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Spark Manistee is a competition to encourage and incentivize entrepreneurs to open or grow their businesses in Downtown Manistee.   We are not currently accepting applications.

5 IDEAS

Community members submit business ideas and the Spark committee selects 5 finalists.
These 5 local creators receive individual support from WSCC to create business plans.

5 MINUTES

Creators have 5 minutes and 5 slides to make their pitch to the judges panel and live audience on September 15th.

1 WINNER

The judges panel and live audience voting select the winning business idea. The winner receives a cash prize and DDA business incentives.

2020 WINNER

Joanne Snay – Artful Creations

2018 Winner

Jamie Catlett – Manistee Men’s Grooming Company

5K CASH

The winning business creator will receive $5k cash prize.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Professional in-kind business services such as marketing, accounting, and legal advice.

5K LOAN

The winner will be eligible for a low-interest DDA business loan, adding to the start-up cash on hand to launch their business!

How can I help support local business growth?

 

Working with and on behalf of the Manistee downtown business community, the Manistee Downtown Development Authority wants to make Manistee a great place to live, work and build a business. 

Help support entrepreneurial spirit in the Manistee downtown through one of three levels of sponsorship. Your financial or professional consulting sponsorship will make someone’s dream a reality. See sponsorship form for details.