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Entrepreneurs Increase Capacity to Bring Opportunities Back to Michigan

MT. PLEASANT (WWJ) -- Seven years ago MTW Industries started its operations in a small barn in the small mid-Michigan town of Shepherd. Today, the company has grown into a location on Mt. Pleasant's northwest side and is encouraging its suppliers -- and of course, its customers -- to buy Michigan.

Most recently, the company has added a precision plasma cutting machine that will bring them to new levels. Company officials say their growth was fueled in part by assistance from the Central Michigan University Research Corp. and other community partners.

"With our expanded capacity we will be able to serve many sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and oil and gas," said Brent Fisher, managing partner of MTW Industries.  "We know how to do the work and we know what we are good at it; however, we could not do it alone. We looked to Central Michigan University Research Corporation as they provided a wealth of information that was at our disposal, and it was beneficial to have their financial and business assistance."

MTW received more than $13,000 in business development assistance thanks to the Business Accelerator Fund program, an initiative of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and run by business accelerators like CMURC. The BAF assistance enabled MTW to receive the training the company needed on an intense, computer controlled, CNC plasma cutting machine which then led to a $500,000 USDA loan guarantee.

"We are looking forward to seeing the direct economic impact that MTW will provide to the region," said CMURC president and CEO Erin O'Brien. "Having access to programs like the one utilized for MTW is critical in assisting to move businesses forward."

Not only did MTW benefit financially, but it also benefited from local collaboration efforts of CMURC and Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Centers that have supported working toward developing its own line of agricultural products as well as a long list of future opportunities.  Most importantly, the end goals of all partners remain the same: to keep local companies connected to local suppliers, to create and retain local jobs and to offer high quality services and products right here in Michigan.

Besides the CMURC and the MI-SBTDC, MTW Industries was assisted by Isabella Bank, the USDA, Mt. Pleasant city government, and the Middle Michigan Development Corp.

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