Links
NV Community Partners
- AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a national network of programs that engages more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in communities throughout the nation.
- City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department
Grand Rapids is Open for Business. Our mission is to retain and foster employment opportunities by improving our business environment and encouraging sustainable business development.
- Community Media Center
For over 25 years CMC has maintained technology tools, media services and community venues to benefit Greater Grand Rapids. We are committed to leveraging these tools to make our community a better place today, and tomorrow.
- Community Research Institute
The Community Research Institute (CRI) gathers, analyzes, interprets, and shares national and local data through partnerships with nonprofit and neighborhood groups in an effort to assist local and regional nonprofit leaders with decision making, grant writing, and program evaluation.
- East Hills Council of Neighbors
East Hills Council of Neighbors is a catalyst for neighborhood renewal through effective, grassroots community organizing in the East Hills Neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
- Eastown Business Association
Eastown...It's Grand Rapids hippest neighborhood, where the area's character is reflected in an eclectic mix of specialty shops and galleries, restaurants, coffee houses, entertainment venues, and businesses that cater to the needs of area residents and visitors.
- Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
GROW is a non-profit economic development organization which provides women - many of whom may face social, educational, or economic barriers - with opportunities to develop the skills and acquire the knowledge needed to achieve economic independence through self employment.
- Lighthouse Communities, CDC
Working in Southtown, the mission of Lighthouse communities is: "Helping grass-roots non-profit community development groups create affordable housing in their neighborhood for the purpose of stimulating community revitalization."
- Michigan Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Michigan LISC has provided strong leadership by establishing Local Advisory Committees to oversee its programs, delivered countless hours of technical assistance to CDCs, created vibrant growth opportunities through raising and channeling philanthropic and corporate financial support, and created innovative programs and services to meet the unique needs of the local communities it serves.
- National LISC
LISC helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy ones – good places to live, do business, work and raise families. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs.
- Neighborhood Business Alliance
The Neighborhood Business Alliance (NBA) includes representatives of each of Grand Rapids’ 20 local business associations. Working together, NBA members coordinate services, share best practices, advocate on issues affecting neighborhood business, and promote the economic vitality of our entire community.
- Rapid Growth Media
Rapid Growth is a weekly e-magazine and web site devoted to showcasing the positive and sustained transformation of the greater Grand Rapids region.
- SCORE
SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Small Business Technlogy Development Center (SBTDC)
SBTDC provides the small business community with one on one counsel, low cost training and no cost, secondary market and industry research.
- United Growth for Kent County
The mission of the United Growth Coalition is to serve as a sustainable, citizen-based organization that unites people and organizations around the promotion of positive land use in Kent County and West Michigan.
- Uptown
Uptown... a mix of diverse residential areas, unique commercial districts and great people. Uptown is composed of five thriving neighborhoods - Baxter, East Hills, Eastown, Fulton Heights, and Midtown; four exciting commercial districts - East Hills, East Fulton, Eastown, Wealthy Street; and three historic districts - Cherry Hill, Fairmount Square and Wealthy Theatre.
Small Business Resources
- CCH Business Owner's Toolkit
Practical help getting started from CCH Tax and Accounting.
- City of Grand Rapids
Small business needs: regulations, documents and more from the City of Grand Rapids
- City of Grand Rapids Assessor's Office
We are committed to providing excellent service and equitable assessments by the application of professional standards and in compliance with Michigan Law.
- City of Grand Rapids Planning Department
The Planning Department exists to guide public and private development efforts and administer related City ordinances fairly.
- City of Grand Rapids Treasurer
The City Treasurer's Office performs tax collection and financial management tasks for the City Commission and handles all City short-term investments. The Office of the City Treasurer collects all City, County and School taxes on real estate and personal property, and collects all City fees and service charges.
- Department of Labor and Economic Resources
- DLEG Mission Statement: Grow Michigan by promoting economic and workforce development, stimulating job creation and enhancing the quality of life in Michigan.
- Economic Development Foundation
Economic Development Foundation has been helping small businesses access capital since 1981. We are a non-profit organization operating throughout Michigan with a mission to assist businesses in obtaining financing.
- Guide to Starting a Small Business
From the MI-Small Business & Technology Development Centerand MEDC.
- Internal Revenue Service
Tax documents for businesses.
- Internal Revenue Service's e-News for Small Businesses
e-News for Small Businesses is a free electronic mail service designed to provide tax information for small business owners and self-employed individuals.
- Local First
Local First encourages the development of a vibrant, sustainable West Michigan economy by promoting local business ownership, social equity, and environmental kinship through education, support and collaboration.
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Whether it's an expansion, a relocation, or even a concern with another agency of state government, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) can help. From site location assistance to job training grants, from help with permits to tax abatements, we're the state's official economic development corporation -- a one-stop resource for businesses seeking to grow in Michigan.
- Michigan State Housing Development Authority Main Street Program
The Cool Cities Michigan Main Street (MMS) Program provides technical assistance services to communities who are targeting the revitalization and preservation of their traditional commercial district.
- My Own Business
A course on how to start a business.
- SBA Small Business Planner
Provides concise guides ranging from business plans to paying taxes and everything in between!
- Starting a Small Business Resource Guide
Links to area resources for small businesses from the Grand Rapids Public Library
- The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The State of
- The Right Place
The Right Place, Inc. is a regional non-profit economic development organization founded in 1985 and supported through investments from the private and public sector.
- US Small Business Administration
Programs and services to help you start, grow and succeed
- West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The WM Hispanic Chamber is dedicated to working with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.
Other Resources
- Commercial Alliance of Realtors of West Michigan
CAR is a membership organization dedicated to providing benefits and services to commercial REALTORS® and other real estate professionals.
- Congress for the New Urbanism
The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl.
- Downtown Alliance (Grand Rapids)
The Downtown Alliance is a Business Improvement District (BID) located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. The property owners decided to create the Downtown Alliance in order to make the downtown a better place to work, live, and visit.
- Grand Rapids Association of Realtors
GRAR is working toward the advancement of the West Michigan real estate community.
- Grand Rapids Urban League
- Nonprofit, community-based social service and civil rights organization.
- Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) is an alliance of governmental units in the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area that are appointed to plan for the growth and development, improve the quality of the communities life, and coordinate governmental services.
- Project for Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public places that build communities.
- The RAPID
The Interurban Transit Partnership, also known as The Rapid, is the authority that provides a variety of public transportation services for the Grand Rapids metro area and beyond.
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council
West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) is a non-profit, 501C3 organization working to protect and enhance West Michigan’s natural and human environments by translating the concerns of people into positive action.
- West Michigan Strategic Alliance (WMSA)
Since its inception in 2000, the West Michigan Strategic Alliance (WMSA) has been a catalyst for regional collaboration, fostering partnerships that identify and take action on critical issues focused on sustainability and quality of life.
