Stories

Development News The ground floor GFS.

Diamond Place pledges affordable housing and food security on Michigan Street Corridor

Diamond Place includes 165 one-and two-bedroom apartments. The combination of income-restricted housing and its ground-floor grocery store resulted in Michigan Good Food Fund funding for the project. 

Innovation News INlakeshore

Recognizing Muskegon's bright, entrepreneurial future


Feature Story Sara Gould and Stacey Tilton with the Veggie Mobile.

Michigan programs get creative in addressing transportation barriers to good health

Lack of access to good transportation options continues to be a barrier to health equity for many Michigan residents. A patchwork of organizations around the state are working to resolve this challenging issue.

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How three Michigan groups use food to connect to culture

From Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit, Michigan organizations and activists are tapping into the value of community gardens, culturally relevant dishes and local resources to build community.

Feature Story Food Preview

New year, new food: 10 restaurants, cafes, & bars you'll be digging into in 2019

2019 brings an entirely new batch of restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and tasting rooms to douse your pallet with new flavors and your Instagram with new pics. Here’s where you’ll be eating in Grand Rapids this year.

Feature Story Lauren Carlson

Welcome back from Rapid Growth: A message for 2019

Publisher Tommy Allen and Managing Editor Lauren Fay Carlson welcome you back with their thoughts for 2019.

Development News DN Economic Forecast

Michigan's corporate construction continues to grow into 2019

The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Western Michigan Chapter (ABC WMC) presented its 2019 Construction Economic Forecast events on Tuesday, December 4. ABC’s national chief economist, Anirban Basu, spoke to more than 400 commercial construction professionals and community stakeholders in Kalamazoo and Hudsonville.

Innovation News IN Wege Prize

Students address "wicked" problems in Wege Prize competition


Feature Story Children and seniors share spaces and activities at the Bethlehem Intergenerational Center.

Uniting children and the elderly: Intergenerational centers create magic one interaction at a time

Though it is not typical to see both the elderly and infants engaging with one another, intergenerational programs have found a way to bring them together and add value for both sides. Three local programs and a participant share their insights on the value of these programs and the positive impact they can have.

Feature Story Volunteer

Local nonprofits need you: How volunteers fuel the day-to-day missions of area charities

2.3 million Michiganders volunteered last year, contributing $4.4 billion in economic value. In West Michigan, local nonprofits rely on volunteers for their day-to-day operations.

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Michigan's pantries and small farms sow seeds of health equity

Designed to help feed people in times of need, the community food pantry has instead contributed to illness. Now, some Michigan organizations are reworking the charitable food model to provide access to healthful farm-grown foods instead.

Development News DN bicycle

Grand Rapids initiatives seek to keep cyclists safe

As Michigan’s first municipality to implement Vision Zero strategies, the City of Grand Rapids saw bicycle crashes involving motorists drop to a 10-year low and vehicle-pedestrian collisions drop to a three-year low.

Innovation News Frey Foundation

The $150k Frey Foundation grant addresses the grey area of poverty


Feature Story Covenant House

Nonprofit works to stem trafficking of homeless youth with stable residency program

With its new $3.5 million Grand Rapids location, nonprofit Covenant House will provide “no barrier” access to education, healthcare, transportation, employment, and safe permanent housing for area youth.

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Connecting customers with local farm fresh food is the job of the Michigan food hub

In Michigan, food hubs increase consumer access to fresh produce, and help farmers build a sustainable business model. While they all have similar goals, no two food hubs are alike. We found out why.


Feature Story Relocation

Is it jobs or the lakeshore driving professionals to GR? Recent relocatees share their stories

With low unemployment and an increasing number of jobs, Grand Rapids has a lot to offer relocating professionals. RG explores why professionals from across the country are making the move.

Feature Story UIX Culture

UIX: Finding work in West Michigan with new tools and guidance

New technology offered by private and non-profit organizations in West Michigan is guiding job seekers to their career goals, helping returning citizens get back into the workforce, and even helping new Americans thrive in their communities.

Feature Story JBZ Neighborhood

Neighborhoods of GR: John Ball Park in photos

The John Ball Park neighborhood is one of the more unusual neighborhoods in GR because almost half is comprised of green spaces. Explore the neighborhood in this photo essay by Adam Bird.

Development News gettinfresh

Gettin' Fresh Events gets more bang for the truck

Gettin' Fresh Events on 2844 Eastern Ave SW accommodates up to 50 guests in a remodeled space that's great for entrepreneurs, artists, pop-up shops, photographers, parties, small concerts, and classes.  

Feature Story RblogCropped

RapidChat: Wendy Sellers discusses the upcoming federal budget's effect on sex education

Should the proposed federal budget pass this month, the Michigan Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which helps reduce at risk behaviors that result without sex education, wouldn't receive any additional funding. Rapid Chat sits down with Sellers, President of Health 4 Hire, to discuss this vital issue.