Featured Stories

RapidChat: Benjamin Heyn

Jenna Morton Thursday, June 29, 2017

As we round out Pride Month, LGBTQ+ activist, Benjamin Heyn, reflects on the opportunities he's been given over the years and how he is using those as a force for good. Within in part-two of our Q&A conversation, we celebrate #PRIDE and the organizations within our community whose noble purpose revolve around that notion.

LGBT, Non-Profit, RapidChat

Saugatuck - Douglas

Financing your dream: Entrepreneurs tap local and diverse resources

By Leandra Williams Thursday, June 29, 2017

Securing financing for a small businesses can be a huge challenge, especially for new entrepreneurs. There are several opportunities available to assist entrepreneurs in the area including: microloans, SBA lending and pitch competitions. Additionally, here are some recommendations for staying motivated and being prepared to request funds.

Entrepreneurship, Finance, Making it in Grand Rapids

Center City

G-Sync: Analog in the city

Tommy Allen, Publisher Thursday, June 29, 2017

When that giant summer sun is high in the air, if you are like me, then you’re seeking less time under the glow of your handheld screen as you seek those more analog moments in the city. This is Tommy Allen's suggested list of activities to consider.

Arts & Culture, Bars, Cultural, Greenspace, Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor, tourism, Visitors

Way past Rosie the Riveter: Women make strides in the construction industry

By Ken James, with additional reporting by Lauren Fay Carlson Thursday, June 29, 2017

In the not-too-distant past, women in hard hats were scarce as construction trades were generally considered a man's domain. There was a time when women were lumped only into receptionist-type work and not allowed on worksites. But as women continue to gain employment in the construction sector, this stereotype is steadily changing.

Building Grand Rapids, Construction

Alternative birthing methods and why Michigan moms are choosing them

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, June 22, 2017

In the U.S., women learn about birth from television dramas and celebrity magazines and the medical system steps in to manage pregnancy and birth on computer screens, like any other disease. But, pregnancy is not a disease. Babies are not tumors to be removed. And, birth alternatives do exist for those persistent enough to find them.

Education, healthcare, Healthy Living, Michigan Nightlight, Pharmaceutical

From grains to glass: Michigan craft distillers produce fine spirits from local crops

Sue Stuever Battel Thursday, June 22, 2017

Michigan distillers are building their businesses with locally grown grains and fruits. They say there's room to grow.

Agricultural Economy, Bars, Craft Brewing, Michigan's Agricultural Future

UIX: Empathy is essential to good design and modern technology

By Matthew Russell Thursday, June 22, 2017

It was once rare that the fields of architecture, and more-so, digital architecture, and human emotion overlapped. But the intersection is crucial not only to the basis of good software, however, it's the foundation of good software companies.

Design, High Tech, Internet, Software Development, Technology, Urban Innovation Exchange, Website Design

West Fulton

Instagram roundup: The most interesting people in GR

By Ken Miguel-Cipriano Thursday, June 22, 2017

Who's capturing the best images of our fair river city? From @grandrapidspubliclibrary and @lovecharlesvintage to @carbonstories and @uicagr, check out this profile of the best Instagram'ers in GR.

social media, tourism, Visitors

Neighborhoods of GR: The history of Midtown

By Matthew Russell Thursday, June 22, 2017

Modern-day Midtown, with a population of just over 4,000, according to 2013 Community Research Institute figures, is bordered to the north by I-196, to the east by Fuller Street, to the south by Fulton, and to the west by Union. It's one of the oldest and most venerated neighborhoods in Grand Rapids and is just as tethered to historical events as its neighboring communities.

Building Communities, Community Engagement, Community Organizing, Historic Sites, Sense of Place

Midtown

Is Grand Rapids walkable?: Safety, data, and the physical space of pedestrians

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing Editor Thursday, June 15, 2017

With rating systems like walkscore.com and articles about the city's walkability factor popping up every few months, it can be difficult to determine what factors actually make a city safe, and enjoyable, to be a pedestrian. Whatever the approach, Grand Rapids is catching on the the trend of celebrating the pedestrian, making the river city a safer place to traverse on foot.

Sense of Place, Transit, Transportation

Better food for Heartside: Gleaning produce, growing access, and improving health

By Marla R. Miller Thursday, June 15, 2017

Heartside Gleaning Initiative provides hundreds of pounds of fresh produce each week to Heartside residents, food pantries and missions thanks to generous farmers and volunteers.

Building Communities, Food, Healthy Living, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit

Heartside

The brightest lights in West Michigan's entertainment scene are at a national level

Matthew Russell Thursday, June 15, 2017

Whether it's an acoustic street side gig at Rosa Parks Circle, a sold-out club show at 20 Monroe Live, a DeVos Performance Hall production, or even a movie in the park, the artists provide the music and emotion but technology amplifies the experience.

DJ Culture, Entertainment, Music, Performing Arts, Technology, Theater

Lady Ace Boogie - Don't Box Me In

Ken Miguel-Cipriano, Innovation and Jobs Editor Thursday, June 15, 2017

Coming off an electrifying show this past Sunday at the Pyramid Scheme and set to launch her new EP “Don’t Box Me In” this fall, Linda Tellis a.k.a Lady Ace Boogie showed us that this summer is not done heating up.

Arts & Culture, LGBT, Multi-Cultural, Music

Michigan's newest winemakers are following their passion—and doing well

By Patrick Dunn Thursday, June 15, 2017

Michigan has 127 wineries and produces 2.5 million gallons of wine annually. May is when the state celebrates its wine makers and encourages tourists to visit as the wineries show their springtime colors.

Agricultural Economy, tourism, Visitors

RapidChat: Benjamin Heyn

By Jenna Morton Thursday, June 08, 2017

As we enter the month of June, we also enter a month dedicated to celebrating Pride. "What does Pride Month mean to you?" we asked Benjamin Heyn, a resident and LGBQT+ activist within the Grand Rapids Community. We've learned that it goes farther beyond what many of our eyes have been trained to see.

LGBT, RapidChat