How often do you step up to help make your city a better place?  If you consider how even the smallest things add up, you’ll find there are many surprisingly simple ways to make a difference in your city. Our goal will be to build on this list weekly throughout the year and create a habit of supporting the community around us daily. So check back later to see how the list grows.

/ 1 / Support small businesses 

Small businesses are pivotal when it comes to the economy of inner cities like Detroit. When we think of jobs in Detroit, big name companies like Quicken and General Motors typically come to mind. But maybe you didn’t know that companies with less than 250 employees account for 53% of the jobs. Nationally, the impact of small businesses is similar.  With poverty and unemployment rates of 39% and 27% in Detroit, a simple option that we all have to help maintain and create jobs is spending our money with small businesses. Every dollar you spend in these places goes directly to an establishment that is a critical part of the personality and livelihood of our city and its people.

Greg is an engineer and social change agent with a talent for taking things apart and putting them back together. Follow on Instagram/Twitter @stemavenue