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Feature Story Wende Randall

UIX: Essential Needs Task Force is rethinking the way Kent County addresses poverty

By Matthew RussellThursday, March 16, 2017
When families have to choose between paying utility bills and affording food, it's hard to find hope. For the many faced with that decision in Kent County, the Essential Needs Task Force is a crucially supportive resource.
Feature Story Patty Eilers, resident of the Southeast community of Grand Rapids

Rising rents & displacement: The need for affordable housing in Grand Rapids

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground Editor Thursday, March 16, 2017
Residents in the city's' southeast neighborhood are facing displacement from communities they have long been a part of due to the increasing costs of housing. Here, residents, grassroots organizers, and city leaders are working together to find solutions to the housing crisis happening in Grand Rapids.
Feature Story Pop Pop's Gourmet Pop Corn

Kernel of an idea grows into family popcorn business under Michigan Cottage Food Law

By Sue Stuever BattelThursday, March 16, 2017
Gene and Patricia McFarland have built their gourmet popcorn business from a home kitchen operation to a successful storefront where they sell their handcrafted flavored popcorn.
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How one environmentalist is leading the charge to clean up the polluted Muskegon Lake

Thursday, March 16, 2017
Growing up, Dennis Kirksey never wondered why Muskegon Lake was polluted. Now he chairs the organization that's working to clean it up. Here's how he got involved.
Feature Story OTG207

Aumento en la renta y desalojos: Una necesidad de viviendas accesibles en Grand Rapids

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The GroundThursday, March 16, 2017
Los residentes del vecindario del sureste tienen que confrontar amenazas graves de desalojo de la comunidad que han sido parte por largo tiempo, como consecuencia a los costos altos en arriendos. Aqui, residentes, organizaciones de apoyo de la comunidad y lideres  estan trabajando en conjunto para encontrar soluciones a la crisis de vivienda en Grand Rapids.
Feature Story FTschooltech

From virtual reality to online libraries, how technology is revolutionizing education in GR

By Matthew RussellThursday, March 16, 2017
As classrooms throughout West Michigan are teaching us, technology isn't just preparing our children for tomorrow. It's inspiring them to look at the world differently today, and Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Valley State University are connecting students with the technology that's reshaping our education field—and our whole world.

Downtown Muskegon’s 321 Go! utilizes pitch competition to incentivize new downtown retail

By Anya Zentmeyer, Development News EditorThursday, March 9, 2017

Neighborhood Match Fund to award small contracts with big impacts to resident-led community projects

By Anya Zentmeyer, Development News EditorThursday, March 9, 2017
Innovation News Equity Drinks at The Meanwhile.

Job hunting? These tips will help your search

By Ken Miguel-CiprianoThursday, March 9, 2017

Smashing glass ceilings: The women running Grand Rapids

By Ken Miguel-CiprianoThursday, March 9, 2017
Feature Story Herman Lee

'This city needs to wake up': The fight for affordable housing in Grand Rapids

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground EditorThursday, March 9, 2017
Herman Lee moved to Grand Rapids in search of new opportunities and a chance to start again. After being faced with challenging barriers to affordable and stable housing, Lee shares his journey of finding a place to belong in the southeast community.
Feature Story Well House 2

'Esta ciudad necesita despertar': La lucha a favor de vivienda accesible en Grand Rapids

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The GroundThursday, March 9, 2017
Herman Lee se traslado a Grand Rapids, en búsqueda de nuevas oportunidades y una posibilidad de volver a empezar. Confrontado por barreras desafiantes para obtener vivienda estable Lee cuenta su historia de como encontró un lugar de aceptación en la comunidad sureste de la ciudad.
Feature Story FTfood

Eating around the world: A guide to Grand Rapids' global cuisine scene

By Rapid Growth staffThursday, March 9, 2017
From Ethiopian and Korean to Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants, there are an almost endless number of culinary havens in and around Grand Rapids where you can explore the world, right in your own backyard.
Feature Story Mayor Rosalynn Bliss at the State of the City

Racial equity here: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss calls for systemic change in Grand Rapids

By Anna GustafsonThursday, March 9, 2017
Racial equity. Support for immigrants. A stronger local economy. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss addresses all of this, and more, during her second annual State of the City speech.
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The new Embassy Suites by Hilton hopes to bring strong upscale option to GR hotel market

By Anya Zentmeyer, Development News EditorThursday, March 2, 2017
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Game on! National sports event to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Grand Rapids

By Ken Miguel-CiprianoThursday, March 2, 2017
Feature Story FN4

From hip-hop to Islam to oils: How a Madison Square entrepreneur launched his one-of-a-kind business

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On The Ground EditorThursday, March 2, 2017
After a conversion to Islam, Faheem Nichols began selling oils and scents from his minivan parked on the corner of Eastern and Sherman. Now, 20 years later, what began as Nichols' side business has become West Michigan's first oils and fragrance café. 
Feature Story Faheem Nichols

Del hip-hop al Islam a la venta de esencias: Como un emprendedor de Madison Square inicio su negocio

Michelle Jokisch Polo Editora de On The GroundThursday, March 2, 2017
Después de haberse convertido al Islam, Faheem Nichols inició vendiendo aceites y fragancias desde una mini-van estacionada en la esquina de la Eastern y Sherman. Ahora, 20 años después, el negocio de Nichols se ha transformado en la venta número uno de aceites y esencias de West Michigan.  
Feature Story James Meena

RapidChat: James Meena, Opera Grand Rapids' new artistic director

By Jenna MortonThursday, March 2, 2017
Forget about Netflix. Opera Grand Rapids' new artistic director, James Meena, is determined to make people of all ages fall in love with a different form of entertainment: the opera.
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