PFE Blog
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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The People Behind People First Economy
At People First Economy we believe in taking a human-centered approach in all of our programs. And that approach starts with the folks at our organization. From workiversaries, to certifications to new hires, the People…
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Travel Like a Localist
How did I travel Boise, Idaho like a localist? Hi, I am Kathleen (People First Economy's Director of Engagement) and I'm a localist! If you’re a localist like me, you value exploring a new community…
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The Ultimate West Michigan Staycation Guide
When was the last time you were a tourist in your town? Hi friends, I’m Victoria Munro, People First Economy’s Community Engagement Manager. The sun is out, flowers are blooming, the waves are crashing, and…
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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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The Small Business Role in Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Whether your employees or customers know it: their prescription drug costs increased nearly 60% while their incomes increased about 11%. Even more troubling? About 32% of people of working age have had to stop taking…
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Local First Workshop Recap: Building Wealth & Impact in Your Small Business
Succession, exit, growth planning... These are plans that all business owners must navigate. With daily administrative and operational tasks easily consuming a full day's work, not knowing where to begin in these conversations leaves many…
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Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Constant Evolution of Placemaking and City Building
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) was created in 2013 with the goal of bringing several economic development tools and organizations under one roof (the GR Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District, and the Monroe…
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Move Your Money: Beyond Banking
Welcome to the third annual Move Your Money month! If you’ve been following People First Economy for the last few years, then you may recall that every April, during Financial Literacy Month, we uplift the…
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Local First Workshop Recap: Best Practices for Employee Wellness & Mental Health
It is essential for businesses of all sizes to support their staff, from the front lines to the C Suite; but the real question is how? It's no secret that small businesses are faced with…
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