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By Shandra Martinez

By Shandra Martinez's Latest Articles

Robyn Afrik is Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
How Diversity Forum aims to advance equity in Ottawa County

Robyn Afrik, Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, discusses the upcoming Diversity Forum on Oct. 20 and how to participate. The virtual event will focus on the role of government in advancing equity and addressing health inequities amid COVID-19.

Amanda Chocko is Lakeshore Advantage's Director of Entrepreneurship.
Lakeshore Advantage entrepreneurship director takes on international role

Amanda Chocko has been elected to a three-year term on the board of the International Business Innovation Association. The Lakeshore Advantage Director of Entrepreneurship said the appointment gives her a bird’s-eye view of incubators’ and entrepreneurship managers’ best practices.

Elizabeth Kidd is the Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area.
Foundation invests in community through stabilization fund grants

The Community Foundation of the Greater Holland/Zeeland Area has raised $1 million in a fund to invest in meeting needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants totaling $520,000 have been awarded to local agencies that serve vulnerable populations.

The new Village of Spring Lake logo emphasizes the community's natural beauty.
Village of Spring Lake rebrands to highlight area’s natural beauty

Officials say the refreshed image better symbolizes the area’s three distinguishing attributes and conveys its welcoming and relaxed vibe. Village leaders also endorsed a more action-oriented tagline.

An aerial view of the Zeeland Clean Water Plant
Zeeland Clean Water Plant receives worldwide honor for commitment to sustainability

The Zeeland Clean Water Plant is one of only 65 worldwide designated as a Utility of the Future Today. The recognition designates the utility as a leader in sustainability and its efforts to reduce wastewater.

The WOC Give leadership team (L to R): Simone Weithers, Rebekah Bakker, Arena Ellis, Yah-Hanna Jenkins Leys, Robyn Afrik, Lina Pierson with Lucia Rios in the front. Not pictured are Christine Mwangi, Yah-Sheba Jenkins, and Kim Koeman.
Women of Color Give ‘thrilled’ to launch first grant distribution

The diverse philanthropy collective kicks off its first give with nominations of organizations that serve BIPOC communities, followed by a detailed application process and a pitch session with WOC Give members.   

Holly Cole is the foundation's vice president of grants and program.
Foundation grants additional $625,000 for COVID-19 relief

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation was part of a community coalition that granted more than $900,000 this spring, and now they’ve aided the community relief and recovery response with an additional $625,000.

Rebekah Bakker was named the 2020 Young Professional of the Year by the Holland/Zeeland Young Professionals.
Young Professional of the Year praises group for opportunities

Rebekah Bakker was recently named the Young Professional of the Year by the Holland/Zeeland Young Professionals. She credits the group for unique experiential learning opportunities.

The Kruithoff family works on their Ottawa County farm, planting a test plot of different varieties of soybeans for a seed company.
Ottawa County program preserves farmland for future generations

Seeing farmland broken up to build houses saddens farmer Tim Kruithoff. The Ottawa County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program allowed him to permanently protect his 148 acres. 

Zeeland residents Jordan and Jill Emmick have signed on for Zeeland's first Good Neighbor Pledge.
Zeeland challenges residents to be great neighbors

City asks residents to take the Good Neighbor Pledge and pick up a pennant to display outside their homes. With the pandemic keeping many people inside, leaders decided there was no better time to join the national campaign and strengthen Zeeland’s "great neighborhoods."

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