Small Business

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the state needs to do more work with small and geographically-disadvantaged businesses.

She signed an executive directive Friday. It requires the state Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to work with state agencies and small business organizations to come up with policies to increase purchases and contracts from those types of businesses.

State and local governments debate who should regulate short-term rental properties. Also, a new survey indicates a strong M&A market.

Business Happens in Heels, monthly sharing information from local ladies in business.

Jorge Gonzalez is the executive director of the Grand Rapids Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He says that job creation in Grand Rapids for minority groups won't be coming from big businesses anytime soon. 

"Long gone are the days where you had GM (General Motors) or Ford bringing in 400-500 jobs to our local economy," Gonzalez said. 

Rather, he says, it will come from locally owned startups. 

Good News and Success, sharing highlights of a local person and their business here in West Michigan.

A big section of Michigan’s economy is being targeted by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 98.2 percent of businesses in Michigan are small businesses. The SBA defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees.

Clinton released a plan for small businesses Tuesday that she says will make it easier for entrepreneurs to start their small businesses.

Start Garden Ecosystem revives 5 x 5 night with regional events beginning this month in Holland. We talk to Chief Operating Operator Paul Moore for the details.

Successful Entrepreneur Liz Hilton shares her advice when it comes to starting and running a business. We talk about KNITIt.

Your Biz Your Town is a monthly conversation with guest from the community. Today we speak with Kim Bode on 834 Design and Marketing, Long Road Distillers, the Holiday Bar and Urbaneer.

Good News and Success, every month speaking with guests from the West Michigan business community about the great things their doing that might not be making headlines.