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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

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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Michigan’s Returns to Full Capacity May Increase Job Creation

Michigan’s Returns to Full Capacity May Increase Job Creation

6/17/2021

Today, the end of COVID-19 restriction orders on gatherings and masking has been announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which is going to increase job creation once again.

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Historic Renovation for Economic Development in Downtown Kalamazoo

Historic Renovation for Economic Development in Downtown Kalamazoo

6/15/2021

Kalamazoo is planning a historic renovation for community and economic development downtown.

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