On December 26, 2024, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber was awarded a $60,000 grant from the Corewell Health Foundation, marking a significant boost for local initiatives aimed at enhancing community and economic development. Of the total grant, $50,000 is designated to support the chamber's foundation, which focuses on Leadership Development, Business Development, Community Development, and Economic Development. This funding will facilitate programs such as the Leadership Accelerator in partnership with Lake Michigan College and the NextGen young professionals program[226900c7].
Additionally, $10,000 from the grant will be allocated to the Discover Southwest Michigan initiative, which aims to attract new residents to the area. This grant is particularly noteworthy as it is the first awarded to the chamber since it established its own foundation earlier this year, making it eligible for such support[226900c7].
The Corewell Health Foundation and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber share a common goal of improving living conditions in Southwest Michigan, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between health and economic sectors to foster community growth[226900c7]. This initiative aligns with broader efforts seen in various chambers of commerce across the United States, including recent recognitions and support for local businesses and community programs, as highlighted in other regional chamber events[32026c0c][990e862c].