PFE Blog
Fair Food Network believes when you start with food, so much is possible.
Detroit-based nonprofit and investor Fair Food Network is on a mission to build community health and wealth through food. Since its founding in 2009, Fair Food Network has grown from a local nonprofit offering Double…
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Michigan’s Food Economy in Action
Food brings people together! Whether it's over soil, tending to seedlings; over the table, passing a plate; or in your neighborhood corridor, sampling local treats: food is communal. It takes many hands to bring the…
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Happy Hispanic & Latin Heritage Month
Happy Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month! We are so privileged to have such a robust and bright Hispanic and Latin Community in West Michigan. People First Economy wants to celebrate just a handful of inspiring…
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Supporting Local Businesses to Create a Vibrant & Welcoming Downtown
In 2018, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc (DGRI) launched the Retail Business Incubation Program to attract new businesses and begin filling out Downtown’s fledgling retail scene. Flashforward 5 years, 19 businesses and $534,000 later – DGRI…
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The People Behind People First Economy
At People First Economy we believe in taking a human-centered approach in all of our programs. And that approach starts with the folks at our organization. From workiversaries, to certifications to new hires, the People…
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Travel Like a Localist
How did I travel Boise, Idaho like a localist? Hi, I am Kathleen (People First Economy's Director of Engagement) and I'm a localist! If you’re a localist like me, you value exploring a new community…
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The Ultimate West Michigan Staycation Guide
When was the last time you were a tourist in your town? Hi friends, I’m Victoria Munro, People First Economy’s Community Engagement Manager. The sun is out, flowers are blooming, the waves are crashing, and…
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Close the Dark Store Loophole
How do we fix the damn roads with a persistent 3.9 billion funding gap each year? Or properly resource our public schools with a 4.5 billion funding gap each year? The answer is pretty unsexy…
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The Small Business Role in Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Whether your employees or customers know it: their prescription drug costs increased nearly 60% while their incomes increased about 11%. Even more troubling? About 32% of people of working age have had to stop taking…
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Local First Workshop Recap: Building Wealth & Impact in Your Small Business
Succession, exit, growth planning... These are plans that all business owners must navigate. With daily administrative and operational tasks easily consuming a full day's work, not knowing where to begin in these conversations leaves many…
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