In Kalamazoo's Edison Neighborhood, new ideas are coming together for ways to spur economic development. Pastor Carrie Bertrand's Believers Business Center is one such idea to revive the neighborhood and provide opportunities for businesses and employment.
The believers Business Center would host seven proposed businesses and provide a place for the community to come together and for people to make business connections and help other businesses grow. From Southwest Michigan's Second Wave Magazine:
Eventually, the 22,000-square-foot building at 1301 Cameron St. will be the home of a business incubator, a 4,700-square-foot expo and event center, an office share space, conference rooms, classrooms, a health and wellness center and more.
Rental rates are intentionally set low to make the space affordable. Paws Advocacy Network, a nonprofit that helps low-income pet owners feed their animals, has already set up business there.
Twenty five people have signed up to be members of the business center. For $99 a year members have access to the site and its networking capabilities promoted through connection meetings each month. Classes begin in September.
Bertrand's already reaching out to folks in the neighborhood. Garage sales that bring in a little revenue are also just as much about meeting the neighbors, who are among the people she's hoping to reach.
Edison, the largest of Kalamazoo's neighborhoods by population also has the highest unemployment, and Bertrand's mission is to offer training and advice that can restore hope in people battered by today's economic conditions.
Read the full article: http://swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com/features/believers0826.aspx
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