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LATEST NEWS

Business Consulting, Community Development, Economic Development, and More

Southwest Michigan First distributes positive news about the region it serves through FIRST & 42, a digital platform offering updates on what the organization and local businesses are doing, as well as other regional happenings, in our geographical latitude—parallel 42. You can enjoy FIRST & 42 news from us in two ways: when you want it on the standalone site or delivered straight to your inbox through our digital newsletter called “First & 42: The Kalamazoo Region’s Digital Daily” on Mondays. Subscriptions are free, so there is no excuse not to get all that you need to know fast and at your fingertips—meaning on your phone, computer or watch.

If you’re interested in staying up to date with all of our latest news and announcements, click the button below to explore all that FIRST & 42 has to offer.

First & 42

Business Development Opportunities with the MI New Favorite Snack Contest

Business Development Opportunities with the MI New Favorite Snack Contest

4/28/2022

When local business development causes new businesses to open, new, exciting opportunities become available. One such example is the MI New Favorite Snack contest!

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MiLEAP Grant Works to Train Local Residents for Community Development

MiLEAP Grant Works to Train Local Residents for Community Development

3/28/2022

Through a statewide grant, community development is being pushed through a partnership of local community colleges and workforce development organizations.

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Job Creation and Workforce Development Lower Regional Unemployment Rates

Job Creation and Workforce Development Lower Regional Unemployment Rates

1/28/2022

Thanks to job creation and job opportunities, this past October showed another decline in Michigan’s unemployment rates in major labor markets according to the Michigan Department of Technology.

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Find Professional Business Consulting through the First Path Program

Find Professional Business Consulting through the First Path Program

11/28/2021

If you have ever considered starting a business and think that you have a worthwhile idea that deserves exploring, consider the business consulting offered through First Path program.

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Job Creation and Seasonal Trends Lower Michigan Regional Jobless Rates

Job Creation and Seasonal Trends Lower Michigan Regional Jobless Rates

10/28/2021

Following the typical seasonal trends for August, the jobless rates within 15 of 17 of Michigan’s regional labor markets decreased thanks to job creation, open positions, and more.

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Economic Development Leads to Kalamazoo Top Spot

Economic Development Leads to Kalamazoo Top Spot

9/28/2021

Economic development in Kalamazoo has helped it to maintain its top spot on the cost-of-living index put together by The Council for Community and Economic Research.

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Economic Development Leaders for Michigan Call for Legislation Passage

Economic Development Leaders for Michigan Call for Legislation Passage

8/25/2021

The Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM) and Southwest Michigan First have called for the Michigan Employment Opportunity Act to be passed.

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Welcome to the Website of Southwest Michigan First

Welcome to the Website of Southwest Michigan First

7/14/2021

As our regular visitors have likely noticed, our new website have surely noticed, our website has been completely redone.

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Community Development Brings in Fun for Fourth of July

Community Development Brings in Fun for Fourth of July

6/25/2021

With fourth of July fireworks being such a big part of our tradition, your community development teams have gathered to provide where they couldn’t last year.

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Meet David Thomas, a Leader in Community Development

Meet David Thomas, a Leader in Community Development

6/22/2021

Southwest Michigan First would like to introduce David Thomas, the owner and professional counselor at Insight Associates LLC and a champion of community development.

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Economic Development in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph from Whirlpool

Economic Development in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph from Whirlpool

6/22/2021

Whirlpool has recently announced that they are going to provide economic development to help with a rebuild of their Global Laundry and Dishwasher Technical Center in St. Joseph.

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Economic Development Comes to Three Rivers from American Axle

Economic Development Comes to Three Rivers from American Axle

6/22/2021

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce economic development assistance that includes expansion of American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. in Three Rivers.

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