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Van Buren County

Selling a Business in Van Buren County

Van Buren County has 1,327 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and accommodation and food service.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Van Buren County by the numbers

1,327

1,327

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,363

5,363

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

17,635

17,635

EMPLOYMENT

$970 million

$970 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

567

567

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Van Buren County compares

  • Van Buren County ranks 29th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Van Buren County, compared with 14% in Michigan.

  • 567 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Van Buren County ranks 29th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Van Buren County, compared with 14% in Michigan.

  • 567 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 251 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 163 employer businesses

  • Construction: 149 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 144 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 121 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 251 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 163 employer businesses

  • Construction: 149 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 144 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 121 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Van Buren County

These are the industries in Van Buren County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

157 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • General Contracting: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

149 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Retail Stores

77 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Manufacturing

66 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Automotive & Boat

58 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

53 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Gas Stations: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

46 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Logistics & Transportation

34 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

20 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

19 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Beauty & Personal Care

14 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

14 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

These are the industries in Van Buren County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

157 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • General Contracting: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

149 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Retail Stores

77 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Manufacturing

66 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Automotive & Boat

58 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

53 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Gas Stations: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

46 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Logistics & Transportation

34 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

20 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

19 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Beauty & Personal Care

14 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

14 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Technology & Media

6 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Energy & Utilities

4 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

Health & Fitness

3 related employer businesses in Van Buren County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Working with owners in Van Buren County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Van Buren County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Van Buren County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Van Buren County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.

How is a business valued in Van Buren County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Van Buren County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article