Helping small businesses grow.

Resources

We can help you find everything you need to get your business up and running in Van Buren County.

Use the buttons below to identify organizations that can help you start, plan, grow, or fund your business plus more connections for conducting research or finding a mentor.

1 Million Cups

A monthly event that brings entrepreneurs and the Kalamazoo community together over coffee and conversations.

Black Wall Street Benton Harbor

Increase awareness and visibility of Black business within our community through social, marketing, and educational experiences.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management and small business startup tool for describing a company’s products, value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances.

Capital Consortium

A group of nonprofit lenders, for-profit lenders, and other funders, who work together with the City of Kalamazoo’s Economic Development Department to improve access to capital for small businesses.

City of South Haven

We work towards promoting tourism and attracting visitors from all over the world.

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)

GROW is a service focused on current and aspiring business owners at various stages of business ownership.

Hello Alice!

Browse and apply for a wide variety of small business grant opportunities.

Kinexus

Kinexus Group is a family of organizations that are committed to inspiring positive economic change one person, one business, one community at a time.

KIVA

Local and national crowdsourcing. This is a matching loan.

Lake Michigan College South Haven Location

Opened in the fall of 2003, Lake Michigan College at South Haven serves more than 600 students from Van Buren, Allegan, and Ottawa counties each semester.

Lakeshore Captial Consortium

The Lakeshore Capital Consortium is a group of nonprofit lenders, for-profit lenders, and other funders, who work together within Van Buren County, Michigan.

Manufacturing Growth Alliance

Serving small and medium sized manufacturers across Michigan. Our team has membership options to serve and meet every manufacturer where they are.

Market Van Buren

We connect people, investments, and organizations with strategies and services that improve the quality of life and economic conditions in our region, specifically in our two-county service area.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Compiling information and resources for small businesses, major employers, entrepreneurs and others.

Michigan Electronic Library

Providing all Michigan residents with free access to online full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and other valuable research information.

Michigan SBA

Our office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery.

Michigan Small Business Development Center

The Michigan Small Business Development Center offers expert assistance at no cost to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business.

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

Engaging the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in developing regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

Michigan Women Forward

We are devoted to the economic and personal well-being of Michigan women and girls.

Michigan Works! Southwest

Creating meaningful transformation in the people, businesses and communities we serve by connecting job seekers, employers, training partners and educators.

Northern Initiatives

We provide business loans ranging from $1,000 to $500,000, including loans guaranteed by the Small Business Association.

SBDC Self-Guided Comeback Kit

The Michigan SBDC launched a self-guided starting point for business owners looking to determine whether to continue with their business or close.

SCORE Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan

Starting and growing a small business can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Senior Services of Van Buren County

Senior Services of Van Buren County provides services, opportunities and caring support for seniors to enhance their quality of life.

SHRBH Resources

A complete set of documents that describe the mission and values of SHRBH—in addition to strategic management and small business startup tools for describing a company’s products, value proposition, i

South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce

Our vison is to promote collaborative efforts among businesses, government, and other support organizations.

South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Our team is made up of individuals with a wide range of skills and expertise, from marketing and event planning to hospitality and customer service.

State of MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is composed of the following agencies, bureaus and commissions that promote business growth and job creation.

SW Michigan PTAC

Enhancing national defense and economic development in the State of Michigan by assisting Michigan businesses.

United Way – Benton Harbor/St Joe

Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.

WMed Innovation Center

The WMed Innovation Center is the place to start and grow life science, technology, or engineering ventures.

WMU Business Connection

Dedicated to strategically match WMU’s resources to the needs of the local business community.

Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance

At the Women’s Business Center (WBC), we are helping women, people of color, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals start and grow businesses in Southwest Michigan.

Thank you so much for the help. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Am very grateful for your help and support and all the encouragement and positive vibes. God bless you!

—Isa Clark

I appreciate all that you do to support small businesses in the region. You are knocking it out of the park!

—Sonja A. Dean, Senior Program Officer, LISC

Thank you so much for your help and direction! Thank you so much for always being here for me to help, motivate, direct, and encourage me. Underground Hu$tle would really be nonexistent if it weren’t for you!  Thank you so much for being you and everything you continue to do.

—Jäquil Short

We look forward to seeing more programing and resources from the South Haven Region Business Hub.

—Josh Musinski, Water and Wheat, Vegan Chef Crafted Creations

WE GOT APPROVED FOR OUR NEW RESTAURANT!!! I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, mentorship, expertise, and motivation. We greatly appreciate your efforts towards the growth of Fruit Street Kitchen!

—Mo’Nique Crowley, Fruit Street Kitchen

Thank you for all your help as always I can’t sing your praises enough.

—Brent Wedding, Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank

I do appreciate your help with all my heart and am not particularly sure how to express the gratitude that dwells in my heart right now. Thank you and may you be blessed always!

—Isa Clark, Clark Special Kitchen

Can’t thank you enough for being at my presentation this morning. I’m so thankful for absolutely everything you have done for me and The Donut Cart thus far. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

—Amber Gille, Realtor, The Donut Cart

Thank you so much; I knew when I met you, you were like an angel. I appreciate you so much and I won’t let you down. Your hard work in what you are doing in the community is appreciated.

—Jamie Bigby, Entrepreneur

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much information. I look forward to being able to be involved in this great networking experience. I really will call on your assistance for help with this Business Plan.

—Joanna Partee, Silver Fox Assistant, LLC

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South Haven Region Business Hub - A partnership between the City of South Haven, the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lake Michigan College. Powered by the South Haven Community Foundation.