Southwest Michigan First, the regional economic development catalyst based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, today announced 1,434 small business recipients are receiving average grant awards of $5,000 each as part of the state’s Michigan Small Business Restart Program. Grants...
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined in all 17 of Michigan’s major labor market areas during July 2020, according to data released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Michigan regions had particularly sharp July...
Just like during WWII, companies throughout our country have stepped up to help fight the most recent battle against COVID-19. Locally, we’ve seen retooling and innovation from companies to equip our frontline workers and the entire community with the personal...
During these changing times, many employees are transitioning back to an office setting with safety measures in place, but a lot of people are still working on a flexible or hybrid schedule between office and home. For Gibson, insurance advisors and consultants...
With a heart for community, faith, and good BBQ, Ken Smeader, owner of Skinny Kenny’s BBQ food truck, launched into the BBQ business following his retirement from serving as a pastor for 18 years. With a logo designed by a friend, a smoker gifted for his retirement,...
During the pandemic, the impact on business was felt very differently by every organization. For Naylor Landscape Management, a Kalamazoo family-owned full-service lawn and landscape service company, it was a weed that stopped its work altogether. However, eventually...
Fueled by a deep love for food and bringing people together that dates back generations, Curtis Woods Junior was inspired to open his food truck, PJW Creole Cuisine as a way to support his goal of one day opening a restaurant where he could provide musicians a space...
Word on the street is that rapid-result COVID-19 testing is a hot commodity. Rapid COVID-19 antigen testing typically can provide results in as little as 30 minutes. In an article from the Wall Street Journal, it’s explained why this type of testing is very limited in...
August celebrates many things, and one of the most important among them is Black Business Month. Across the country, black-owned businesses are on the rise. According to data gathered between 2007 and 2012, black-owned businesses grew 34.5 percent making up 9.4...
Makers and entrepreneurs have set up shop in Downtown Kalamazoo since the county was organized in the 1800s. Products including Gibson guitars, Shakespeare fishing rods and reels, and Checker cabs were not only dreamed-up in the city but brought to reality. Although...
