Here’s the Scoop | SBSH Grant program extras
Note about the last direct grant round: The last round of direct grants from the Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) grant program opens up on June 15 and will remain open until August 16. The link for the application will be posted here on June 15.
Also, did you know you’ve got a business brain trust on standby?
Seriously—if your hair’s on fire about marketing, strategy, HR, team stuff, sales (or, let’s be real, all of the above), don’t panic. We can hook you up with a one-on-one session with a real-deal business expert. Yep, someone who’s seen it all and can help you put out the fires and get back to doing what you do best.
The best part? We cover the cost,even if you didn’t apply for or receive a direct grant through the Small Business Support Hub program. All you have to do is raise your hand and say, “Help?” We’ve got you.
What do you need to do? Reach out to Miche Rayment and arrange a brief conversation to align and arrange the expert consultation.
You can read about the SBSH grant guidelines here.
Business Spotlight | Sugar Haven Bakery
What this SBSH grant funding truly represents is opportunity—an opportunity to turn a dream into a thriving reality.
Sugar Heaven Bakery in Newberry started as a humble porch pop-up selling irresistible sweet treats and has blossomed into a full-service home bakery. Inspired by the Bob Jacquart presentation and fueled by determination, the owner applied for and received a direct grant.
With those funds, they purchased new display cases and two full-size convection ovens—enhancing both product presentation and production capacity. What was once a once-a-month operation is now open every Friday and business has doubled.
Summer Series SMART Session #2
SMART Session #2 - HR Paperwork Stinks | Stay out of hot water with these simple processes.
Expert - Robin Chepakis of SvelteHR
June 18, 2025 9-10 a.m.
Starting with a few policies will get you on track to being compliant with employment rules. Robin will walk you through a guide to HR paperwork you can build on over time. This session will give you plenty of time to ask your questions no matter where you are in the process and get one-on-one help later if you need it.
People in the Know | Your Local Economic Development Peeps
- These people will be on call for you to ask questions about your application.
- Tammy Henry - Luce County - director@lucecoedc.com
- Chris Olson - Chippewa County - admin@chippewacountyedc.com
- Tara Parrish - Bay Mills Indian Community - tparrish@baymills.org
- Dean Reid - Mackinac County - reiddi46@sault.com
- Nikki Radke - City Sault Ste Marie - nradke@saultcity.com
- Miche Rayment - Sault Tribe - miche@headwatersnorth.org (interim)
Business Expert Spotlight | Matt Monte, Monte
Matt has 25 years of experience developing professional communications. He leads a small company of extremely agile writers, designers, and developers in creating industry-leading branding, messaging, images, and video. Matt’s core contribution are deep listening to both the client and the public market to understand how relationships can be developed around common understanding, shared truth, and trust. He also leads core story development, where this common framework of understanding is brought to life in compelling visuals, headlines, data visualizations, and even interactive displays that leave an indelible memory.
Serving businesses, nonprofits, and universities across the US, he provides clients with a unique blend of expertise across traditional business silos from engineering to sales and intercultural communications. He takes complex and ambiguous issues and makes them understandable, enabling teams and collaborative groups to take action.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, he has substantial technical experience in engineering, numerical simulation, and technical documentation.
Reach out to Matt and his team: monte.net
Matt just lead SMART Session #1 in the Summer Series. The recording will be available soon at here. It was a good one!
Remember, if you need some Marketing help and you haven’t already had a one-on-one with Matt, just let me know and we can cover under the grant your first consultation!
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The HUBbub is published by Headwaters North (EUP SmartZone) as part of the Eastern U.P. Small Business Support Hub, a program made possible in whole or in part by federal award number SLFRP0127, granted to the State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This hub’s operating partners include Bay Mills Indian Community, Sault Tribe and Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties. Both EUP Regional Planning and Development Commission and Headwaters North support the initiative as well.