The Rapid worker honored for her ‘gold standard of customer service’
As a customer experience specialist for The Rapid, Kristie Azzoli has built a reputation for ‘going above and beyond’ to help passengers.
Center City
A frontier fur-trading town that continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and can-do spirit, the Center City district of Grand Rapids is the financial and cultural anchor of Michigan's West Coast. Rising on the eastern shore of the Grand River, Center City features numerous attractions. The Civic Theatre is Michigan's oldest community theatre. The GRAM holds more than 5,000 works in its permanent collection. The Monroe Center walking mall offers a wide selection of coffee houses, restaurants, and boutique shops. Rosa Parks Circle, the district's public park and amphitheatre, hosts weekly blues concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Another unique highlight is La Grande Vitesse, a large outdoor sculpture at the center of government square, which is distinguished as America's first publicly-funded art installation. The district's major festivals include a three-day arts celebration in June, as well as distinct Polish, Irish, Italian, Native American, Latino, Mexican, German, and African American celebrations of cultural heritage throughout the summer. Incorporated as a city in 1850 with a population of 2,686, Center City now is the heart of Michigan's second largest city. Once known as the Furniture Capitol of the World, this also is the epicenter of Grand Rapids effort to redefine its identity as a leader of modern medical research and sustainable design.
Small businesses have huge resource in local library, chamber, and partnering organizations
It can be costly to run a small business, but the amount of resources that the Kent District Library and its partners, including the Grand Rapids Chamber, and Kent Intermediate School District are invaluable. Entrepreneurs and small businesses have a large resource with access to technology, tools, data, and training.
Library and museum help residents research family trees, learn local history
Looking to dig deeper into your family tree or learn more about what your neighborhood looked like in yesteryear? Local libraries, museums and societies open the doors to their history archives and genealogy tools, which can help residents discover or rediscover interesting artifacts.
Encouraging connection and the hope of open hearts for National Adoption Month and beyond
In honor of National Adoption Month, Grand Rapids resident Liz Brown has launched her first book, “The ABCs of Adoption.” Highlighting her story as an adoptee, her book seeks to showcase adoption from a different perspective and remind others that though their journey may be different, they are not alone on the path.
Unique library location proves beneficial for public and students
A public library inside a high school?! Absolutely. Kent District Library's Kelloggsville branch serves a dual purpose as Kelloggsville High School attend classes and check out materials during the day and the public attends programs and discovers hard-to-find titles on the shelves when school is out.
Expanding reach and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through Tech Week
Tech Week is in full swing and provides opportunities for education, entertainment and networking in Grand Rapids and throughout the region.
Further transforming data into human-centered strategies through a company acquisition
Furthering the greater Grand Rapids region’s placement as a technology hub, LaFleur One announced it will acquire Chicago-based market research firm Orchard Insights. Orchard Insights will be a sister company to LaFleur Marketing and provide market research capabilities that can benefit companies of all sizes, continuing to highlight the value of data and tech.
Advocating for libraries and strengthening communities
Nearly 440,000 area residents have benefited from the materials, resources and programming at the Kent District Library. Now community members have a chance to help increase that number by attending or sponsoring KDL’s annual literacy program fundraiser, the Literacy Libations Gala.
Sharing insights and exploring nature: Creating an experience along the Grand River
Hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Library, the Grand River Walk presented community members with a guided experience, highlighting the habitat, conversation, wildlife and more. The event provided exposure to the outdoors, art, entertainment and education.
Nourishing healthy minds and bodies through collaboration and beyond
Leveraging 15 branches and its Bookmobile, Kent District Library seeks to engage with the community by increasing convenience and accessibility through a partnership with Feeding America of West Michigan and beyond.
