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Displaying items tagged: Southwest Michigan First

Wednesday, 08 March 2023 22:16

Democrats pass ‘right-to-work’ repeal and prevailing-wage mandate

LANSING — Michigan’s decade-old “right-to-work” laws are in peril now that Democratic legislators are acting to rescind them — as promised — two months after taking power in Lansing.

Published in Economic Development
Thursday, 08 September 2022 15:29

FUNDING FIREHOSE: State Revitalization and Placemaking grants aim to bridge funding gap for many West Michigan housing projects

Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Berrien County will receive large chunks of funding to regrant to various housing projects that the state approved Wednesday through the Revitalization and Placemaking Program. 

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 28 August 2022 18:15

Michigan life sciences industry perseveres in face of major talent shortage

Like virtually every other sector, Michigan’s life sciences industry faces a key obstacle in trying to attract and retain talent, many of whom are leaving for opportunities out of state. 

Published in Economic Development

Sunday, 30 January 2022 18:17

State lawmakers mull restoration of R&D tax credit

Michigan could restore a tax credit for companies that conduct research and development here, which supporters say would make the state more competitive for high-tech business investments.

Published in Economic Development
Thursday, 02 December 2021 12:22

New economic development coalition calls for change to help Michigan compete

Nearly two dozen economic development and trade organizations have formed the Winning Michigan Jobs coalition with the goal of helping the state regain a competitive edge for new jobs and investments.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 24 October 2021 18:40

After ‘soul searching,’ Southwest Michigan First finds new CEO

KALAMAZOO — The new CEO at Southwest Michigan First sees the job as an opportunity to come home to the Midwest and run what he considers “one of the best” economic development organizations in the country.

Published in Economic Development


Sunday, 24 October 2021 14:17

Career tech donation tips recent anonymous giving past $1B in Kalamazoo

Over the past four months, anonymous donations to support talent development, education and public services in the Kalamazoo area have now exceeded $1 billion, which local officials call a transformative and unique sum for the community.

Published in Nonprofits
Friday, 22 October 2021 08:30

Southwest Michigan First announces new CEO

KALAMAZOO — Southwest Michigan First has selected a new CEO from Las Vegas, roughly eight months after the economic development organization’s previous executive resigned following his controversial hiring.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 01 August 2021 17:09

Zoetis’ COVID-19 vaccines for animals bolster Southwest Michigan’s life sciences profile

KALAMAZOO — Nine months ago, some of the first COVID-19 vaccines left Portage and found their way into the arms of patients around the country. 

Published in Manufacturing

Sunday, 18 July 2021 17:10

Office workers gradually return to downtowns as officials forecast a new landscape

The short-term outlook of city officials and commercial real estate experts is improving as office workers gradually return to in-person work, and they share an optimism as downtowns reawaken from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, 15 June 2021 13:28

Midwest Fastener investing $10.8M in Portage HQ expansion, Decatur operations

PORTAGE — Midwest Fastener Corp. plans to create up to 90 jobs as part of a $10.8 million investment to expand its headquarters and distribution center in Portage and operations in Decatur.

Published in Manufacturing
Tuesday, 15 June 2021 12:05

Organizations, residents set to occupy newly constructed Warner Building in downtown Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO — Prominent businesses and community organizations will soon move into the newly constructed mixed-use Warner Building in downtown Kalamazoo.



Tuesday, 08 June 2021 17:04

$550 million gift to Western Michigan University a ‘catalyst’ for the community

KALAMAZOO — Representatives from Western Michigan University announced on Tuesday that the school has received the largest private gift ever bestowed on a public university.

Published in Economic Development
Monday, 15 March 2021 10:57

MiBiz Growth Report: March 15, 2021

Here's the MiBiz growth report for March 15, 2021.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 14 March 2021 14:25

Bethany Christian adoption policy draws cautious optimism from LGBTQ advocates

GRAND RAPIDS — Bethany Christian Services’ announcement this month that it would begin to help LGBTQ parents nationwide adopt children was a major policy reversal for the global adoption agency and, for civil rights advocates, appeared to be a step toward progress.

