$200M+
invested in new development projects since 2017
10,570
employees working in downtown
425+
residential units added since 2015
35,000+
college students within 20 minutes of downtown
275,000
residents in the Kalamazoo metro area
35%
increase in downtown residents since 2013

Data + Research

We believe you and other downtown Kalamazoo businesses should have the facts and figures you need—right at your fingertips. Here are some resources to get you started.

Resources for

Entrepreneurs

Have a great idea for a business, but not sure where to start? Check out this list of resources proven to help downtown Kalamazoo businesses grow.

Launch Your Business
  • 1 Million Cups Kalamazoo

    A program that connects entrepreneurs with tools and resources to overcome start-up and growth barriers for small businesses.

  • Black Wall Street Kalamazoo

    An organization that promotes and empowers Black-owned businesses with networking, promotion, and events.

  • Can-Do Kalamazoo

    The Can-Do Kitchen helps food entrepreneurs develop goals and relationships by providing commercial kitchen space, food business incubators, and workshops.

  • City of Kalamazoo Community Planning & Economic Development

    Reach out to the City to get more information about required permits, building codes, inspections, planning and zoning, site plan review, and more.

  • First Path - Southwest Michigan First

    Do you feel that with a little support and some brainstorming, you’d finally be able to launch your business or product? If this sounds like you, then First Path is the perfect fit!

  • Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

    SBDC offers expert personal assistance, free workshops, market research and consulting to grow and innovate your small business.

  • SCORE Kalamazoo/Southwest Michigan

    Benefit from free business advice and training provided by SCORE through mentorships, workshops, and business resources to start or grow your business.

  • Sisters in Business

    Sisters in Business helps women of color network, strategize, and empower one another in business through competitions, grants, scholarships, and awards.

  • WMed Innovation Center

    At WMed, start your business, grow your ventures, and get corporate experience with incubators and co-working spaces for science, technology, and engineering startups.

  • WMU Starting Gate

    With WMU Starting Gate, WMU students can access 24-hour, mentor-based accelerators offering the perfect amount of resources and structure to start your business.

Grow Your Business

Resources for

Existing Businesses

Growing a business shouldn’t happen solo. So when it comes to helping your downtown business thrive, we’ve got your back. Check out the resources below to boost your business’s engagement within our community and build connections with other downtown Kalamazoo businesses.

Programs + Resources
Networks For Your Business
  • Black Wall Street

    An organization that promotes and empowers Black-owned businesses with networking, promotion, and events.

  • Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo

    A membership organization that works to build awareness of the benefits of supporting local independent businesses.

  • Sisters in Business

    Sisters in Business helps women of color network, strategize, and empower one another in business through competitions, grants, scholarships, and awards.

  • Southwest Michigan First Chamber of Commerce

    Connect with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber of Commerce for onsite consultations, support, and networking to grow your business.

  • Downtown Kalamazoo Shops

    A collaborative of restaurant and retail owners who have come together to bring the community together.

Resources for

Developers

As a developer, you’re a foundational part of helping downtown Kalamazoo businesses succeed. Whether you’re looking to renovate or develop commercial, residential, or retail space, Kalamazoo will support you every step of the way. Below, we’ve collected some resources to help you connect with the community and develop something incredible.

Financing Opportunities
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Incentive Opportunities
Planning, Zoning + Permits

Economic Partners

Helping downtown Kalamazoo grow takes a team effort. We’re proud of the many partnerships we’ve developed and are humbled by the strong community that we support.

Check out the economic partners we collaborate with to learn more about the many great initiatives that support downtown Kalamazoo businesses.

City of Kalamazoo

As a key advocate and partner, the City of Kalamazoo collaborates across departments and offices working with the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership to foster a growing and vibrant downtown community.

Discover Kalamazoo

Discover Kalamazoo is Kalamazoo’s destination marketing organization, highlighting our community’s assets and offerings to attract visitors and events to Kalamazoo County.

Southwest Michigan First

Southwest Michigan First is a privately-funded economic development organization working across seven counties in Southwest Michigan to promote economic growth, create jobs, and cultivate a strong regional economy.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.