PLACE EVENT Jan.14th- Visit Artist Living in an Old Jackson Prison?

On Monday, January 14, Consumers Energy is hosting a presentation on a unique entrepreneurial approach for economic development from a unique venue. Following are details on the Venue, the Entrepreneurial Approach and the specifics of the Event.

The Venue: Imagine an 1880’s era state prison with cell blocks converted to apartments and galleries and individual cells used as studios for artists and musicians. The Armory Arts Village (the original Jackson State Prison converted to an armory in the 1930’s) features 250,000 sqft. of historic prison buildings and a stunning 25 ft. high turreted stone wall forming the perimeter of its 19 acre site.

The Entrepreneurial Approach: Ernesto Sirolli pioneered Enterprise Facilitation®, a unique economic development approach based on helping local citizens realize their passion and skills for an entrepreneurial venture. After developing the concept in Western Australia, Sirolli brought this person-centered approach to the United States. The first U.S.-based program, started in a rural Minnesota community in the early 1990’s, has accounted for the creation or expansion of 250 small enterprises and nearly 750 jobs… all in a county with a population of 6,500. Results have been similar in many other communities where entrepreneurs are not only being created, but their survival rates have far exceeded what would otherwise be expected.

The Event:
- When: Monday, January 14, two presentations, 2:00PM or 6:00PM (presentation is about one hour)
- Where: Armory Arts Village, 100 Armory Ct., Jackson, Michigan (can be located via MapQuest)
- Cost: There is no cost for this event
- RSVP: If possible, please let me know which you will be attending. (2:00 or 6:00) This will help them to plan for the seating. RSVP to Jenny Bruen, jbruenplanning@hotmail.com

BELOW are important details, you might want to bring along... Hope to see you there!

1. Program Length - The session will include brief introductory remarks, Ernesto Sirolli's speech on Enterprise Facilitation and perhaps some brief Q&A. The session starts at 6:00 and will last up to perhaps 7:30. Ernesto Sirolli and other representatives from the Sirolli Institute will remain and be available for further questions and discussions.

2. Parking - Now, hopefully you can work with us on this. Due to the recent snow melt and rain and forecasts for more precipitation over the next few days, the unpaved auxiliary parking at the Armory Arts Village we had planned to use will be too muddy. We will be using a "park and shuttle" system from a parking lot about two blocks away.

Please go to the Nixon Park parking lot at 400 E. North St. (NE corner of Cooper and North St.) (address is recognized by MapQuest and GPS systems). Also, here are some easy directions from I-94. Take Exit 139 (Cooper St.) off I-94, go just less than a mile South to the 1st light (North St.) turn left and then left again immediately into the parking lot of Nixon Park. Look for Shuttle Bus sign.

A bus will make a continuous loop the two blocks to the Armory Arts Village (about every five minutes) beginning at about 5:15 and again after the program until all people have been shuttled back to the Lot. The drop off will be right at the entry to the Armory Arts Village. Using this park and shuttle arrangement is much more convenient both to and from the event.

3. Copies of Ernesto Sirolli's book - Nomad Bookstore, a local bookstore has agreed to handle copies of Ernesto Sirolli's book, Ripples from the Zambezi: Passion, Entrepreneurship and the Rebirth of Local Economies, and Ernesto will be available to sign copies. They will be available for sale at $15.00 with tax included. Because credit cards purchases will be more complex (due to no internet connection in the presentation room), cash purchases are preferred. Nomad will also accept personal checks. This local entrepreneur is taking on the risk of having books available, so consider purchasing a copy.

4. Tours of the Armory Arts Village - Much of the Armory Arts Village can be seen on a "self-guided" tour. Seeing apartments and getting information on the village will involve staff who will be available. Some tours may precede the presentation. Other options for tours will be announced from the podium.

5. Other Attractions - If you arrive early or linger afterwords, visit the adjoining ART 634 Building which was the genesis of the Armory Arts Village. There you will find Real Goods, an organic foods store (check their offerings and menus at http://www.realgoodsorganics.com).