By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Growth at the Edward Lowe Business Development Center in Cassopolis has been astounding in its four-year history - from three to 17 tenants, related its director, Bob Green, to those attending the annual lunch and open house Thursday.
The event gives members of the community an opportunity to tour the facility, of which only 7,000 square feet remain unrented, out of the 33,000 available.
From cabinets and countertops to custom software for major corporations, start-up business owners are finding the incubator a perfect place to run their business.
Other businesses, such as The Home Group and even the Village of Cassopolis, are using the building for additional storage space.
Some residents of the facility also have shops, such as Marcia Gregg, of Lucy and Ethels.
Green praised Patty Dresser, a recent "graduate" who has moved on to her own shop "Bittersweet on Broadway."
Along with her own quaint clay cottages and houses, she offers the opportunity for 30 area artists to sell their wares.
The American Red Cross has had an office since the center's opening, Green added.
Presently most of the workers are helping victims of the hurricanes in Florida.
Sandy Gower, Dowagiac economic development director, introduced the speaker, Viki Gudas, director of Business Services for Michigan Works!
Gudas spoke about changes happening with its program which could affect those seeking jobs and local businesses which are seeking employees.
Businesses continue to look for "quality people," she added, along with "independent thinkers and motivated performers."
Their programs also hope to show potential employees how they can contribute to the success of a company.
Mentioning the new Lowes coming to Niles, she added they have received 500 applicants for jobs which will be available soon.
The goal of Michigan Works! is to one, help employers find qualified employees, and two, help workers find jobs.
The major change allows the business services division to look at the employers' needs to make sure they are being met. Instead of just training workers, the skills they will need are being examined.
No fee is charged for Michigan Works! to accept applications and screen them and then present the best candidates to the potential employer.