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The SBSH Scoop | Workshop momentum. Three down. What's next?
 Running a business means you’re constantly juggling—customers, cash flow, operations, team issues… all the things. And while you’re excellent at what your business does, no one hands you a handbook for everything else. That’s where SMART Workshops come in: practical, guided support for the parts of running a business that don’t come with an instruction manual.
 At our…

The SBSH Scoop | Direct Grants - Read All About It!
 This round of grant awards represents more than $215,000 in direct support to local businesses and 46 rewards. The 2025 SBSH direct grant recipients include:Andy's Feed StationBarbeaux FisheriesBayside Coin LaundryBear Creek Tree Service LLCBee Wise Farms LLCBelonga Plumbing and HeatingByce's Michihistrigan Campground Bar and CabinsCanusa, LLC dba Bins Ahoy OverstockParish…

46 Eastern Upper Peninsula Businesses Awarded Direct Grants Through the Small Business Support Hub ProgramEASTERN UPPER PENINSULA, MI — The Eastern Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) has announced 46 businesses selected to receive direct grants in the program’s second and final round. The application window opened June 16, 2025, and closed August 15, 2025, followed by a rigorous review process culminating in final selections and…

The SBSH Scoop | SMART Workshop #2 Was a Hit — and #3 Is Coming Up Fast!
 The last SMART Workshop, An Employee Handbook without the Headache, lived up to its name — no headaches, just progress. Participants got real work done and walked away with solid next steps. “Robin was easy to understand and very knowledgeable. I’m grateful this workshop was available!”“Any size business would have benefited. Great stuff.”“Everyone felt…

The SBSH Scoop | Making Business Feel Less Like a Solo SportSince the beginning, the Small Business Support Hub here in the Eastern UP has been driven by one simple goal: help the businesses that already make our communities tick become stronger and more sustainable. Sure, we love cheering on the new startups too—but what really fuels us is making a lasting impact on the Eastern UP’s economic health. 

So what are we up to? Glad you…

The SBSH Scoop | You Don’t Need A Grant Check To BenefitOver the last two years, the SBSH Grant Program has touched hundreds of small businesses across the Eastern UP—and we want you to know you haven’t been forgotten. This month, a panel of small business experts reviewed the final round of direct grant applications, awarding more than $200K in funding. The creativity and resilience of our regional businesses blew us away. Choosing winners felt…

The SBSH Scoop | Retail Bootcamp?Retail is at the heart of so many of our Eastern U.P. communities—whether it’s a shop on a main street, a pop-up at the market, or a family business that’s been around for decades. But let’s be real: starting, jump-starting, or even resurrecting a retail business isn’t easy. Here’s the good news: TechTown in Detroit created a Retail Bootcamp that has already helped countless businesses get off the ground and…

The SBSH Scoop | Get Help (The Good Kind)Running a business in the Eastern U.P. can feel like you’ve got to do it all yourself—but that’s just the old “go it alone” mindset talking. The truth? Even the strongest business owners need people in their corner. That’s exactly what the Small Business Support Hub is here for. Our focus for the next year is simple: help as many businesses—and the people behind them—as we can.We’ve built a network of…

The SBSH Scoop | Expert Help You Need—On Us!Let’s keep this simple: you can’t run a strong business without expert help. No one is an expert in everything — marketing, finance, HR, hiring, team dynamics, product development, and still delivering the products and services your customers love.That’s where the Small Business Support Hub comes in. We’ll help you connect with the right experts and we’ll help pay for it. (Yes, even in areas we don’t…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | SMART Workshops starting Simple. Measurable. Actionable. Real. Tangible.These aren’t “sit-and-listen” training sessions. They’re get-it-done-together workshops for small business owners in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. What makes them different?You don’t just learn about systems — you build them.You’ll leave with real tools and documents ready to use in your business tomorrow.Expert guides (local and approachable…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | SMART Session Recordings on line now!Here’s your chance to get connected with the people you actually need to know. Most of us start a business because we love what we do—the product we make, the service we provide, the value we bring. What we don’t usually sign up for is being:An attorney who knows contract lawA marketing strategistAn HR proA financial wizard who thrives on balance sheets and bookkeepingThat’s where…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | SMART Session Recordings on line now!Running a business is a lot like riding a bike but, your business is the bike.If you never oil the chain, pump up the tires, or tighten the brakes… well, you’ll eventually find yourself wobbling, stuck on the side of the road, or worse—flying over the handlebars(ouch).But here’s the thing: it’s not just about keeping the bike from falling apart. It’s also about potentially making the…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Application Deadline THIS Saturday!If you’ve been following the Business Spotlight each week, you’ve seen firsthand how an SBSH direct grant can make a difference. Every story is unique—each one a window into the challenges, ingenuity, and persistence of our local business owners. Take a look back at past HUBbubs and you’ll get a peek into the lives of people just like you, doing the brave and demanding work of building…

Sault Ste. Marie, MI, August 1, 2025: Headwaters North, a regional SmartZone focused on advancing innovation and economic opportunity in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, today announced the appointment of Nikki Storey as its new Chief Executive Officer. Storey brings more than a decade of leadership experience as President of the Marine Trades Institute (MTI), formerly Great Lakes Boat Building School, where she built one of the nation’s most…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Don’t Miss Your Shot at a Small Biz BoostYou’ve got 9 days left to throw your hat in the ring for the final round of SBSH direct grants.Yes, you’ve been meaning to. Yes, we know you’re busy. And yes—it’ll only take about an hour or so.Here’s the thing: this grant isn’t just a boost. It’s a game-changer.In the first round, small businesses just like yours received everything from this list:Honey extractorsSlushy…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Easy, Quick and We’ll Help!By now, you’ve probably heard that the final round of direct grants requires a simple application—but remember, it’s simple!! It’s straightforward and takes about an hour to complete. And you’re not on your own—we’re here to help you make it as strong as possible.Once you submit, someone from our team will review your application with you and offer suggestions if anything can be improved. It’s…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Apply Now - You Don’t Want To Miss Out There are just 22 days left to apply for the final round of SBSH direct grants! The deadline is August 16, and we want to make sure your business doesn’t miss out.If you have questions or need support with your application, reach out to one of our People in the Know—we’re here to help. You can also check past issues of The HUBbub for tips and info.Apply Now — we’d love to…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Are Direct Grants Taxable?We’ve gotten this question a few times in the past week. Yes, yes the direct grants are taxable, so make sure you plan for that. You can get advice from a tax accountant on what to save for this. You can find solace in the fact that you are making money by filling out the grant application. If it takes you 2 hours to do it, you could be making $2,000/hour or more! The bottom line is to plan for…

Are You a Small Manufacturer? The SBA Wants to Hear From You!If you’re running a small manufacturing business anywhere in the Upper Peninsula, this is your chance to shape the future of support for businesses like yours. On August 6, from 1–3 PM, the U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a special Roundtable Focus Group to hear directly from you—what’s working, what’s not, and how they can better show up for U.P. manufacturers.The…

Here’s the SBSH Scoop | Tribal Owned BusinessesThe link for the application is here.Tribal communities are a foundational part of the Eastern U.P. business landscape. That’s why the SBSH grant program was intentionally designed to serve the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Tribe as well as other area businesses—because your businesses matter, and your success strengthens our whole region.In the first round of grants in 2024, just…