The Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Venture North Funding, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) are co-hosting an event focusing on funding opportunities for local businesses and organizations.

The entities will present information on grant and loan programs available to businesses, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals related to economic and community development in northern Michigan. The free forum will be held Friday, October 26 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City. RSVPs should be submitted to Venture North’s Sara Christensen at sara@venturenorthfunding.org. 

Rural Development has more than 40 grant and loan programs available for business development, housing, loans and loan guarantees, energy efficiency, value-added agricultural production, and sewer and water supply systems, among other areas. Traverse City area RD specialists and Venture North will participate and allow time for discussion, questions, and scheduling one-on-one meetings with participants who are interested in specific program opportunities.

“These two organizations provide a staggering array of programs and services to move our economy and communities forward,” says DDA CEO Jean Derenzy. "We want to make sure that our partners and neighbors in business, local governments, and nonprofit organizations take full advantage of these opportunities.”