2019 marked Andy J. Egan Co.’s 100th year in business. The mechanical contractor and fabricator serves West Michigan construction managers and builders with engineering, fabrication, mechanical insulation, controls, and 24/7 service. To celebrate the centennial, the company embarked on a year-long $100k Community Giveaway, giving $10,000 to 10 West Michigan nonprofits, one each month from February through November 2019.

Out of his own personal desire to connect with fellow sneakerheads around town, Alec Arambula organized Kicks & Koffee — which operates as a platform for like-minded individuals to connect over an un-intimidating cup of joe. So whether you drink coffee or not, this young entrepreneur and coffee aficionado is encouraging people of all walks of life to come together, share their stories, and most importantly, 'lace up and smell the coffee.'

Startup Grind Grand Rapids' mission is to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs via monthly events that feature fireside chats featuring local CEOs, founders, leaders, and influencers. At the launch they welcomed Bloombright's Cara Debbaudt.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts believes that art should be accessible to everyone living, working, and playing in Grand Rapids; and through its partnership with Museums for All, offers EBT card-carrying visitors access to its galleries year round for just $1.

The holidays are here and the sales never end. Before you start checking off your list, though, three business owners explain how shopping local recirculates back into the community, provides more opportunities for businesses and nearby neighborhoods, and helps promote entrepreneurship.

For the past 28 years, the Grand Rapids Chinese Language School (GRCLS) has provided opportunity for families of Chinese descent to learn about and celebrate their heritage. The school has also served as a beacon of diversity and inclusion throughout West Michigan.

Information about vaccines is prevalent and varies widely. To combat misinformation, many groups in the state of Michigan have doubled down on their efforts to collate, disseminate, and constantly update credible, scientific information on immunization.