Stories

Feature Story Gwen Pionk

RapidChat: Gwen Pionk on sticking your neck out for your side hustle

Nearly 50 percent of millennials engage in some version of a side-hustle. The majority are making money off of landscaping and home repairs, but a select few fall into the "arts and crafts" category. This is where Gwen Pionk — owner and designer of Stillcraft Co. — found her niche with dip-dye and macramé art.

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Michigan hoophouse program benefits farmers, families, and markets

Low-tech by design, the simple hoophouse helps extend the farmer’s growing season. Learn how one Michigan program supports hoophouse farms so growers can stock markets, schools, and institutions with farm-fresh food year round.

Feature Story UIX Code

UIX: This is the 'engine of talent' building Grand Rapids' high tech/high growth future

A partnership between startup accelerator Seamless IoT and coding boot camps run by Grand Circus is funneling local talent into high tech/high growth positions. After a month of focused training, graduates are equipped to enter the tech workforce, with average starting salaries of around $52,000 a year.

Feature Story David Oppenhuizen

Como los propietarios de pequenas empresas pueden evitar situaciones temibles

Una encuesta del año 2018 realizada por “CB Insights” mostró que dos de las cinco principales razones por las cuales las nuevas empresas fracasan son la falta de capital y no tener el personal adecuado en el lugar necesario. Vea cómo tres proveedores de servicios locales buscan educar y apoyar a sus clientes a través de estas áreas.

Feature Story GROWlist

Research, risk, and a great accountant: How small business owners avoid scary situations

A 2018 survey conducted by CB Insights showed two of the top five reasons startup businesses fail are lack of capital and not having the right team in place. See how three local service providers seek to educate and support their clients in these arenas.

Feature Story KFB

Rapid Blog: Kids' Food Basket founder talks lessons in leadership and responding to a food crisis

During the recent snow storms, Kids' Food Basket, along with area partners and volunteers, were able to deliver 9,250 emergency meals over three days from 15 distribution sites. Founding CEO Bridget Clark Whitney discusses the desperate need for healthy, equitable food, especially in emergency situations. 

Feature Story Thailin Johnson

Local Rosa Parks Essay Contest winner encourages us to "Speak up!"

The City of Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission’s Rosa Parks Education Committee encourages students in grades 7 to 12 to write an essay about how to live out Mrs. Parks’ legacy by stepping outside of the bounds of their reality, taking risks, and shaping lives to make a difference.

Development News DNprin

GVSU aDMI's 3D printer brings brand new tech to the Medical Mile

Thanks to a half-million dollar Grand Rapids SmartZone grant, Grand Valley State University’s applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI) now houses groundbreaking 3D printing technology from Carbon Inc., a Silicon Valley-based digital 3D manufacturing company. The 3D printer will make it possible for student and faculty researchers, as well as medical and manufacturing professionals, to apply 3D print technology to medical device manufacturing.


Innovation News INvision

Vision To Learn launches first step toward free vision care for GRPS students


Feature Story George Bayard

Rapid Blog: GRAAMA founder explores African American history, blackface, and other stereotypes

Executive Director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA) explores the importance of Black History and the deplorable role of blackface.

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Good Michigan food: The ultimate Rx for good health

Michigan residents are learning about the strong connections between consuming healthful foods and better lifelong health. Programs in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and Detroit are working to increase access to farm fresh foods so everyone, from kids to seniors, can enjoy better health.

Feature Story The Hamtramck School Based Health Center.

As Michigan immigrants struggle to get healthcare, nonprofits fill the gaps

Understanding the healthcare system can be difficult for many who grew up in the United States speaking English. But for immigrants, challenges to receiving and understanding good care are exponentially greater.

Feature Story snow list

Snow Machines Inc. provides snow all across the globe

When the weather doesn't cooperate, Snow Machines Inc. is able to produce snow that looks and feels just like what comes from Mother Nature. We take a look into how this local, family-owned company makes snow all over the world.

Feature Story IMG market map

Rapid Growth and Issue Media Group join Michigan Press Association

IMG's membership will more than double the number of online-only news organizations accepted into the 150-year-old organization.

Feature Story Revolution Farms

Disrupting big agriculture means taking your crops indoors: West Mich. growers show us how

With new techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics — as well as carefully curated hoop houses — these futuristic farmers are closing the gap for fresh, home-grown, diverse produce and redefining farm-to-fork for a new generation.

Feature Story Yoga in the park in Dexter.

How Michigan's place-based initiatives are addressing health equity at a regional level

These initiatives forge private-public collaborations to create systemic improvements in health and wellness across multiple counties.

Feature Story Robert Barnes

RapidChat: Robert Barnes on the inspiring work of older adults and the community that supports them

Senior Neighbors helps older adults connect to local services. Not only that, but "Older adults are an important part of the fabric of our community, but outside the need to offer some of them assistance, they often go unrecognized," emphasizes President of Senior Neighbors, Robert Barnes — who established the annual "16 over 60 Awards Gala" to celebrate achievements and contributions later in life.

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Why a store on the corner doesn't always mean healthy food on the table

In Michigan cities, corner grocery stores don’t always increase access to healthy produce. In Detroit and Flint, some researchers are taking a closer look at customer service as a barrier to food access.

Development News Mary Brown

New SingularityU chapter fosters "Exponential Technologies for Good"

Lead by local futurist Mary Brown, Singularity University Grand Rapids Chapter joins 142 chapters in 66 world locations recognized as up-and-coming technology centers.The chapters focus on using exponential technologies for good.

Feature Story Borozcolist

Rapid Blog: Attorney Belinda Orozco's passion to serve unaccompanied migrant children

Belinda Orozco, Staff Attorney with Michigan Immigrant Rights Center’s Grand Rapids office, speaks about her own experience separated from her family while in custody of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.