The Michigan Economic Development Corp. awarded a $930,000 Small Business Support Hubs 2.0 grant for businesses across Southwest Michigan.
Southwest Michigan First will distribute the grant funds among regional Entrepreneur Support Organizations, which in turn support businesses.
“Every entrepreneur deserves access to the tools, expertise and connections needed to succeed, regardless of where they live or where they are in their business journey,” said Carla Sones, interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First, in a press release. “This investment strengthens our entire regional network of Entrepreneur Support Organizations, allowing more founders to be reached, more small businesses to be supported and more opportunities to be created for innovation and economic growth throughout Southwest Michigan.”
Regional Entrepreneur Support Organization partners include:
- Albion Economic Development Corporation
- Battle Creek Unlimited
- Can-Do Kalamazoo
- Cornerstone Alliance
- Emerge Innovation Hub
- Liminal Group
- Michigan Small Business Development Center Southwest Region
- Room 35
- South Haven Regional Business Hub
- Startup Zoo
The grants are intended to benefit entrepreneurs in rural and underrepresented businesses in Southwest Michigan's seven-county region.
“This region has always been fertile ground for entrepreneurial innovation,” said Clarence Lloyd, vice president and chamber director at Southwest Michigan First. “Companies and products born in Southwest Michigan have changed healthcare, transformed the music industry, and shaped the way people live every day.”
The investment comes after the success of the Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Hub, which was launched in 2025.
“While the support entrepreneurs need to succeed has long existed here, this community of partners remains committed to raising the level of visibility and collaboration around that support,” Lloyd said. “Because of this investment, today's entrepreneurs can see themselves writing the next chapter of world-changing innovation right here in Southwest Michigan.”
Southwest Michigan First is a nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1999.
