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VIDEO: Pennies from Heaven breaks down employment barriers

By Council of Michigan FoundationsThursday, March 29, 2018
How are rural foundations across the state approaching economic development? We’re sharing success stories right here in Michigan, with a look at how can the philanthropic sector breaks down barriers that make it challenging for employees to be successful in the workforce.
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Neighborhoods of GR celebrates our city's places and spaces

By Rapid Growth MediaThursday, March 29, 2018
Over the past 10 months, Rapid Growth has featured the places and spaces of GR in our Neighborhoods of GR series. Catch up with the amazing people, nonprofits, and businesses that have graced our pages.
Feature Story Olvera

Making it in GR: Adapting an engineering mindset to entrepreneurship

By Leandra Nisbet, Making it in GR EditorThursday, March 29, 2018
Reports show women and minority-owned businesses are face an ongoing disparity of funding awarded to them and to their male, non-minority counterparts. As a minority-business owner and Grand Rapids transplant, Supermercado Mexico's Javier Olvera discusses the challenges of growth, and finding finance options.
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Neighborhood mini-grants aim to fund projects in southeast neighborhoods

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 22, 2018

Amplify GR, is funding Amp Up neighborhood mini-grants ranging from $100 to $1,000. To receive funding, projects must target an Amplify GR neighborhood, provide direct benefits to neighborhood residents, and include neighbors as leaders, planners, and implementers of the projects.

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Writing our Her-story: The womxn shaping our city

By Ken Miguel-CiprianoThursday, March 22, 2018
Rapid Growth highlights just some of the amazing womxn our city is fortunate to have, asking them to tell us about what they do and what inspires them.
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VIDEO: Rotary Charities expands equitable access to the waterfront in the Grand Traverse

Council of Michigan FoundationsThursday, March 22, 2018
How are rural foundations across the state approaching economic development? We’re sharing success stories right here in Michigan, starting with a look at the Rotary Charities' efforts to expand equitable access to the waterfront in the Grand Traverse region.
Feature Story Promise

Promise Zones and place-based scholarships are game changers for families in Grand Rapids

By Allison SpoonerThursday, March 22, 2018
If Grand Rapids becomes a Promise Zone, it would change the game for funding college in the River City. Currently in the process of applying for the designation, the city of GR is prioritizing affordable college education for all.
Feature Story Sound

UIX: Offstage engineering makes a big difference in local music

By Matthew Russell, UIX EditorThursday, March 22, 2018
More than a dozen different audio recording studios in West Michigan help musicians, podcasters, broadcasters, show hosts, and others capture their sound on digital media, vinyl records, and sometimes even magnetic tape.
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Espresso bar or comfy couch?: How a coffee shop's design reflects its clientele

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 15, 2018
Innovation News AJ

3 women in design you should get to know

By Ken Miguel-CiprianoThursday, March 15, 2018
Grand Rapids is a design city teeming with talent. We asked these talented women to tell us what is on their minds about design, their careers, and what they do here in the city.
Feature Story Stegan Sagmeister

RapidChat: Stefan Sagmeister on Why Beauty Matters

By Jenna Morton, Rapid Chat EditorThursday, March 15, 2018
Beauty is commonly defined as the characteristic of an animal, idea, object, person, or place that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. But what role does it actually play within our lives? For West Michigan Design Week, renowned creative, Stegan Sagmeister, will talk to Grand Rapidians about Why Beauty Matters, and more.
Feature Story design

Archives preserves West Michigan's rich design heritage

By Estelle SlootmakerThursday, March 15, 2018
The West Michigan Design Archives was formed by designers Barbara Loveland and Linda Powell, for anyone who appreciates good design. With work from companies like Herman Miller and French Paper, the archives aim to showcase the craft and history of design to a new generation of designers.
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A celebration of the craft: Design Week in its fifth year

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing EditorThursday, March 15, 2018
West Michigan Design Week is finally here. In its fifth year, this week-long event series, produced by AIGA West Michigan, celebrates the talented designers of all disciplines, inviting sought-after artists from across the country to speak, as well as local designers, to showcase their work, process, and passion.
Feature Story Weiler

Buzzwords, big talk, and breakthroughs: Real talk about design thinking

By Adam WeilerThursday, March 15, 2018
This special Design Week Rapid Blog comes to us from WMCAT Director of Social Enterprise Adam Weiler, who explores why design thinking isn't just for designers after all.
Feature Story Pat Perry

Pat Perry: A gentle giant of art and design

By Tommy Allen, Publisher Thursday, March 15, 2018
Pat Perry is one of the more interesting people that publisher Tommy Allen has met in this world. Enjoy this conversation with a truly remarkable artist from Michigan.
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Livable transportation engineer to share place-making strategies with West Michigan communities

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 8, 2018
Source: Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement Department

As part of their “Series on Sustainable Transportation and Innovative Community Design,” the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC), Ottawa County Department of Public Health, and Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement Department have invited West Michigan’s city planners, developers, and citizenry to join those conversations, led by nationally-acclaimed speaker and livable transportation engineer, Ian Lockwood, P.E.

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How a merger between Forward Cities and CEOs for Cities will aim to drive inclusive economic growth

By Issue Media GroupThursday, March 8, 2018
Wealth inequality in America across racial lines is growing, particularly in cities. Here's how one organization proposes to tackle it.
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For the Benefit of all: West Michigan B-Corps proliferate

By Rapid Growth MediaThursday, March 8, 2018
Michigan now has 14 registered B-corps, companies that are certified in environmental and societal stewardship. GR is home to 11 of these conscious companies. Check them out!
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Check it out: Kelloggsville High School brings new library home to students and neighbors

By Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorThursday, March 1, 2018
Kent District Library has opened its newest branch in Wyoming’s Kelloggsville High School. During the school day, the school’s students will have access to all of KDL’s resources. After school, the whole community can enjoy this full-service branch. 
Innovation News Brandy Arnold

Young Professional Spotlight: Brandy Arnold

By Ken Miguel-Cipriano, Innovation and Jobs EditorThursday, March 1, 2018
Rapid Growth Media sits down with local leader Brandy Arnold of Kids' Food Basket to talk about her place in the city.
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