News Flash

Jonathon Hallberg, the Deputy Director of Economic Development at the City of Portage sits down with host Mary Ruple again to discuss how to start a small business and the resources that you will need.  Click HERE to listen. If you have a podcast idea, email publicinformation@portagemi.gov. Click on the links below for more information. 

Starting Points:

• US Small Business Administration:https://SBA.gov
• Southwest Michigan SCORE Chapter:https://www.score.org/swmi
• Southwest Michigan APEX Accelerator:https://www.ptacsofmichigan.org, swmiapex@nemcworks.org or 269-491-6585.
• Michigan Small Business Development Center: https://michigansbdc.org or contact Sarah Forrest, Business Consultant, at sarah.forrest@wmich.edu, 269-387-6209.

Funding Groups:

• USDA Rural Development: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ 

Specialty Groups:

• Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council: https://minoritysupplier.org or 313-873-3200.
• Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance: https://cornerstonewbc.com or 269-925-6100.
• VetBiz Central, Inc.:www.vetbizcentral.org or info@vetbizcentral.org, 810-767-8387.
• GROW - Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women: https://growbusiness.org or (616) 458-3404.
• Can-Do Kalamazoo: https://candokalamazoo.org/
• Black Wall Street Kalamazoo:https://blackwallstreetkalamazoo.org/gd-info/
• Startup Zoo:https://startupzoo.org/
• Starting Gate:https://wmich.edu/startinggate
• Southwest Michigan First Chamber: https://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/chamber
• City of Portage Parks & Recreation: mypark.portagemi.gov
• City of Portage Parks and Recreation Markets:https://www.portagemi.gov/643/Markets
• Barrels, Bottles & Brews:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelsBottlesandBrews/
• Kalamazoo Business Network:https://www.facebook.com/groups/kzoobusinessnetwork/
• Business Networking Int’l: https://bni.com/find-a-chapter/
• Relationship Builders Int’l:https://rbi-network.weebly.com/

Presentations & Pitches:

• 1 Million Cups, Kalamazoo:https://www.1millioncups.com/s/account/0014W00002AqQeQQAV/kalamazoo-mi
• Bronco Pitch Competition:https://wmich.edu/pitch
• Startup Zoo Pitch Night:https://startupzoo.org/pitch/
• 5x5: https://5x5night.com