Published in Nonprofits

Wednesday, 03 March 2021 16:47

Kalamazoo County suspends contribution to, pursues ‘better relationship’ with Southwest Michigan First

KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted 7-4 Tuesday to suspend its 2021 funding to Southwest Michigan First as the fallout continues over the organization’s brief hire of former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield as CEO.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 28 February 2021 16:34

Southwest Michigan First regroups after Chatfield resignation; questions remain over event center

KALAMAZOO — Former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield’s weeklong run as CEO of Southwest Michigan First spurred a wave of backlash from the community that has damaged the economic development organization’s reputation, officials say. 

Published in Economic Development
Monday, 22 February 2021 10:59

Chatfield resigns as Southwest Michigan First CEO after week of controversy

KALAMAZOO — Former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield has resigned as CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a week after his appointment generated controversy among local officials and some in the local business community.

Published in Economic Development

Thursday, 18 February 2021 17:41

Kalamazoo Community Foundation drops Southwest Michigan First membership as CEO backlash continues

KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo Community Foundation has dropped its membership with Southwest Michigan First effective immediately as backlash continues over the economic development organization’s hiring of former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield as its CEO.

Published in Economic Development
Wednesday, 17 February 2021 13:56

State awards nearly 6,000 businesses with COVID-19 relief grants

State officials announced today that nearly 6,000 Michigan businesses have received grant funding totaling $52.5 million under a COVID-19 relief program signed into law late last year.

Published in Economic Development
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 15:11

Advocates call on Southwest Michigan First to back civil rights expansion after CEO controversy

KALAMAZOO — LGBTQ advocates say Southwest Michigan First should support expanding Michigan’s civil rights law following backlash to the appointment of its new CEO, former House Speaker Lee Chatfield.

Published in Economic Development

Monday, 15 February 2021 22:51

Kalamazoo pulls Southwest Michigan First funding after Chatfield appointment

KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously voted to withdraw $10,000 in annual funding for Southwest Michigan First on the same day former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield started as the economic development organization’s CEO.

Published in Economic Development
Thursday, 11 February 2021 17:34

Former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield named new CEO of Southwest Michigan First

KALAMAZOO — Former Republican Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield has been named CEO of Southwest Michigan First, the economic development agency announced Thursday.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 31 January 2021 18:29

Economic development leadership changes could lend ‘fresh eyes’ to mission

West Michigan economic development organizations are in a transition period — much like the industry itself during the COVID-19 pandemic — as multiple agencies take on new leadership.

Published in Economic Development

Sunday, 17 January 2021 18:49

Despite new state law, no solid plans for Kalamazoo event center

KALAMAZOO — A new funding tool recently signed into law is intended to help finance an event center in downtown Kalamazoo, but it’s unclear if there is a desire or solid plans to move forward with the venue.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 06 December 2020 18:00

MEDC pilot program seeks to connect corporate purchasers with small biz during holidays

Calls to support small businesses during the holiday shopping season have perhaps never been louder than this year.

Published in Small Business
Tuesday, 29 September 2020 13:42

State COVID-19 relief grants reach thousands of West Michigan small businesses

Thousands of small businesses across West and Southwest Michigan have received grant funding from a state COVID-19 relief program.

Published in Small Business

Monday, 10 August 2020 15:30

Thousands seek small biz pandemic relief grants in West Michigan

Nearly 4,000 small businesses across a 13-county region of West Michigan have applied for state pandemic relief grants.

Published in Small Business
Sunday, 02 August 2020 19:25

SBAM backs legislation to provide liability protection to businesses during pandemic

If an employer follows the rules and complies with requirements to maintain a safe workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, business advocates argue the company should not have to face liability claims if someone there contracts the coronavirus.

Published in Small Business
Wednesday, 15 July 2020 04:54

State launches $115M grant program for small biz, agriculture relief

A pair of state grant funds totaling $115 million launches today as another source of financial assistance for small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published in Small Business

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