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Innovation News 3501 Fruit Ridge development

Fostering healthy growth by nurturing ethical business relationships

Leandra NisbetTuesday, May 10, 2022
To meet the needs of the market, Honeycrisp Ventures shifted its business model to incorporate new commercial construction development. By listening to community needs, maintaining strong partnerships and operating ethically, they have been able to provide positive results for their tenants and smoothly navigate challenging times.
Feature Story Team members from Zeeland High School's robotics team — known as Built on Brains, or B.O.B. — were one of two teams to compete at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics World Championship in Houston last month.

Robotics students are next tech workforce

Andrea GoodellMonday, May 9, 2022
Two area robotics teams competed at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics state and world championships, but that's just the beginning. Many tech companies mentor the students now and seek them out when it comes time to hire later.
Feature Story Jocelyn Hines (right) poses with her parents (left) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after Hines received the 2019 Youth Volunteer of the Year award.

MSU grad launches Muskegon Young Black Professionals to support community

Shanika P. CarterThursday, May 5, 2022
Muskegon native and MSU grad Jocelyn Hines was inspired to launch Muskegon Young Black Professionals after seeing a similar networking organization in Detroit.
Longform Students at North Elementary School in Birch Run participate in an InPACT physical activity break.

New program helps Michigan kids maximize physical activity in the classroom

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, May 5, 2022
A program called InPACT offers schools strategies that deliver 20 minutes of daily physical activity in the classroom.
Feature Story A student takes part in GRCC's free college prep summer program. (GRCC/Steve Jessmore)

GRCC’s free summer program prepares new high school grads for college success

Shandra MartinezThursday, May 5, 2022
A free Grand Rapids Community College summer program for graduating high school seniors is aimed at boosting foundational math and reading skills and preparing them for success.  
Feature Story Teleah Mitchum stands by a mural at the E. Warren Farmers Market.

Resilient Neighborhoods: East Detroit nonprofit gets creative to help local businesses grow

Caroline BissonetteTuesday, May 3, 2022
From screwdrivers to digital expertise, this East Side Community Development Organization has embraced some unique approaches to helping local businesses expand and thrive.
Development News McKay Tower

Tribal purchase of McKay Tower honors the past and secures the future

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, May 2, 2022
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (the Gun Lake Tribe) and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), purchased downtown Grand Rapids' McKay Tower in January 2020.
Feature Story Every polling place in Michigan is required to have accessible equipment to help those with disability cast their ballots independently.

Poll worker training key to smooth voting experience for people with disabilities

Paul R. KopenkoskeySaturday, April 30, 2022
Election inspectors are equipped with tools during training — known as disability etiquette — that they can use to assist voters with disabilities. 
Special Report Mental health report

Special report: COVID-19's silver linings for mental health care in Michigan

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 28, 2022
More robust mental health care delivery and reduced stigma are among the silver linings emerging from the COVID cloud.
Feature Story Elaine

Published Together: The inspiring power of youth voices

Elaine Sterrett Isely, Deputy Director, West Michigan Environmental Action CouncilWednesday, April 27, 2022
In addition to providing new perspectives, focusing on the power of intergenerational dialogue allows an organization to learn, grow and further its positive impact on the community.
Feature Story Ian Miskelley dives into the pool during competition.

Be Better; educating coaches, parents, student athletes on mental wellness

Andrea GoodellTuesday, April 26, 2022
Starting with student athletes and the people who are closest to them — coaches and parents — Be Better; is starting an education curriculum to help youth and their adults navigate mental wellness.
Feature Story KDaLe program

KDaLe Brewing Program taps into local beer culture

Sarah SpohnTuesday, April 26, 2022
Grand Rapids is known as Beer City, USA, with beer-related events and happenings year-round. With the KDaLe brewing competition and tap takeovers, the Kent District Library is putting the ‘pub’ in public library.
Feature Story Elizabeth Ferry, of Holland, rides her motorized wheelchair on the sidewalk along Howard Avenue in Holland Township.

Holland woman, and others with disabilities, faced enhanced challenges during COVID-19 pandemic

Kym ReinstadlerMonday, April 25, 2022
Even with masking and other precautions, Elizabeth Ferry said that she – like other people with disabilities she knows – lived in fear during the pandemic, afraid that her aides would quit, and she would be unable to replace them.
Feature Story Lori Hastings

Lori's Voice enriches lives of children with disabilities

Lori HastingsMonday, April 25, 2022
Lori's Voice is an all-volunteer nonprofit founded to help young people with disabilities. Founder Lori Hastings remembers what it was like growing up a neurological disorder. Now, she's making sure other challenged youth have what they need.
Feature Story carlos sanchez

Looking back on FSU program that is steadily creating & retaining Latino leaders in West Michigan

Matthew RussellMonday, April 25, 2022
The LEADeres program at Ferris State University has increased Latino representation at the school and continues to create new leaders and stakeholders throughout the West Michigan community.
Longform Diana Marin, Food Security Council member and supervising attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, at the Ypsilanti Farmers Marketplace.

Michigan Food Security Council releases recommendations to expand access to healthy, affordable food

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 21, 2022
1.9 million Michiganders experienced food insecurity during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leading Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to launch the council.
Feature Story Ender Hall is located GRCC's main campus at 45 E. Fulton St.

GRCC’s Ender Hall renovation earns national recognition for design

Shandra MartinezWednesday, April 20, 2022
Grand Rapids Community College’s renovation of the historic Steven C. Ender Hall in Grand Rapids into a new student space has earned national recognition for the architectural and engineering firm leading the project.
Development News X

New contest for small and emerging Michigan snack makers offers $50K in cash prizes and more

MJ GalbraithTuesday, April 19, 2022
“The growth of new small craft and niche snack food companies in Michigan is exciting,” says Duncan Smith, President and COO of All Star Services, Inc. “All Star Services is a growing small business and we want to help bring more focus to the growing segment of snack food companies in Michigan.”
Innovation News Dallas Lenear

Nonprofit seeks to inspire people to achieve their economic goals with upcoming conference

Allison Arnold, Innovation News EditorTuesday, April 19, 2022
Project GREEN, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, is working to dismantle barriers to achieving financial goals through its programming and annual Economic Empowerment Conference.
Development News Ron Yob

Legislative resolution pushes rightful recognition of Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians

Estelle Slootmaker, Development News EditorMonday, April 18, 2022
Michigan legislative resolution calls for federal recognition of Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians.
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