Grand Rapids Whitewater receives $50K to hire engineering firm, secure $25K from DDA

The Grand Rapids Press reports that thanks to a $50,000 donation from a local brewery, Grand Rapids Whitewater can move forward with its plans to create a world class kayaking and fisherman's destination in the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

According to excerpts from the story:

Efforts to transform the Grand River downtown into a world-class kayaking and fisherman's paradise are expected to take a big step forward this week. Founders Brewing Co. plans to formally announce a gift that will enable Grand Rapids Whitewater, a nonprofit group developing the proposed whitewater course, to move forward with engineering and marketing. If all goes according to plan, a portion of the river south of the Fourth Street dam would become a challenging kayak course that also improves the fish habitat in the area.

"This is something (co-founder) Dave Engbers and I and our whole group at Founders support," said Mike Stevens, president and co-founder of the brewery at 235 Grandville Ave. SW.

Read the complete story here.



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