KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Call it a dream factory on the day after Labor Day.
Can-Do Kalamazoo is the city’s newest place to learn how to take work skills, or just ideas, and turn them into money making concerns.
It was formally called the Can-Do Kitchen and focused on food services, but has now expanded to a new facility and added many new kinds of small enterprises.
Director Lucy Dilley says they call the non-profit an entrepreneur hub, and working with the city, the chamber, foundations and others, their aim is to continue creating new businesses.
“Tt would be a place where entrepreneurs can come and be confident they would receive the support they need in making timely connections for those next steps they need to make.”
That means helping people with little or no resources get help.
“Everything we do is to help equip new entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge and tools to make the best choices they can make about their business, to provide generational wealth building opportunities for their families.”
Dilley recently make a presentation to the Kalamazoo city commission, telling them they do charge some fees, but most of their costs are covered through grants and donations.
“We’ve been able to increase the number of entrepreneurs served as well as the depth of support. 136 people were supported with can do programs last year.”
They have moved into an expanded facility at 519 South Park, and developed half of it, starting a capital campaign to raise $1.4 million to finish the other half. Their goal is to have the upgrades in place by 2027.
Comments