By: Rachel Skylis, Program Manager - Business Development

At the MML Foundation we know that local governments need partnerships to thrive, and strong business partnerships are no exception. Robust networks of partners – ranging from schools, to non-profits, philanthropy, health and social services, and entrepreneurs and businesses – are essential for local governments to be resilient. Additionally, having active cross-sector partnerships helps to provide a stronger platform for community input in decision-making and can significantly increase capacity.

I’ve seen the positive effects strong business partnerships can have on a community’s local economy and to support this our foundation has taken a three-pronged approach. The first is through our local economies initiative that we co-implement with the League. This initiative helps communities identify their economic stakeholder networks and brings them together for in person convenings to identify opportunities and challenges for economic health at the local level. By bringing together diverse stakeholders—such as government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions—these collaborations create a more inclusive and representative platform for community input in decision-making processes. This not only ensures that a wider range of voices are heard but also fosters trust and transparency between institutions and the communities they serve. Moreover, pooling resources, expertise, and networks across sectors significantly boosts the collective capacity to address complex challenges, implement innovative solutions, and sustain long-term impact. In essence, these partnerships serve as a catalyst for more responsive, resilient, and equitable community development.

The second prong is the Michigan Microbusiness Policy Coalition coordinated in partnership with the New Economy Initiative. Business – especially small and microbusinesses – are quintessential in this process as they are the heart and soul of a community’s main street and are a major driver of local new employment, placemaking, and innovation. This coalition serves to showcase insights from our on-the-ground work in the local economies initiative, as well as insights from business owners and economic development experts from across the state to advocate for statewide policy that will codify a definition for microbusiness (a business with 10 or fewer employees) and create better supports and regulations for entrepreneurs. The League and MML Foundation recently published a guide to help communities get small and microbusiness ready!

And our third prong is our Business Alliance Program (BAP), which I manage. Unlike the local economies initiative and the Michigan Microbusiness Policy Coalition, which focus on ways government (state and local) can better support entrepreneurship and small business, our BAP program takes a different, yet complementary, approach.

BAP is a long-standing program designed to help companies and organizations build trust and visibility with municipal leaders. The program gives companies and organizations space and opportunities to connect with local leaders and learn more about their needs. I see this program as a complement to the work of the local economies initiative and the policy coalition in that it is a platform for businesses large and small to meet and collaborate with communities they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to partner with.

Supporting the Unsung Heroes of Local Government

There’s a common misconception that municipal governments are flush with funding and resources. In reality, many operate more like small or even micro businesses—lean teams juggling multiple responsibilities to meet the needs of their communities.

From legal guidance and IT upgrades to waste removal and parks planning, municipalities often rely on outside experts to help get the job done. That’s where the League and MML Foundation step in—not just to support local governments, but to connect them with the partners who can help them succeed.

Connection is a core part of the MML Foundation’s mission. The Foundation strongly believes that collaboration is at the crux of innovation and resilience. Every part of the Foundation’s work incorporates connection building – whether it is in the form of stakeholder meetings in communities, through programs and workshops, or through the convening of networks and coalitions. The Business Alliance Program falls into the network building category, and I see its efficacy in connecting municipalities with experts from across the state and even nationally.

The BAP program also serves as a connecting point through our RFP sharing service and directory listings. These tools first came about after league members had expressed a need for a space to find reliable partners for infrastructure, consulting, and planning projects (among other things).  As such, the directory and RFP sharing service allow municipal leaders to connect directly with the vast network of BAP members as they look to build relationships with organizations that fit their needs and values.

What is the Business Alliance Program?

The Business Alliance Program is a long-standing program designed to help companies and organizations build trust and visibility with municipal leaders. With four levels of participation, BAP offers an accessible, affordable way to engage with local governments and demonstrate value as a trusted resource.

BAP includes lots of tailored services that benefit both municipalities and BAP participants including:

• RFP Sharing Service: BAP participants have exclusive access to RFPs and RFIs from League member communities. This service allows municipalities to encourage bids from BAP participants for work ranging from placemaking, greenspace, infrastructure, website design and communications, to consultancy and more.
• Searchable Directory Listing: The program features an online, searchable directory as a tool for municipalities to connect directly with companies and organizations within their communities, regionally, and nationally. This helps local leaders identify new and emerging partners they might otherwise not have easy access to.
• Conferences and Events: We host events at our League conferences and during other special occasions where local leadership and BAP participants can meet in person, exchange ideas, and build relationships. These events, like the CapCon vendor hall, make it easy for local leaders to explore partnerships and resources that they can bring back to their communities after the event is over.

Let’s Build Michigan’s Future—Together

Whether you’re a municipality looking for support or a business ready to make a difference, the Michigan Municipal League and MML Foundation are here to help you connect, collaborate, and create stronger communities.

I truly believe that our suite of initiatives on local economic development – from the local economies initiative to the Michigan Microbusiness Policy coalition and the Business Alliance Program – are accessible and powerful tools for Michigan communities. I love having the opportunity to help build bridges between our BAP participants and our municipal members and to see how their connections flourish into lasting partnerships and projects that better our communities. It takes all of us (across every sector) to make our communities thrive, so let’s work together to build Michigan’s future!

Interested in learning more about the Business Alliance Program? Submit an inquiry form here.