Southwest Michigan First Employee Directory
Non-profit OrganizationsMichigan, United States51-200 Employees
Southwest Michigan First is a regional non-profit organization based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serving the Southwest Michigan area. Its mission is to increase economic prosperity for all residents by collaboratively advancing regional strategies and catalytic initiatives across three focus areas: economic development (retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses), workforce development (enhancing and aligning the regional talent), and community development (advocating for vibrant business environments and communities). The organization envisions Southwest Michigan as one of the most economically prosperous regions in Michigan and the United States, and it emphasizes leadership, excellence, inclusivity, integrity, and innovation in its work. As a mid-sized nonprofit, Southwest Michigan First pursues its strategy through collaborative, regional action. In February 2026 it launched The Road to Regional Prosperity, a three-year strategic plan that builds on its prior framework, and it hosted the State of Economic Development event on February 5, 2026, drawing more than 500 regional stakeholders.