Center for Regional Food Systems Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center

The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will oversee a regional network of dedicated technical assistance providers committed to fostering the sustainable success of farm and food enterprises. This comprehensive support will encompass business coaching, profit enhancement, market access facilitation, and resource connection across the region. The overarching goal is to bolster the resilience of local and regional food systems while promoting the growth of businesses owned by individuals from underserved communities. The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will fulfill three primary roles:

1. Coordination: Support strategic planning, formalize network of supply chain stakeholders, coordinate with USDA, collaborate with other Regional Food Business Centers, outreach to underserved communities and businesses.
   
   
2. Technical Assistance: Provide direct business technical assistance to small- and mid-sized food and farm businesses and food value and supply chain coordination, focusing on market and business development and managing financial resources.
   
   
3. Capacity Building: Provide business builder grants up to $100,000 to meet emerging regional needs and support businesses working toward expansion and other investment.

From July 2023 - June 2028, network coordinators will be responsible for identifying priority places for this work, providing direction on technical assistance needs, developing a technical assistance network, and developing a process for distributing and identifying potential grantees for business builder grants within their respective geographic areas. During the five project years, over $10 million will be distributed throughout the region through technical assistance provision and Business Builder grants. 

Together as a region in years 1-2, network coordinators will engage in activities to: 

• Assess and identify needs and gaps in assistance to food and farm businesses;  
• Develop as a group, including strengthening relationships, fostering trust, and centering equity; and, 
• Set the initial collective direction for Regional Food Business activities, including to provide different types of technical assistance for food and farm businesses in specific geographic areas and/or across the region.  

After planning activities are complete, network coordinators will: 

• Develop a comprehensive technical assistance plan that meets the needs and goals of food and farm businesses and provides accountability and support to providers, 
• Engage technical assistance providers to supply paid assistance to farm and food businesses within their respective geographic areas and/or across the region, and 
• Outreach to small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses, especially those from underserved communities, to identify potential business builder grantees.  

Support for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers support all 50 U.S. States and Territories, and are inclusive of all types of agricultural products produced locally or regionally.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement