Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC)
Hosts Free Small Business Resource Fair in Grand Rapids Thursday,
May 4, 2023, During National Small Business Week
Open-House-Style Event Includes Over 40 Business Support
Organizations, Mini-Workshops,One-on-one Consultations & Digital
Business Resource Guide
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to the
inaugural Small Business Resource Fair from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the
Center for Community Transformation, 1520 Madison Ave. SE, in Grand Rapids. The free event
is organized by the Michigan SBDC and takes place during National Small Business Week.
Register to attend.
Attendees will have access to over 40 business support organizations, the majority of which
provide no-cost assistance. These organizations can assist with funding options, market
research, business planning, networking, sales and marketing, social media, business
certifications, contracting opportunities, and energy assessments, to name a few.
The event will also feature three 30-minute mini-workshops, with topics including:
● 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Government Contracting 101
● 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Financing Options for Your Business
● 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Small Business Marketing Hats: Saving You Time and Money
In addition, attendees can have 15-minute one-on-one consultations with resource partners in a
more private, dedicated consultation area on a first-come, first-served basis.
Finally, registrants will also receive a digital Business Resource Guide via email after the event.
“This gathering of Grand Rapids small business resources, organizations and partners truly is
unprecedented,” said Michigan SBDC West Michigan Regional Director and event organizer
Ed Garner. “We all exist to help small businesses succeed, and given our focus during National
Small Business Week it’s only fitting that we come together in one location to make it easy for
entrepreneurs to tap into our services. The Michigan SBDC is grateful to all our sponsors and
participants for making this such a robust event.”
Event sponsors include:
● Mercantile Bank
● Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority
● West Michigan CRA Association
● Spartan Innovations MSU Research Foundation
● Tact Marketing Strategy & Visual Communications
More information and registration for the webinar are available at: http://bit.ly/3nO8K0C
The Small Business Resource Fair is part of the Michigan SBDC’s Uplift Michigan Initiative, a
strategic movement designed to ensure equitable access for all diverse entrepreneurs across
Michigan.
The Michigan SBDC provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and
technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83
counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services,
market research, cybersecurity resources and business education through the Michigan SBDC.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan
SBDC office by visiting michigansbdc.org.
About the Michigan Small Business Development Center
Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
The Michigan SBDC is committed to fostering and sustaining a culture of inclusion through
equitable outreach and service to Michigan’s diverse business community.
The Michigan SBDC is hosted on a state level by Grand Valley State University. Regional hosts
include Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan
University, Mid Michigan College, Michigan Technological University, Kettering University,
Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and Lansing Community
