Detroit’s New Economy Initiative Launches Campaign to Offer Resources, Inspiration to Detroit Entrepreneurs

The New Economy Initiative in Detroit, with support from the Knight Foundation, is launching In Good Co. Detroit, a yearlong campaign to connect Detroit entrepreneurs with hundreds of business support resources.

The initiative will also use video, podcasts, photography, and written features to share the stories of Detroit entrepreneurs and small-business owners.

“In Good Co. adds a new dimension to our work,” says Pam Lewis, director of the initiative. “It’s one thing to spread the word about resources that can help people start or grow a business — that’s something we’ve done a lot of over the last 10 years. It’s another to expose Detroiters to stories of people like them who have been there and done that. It shows them that they’re not alone on their journey.”

A directory of hundreds of business support resources is available at InGoodCoDetroit.com. Entrepreneurs can use the site to connect with service providers dedicated to helping small businesses in the area.

Over the past decade, the initiative has provided more than $120 million in grants to organizations supporting local entrepreneurs and provided access to people, services, capital, and other resources.

“Representation matters, and by telling real and tangible stories of our local entrepreneurs, In Good Co. will inspire Detroiters and connect them with resources to develop their ideas or grow their existing businesses,” says Nathaniel Wallace, Detroit director for the Knight Foundation. “When small businesses succeed, communities succeed, because local entrepreneurs reinvest a good share of their sales back into their communities.”

The campaign will feature new stories every month and kick off with an event on Dec. 5 at Diseños Ornamental Iron in southwest Detroit.

More information on the initiative, speakers, and the event is available here.