BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Homeland Security Consortium (MIHSC) announced today that it has partnered with Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), a business development and funding group, to manage and source the Michigan Homeland Security Resource Fund.
The fund, created by MIHSC and conceived of by the Consortium's Chairman,
Keith Brophy , will support Michigan state-based businesses and entrepreneurs
through venture funding and non-monetary resources. BC Ventures, which is the
Technology Business Accelerator group within Battle Creek Unlimited, will
identify and attract up to
The MIHSC Board of Directors selected Battle Creek Unlimited as the Fund Manager, based on its expertise in accelerating businesses in aviation and homeland security. By focusing on the areas of security and defense businesses, Battle Creek Unlimited aims to create hundreds of new jobs and many businesses that complement Michigan's growing homeland security industry.
"Michigan has a rich base of homeland security-oriented organizations, but we need to fuel more growth in order to compete globally," said Jack Miner , who joined BC Ventures as Managing Director in March 2007 . "In Battle Creek, we've already taken steps to augment our homeland security business community. The Michigan Homeland Security Resource Fund is a natural extension of those efforts and will support others around the state."
For the Fund, BC Ventures will attract private investment and identify federal, state and local funding sources. BC Ventures also assists businesses with mentoring, planning and grant writing through the Small Business Administration. Battle Creek Unlimited and the MIHSC also have an advisory committee to help oversee the fund, to provide tax and legal advice, and to determine allocations to recipients.
"With this partnership, we look forward to boosting our homeland security industry. Our group has worked hard to make a difference in Michigan, and this is a milestone for helping businesses that are dedicated to staying in our state," said Brophy, who also is president of Troy-based NuSoft Solutions.
About The Michigan Homeland Security Consortium
The Michigan Homeland Security Consortium (MIHSC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to statewide growth of the Homeland Security industry. MIHSC serves a targeted membership of Michigan-based developers and manufacturers of products and technologies specific to Homeland Security, as well as those companies and organizations affiliated with the industry. MIHSC provides members with forums and networking opportunities in cities all across Michigan. For more information, visit www.mihsc.org.
About Battle Creek Unlimited and BC Ventures
Battle Creek Unlimited is the economic Development organization that works with the City of Battle Creek to transform and diversify the Battle Creek economy, in part through developing Fort Custer Industrial Park. BC Ventures is the group within Battle Creek Unlimited that focuses on accelerating development of technology businesses and is Battle Creek's start up company resource. BC Ventures' expertise resides in computer software and services, aviation, e-learning and nutrition. From Funding sources to Federal, State and Local resources, BC Ventures helps new and existing companies achieve their business goals. For more information, visit www.bcunlimited.org.
SOURCE Michigan Homeland Security Consortium
