FROM STAFF REPORTS
Businesses get help with tax seminar
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Michigan Manufacturers Association will conduct a tax seminar this month to help businesses file their Michigan Business Tax forms.
The seminar also will address tax issues from the present economic climate involving bankruptcy, insolvency, the sale or purchase of a business and other state tax developments. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 26 at the MMA headquarters at 620 Capitol Ave. in Lansing, and is free for MMA members and $25 for non-members.
Sign-up is available by contacting LeAnn Hicks at the association at (517) 487-8557 or hicks@mma-net.org
'Mini grants' available for arts organizations
TRAVERSE CITY -- Local nonprofit arts and cultural groups can apply for "mini grants" available through the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.
Organizations can apply for up to $4,000 for locally developed arts and cultural projects planned between April 1 and Sept. 20.
The grants require a 50 percent match of total program expenses through cash or in-kind donations from the organizations.
NorthSky Nonprofit Network is administering the program for the state in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties. NorthSky can provide applications and funding guidelines, and proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the NorthSky office at 202 E. Grandview Parkway, Suite 203, in Traverse City.
More information is available on NorthSky's Web site at www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org or by contacting Mary Bevans Gillett at 883-8388.
Solar energy training courses set
TRAVERSE CITY -- Two weeklong solar energy training courses will be offered at Northwestern Michigan College's Energy Demonstration Center.
"Solar Photovoltaic Hands-on Systems Training" will be held Feb. 22-26. It provides technical skills for electricians who passed the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners' entry-level exam.
Participants will learn installation techniques and about system configuration, components, connections, safety and construction of a small PV system.
A second workshop March 15-19 is on NABCEP entry level training for PV electric systems, including standalone and grid-tied systems, system design and components, performance analysis, troubleshooting and safety. Participants can also take the NABCEP entry level exam on March 20.
Each course costs $775 which includes materials.
Sign-up information is available by contacting NMC's Extended Education office at 995-1700 or at www.nmc.edu/energy.
