Displaying items tagged: Midwest Tech Project

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Sunday, 20 December 2020 18:45

West Michigan small businesses look forward after a tumultuous year

An hour-long conversation this month with three other small business executives was “therapeutic” for Jonathan Jelks.

Published in Small Business

Rich Flowers, founder of Grand Rapids-based Reliable Medical Transport LLC, faced challenges in securing growth financing for his business because of his poor credit history. The entrepreneur is working with alternative lender Northern Initiatives on a $250,000 loan to add more vehicles to his non-emergency medical transportation fleet.

Sunday, 25 November 2018 21:39

Alternative lender positions black-owned GR firm for growth

GRAND RAPIDS — When realized it needed to add vehicles to its fleet to grow the business, founder Rich Flowers ran into some roadblocks familiar to many African American and minority entrepreneurs.

Published in Small Business

Joining MiBiz for a minority small business roundtable were (top left to right) Jonathan Jelks of Midwest Tech Project, Jennifer Jurgens of SalesPad LLC and Larry Romanelli of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; (bottom left to right) Raquel Salas of Avanti Law Group PLLC and Lewis Williams of Forty Acres Soul Kitchen.

Sunday, 24 December 2017 16:40

Minority, women entrepreneurs wrestle with ingrained West Michigan culture

The growth in West Michigan’s small business and entrepreneurial community needs to be more equitable.

Published in Economic Development

For the last 16 months, Start Garden has administered the Grand Rapids SmartZone under an annual contract with the city for $725,000. The nonprofit also operates a business incubator in downtown Grand Rapids, shown at left. Recently, Start Garden collaborated with a range of local partners to support an expansion project in Walker for MOVE Systems International, a maker of eco-friendly food carts.

Sunday, 20 August 2017 10:37

As West Michigan’s startup culture evolves, Start Garden grows into new roles

GRAND RAPIDS — A growing manufacturer of high-tech food carts could serve as an example of the kind of business development that’s possible in West Michigan.

Published in Economic Development

Sunday, 05 March 2017 20:15

Initiative drives diversity for Grand Rapids tech community

GRAND RAPIDS — Despite the many accolades for West Michigan’s economy in recent years, prosperity hasn’t necessarily reached all people in the broader community to the same extent.

Published in Economic Development

As investors flock to new Grand Rapids neighborhoods in search of housing deals, their sometimes aggressive acquisition tactics have become the targets of criticism from longtime residents and community activists. Stakeholders say it’s important for residents to stay invested in the community if they want to be a part of shaping its future. Pictured (l-r): Jonathan Jenks, Sarah Scott and Jamiel Robinson

Sunday, 24 July 2016 14:15

Hungry investors seek Grand Rapids housing deals, rankling longtime residents

GRAND RAPIDS — From an undisclosed $100 million foreign-backed fund to local real estate agents, investors of all kinds are staking their bets on the Grand Rapids housing market.

Published in Real Estate/Development