By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting During our efforts working with manufacturers to help them find and access grants to fund their success, we sometimes uncover rural manufacturing grant opportunities.  Some of our clients qualify for these grants but have questions about these funding opportunities.  In this article, I will answer some of the most common

By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting Grants are a powerful way to help pay for the projects that will lead you to greater efficiency, sales and, ultimately, success.  But are you really maximizing the use of grants to help fund large projects? Chances are you are not and that is because you might only be considering

By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting Sometimes the grant landscape can be complex.  For example, manufacturers get grants from three primary sources:  federal grants, state grants, and federal pass-through grants.  But, what are pass-through grants?  Why are they different from “normal” federal grants?  What grants are federal pass-through grants? This article will answer all these questions.

By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting What state is known for historical landmarks; inventions such as submarines, vulcanized rubber and phone books; prestigious schools; and a diverse economy that includes companies in aerospace and defense, shipbuilding and green energy industries? That would be the great state of Connecticut!  And, in the manufacturing grant world, it is

By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting If you are like many manufacturers, you are currently planning your capital expenditures for next year (or maybe the next 1-3 years if you are thinking strategically).  If you are planning to purchase equipment soon, you really need to consider government grants to fund a portion of the investment. Examples

By: Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting Illinois is the home to the Windy City, Chicago, beautiful state parks and a LOT of farm fields.  I should know, it is my home state!  While it is not the perfect state to live in, I have found it to be a great place to raise kids and fairly