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MI Community Marketplace

MI Community Marketplace

Connecting Michigan Buyers and Sellers 

Michigan’s economy is fueled by thousands of local businesses, yet many face significant barriers connecting with consumers, corporations, government entities, and other organizational networks required for meaningful growth.  

Alternatively, these same networks seek qualified businesses that reflect local communities and values. The absence of a centralized system connecting business owners to major purchasing networks continues to hinder Michigan’s economic development pipeline.    

MI Community Marketplace, designed by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), builds these connections by providing a free business certification program and searchable business directory connecting Michigan business owners across the state with buyers seeking goods and services at various scales.

Click on the tabs below to learn more about MI Community Marketplace.

Accessibility, Visibility and Credibility 

Michigan’s economy depends on the sustained innovation, success and growth of businesses. According to the Small Business Association of Michigan, the state is “no longer gaining ground relative to other states and, in some measures, has fallen near the bottom. The state is not producing enough new employer businesses or moving enough firms into larger states of growth to sustain long-term advancement.” (Source).

  • An accessible, visible, and credible marketplace creates value and opportunity for everyone.  
  • Consumers can identify and support certified businesses while traveling anywhere in the state.
  • Contractors can locate qualified subcontractors to support contract requirements. 
  • Corporations can find businesses that align with company development goals. 
  • Governments can expand vendor pipelines in underserved industries and geographies, support economic development and placemaking initiatives, and align services in support of business development across growing demographics.   
  • Philanthropy can shift focus from regional business development to other vulnerable populations.   
  • Business owners can advertise goods and service areas, provide references, expand customer bases, and collaborate on larger projects.  
  • Certification means buyers can trust the business data has been verified.   
  • Universities and policy groups can extract data to study economic impact and suggest changes to policy. 

MI Community Marketplace Features  

This initiative focuses on developing a technological infrastructure to support and track business growth:  

  • Secure, online application and verification platform 
  • Automated verification processes to remove inactive businesses 
  • Mobile application to support consumer participation   
  • Opportunity board for posting RFPs and soliciting quotes 
  • Listserv highlighting new businesses 
  • Voluntary surveys of buyers and sellers to assist with program development and statistics
  • Popular certification categories:      
    • Persons with Disabilities 
    • Service-Disabled Veterans 
    • Veterans 
    • Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBE) 
    • and more!  
  • Searchable public business directory with improved data collection to assist buyers and track business growth:  
    • NAICS codes 
    • NAIMS codes 
    • Service area 
    • Business size 
    • Years in business 
    • Verified references 
  • Links connecting businesses to existing state and federal resources providing: 
    • Grants 
    • Training 
    • Loans 
    • Networking
    • Business Development
    • Procurement

Broad Economic Impact 

This program invests in a statewide infrastructure that strengthens market access, improves certified business connectivity and innovation, and lays the foundation for long-term economic growth for thousands of Michigan businesses. 

Investment: 5-year outlook 

A five‑year budget table showing costs for Technology, IT Maintenance, and Staff. Technology has a $3 million cost in Year 1 only. IT Maintenance is $500,000 each year from Years 2–5. Staff costs are $300,000 per year. The total five‑year cost is $6.5 million.

ROI: 5-year outlook (target market 320,000 businesses)* 

A five‑year table showing business targets, certification counts, and revenue projections at amounts of $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000. Targets rise from 0.10% to 2.05%, producing a total of 16,480 certifications and $82.4 million at the $5,000 level.

*Measured in terms of average annual increased spending directly to certified businesses. Target market based on conservative estimates of women, minority and veteran owned businesses in Michigan.    

Ways to Engage and Support 

Assistance is needed to launch this statewide initiative! 

  • Schedule a meeting to learn more about MI Community Marketplace and share how your organization provides support to Michigan businesses.  
  • Provide a letter of support demonstrating community and industry interest.  
  • Join or offer to facilitate a Steering Committee to shape the future of the program.  
  • Pledge a financial investment to secure the technology to power the marketplace. 
  • Urge Michigan government leadership to support funding for development and ongoing program staff and technology maintenance.   

State Policy Priorities 

Contact  

Kammy Frayre | Michigan Department of Civil Rights 
MDCR-BusinessCert@michigan.gov | 313-654-6715