Spring Lake may shed village status, become a city
An 11-member citizens committee has been charged with examining the feasibility of changing Spring Lake’s official status from village to city.
Grand Haven
Located on the sugar sand shores of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Grand River, Grand Haven is an active resort town and the epicenter of West Michigan's Water Wonderland. Grand Haven State Park is regularly rated one of the nation's top beaches. And the city features more than 100 miles of bike trail, 2 Great Lakes lighthouses, a busy waterfront boardwalk, and an extensive fleet of charter fishing boats. The city has felt the pain of Michigan's deindustrialization. But the community also is acting aggressively to reinvest in the urban core, leverage traditional assets such as a distinct quality of life, and position itself to compete in the 21st century. With the Big Lake on the front doorstep, it's hard to imagine anything but success.
Get the Power
Energy innovation promises to generate jobs, strengthen national security, sustain the environment, and stretch the value of taxpayer dollars, particularly in Michigan. All that's needed is leadership.
Living for the City
Urban policy guru Bruce Katz says reinvesting in cities is among the most important thing Great Lakes leaders can do to make their communities more competitive in the global knowledge economy. His think tank's latest report lays out a widely accepted path to 21st century prosperity.
West Michigan economy is best in state
Even with manufacturing losses and little gain in service related industries, West Michigan’s economy fares better on several fronts than the rest of the state and the nation.
Mayors endorse 15% renewable energy for municipalities by 2015
The Urban Core Mayors see the need for municipalities to transition to renewable energy sources now. By adopting an aggressive plan for that transition, the Mayors established a standard to be followed by individual cities in their efforts to implement energy conservation measures and buy renewable energy for use in municipal operations.
New AIA map highlights 52 West Michigan buildings
Outstanding architecture is an important facet of the artistic heritage of West Michigan, from traditional whitewashed wooden buildings to modern glass and steel structures. The American Institute of Architects has created a new map highlighting over four dozen architectural wonders on the state’s west coast.
