PFE Blog

November 15, 2023

10 Years of City Building, Prepping for a World of Winter and Shopping Small

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) works with partners Downtown and throughout the community to create a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood for everyone to enjoy. This work is constant and ever evolving, and we’ve been at…
See More
November 13, 2023

Your Roadmap to Meaningful Gift Giving

What is the best gift you've ever been given? I'll bet it has a fun backstory! Sitting here, I've caught a glimpse of my favorite art print out of the corner of my eye and…
See More
November 2, 2023

Local First Workshop Recap: Conflict to Conversation

Raise your hand if you've ever been faced with conflict...Okay, now you can put it down. I'm confident in asking that because one of life's firm truths is that we are all faced with conflict…
See More
October 3, 2023

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present! People First Economy's Experience Manager, Halla Maas, interviewed Patrick, the Business Development Coordinator, for Disability Advocates…
See More
September 27, 2023

Michigan Good Food Fund supports food and farm businesses making a positive change.

The work of Michigan Good Food Fund advances a more inclusive, resilient food system by investing in food and farm entrepreneurs across the state. As warm summer days give way to falling leaves, many of…
See More
September 20, 2023

Bridge Street Market is Your Neighborhood Grocery Store

Bridge Street Market is your neighborhood grocery store bringing fresh, affordable, and local products to Grand Rapids’ vibrant West Side and beyond. Bridge Street Market is a 37,000-square-foot grocery store rooted in the heart of…
See More
September 15, 2023

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…
See More
September 6, 2023

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…
See More
September 5, 2023

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…
See More
August 15, 2023

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…
See More