Grow or Expand Your Business

Grow Your Business in Southfield

Southfield is home to more than 5,000 businesses — from major employers to innovative start-ups. Whether you’re hiring, expanding, upgrading equipment, or planning a move within the City, our team is here to support your growth.

We work one-on-one with companies to understand their goals, identify challenges early, and connect them with resources that make expansion easier and more successful.

Let’s build your next chapter together.

  

Business Retention Services

Keeping Southfield businesses strong is one of our top priorities.

Through our Business Retention Program, we:
• Meet directly with companies to understand needs and opportunities
• Assist with expansion plans, facility improvements, and business transitions
• Identify issues early and coordinate solutions across City departments
• Connect you with hiring, training, and funding resources
• Help you navigate zoning, permits, and development questions
• Provide market insights and custom reports when needed

👉 Click this card to email us and request a Business Retention visit with Business & Economic Development

  

Workforce & Training Support

Finding and training talent is one of the biggest needs for growing businesses. We partner closely with:

Oakland County Michigan Works! – Southfield
• Hiring assistance
• Training funds
• Apprenticeships and upskilling programs
• Access to job seekers and recruitment tools

Local Colleges & Training Providers
• LTU
• OCC
• Business and trade training providers

We can connect you to the right people based on your industry and hiring needs.

👉 Email the Business & Economic Development Department to be connected with the right workforce partners.

  

Incentives

Depending on the scale and type of your project, your business may qualify for:
• Local incentives (tax abatements, redevelopment tools, etc.)
• State programs through MEDC
• Technical assistance or equipment support
• Workforce training dollars
• Brownfield tools for environmental redevelopment

We will walk you through what is available and coordinate next steps.

👉 Learn more about Incentives & Redevelopment Tools

  

LTU & Centrepolis Connections

Southfield’s innovation ecosystem is one of its greatest strengths.

Lawrence Technological University (LTU)
We can introduce your business to opportunities in:
• Student talent pipelines
• Capstone partnerships
• Research or testing collaborations
• Co-ops and internships

Centrepolis SmartZone Accelerator
Ideal for businesses involved in:
• Product development
• Hardware, manufacturing, or clean-tech innovation
• Prototyping
• Commercialization
• Growth-stage technical assistance

We’ll help determine whether your project qualifies and connect you to the right program.

👉 Request an introduction to LTU or Centrepolis

Work With Us Before, During, and After Your Expansion

We want your business to succeed long-term. BED provides support at every stage:

Before expansion

  • Business retention visits
  • Problem-solving and strategic referrals
  • Site selection or relocation assistance
  • Incentive exploration
  • Guidance on zoning or development requirements

During expansion

  • Help coordinating with City departments
  • Troubleshooting delays
  • Guidance on inspections, permits, and timelines
  • Introductions to technical assistance partners

After expansion

  • Business promotion through press releases or social media
  • Ribbon cuttings and grand openings (if relocating or adding space)
  • Ongoing retention check-ins
  • Connection to workforce and training programs
  • Support for continued growth