Strengthens and Diversifies Economic Assets through:

• Grants
  • for economic development planning
  • for adding value to natural resources
• Loans
  • to create quality jobs, provide access to new markets and promote entrepreneurship
  • to foster new and existing knowledge clusters within groups of high-skill industries
  • to new ventures that develop, produce or distribute renewable fuels
• Training to support businesses and entrepreneurs
  • business training workshops
  • technical assistance
• Philanthropic Services
  • Endowment and project funds for economic development
  • community loan funds
• Special Initiatives
  • to enhance the competitive advantage of the region
  • to identify and promote promising ideas in the manufacturing sector
  • to foster a collective vision for the region's economy