Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter joined business and community leaders Wednesday to announce the formation of Oakland Thrive, a nonprofit organization based in Pontiac that will help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Oakland County, with a special focus on businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans.
Oakland Thrive’s flagship program is Business Forward, a program announced by Coulter a year ago in partnership with the Oakland County Economic Development Department to engage the county’s 36,000-plus small businesses with resources in the communities where they are located.
“The Business Forward program has already had a significant impact in building meaningful networks with Oakland County’s small businesses, reaching more than 2,200 entrepreneurs, mom-and-pop shops, and retailers in its first year,” Coulter says. “With Oakland Thrive’s expertise and leadership, I expect those relationships will grow and benefit the county’s business owners, their customers, and the overall economy.”
Oakland Thrive CEO Vicki Selva adds that small businesses benefit from targeted programs.
“Oakland County has many successful, thriving businesses that drive the state’s economy. But we don’t always think about the thousands of small businesses that may have just a few employees, that are working hard to put food on their family’s table and who use their income to meet their basic needs,” Selva says. “Our organization will proactively reach out to companies of all types to ensure an inclusive and vibrant economy and community.”
Oakland Thrive is working to bolster economic development throughout Oakland County, one of the most prosperous counties in Michigan. While the county has communities where household incomes exceed the statewide average, others are below the average. Through connecting with small and microbusinesses by providing support and services, Oakland Thrive will work to close prosperity gaps and level the playing field for all.
“We want Oakland County’s small businesses to not only feel supported but to be supported. Oakland Thrive will do just that,” says Sean Carlson, deputy county executive and Oakland Thrive founding board member. “There are many programs, resources, and opportunities to help businesses in Oakland County. But let’s face it — people running a business often don’t have the time to seek out these resources, if they even know they exist in the first place.
“Oakland Thrive will serve to connect these resources to the people who need them so that they can focus on running and growing their businesses.”
Shannon Steel, an entrepreneur and the treasurer of Oakland Thrive, emphasizes the impact the nonprofit will have on small businesses and their owners.
“Building a network of support for small-business owners in Oakland County is a game changer for entrepreneurs like me,” Steel says. “As a young woman of color starting out in the business world, I know working with an organization like Oakland Thrive would have helped me find the tools and resources I needed to be successful.”
Oakland Thrive celebrated the launch Wednesday morning at its headquarters in the Riker Building, 35 W. Huron St., Suite 201, in Pontiac.
“Having Oakland Thrive in Pontiac, to serve the entire county, will be wonderful for local businesses and our local economy,” says Angela Powell, an Oakland County commissioner who represents part of Pontiac. “By focusing on women, minorities, and veterans, Oakland Thrive will help our diverse businesses with the tools they need to reach residents and visitors alike and let them prosper in our region.”
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