Featured Stories

From Hope to Tech Help

Christen Oliveto Thursday, February 01, 2007

They might not be Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google fame. But Mat Nguyen and Mike Harris are building a respectable tech business of their own.

A Philadelphia Story

Lisa M. Collins Sunday, January 28, 2007

The once empty streets of Philly's Central City District now bustle with new workers, residents, and sidewalk cafes. Phil Levy credits the establishment of a special business improvement district, an idea GR now is looking to expand.

Foreign Force

Angela Harris Thursday, January 25, 2007

Nearly 21,000 people, a full 10 percent of Grand Rapids' population, were born outside the United States. Meet a few of them who are changing the city's culture and economy for the better.

United in Purpose

George Heartwell Thursday, January 25, 2007

Unity was the central theme of GR Mayor George Heartwell's 2007 State of the City Address. "If we remain united," he said. "I promise we will make history every single day of the following year."

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

You GROW Girl

Bridie Kent Thursday, January 18, 2007

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women helped establish 40 new businesses and generated some 270 jobs in 2005. Jennifer Beaumont, who just opened Yoga on the Hill, is one of the group's many successful graduates.

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Lowell, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Rockford, Ada, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, East Grand Rapids, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

Why Isn't Stanford Ovshinsky a Billionaire?

Tom Leonard Thursday, January 11, 2007

The sustainability movement is commercializing new ideas, generating jobs, and fueling economic expansion from Arizona to Japan. How long before Michigan takes it seriously?

In Search of a Mobility Scenario

Andy Guy Thursday, January 11, 2007

At the close of 2006, Grand Rapids dispatched a small party of civic leaders to learn about mass transit in Portland. They came back with news of a streetcar revolution.

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, East Grand Rapids, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

GR Interactive

Luke Hackney Thursday, December 21, 2006

With nearly 60 million blogs on the Internet, G-RAD offers a forum where the contributors all have one thing in common: Grand Rapids

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

Season's Greetings from Rapid Growth

Rapid Growth Staff Thursday, December 21, 2006

Well, there's no snow on the ground yet. But, like rappers Run DMC caroled, "it's Christmas time and we got the spirit." So we're taking a break for a couple weeks. But we'll be back January 11, 2007 to bring you a new year of stories about growth, investment, and unique stories of urban life on Michigan's west coast.

Neighborhood Sensibilities

Tom Leonard Thursday, December 14, 2006

World-class cities and vibrant neighborhoods don't just happen. They're the product of big dreams, targeted investment, and thoughtful planning. The Sustainability Package is Grand Rapids latest effort to bring those critical elements together.

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

Child's Play

Andy Guy Thursday, December 07, 2006

Health activist Paul Haan has helped secure millions of dollars in public funding and reached out to hundreds of families in Grand Rapids in an effort to eradicate childhood lead poisoning. The plan is working. Now he's targeting radon and other environmental health issues.

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

The Beer Barons of River City

Christine Foust Thursday, December 07, 2006

Entreprenuers began brewing beer in Grand Rapids before the city became a city. After some ups and downs in the industry, the tradition continues today.

Belknap-Monroe North, West Fulton, Heritage Hill, South Division, Heartside, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Franklin-Eastern, Midtown, Baxter, Madison Square, Stockbridge

An Economy of Apples

Tom Leonard Thursday, November 30, 2006

Farmland in west Michigan typically is more valuable for building superstores and subdivisions than growing fruits and vegetables. But, with increasingly more mouths to feed in heavily populated places like China, a growing crop of thinkers questions whether that's the best way to put the region's unique landscape to work in the global economy.

The Color of Money: Diversity Improves Economy

Christen Oliveto Thursday, November 16, 2006

Kent County is becoming more diverse. Asians and Hispanics are moving here, and the result is a more robust economy and a place more interesting to educated, mobile people.

Car Talk

Tom Leonard Thursday, November 09, 2006

The car is king in Grand Rapids. And road trips and Sunday drives are great American past times. But for daily transit needs, just getting conveniently from point A to point B, there has to be a better way. Is Grand Rapids ready?

Midtown : Featured Stories