anyone mulling the launch of a new business in that area to consider applying for one of these grants.

Every little bit helps.

And the Ishpeming DDA earns kudos for coming up with the program in the first place.

It’s an interesting and creative way to support the business community.