On Thursday, May 15, the Sterling Heights AMC Forum 30 will host the 13th annual Macomb Business Awards. Dozens of Macomb County businesses and nonprofits have been nominated across six categories for the awards program, which includes breakfast, networking opportunities, and the awards ceremony. More than 400 business and community leaders from throughout the county are expected to attend, including high-profile guests like County Executive Mark Hackel.
In 2024, the program’s organizers at Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) introduced a new category: Nonprofit of the Year. Including the county’s nonprofits puts a unique spin on the tried-and-true program of a regional business awards ceremony, and it was, as MCPED director Vicky Rowinski said when nominations opened in March, an instant hit.
“We launched the nonprofit category and the public vote in 2024 as a way to recognize all of the deserving organizations that contribute to the wellbeing of our community, and it grew into an incredible crowdsourcing effort, with hundreds of votes cast and lots of engagement around the topic.”
Several nonprofits that are based in or serve Sterling Heights have been nominated in the category, including the Inclusively Fit Foundation, Chaldean Community Foundation, and more. It’s a testament to the community development work happening in a city that’s more renowned for its manufacturing base and small business community than it is for its nonprofits. But being included in high-profile award ceremonies like the Macomb Business Awards is helping to change that, and a recent wave of programs and announcements that serve to bolster community development organizations here will help even more – and in more ways than one. And it comes at a good time, as national politics and ensuing economic effects can shake loose those nonprofits with even the most sturdy of foundations.
Full Article Link: https://www.secondwavemedia.com/metromode/features/business-and-non-profit-organizations-bridge-the-gap-and-work-together-in-sterling-heights.aspx
