Comcast supports growth with 100 grants for West Michigan entrepreneurs

When Mitch Ermatinger launched Speciation Cellars in 2016, he was chasing the possibilities of mixed culture fermentation — a brewing process that layers yeast and bacteria to create complex flavors. 

Nearly a decade later, his family-owned brewery and taproom on Wealthy Street SE in Grand Rapids has become a community hub. But like many small business owners, Ermatinger says he often finds himself debating whether to invest in new technology or save for the next payroll.

Three days before learning he had been selected for a Comcast RISE grant, he says, he spent half an hour deciding whether to spend $150 on a Chromebook. 

“That situation is not uncommon for us or any other small business,” Ermatinger says. “Being selected for a Comcast RISE grant means I can spend more time connecting with our community and less time worrying about the technology we need to keep the business running.”

Help to 100 area enterprises

Speciation Cellars is one of 100 small businesses in Grand Rapids and Muskegon receiving support packages this year through Comcast RISE, which is designed to help entrepreneurs overcome barriers to growth. Rise is an acronym that stands for representation, investment, strength, and empowerment.

Another recipient is Carla Flanders, who says the program is a perfect fit for her small Muskegon County business, CMF Marketing & Events.

“It would not only assist by providing a cash grant, but also help with technology, training, and advertising,” Flanders says. 

She had been holding off on purchasing some new equipment for an upcoming event in hopes that this grant would come through. The additional funds will allow her to make that purchase as well as help with staffing.

“A lot of the projects that we do are very community-driven,” Flanders says. “This grant will help not only CMF Marketing & Events, but also the community that is impacted by the projects we do.  Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. You hustle, you plan, you implement, you analyze, and you grind – day after day. In the thick of it all is where the magic happens. We were so happy to learn that one of those magical moments has just unfolded.”

Four areas of support

The Comcast RISE initiative, now in its fifth year, tackles four key areas where small businesses often struggle: money, technology, marketing, and education. Each recipient receives a $5,000 grant, new computer equipment with a year of connectivity and cybersecurity, a professionally produced commercial with a six-month media schedule, online entrepreneurship courses, and personalized business coaching.

For Ermatinger, the package offers relief on multiple fronts — operational support for his taproom, marketing that can help introduce Speciation Cellars to new audiences, and education resources for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

“I’d like to think that when you step into Speciation, drink one of our beverages or attend a free event, the main thing you feel is that we’re honest and passionate people working to make our little corner of the world better,” Ermatinger says.

Comcast leaders emphasize that the program’s benefits ripple beyond individual businesses.

“Our roots run deep in Grand Rapids and Muskegon,” says Sonya Callahan, regional vice president of Comcast Business, Heartland. “Supporting the entrepreneurs who drive innovation, create jobs, and build stronger communities is one way we can show up for our West Michigan customers. From investing in the latest network technology to serving thousands of local small businesses, we believe that  when small businesses thrive, communities thrive.”

Since its launch, Comcast RISE has provided $160 million in resources to 14,500 small businesses nationwide. This year’s 500 recipients are in six regions: Boston, Nashville, Seattle, South Valley (Utah), Grand Rapids, and Muskegon.