Praia Grande is the first city in Baixada Santista to reach the mark of 50 thousand MEIs The city of Praia Grande, on the coast of São Paulo, became the first municipality in Baixada Santista to surpass the mark of 50 thousand Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEIs). The data comes from the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), from the Entrepreneur Portal. In the last four years, the region has recorded an increase of around 42% in the number of formalizations. In 2022, Baixada Santista had 166 thousand entrepreneurs; now, in 2026, the total has reached 236 thousand. ?Click here to follow the g1 Santos channel on WhatsApp. In Praia Grande, the jump was even greater: an increase of 47.7% in the same period, going from 34,152 to 50,447 registrations. With this growth, the city took the lead in the regional ranking, surpassing Santos and São Vicente. According to Eduardo Sotelo, business analyst at Sebrae, this advance is directly related to the city's demographic growth and the strength of sectors such as civil construction, aesthetics and retail trade. READ ALSO: Step by step: learn how to open a MEI and formalize it What are the rules and revenue limit for the MEI in 2026? Understand Praia Grande, on the coast of São Paulo AT Archive See the number of MEIs per city in Baixada Santista in 2026: Praia Grande: 50,447 Santos: 49,135 São Vicente: 46,285 Guarujá: 39,883 Itanhaém: 13,112 Cubatão: 12,093 Peruíbe: 8,972 Mongaguá: 8,707 Bertioga: 8,037 Reasons for growth Eduardo Sotelo, business analyst at Sebrae, states that "the individual micro-entrepreneur is a way for people to formalize themselves and be able to enter their market". He says that the model boosts, above all, activities linked to the provision of services, such as repairs and small renovations. The expert also highlights that the aesthetics, beauty and clothing retail sectors also boost the city's numbers. He highlights the importance of shopping centers in the city's neighborhoods for this development. The increase in the number of businesses creates a local production chain, in which entrepreneurs connect and consume inputs from each other. According to the analyst, Sebrae fosters these connections, which occur organically in the local entrepreneurship ecosystem. Encouraging new business To encourage this network, Sebrae holds business meetings and offers connection platforms, in partnership with the City Hall, the Commercial Association and the Chamber of Store Managers (CDL). Planning to undertake For those who already work in the area or want to open a business, the main recommendation is to focus on prior organization. "Always try to start your activity by planning, undertaking an opportunity and seeking to know your market niche", advises the Sebrae specialist. Sotelo remembers that planning is essential for the business to develop and advance in stages. Sebrae offers free training for entrepreneurs, in person and remotely. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 Minute Santos