No doubt you have noticed that your Rapid Growth is different this week, and we hope you'll agree that some new additions only make the publication more relevant, fresh and interesting for you.
Your favorite aspects of Rapid Growth haven't changed: the vibrant photography of Brian Kelly, tour-guide musings of things to do in Tommy Allen's G-Sync, items on the area's top news by Deborah Johnson Wood, and eye catching videography by Andy Dragt. There is no percentage in tweaking the formula that makes Rapid Growth your must-read publication of the week.
But just because we had a great package didn't mean that it was complete, so we added some new columns and information sources that we think you or someone you know will find more than just interesting, but indispensable.
Taken as a whole, these additional columns and information sources will act as your guide to the new economy -- the economy that rewards creativity and calculated risk, nimble movement and constant change.
Jobs Landed addresses the misperception that there aren't any opportunities for those seeking entry level positions in metro Grand Rapids. Instead of cataloging where top executives have made their next moves, Jobs Landed shows you on a very personalized basis where individuals are starting their careers. These are tomorrow's rising stars finding their first jobs today.
We ask those who have landed entry-level jobs to share a bit of their personal history and aspirations: Facebook photos, what colleges they attended, where they went to high school and their hometowns, and what they do on their new jobs. As success breeds success, Jobs Landed shows there is underreported opportunity in West Michigan that will encourage more educated and skilled individuals to seek jobs in this area.
A corollary to Jobs Landed is another column,
Jobs Available, which serves as a jumping off point for individuals who are considering a move to metro Grand Rapids. While Jobs Available doesn't aim to replace online job listing services, it emphasizes some opportunities that may have been overlooked in more traditional job search locations.
The third column is
Internships, which we feel is an underutilized tool by area businesses to attract and retain talented individuals in our area. Research done in Philadelphia shows that 50% of the students who participate in internships remain in the state in which they served their internships. Our goal is to show readers where they may find those internships in West Michigan that then may lead to full-time jobs.
Finally, we are now providing an easily searched database of
Major Development Projects in Grand Rapids, drawing upon information compiled by the City of Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority of all major investments that have been made in the core city over the past several years. Our goal is to supplement the statistics and dollar value information with context through news links, photos and updates about the projects. This dynamic database of statistics and links will provide more transparent information to investors who may be looking to fund development in our area.
In coming weeks, we'll adding more content that readers have told us they want. In the meantime, I'd like to invite you to let us know what you think.
Paul Schutt is co-founder and co-CEO of Issue Media Group, which publishes Rapid Growth and weekly online magazines in six other metropolitan areas.
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