The Make It in Michigan Newsletter – March 2026
Welcome to this month’s Make It in Michigan update, highlighting small business growth, innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities across the state. From new grants and trade expansion efforts to leadership support and technology-focused programming, Michigan continues strengthening its business ecosystem through collaboration and investment.
Op-ed: Business lessons learned from all 83 Michigan counties
Michigan’s small businesses are an integral part of the state’s economy. In an op-ed published to Crain’s Detroit Business, MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. highlights the business lessons learned as the MEDC uplifted the Voices of Michiganders from across the state’s 83 counties through its regional storytelling project. Inspired by the power of this storytelling, the MEDC spoke with business and community leaders across industries in every corner of the state to find out what matters to them, what is helping them succeed and where programs fall short. From the need for long-term investment to helping entrepreneurs find the right path forward, this op-ed highlights the MEDC’s key takeaways from the Voices project.
Small Business Support Hubs Application Launch
The MEDC is announcing an upcoming funding opportunity for the next phase of the Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program. The SBSH will continue to focus on strengthening Michigan’s small business support ecosystem, while encouraging deeper and more focused regional collaboration among service providers.
Detailed program information regarding eligibility requirements, program structure and application instructions will be released during the application process. Participation in the current SBSH network will not be a prerequisite for applying. The application will be open to eligible organizations that meet the criteria outlined in the solicitation.
The application window will open on April 1 and be open for 60 days. Once released, the application will be posted on the MEDC’s website and include all guidance needed for interested organizations to determine eligibility and prepare an application. Stay tuned for more information.
Trusted Connector Program Highlight: NeighborHUB grants
Since 2019, the DRC’s NeighborHUB initiative has provided over $2.5M in grants, consulting and support services to small businesses promoting economic development and community engagement in Detroit’s neighborhoods. This year’s NeighborHUB program is supported through a Trusted Connector grant provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The DRC is one of 23 grantees across Michigan leveraging the Trusted Connector grant funding to provide culturally competent technical assistance programming, networking events, mentorship and outreach to small businesses in urban and rural communities.
Michigan Pavilion hosts companies at Automotive Meetings Queretaro
The MEDC International Trade Program hosted 15 companies at Automotive & Aerospace Meetings Queretaro during a trade mission to Mexico led by our partners Automation Alley and MEDC International Trade Manager Victoria West. Companies included: Aerostar, Aggressive Tooling, Inc., Centracore, Corrigan Air & Sea, Detroit Engineered Products, dSpace, Inc., Fluxtrol, Fortech Products, KC Jones Plating, Laboratorio Elettrofisico USA, Strategic Manufacturing Solutions, Thierica Display Products, TPI Powder Metallurgy, Trans-Matic and Vintech. A total of 353 meetings were scheduled for the Michigan company participants during the trade show. Chris Rishko, MEDC managing director of small business, presented on Michigan’s Manufacturing Ecosystem on the opening day of the show, highlighting the Make it in Michigan strategy.
SBSH Reimagining Leadership Conference
The MTEC SmartZone held the Reimagining Leadership Conference in Houghton. The leadership conference was created to address the unique challenges small businesses face in the Upper Peninsula. David Rowe, MTEC SmartZone CEO, said the conference was aimed at helping small businesses achieve greater success.
| | In January 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued guidance reaffirming that 8(a) Business Development Program is administered on a race-neutral basis and that eligibility determinations must be based on individualized demonstrations of social and economic disadvantage rather than race alone. SBA removed prior public guidance related to discrimination narratives and emphasized compliance with federal law and applicable court rulings. Separately, SBA suspended more than 1,000 8(a) U.S. firms following a January 2026 deadline for required financial and program documentation, with suspended firms generally remaining eligible to perform existing contracts but ineligible for new 8(a) awards. In addition, SBA issued Policy Notice 5000-876441 updating SOP 50 10 8 for the 7(a) Loan Program, requiring that, effective March 1, 2026, 100 percent of all direct and indirect owners of a loan applicant be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals residing in the United States or its territories, rescinding prior ownership exceptions and making Legal Permanent Residents ineligible to hold any ownership interest. | | |
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Erb Family Foundation awards Centrepolis a $750,000 multi-year grant | | |
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| | A $750,000 multiyear grant from the Erb Family Foundation is expanding Centrepolis’s ability to support small and mid-sized firms as they modernize operations, adopt cleaner technologies, launch new physical products, diversify into new emerging markets and stay competitive in an evolving industrial economy. | | |
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| | Michigan Rise portfolio company TheraB Medical gets acquired! | | |
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| | TheraB Medical, a Michigan-based innovator in wearable phototherapy technology for neonatal jaundice (named SnugLit), was acquired by Natus Sensory, a global leader in sensory and newborn care solutions. | | |
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| | Project DIAMOnD Additive Insight Exchange | | |
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| | The Project DIAMOnD Additive Insight Exchange is a monthly discussion series hosted at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), designed to help Michigan manufacturers deepen their understanding of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in a collaborative, conversational format. Attendees say these are valuable sessions whether you’re exploring how to validate a product through the DTC, curious about reverse engineering tools or considering your first investment in additive equipment. | | |
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| | Edward Lowe Foundation Second-Stage Growth Programming Webinar | | |
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| | To learn about FREE programming specifically designed for Michigan businesses with 10-99 employees that do business beyond their local community, join the MEDC Second-Stage Growth team at 1:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, March 25 for a one-hour webinar. If this sounds like your business or businesses your small business support organization helps, you won’t want to miss attending to learn from Edward Lowe Foundation and a Michigan small business owner how the Foundation’s programming can support these businesses. | | |
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| | Join the BTS x Michigan Central Membership Cohort | | |
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| | The BTS x Michigan Central Membership Cohort is a six-month membership experience for companies at an inflection point—designed to connect founders to the people, resources and opportunities within the Michigan Central ecosystem that can help accelerate real progress. Deadline: Friday, March 13, 11:59 PM ET. | | |
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| | Innovate Marquette and SISU: PEAK 26 | | |
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| | The Innovation Institute announced that their joint conference, Peak26, will return on March 26-27, 2026, hosted on the campus of Northern Michigan University. | | |
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