Think Local First

05/14/2020

If you own a small business, this survey may be of interest to you. More information at this link.

The survey is open to county-based businesses of any size in any sector. It aims to help local economic development organizations and municipal bodies better develop programming to support local businesses.

05/11/2020

Quick Clarifying Note: Think Local First of Washtenaw County is no longer an active organization after disbanding in 2016. However, TLF's former leadership remains committed to the survival and success of locally owned businesses in this area. We are posting to this page to share information and opportunities with businesses and consumers during this difficult time.

05/08/2020

When it comes to gardening, there's an added bonus to buying local.

05/03/2020

Please read below if you are a 501c3 food based nonprofit. This might be of interest.

Atlas is working on a project that would deliver pre-assembled food boxes filled with dairy, produce, precooked meats and/or fluid dairy to non-profits that serve those in need in Southeast Michigan. Through a USDA funded program, Atlas is looking to use our suppliers and delivery capacity to partner with nonprofits that can utilize their network to help those in need of access to food. Atlas would deliver food boxes to your organization on our truck and the boxes would then be loaded directly into the trunk of those in need to maintain social distancing. If your organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves those in need of access to food, please fill out the form on the bottom of our home page: www.atlaswholesalefood.com

05/01/2020

Fourth Ave. Birkenstock is ready to help you! Curbside pick-up or shipping!

04/29/2020

Former TLF member the Caravan Shop is completing their GoFundMe campaign. Any little bit will help! Help this community institution keep their doors open! Let's help this 93 year year old business make it to 100!

Four weeks ago we created the “Save The Caravan Gift Shop” go fund me. With your help we have raised a little over $10k. The funds donated have aloud us to sustain our business with our doors being locked and with zero government funding so far. We don’t know how much longer the stay at home order is going to continue, but if you can donate even $5 or share our Go Fund Me, we would really appreciate it! Thank you for helping us keep this 93 year old Ann Arbor business alive. We couldn’t do it with YOU!💞
www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-caravan-shop

04/23/2020

Former TLF Member Mast Shoes gives back to the front line during the pandemic. This is what local looks like.

It's been more than 75 years and Mast Shoes is still open, still family-owned. But like many small businesses, they're hurting in the midst of the temporary shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/23/2020

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is seeking help with a survey. Calling all Food and Agriculture Companies!

Due to the many challenges facing Michigan’s food and agriculture businesses during the COVID-19 emergency. They are asking food and agriculture businesses and companies to please take a few minutes to complete this survey. It will provide more quantitative data around the issues of personal protection equipment (PPE) and operational challenges. The survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete.

Thank you for all that you are doing to provide critical services during the COIVD-19 pandemic response.

If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected]. If you need further COVID-19 resources, please go to michigan.gov/coronavirus.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MK62HHT

04/14/2020

“Any company paying dividends now in this situation, or paying bonuses to executives, that’s just clearly violating the norms that the Business Roundtable vowed,” said Lawrence Katz, a former chief economist at the Department of Labor and now a professor at Harvard. “It just seems both inappropriate and shortsighted.”

A Vow by Big Business Proves Too Hard to Keep - By PETER S. GOODMAN

04/03/2020

Lots of good information for small business owners about how to navigate the current economic climate. A guide to the SBA programs upcoming and additional programs outside of the scope of the SBA.