PFE Blog

March 7, 2024

Michigan’s Women-Led B Corps

March is B Corp Month and Women’s History Month!   Certified B Corporations™ (B Corps™) are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. They meet the highest…
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February 28, 2024

People Behind the Business: Black History Month Feature

Why should you choose black owned businesses? People First Economy believes that by supporting black owned businesses, you are “building a more inclusive economy that leads to more community wealth. One report from McKinsey & Company noted that…
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February 6, 2024

Michigan Business Development Group Secures Government Support for Local Entrepreneurs

People First Economy Partners with the Center for Community Based Enterprise, Detroit Community Wealth Fund, and Michigan Center for Employee Ownership to Support Small Businesses to Access Funding Business development…
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January 22, 2024

People First Economy Welcomes Carlos Martinez as New President

Transition Marks New Era for Sustainable Economic Development in Michigan People First Economy, a leading organization in fostering sustainable economic growth in Michigan, is excited to announce the appointment of Carlos Martinez as its new…
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November 15, 2023

10 Years of City Building, Prepping for a World of Winter and Shopping Small

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) works with partners Downtown and throughout the community to create a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood for everyone to enjoy. This work is constant and ever evolving, and we’ve been at…
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November 13, 2023

Your Roadmap to Meaningful Gift Giving

What is the best gift you've ever been given? I'll bet it has a fun backstory! Sitting here, I've caught a glimpse of my favorite art print out of the corner of my eye and…
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November 2, 2023

Local First Workshop Recap: Conflict to Conversation

Raise your hand if you've ever been faced with conflict...Okay, now you can put it down. I'm confident in asking that because one of life's firm truths is that we are all faced with conflict…
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October 3, 2023

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present! People First Economy's Experience Manager, Halla Maas, interviewed Patrick, the Business Development Coordinator, for Disability Advocates…
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September 27, 2023

Michigan Good Food Fund supports food and farm businesses making a positive change.

The work of Michigan Good Food Fund advances a more inclusive, resilient food system by investing in food and farm entrepreneurs across the state. As warm summer days give way to falling leaves, many of…
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September 20, 2023

Bridge Street Market is Your Neighborhood Grocery Store

Bridge Street Market is your neighborhood grocery store bringing fresh, affordable, and local products to Grand Rapids’ vibrant West Side and beyond. Bridge Street Market is a 37,000-square-foot grocery store rooted in the heart of…
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