Ann Arbor SPARK Awarded $1.25 Million to Lead Small Business Support Hub for Southeast Michigan

Ann Arbor SPARK has been awarded $1.25 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to serve as the Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) for Region 9. Through the Southeast Collaborative - a network of leading entrepreneurial support organizations across the region - the initiative will expand access to technical assistance, capital readiness, business resources, and strategic connections for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties.

The grant, which runs from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, is part of the MEDC's Small Business Support Hub 2.0 initiative, a statewide effort approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund to strengthen Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem through regionally coordinated support organizations.

"Our region has always been strongest when organizations work together to support entrepreneurs," said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. "The Southeast Collaborative builds on years of successful partnerships across Region 9 and creates an even stronger network of support for small businesses. By combining deep local expertise with regional coordination, we're making it easier for entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to start, grow, and succeed."

Through the Southeast Collaborative, Ann Arbor SPARK will work alongside leading entrepreneurial support organizations across Region 9 to deliver coordinated small business services throughout southeast Michigan. As the regional lead, SPARK will provide program oversight and direct services in Washtenaw County while partnering with trusted organizations that will lead programming and technical assistance within their local communities:

• Hillsdale County Economic Development Partnership (Hillsdale County)
• Lean Rocket Lab (Jackson County)
• Lenawee Now (Lenawee County)
• Livingston Business HUB (Livingston County)
• Launch 734 (Monroe County)

Entrepreneurs will have access to personalized business advising, mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and support in areas such as business planning, financial readiness, access to capital, sales and marketing, and operational growth. Through the Collaborative's "no wrong door" approach, entrepreneurs can connect with any partner organization and be guided to the resources and expertise that best fit their business, regardless of where those services are offered across the region.

The Southeast Collaborative builds on the success of the original Small Business Support Hub program. Since 2024, partner organizations have collectively served more than 700 small businesses and supported the launch of more than 200 new businesses. Those results reinforced the value of combining trusted local relationships with coordinated regional resources, creating a stronger support system for entrepreneurs across southeast Michigan.

"Entrepreneurs don't think about organizational boundaries - they simply want to know where to turn for help," said Kristine Nash-Wong, director of entrepreneurial services, SPARK East. "The Southeast Collaborative makes that possible by combining trusted local relationships with a coordinated regional support network. Whether an entrepreneur walks through the door in Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, or Washtenaw County, they'll have access to the expertise, connections, and resources they need to move their business forward."

Following a competitive statewide application process, the MEDC selected 11 organizations to serve as regional and statewide hubs. The program attracted 115 applications, with 33 complete, eligible applications reviewed by a 24-member Joint Evaluation Committee.

Additional details about Region 9 programming, partners, and services will be announced ahead of the program's October 1 launch.