Southwest Michigan’s people, ideas, and momentum all in one place.
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Issue #166  |  Monday, September 15

Good Morning, Southwest Michigan! This week, shaped by your feedback, we’re excited to share the refreshed FIRST & 42! Plus, a new festival takes over Kalamazoo, a leader quietly reshapes Sturgis, Southwest Michigan goes green, and small businesses get the spotlight at the Chamber's Choice Small Business Awards Conference. Scroll and see what’s happening below.

F42NEW
Introducing the New FIRST & 42

FIRST & 42 has a new look, a new home, and a sharper focus. After months of building, testing, and refining, today we are launching an updated website, refreshed branding and logo, and a cleaner newsletter that matches how Southwest Michigan reads and shares local progress. Starting today, we will move to an every-other-Monday publishing schedule. We invite you to explore everything that’s new with FIRST & 42.

Explore What’s New
JohnCarmichael-1
St. Joseph County

John Carmichael: Rebuilding Sturgis

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269
Kalamazoo County

First-Ever 269 Fest Set for September 19-27

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DanielleMasonAnderson
Kalamazoo County

Celebrating Leadership: Danielle Mason Anderson

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Paint the Town Green in Southwest Michigan

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Calendar Icon Upcoming Events
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SMF Flame Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference
Celebrate small business with speakers, awards, and networking at this high-energy Chamber conference and celebration.
Thursday, September 18 | 1 - 5 p.m.
Register
SMF Flame TOMORROW! Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect @ Kalamazoo Nature Center
Tuesday, September 16 | 7:30 - 9 a.m.
SMF Flame Understanding Michigan's Energy Grid @ The Burma Center
Wednesday, September 17 | 9 - 11 a.m.
SMF Flame Small & Mighty Business Series @ Southwest Michigan First
Wednesday, September 17 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Green Drinks | Community Homeworks @ The SugarBowl Bar & Grille
Tuesday, September 23 | 5 - 7 p.m.
SMF Flame Hiring International Students and Professionals @ The Catalyst Center
Tuesday, September 30 | 8 - 11 a.m.
SMF Flame MIX Design Day 2025: Cornerstone of Design @ The Catalyst Center
Thursday, October 2 | 9 - 5:30 p.m.
SMF Flame denotes Southwest Michigan First event
Regional Events
Hobby-Sports.com 36th Anniversary Celebration @ Hobby-Sports.com
Friday, September 19 – Saturday, September 20 | 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Canadiana Fest @ Arcadia Creek Festival Place
Saturday, September 20 | 3:30 - 10 p.m.
Kalamazoo Events Center Groundbreaking and Community Celebration @ downtown Kalamazoo
Friday, September 26 | 5 - 7 p.m.
Fall Festival @ Lake Bluff Park
Saturday, September 20 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Briefcase Icon Jobs Board
Oshtemo
Finance Manager
Oshtemo Charter Township is seeking a skilled Finance Manager to support the Clerk’s office with financial reporting, budgeting, audits, and overall Township operations.
Learn More
Development Director | Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center
Supporters Icon Featured Supporters
INVESTORS
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CHAMBER MEMBERS
Armstrong International
Honor Credit Union
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Kalamazoo Commercial Real Estate
Millennium Restaurant Group
Road Commission of Kalamazoo County
Wings Event Center
Newell Brands
Quote Icon Quote of the Day
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"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you"
Oprah Winfrey
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180 E. Water Street, Suite 2690
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269.553.9588
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