Coverage from First and 42, published 2026-03-04.
In a Kalamazoo County Chamber Corner column published March 4, 2026, by FIRST & 42, Marcel Fable Price of Kalamazoo Forward Ventures argued that the coming turnover of Main Street business ownership should be treated as an economic development strategy rather than a threat. Price wrote that a large share of local owners are nearing retirement with informal or incomplete succession plans, leaving the next chapter of ownership in question across Southwest Michigan. He described private capital as neutral, with results determined by deal structure, time horizon and objectives, and said patient capital can fund ownership changes, upgrade operations and keep leadership continuity intact without forcing reinvention.
The column promoted entrepreneurship through acquisition, or ETA, as a way to preserve existing jobs, retain institutional knowledge and let experienced operators buy proven businesses instead of launching startups. Price also credited acquisition accelerators with reducing friction by preparing buyers and supporting sellers, and pointed to Kalamazoo’s history of public-private collaboration as an advantage. The piece identified Price as KZFV’s platform and programming director for its Main Street work.
