Business Coalition Launches Inaugural 'Small Biz Week West Michigan' to Support and Celebrate Local Entrepreneurship

The West Michigan entrepreneurial landscape is set for a major spotlight May 4-9 as a coalition of business support organizations launches the first-ever Small Biz Week West Michigan.

Timed to coincide with National Small Business Week, this inaugural event serves as a premier demonstration of Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business' commitment to regional community outreach through the Michigan SBDC.

Modeled after the successful "unconference" style of Tech Week Grand Rapids, Small Biz Week West Michigan is a community-wide initiative designed to be a high-visibility platform for the thousands of small businesses driving local innovation and job creation. The week is led by four primary organizers: the Michigan SBDC, the Grand Rapids Chamber, SCORE and Grow.

"West Michigan has proven that we are at our best when we collaborate across the community to lift up our small business innovators," says Ed Garner, West Michigan Regional Director of the Michigan SBDC. "Small Biz Week West Michigan isn't just an event, but a movement that connects every entrepreneur-from the Main Street shop owner to the student founder-with the resources they need to scale".

As a cornerstone of the week's more than 70 independently hosted events, the Michigan SBDC will host the Small Business Resource & Financing Fair. This "one-stop shop" allows entrepreneurs to meet one-on-one with dozens of local, regional, and statewide service providers and lenders to explore critical business resources and funding options.

Other high-impact highlights scheduled for the week include:

● Chamber of Commerce Kickoff : A high-energy opening session featuring regional leaders and a keynote from Gina Thorsen, CEO of Stormy Kromer, celebrating the economic pride of West Michigan.

● Bank of America Economic Report: An analysis of the sentiment, challenges, and outlook of small and mid-sized business owners across the United States moderated by Paul Keifer, West Michigan Market President for Bank of America.

● Seidman College of Business Economic Assessment Report: An assessment of small businesses in the West Michigan Region researched and prepared by Christian Glupker, Primary Researcher and Senior Clinical Affiliate in the Economic Department at Grand Valley State University.

Small business owners, aspiring student entrepreneurs, and community supporters are encouraged to participate in this region-wide celebration of the backbone of the West Michigan economy.

For the full schedule of events and to register to attend, please visit smallbizweekwm.com.