PFE Blog

October 7, 2024

Webinar Recap: How to Stack IRA, ITC and Utility Incentives to Help Your Small Business

Maximizing Energy Efficiency Incentives: Insights from Kyle Rieth at Catalyst Partners In a recent webinar hosted by People First Economy, Kyle Rieth, Director of Building Performance at Catalyst Partners, provided valuable insights on energy efficiency…
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August 19, 2024

Webinar Recap: Helping Small Business Owners Find & Win Capital

People First Economy, Detroit Community Wealth Fund (DCWF), Center for Community-Based Enterprise (C2BE), and Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO) are a collective of MEDC’s SSBCI (State Small Business Credit Initiative) Technical Assistance program grant,…
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June 17, 2024

DGRI Launches Programs to Support New & Existing Downtown Businesses

Your Business Belongs Downtown. One factor in creating a vibrant and welcoming Downtown is the presence of a strong array of businesses that appeal to a wide variety of people and are owned by a…
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June 12, 2024

Local First Webinar Recap: Understanding the CTA

The Corporate Transparency Act effects all corporations and LLCs with operations in the US: are you prepared to report, and do you have the support you need? Last month, we were thrilled to partner with…
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April 24, 2024

Local First Workshop Recap: Civic Engagement 101

Decisions are made whether you engage or not. Find a seat at the table.  Last month, we were thrilled to partner with the Michigan League for Public Policy to bring our members the first Local…
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February 6, 2024

Michigan Business Development Group Secures Government Support for Local Entrepreneurs

People First Economy Partners with the Center for Community Based Enterprise, Detroit Community Wealth Fund, and Michigan Center for Employee Ownership to Support Small Businesses to Access Funding Business development…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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July 11, 2023

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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