Many are surprised to learn of West Michigan’s place in the international fashion industry scene. The Grand Rapids area is home to many designers, stylists, and 10+ different apparel and accessory manufacturers. Many of them are focusing on sustainability, shifting away from the wasteful footprint the industry is known for.
A Black-owned, woman owned business, Last Mile Cafe is opening a physical location at 1006 Hall St. SE that will package, roast and distribute its coffee brand as well as serve as a coffee shop.
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (the Gun Lake Tribe) and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), purchased downtown Grand Rapids' McKay Tower in January 2020.
Kzoo Station: A Community Kitchen + Eatery will soon infuse new economic opportunities into Grand Rapids’ Boston Square neighborhood. SpringGR and Amplify GR, partners in the Boston Square Together project at 1445 Kalamazoo St. SE, are renovating the 1,416 square-foot shuttered Good Shepherd Auto Repair building into a commercial kitchen and multi-tenant, retail, food-business space.
Migrant Legal Aid’s Fair Food Pledge is a partnership with food retailers and produce growers that has set standards for treating farmworkers fairly and ethically.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), The Right Place and the Department of Natural Resources’ Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to host a Virtual Pitch Competition for small outdoor recreation businesses in Lake, Mason, Newago and Oceana counties.
The GRABB Relief and Resilience Fund is specifically for Black entrepreneurs and business owners impacted by COVID-19’s on-going business interruptions and limitations. The grants support for-profit businesses that were unable to access adequate funding through the COVID-19.
At least 21 states, including Michigan, are trying to stop the spread of zebra mussels and related invasives found in moss balls intended for aquariums.
The Marketplace at Studio Park, an endeavor of Pack Elephant, offers products representing more than 30 local independent makers in downtown Grand Rapids.
Amidst COVID-19, the holiday season brings additional opportunities to support local businesses in Grand Rapids.
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