Bill to Bring Money to Northland by Staff Appearing in Northland's News Center on 2009-07-24. Julianne Paulsen and her husband James started Rocks the Jewelers in Virginia nearly three years ago. Now, she is setting news business goals with Get Rocked Inc, a direct sales company for fine jewelry. Paulsen is one of nearly 10,000 entrepreneurs in the Northland getting help from the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund to reach their big business goals. With more business people seeking their help, the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund is turning to Washington. Congressman Jim Oberstar earmarked $200,000 in the 2010 Financial Services Bill for the Greenstone Group, an initiative of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, that helps entrepreneurs grow their skills and businesses. Mary Mathew, president of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, said the money is needed so the organization can continue to help area businesses. "The funding that the congressman is proposing will help us expand our services...do more coaching, more work on our campuses and expand the work that's already started," Mathew said. But the earmark does not come without opposition. "This is something that private sector organizations, chamber of commerce, trade associations, and other businesses offer and do all over this country, hundreds in every state yet here we're singling one out and saying this one is worthy of a federal earmark," argued republican Congressman Jeff Flake of Arizona. Congressman Oberstar defended the earmark citing on–going challenges on the Iron Range. "We've been losing jobs with the downturn in steel and iron ore production in fact, iron ore mines are completely shut down..some 6,000 jobs have been lost. Bright spot...is the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund," said Oberstar. For Paulsen, the Northeast Entrepreneur fund has also been a bright spot for her business. "You have to surround yourself with a team that believes in what you are doing. I think more than anything Greenstone has been that team for me," she said. The bill passed the House last week with Greenstone Group's earmark in place. Now, Greenstone and Paulsen will have to see if it passes in the Senate. The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund also gets money from private businesses, foundations and grants.

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