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title: FIRST & 42 - Next Chapter
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Southwest Michigan’s people, ideas, and momentum all in one place. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Issue #186  \|  Monday, July 13 Good Morning, Southwest Michigan! This week in FIRST & 42, we’re leading with a new chapter for Southwest Michigan First as Jennifer Owens is named the organization’s next chief executive officer. We’re also sharing a new housing investment coming to downtown Battle Creek, Kruggel Lawton’s new business leadership summit, and Wightman’s celebration of two industry honors. Plus, join us for the Women2Women: After 5 Summer Social at The Catalyst Center on Thursday, July 23, for an evening of connection, conversation, and networking with local women in business. SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN Southwest Michigan First Names New CEO Southwest Michigan First has named Jennifer Owens as its next chief executive officer, marking a new chapter for the regional economic development organization. Owens returns to Southwest Michigan First with more than 20 years of economic development experience, including her recent leadership of Lakeshore Advantage in Holland. Read Full Press Release Calhoun County New Housing Investment Comes to Battle Creek Read More Sponsored Kruggel Lawton Brings Summit to SWMI Read More Kalamazoo County Wightman Celebrates Two Industry Honors Read More   Quick Hits ● Three Albion organizations are moving into the Ludington Center to create a stronger downtown collaboration hub. Read › ● The Rotary Club of Kalamazoo honored Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang with its 2026 Red Rose Citation, recognizing their decades of philanthropy, leadership, and service. Read › ● Kalamazoo received a $1 million brownfield grant to support new affordable housing at a former paper mill site. Read › Upcoming Events Women2Women: After 5 Summer Social Join us for Women2Women: After 5 Summer Social at The Catalyst Center and spend the evening building relationships, making new connections, and growing your network with local women in business. Thursday, July 23 \| 5:01 - 7 p.m. Register July Chamber Connect @ TowerPinkster Wednesday, July 15 \| 4 - 6 p.m. United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Rock the Boat @ Inn at Harbor Shores Thursday, July 16 \| 5 - 8 p.m. 2026 Lake Bluff Artisan Fair @ Lake Bluff Park Saturday, July 18 \| 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 28th Annual Goodwill Golf Classic @ Wooster Country Club Monday, July 27 \| 8:30 a.m. The Human & Mindfulness Side of Exit Planning @ The Catalyst Center Tuesday, July 28 \| 12 - 1:30 p.m. Downtown Business Community Townhall @ The Catalyst Center Tuesday, July 28 \| 1 - 3:30 p.m. Chamber Member Orientation @ The Catalyst Center Wednesday, July 29 \| 12 - 1 p.m. RESCHEDULED: Chamber Connect: Vicksburg Burg Days @ Vickers Lakeside Tavern Wednesday, July 29 \| 4 - 6 p.m. Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer with Link Kalamazoo @ Haymarket Plaza Thursday, July 30 \| 5 - 7:30 p.m. denotes Southwest Michigan First event Jobs Board Looking to Hire? List your open positions on our Jobs Board for only $50 per listing. Each post includes 60 days online, plus newsletter and social promotion. It’s an easy way to connect with the region’s best talent. Post a Job Featured Supporters INVESTORS CHAMBER MEMBERS NEW: Applebee's Grill & Bar- TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants NEW: Driesenga & Associates, Inc. NEW: State Farm NEW: Schinkai Law, PLLC NEW: Aspire Business Solutions NEW: OPEN ROADS BIKE PROGRAM Rhino Media DENSO North America Quote of the Day "Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." Les Brown Like what you see? Share the newsletter or send us your local news tip. Share Your News Forward to a Friend Powered by Southwest Michigan First 180 E. Water Street, Suite 2690 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 269.553.9588 Unsubscribe    Manage Preferences    View in Browser |
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