January 2013 - A three location convenience store operation, EA has been hired to handle quarterly and annual tax filings.
Havard Machine Hires EA for Corporate Tax Assistance
January 2013 - The small machine shop in Louisiana has selected EA for its quarterly and annual tax compilations and submittals.
Edmonson Associates Continues Quarterly Newsletters and Economic Analysis for St. Mary Parish, Department of Economic Development
March 2013 - EA is assisting the Parish Department of Economic Development with three primary activities: 1) Create a base line of economic indicators for analysis into a format for continual updating; 2) Using the State's Building and Sites Site Selection Center, create a profile of available properties that allow for rapid response to RFI's 3) Author a quarterly newsletter of economic indicators and recent activity and announcements.
EA and Consulting Team completes LIDEA Strategic Action Plan
March 2013 - Edmonson Associates, in partnership with The Johnson Group, Taimerica, and DaDCO Consulting, presented LIDEA's first strategic plan to the membership at LIDEA's Spring Meeting in Lafayette, LA. The plan includes best practices, results of a member survey, and input from members at 4 Regional Membership meetings that gleaned "great ideas" on the future of LIDEA. Four goals and over 25 actions will lead the organization over the next 3 years.
EA Becomes ILTAP Consultant
June 2012 - Edmonson Associates was accepted as an approved contractor for the Louisiana Innovation Loan and Technical Assistance Program through the South Louisiana Economic Council in Thibodaux. EA will assist companies with expansion site selection services and business plan development.
EA Manages Year 3 Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Project for GVSU
March 2013 - Edmonson Associates contract is renewed for its third year of project management for the GVSU Offshore Wind Assessment Project. The $2.2 million program oversees and gathers data from the only offshore floating platform in the Great Lakes that can measure wind speeds a hub height. See Link below for more details about the project.
March 2013 - EA Manages GVSU Business Accelerator Fund for Second Year
The Business Accelerator Fund (BAF), managed by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) at Grand Valley, will allow MAREC to identify and enable qualified Michigan companies in high-priority sectors to pursue business development grants up to $50,000. The program launched in December 2011 with $3.5 million in state funds and MAREC is one of 15 Michigan SmartZones eligible for the program.
Accelerator services through BAF focus on business milestones, such as positioning a company to attract private capital, developing a stronger business plan or marketing strategy and securing its first customer. Service providers may be consulting firms, law firms, universities, manufacturers, engineers and others that enhance business growth.
Services that can be funded through BAF will address needs for business plans, market research, patent searches, employee agreements, technology development, internships, access to expertise, prototyping and product testing.
Business Accelerator Fund eligibility The program is for companies with characteristics that provide the highest return on investment for business and job growth. Preference goes to high-technology firms in sectors such as renewable energy, life sciences, homeland security and defense, advanced manufacturing and materials and others. Companies must be Michigan-based and have raised less than $1 million in private investments and have annual revenues less than $2.5 million.
Funds must be used for business development services; capital improvement, salary or production expenses do not qualify. Michigan SmartZone business accelerators such as MAREC will screen BAF applications, channel funds to service providers and monitor use of the funds on behalf of approved applicants.
The first round of BAF funding is available through September 30, 2012. Contact Arn Boezaart at (616) 331-6901 or boezaara@gvsu.edu or Jim Edmonson at (231) 557-8543 or jbedmonson@aol.com with inquiries and questions. Visit www.gvsu.edu/marec for more information.
Current Clients
Louisiana Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) - EA is assisting the non-profit arm of this LDOE project prepare an application for tax-exempt status and an operational plan.
South Louisiana Economic Council - A regional EDO and private, non-profit, Edmonson Associates manages the Council's business development functions including business attraction, expansions, and new start-ups.
South Louisiana Economic Council - is a business consultat for SLEC's Louisiana Innovation Loan and Technical Assistance Program
Grand Valley State University - Edmonson Associates is managing the University's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) offshore wind alternative energy project on the Great Lakes.
Grand Valley Sate University/Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center - Business Accelerator Fund. EA is the program manager. (see about us for details).
5-Star convenient stores for bookkeeping and tax preparation services
Havard Marchine, LLC for bookkeeping and tax preparation services
James B. Edmonson
Jim is an economic developer, small business counselor, and personal growth coach. He has a Master of Arts in Geography/Planning from Western Illinois University graduating summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University. Jim has worked in five states including Michigan, Louisiana, Illinois, Utah, New York and the District of Columbia. With 35 years of experience, Jim has participated in over $1 billion in new investment that helped create 6,000 new jobs. He has worked at the federal, regional and local levels of government, non-profits and private corporations. Jim has raised funds totaling $81 million for various community projects, managed $50 million in grant funds and a $25 million loan portfolio. In addition, he has managed 4 incubators and over 1 million square feet of building space.
Jim and his wife Alison have owned their own businesses giving them practical, hands on experience in retail, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and business services. Jim has served local government as an elected trustee of the Village of Sackets Harbor, New York, and has served on numerous boards and commissions including planning commissions, economic development corporations, the United Way, Chambers of Commerce, and other non-profits. Jim has authored papers on economic development strategies, regionalism, business management, business plans and strategies, coastal zone management issues, and civics. Unique career highlights include managing the consolidation of two local governments, implementing Louisiana's first barrier island restoration project using dredged materials; leading downtown redevelopment efforts in Muskegon, Michigan; and furthering development of wind as an alternative energy in the Great Lakes.
Alison D. Edmonson,CPA
Alison is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), spiritual coach, and entrepreneur. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Nicholls State University. Alison's specialty is tax filings for business and assisting entrepreneurs and small business with financial management and business organization skills. She also counsels employees and business owners on the power of positive thinking, words,and thoughts. Alison has started several businesses including a delivery company, tax service, a retail store, a manufacturing business, and her current businesses including Edmonson Associates and WordUp.pro. Alison volunteers with Junior Achievement; is a member of Quota Club; and participates with the Baton Rouge chapter of Financial Planners.
Other Current and Previous Clients
Art Jam's – Business Plan Greater New Orleans, Inc. – Business Attraction Strategy and Appointment Setting Entergy Corporation – Business Attraction Strategy and Appointment Setting Baton Rouge Area Chamber – Business Retention and Expansion Plan Boyne City, Michigan – Industrial Park Marketing Plan JMB Partnership - Inventory of permits requiring wetland mitigation Techeland Arts Council – IRS Application 1023 for Tax Exempt Status Erdman Machine – Energy Efficiency Study Central Louisiana Economic Alliance – Regional Business Development Plan Viking Tool and Engineering, Inc. – Business Growth Strategies Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association – 3-Year Strategic Plan Muskegon Community College – EMS and Police Training Center Business Plan North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District – Capital Project Priority Plan Wechem, Inc. – Business Expansion Plan and Site Selection Recommendations
Dirt Works Products, LLC - EA prepared a executive summary that earned the company $12,000 to develop its next proto-type
Spart LLC - Assisted the company prepare documents that resulted in $42,000 in seed funds to launch its bio-digest company
Pitre Fur and Alligator - EA assisted the company evaluate expansion plans
