East side business groups collaborate for seminar series, marketing, business attraction efforts

In an attempt to maximize efficiency and funding, three East Side business associations -- Jefferson East, E. Warren Ave. and Land, Inc. -- have banded together in the Detroit Far East Business Associations Collaborative. "We are three separate, distinct business strips, but we run parallel to each other right in a row," says E. Warren's Bill Swanson. "We were doing the same things for our own separate districts that could help everyone in all the districts."

The first service the collaborative is providing is a series of development seminars sponsored by Comerica Bank. The seminars run monthly through September and cover topics such as customer service, micro-loans, real estate finance and security.

Future collective efforts might include such activities as marketing and business attraction, which Swanson sees as a win for the East Side and the city as a whole. "Instead of one of us finding a potential business and it not choosing to locate in that district, we can provide them with other opportunities," he says. "Another district might suit their needs and ultimately benefit the entire region."

The next business development seminar will be held on Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will focus on business banking basics. Registration is free open to the public, but RSVP's are requested. Contact Robin Duncan at JEBA to do so or to request a full schedule. She can be reached at 313-331-7939 or [email protected].

Source: Bill Swanson, E. Warren Ave. Business Association
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh