Small Business Development Center of Southwest Michigan
Client spotlight: Jeremiah Smith, Allegiant Laundry
Jeremiah Smith, owner of Allegiant Laundry and entrepreneur in Southwest Michigan, has become an expert in the field of laundering medical textiles and hospitality products and is currently exploring his new venture with the City of Kalamazoo. Smith will be honored by Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) through the U.S. Small Business Administration, with the Minority Owned Small Business Award for 2023. Read more.
We offer no-cost consulting services for small business owners throughout Michigan.
Client success stories
The Southwest Michigan Small Business Development Center, hosted at Western Michigan University in the Office of Research and Development, strives to develop and maintain a comprehensive small business assistance program that provides counseling, training and secondary research services to promote business start-up, growth, innovation and product diversification to the seven counties it serves in Michigan.
Every year, the center works with more than 500 small business clients interested in determining feasibility, working on profitability and accessing funding sources for their business ventures. In addition, the center assists University personnel and students in commercializing products and services, gaining access to assistance and submitting grant applications, as well as promoting the various business plan competitions around the state.
Each year, the SBDC assists its clients in accessing more than $30 million in capital for new business ventures that create new jobs. The center also focuses on assisting existing business in their growth. The SBDC has designated staff and tools in place to give clients the resources they need to improve profitability and increase sales.
In order to offer the vast array of services provided through the Center, funding is provided by both the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
