New Economy Initiative

06/15/2026

Join us for the Small Business Social Hour Summer Series, a free networking and learning experience designed to connect small business owners, founders and ecosystem supporters across southeast Michigan.
 
The New Economy Initiative and City Institute are excited to share the locations of the next three events:

▪️ June 18 – North End at Detroit People’s Food Co-op in the Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall
▪️ July 23 – Chinatown/Midtown at Detroit Shipping Company
▪️ August 20 – Dearborn at the Tejara Innovation Hub
 
Whether you’re launching, growing or scaling your business, this series is a chance to connect, learn, and move forward together.
 
Click the link in our bio to register!

05/26/2026

Entrepreneurs in NEI’s network support an average of 8,800 jobs annually, generating $1.4 billion in wages and $7.1 billion in total output.

That impact shows up in businesses like Pronko Enterprises, a family-run operation that now supports dozens of Michigan companies through co-packing food products, creating opportunities for other companies to bring their products to market.

Read our latest impact report to discover more small business and business support organization stories behind the numbers.

Explore the report: https://bit.ly/3P9QFbp

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

05/20/2026

NEI’s business support network served 8,200 small businesses in 2024. That’s four times the amount from 2014.

For Cutz Lounge, that meant gaining access to a network that offered real connection and support when it mattered most. Take a look behind the numbers and dive into the stories of other small businesses, and the organizations that are supporting them, in our newest impact report.

Explore the report: https://bit.ly/42m0ia4

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

05/18/2026

NEI’s investments in the region’s business support organizations help unlock additional funding for small business owners in southeast Michigan. In 2017, leveraged capital reached $300 million, turning investment into expanded opportunity and helping open doors that once felt out of reach.

For Tanya Ali, owner of AGI Construction Solutions access to the right connections and funding meant being able to take on larger projects and expanding the organization’s presence in the community. Read more about Tanya’s story and other small businesses in our latest impact report.

05/13/2026

We're excited to share that the New Economy Initiative is hiring!

NEI is looking for a Program Associate to join our team in Detroit who is genuinely energized by the work of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across southeast Michigan.

In this role, you'll support our grantmaking operations, help coordinate ecosystem convenings and work closely with NEI's senior staff to move our strategy forward. If you know this region, care about economic development and thrive in a fast-moving environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Application deadline: May 22, 2026. This is a rolling review, so early applications are encouraged.

Apply at https://bit.ly/42tuUqn

Job Opportunities ....Read More

05/13/2026

Across NEI’s network, entrepreneurs generated $7.1 billion in total output between 2016 and 2024. That translates to 8,800 jobs annually, $1.4 billion in wages for workers and families, and $2.8 billion in economic spending in southeast Michigan.

With grant support from NEI’s business support organizations, Ameneh Marhaba owner of Little Liberia took her catering business to the next level and opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant where neighbors gather around the table, with grant support from NEI’s business support organizations.

Local businesses like Little Liberia are where economic activity and community connection meet. Explore our impact report to read more stories from small businesses and the organizations supporting them.

Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4wePQ1Q

05/11/2026

Throughout the last decade, NEI awarded $53 million to 87 organizations across 379 grants to business support organizations in its ecosystem. That money supported small business owners through technical assistance, access to capital, mentorship and coordinated services allowing them to start, grow and scale businesses in southeast Michigan.

Read about how small businesses, like 27th Letter Books, used funding to create a safe and welcoming space for community members to escape and enjoy books, in our latest impact report.

Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4d713Zr

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | 27th Letter Books

05/06/2026

The last 10 years brought constant change and uncertainty for small business owners across southeast Michigan. Through it all, NEI has remained a steady convener bringing together business support organizations to ensure entrepreneurs can access the resources, connections and guidance they need to move forward.

This National Small Business Month, we’re sharing data and stories from our latest impact report to highlight the work we’ve done over the last decade and to fuel the next chapter of regional growth. Thank you to our partners and funders, who work with us to make an impact each day.

Explore the report: https://bit.ly/4er8ayk

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | ProsperUs Detroit | Great Lakes Women's Business Council | Accounting Aid Society | Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation |Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce

04/28/2026

We're heading to Detroit's Old Redford neighborhood for the next Small Business Social Hour. Join us at Motor City Java House on April 30 from 4-7 p.m. for good conversations, networking and food.

Register today: https://app.gopassage.com/events/nei-city-institute-small-business-social-hour-series-old-redford?mc_cid=3329829048&mc_eid=84eb96f86c

04/27/2026

Founded by Kyle Dubay and Bo Shepherd, the Hamtramck-based business Woodward Throwbacks went from salvaging wood out of abandoned buildings into a full-service custom furniture and interior design studio.

Today, Woodward Throwbacks operates with a team of eight to 10, completing residential and commercial design projects across Michigan and beyond.

Read their story in the NEI 2025 Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4dXpM4G
Woodward Throwbacks | Design Core Detroit