Ottawa County

Vaccination effort spurs massive collaboration between Kent County and local health care providers

The Kent County Health Department and local health care providers are collaborating on what may be the biggest inter-organizational vaccination effort in Michigan’s history.

Puertas Abiertas helps Latinx abuse victims find safety

Puertas Abiertas, a West Michigan community-based program, offers cultural specific services to victims of any type of abuse — domestic abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking, providing a safe place where they can find all of the resources they need to have a better life.

Bills will help B-corps do more good

A comprehensive four-bill package introduced on October 14 will allow legal recognition of certified benefit corporations (B-corps) in Michigan. B-corps balance purpose and profit by considering their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment as well as financial success.

BruceMichael Wilson aims to shift the narrative for Black farmers

BruceMichael Wilson, owner of Groundswell Farm in Zeeland, has as his next endeavor, Dunyun, an enterprise that will train Black youth to be the farmers of a more equitable future.

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."

Downtown Holland launched its outdoor expansion program in June, allowing shops and restaurants to expand their operations onto the sidewalks and parking spaces. 
Downtown Holland extends popular outdoor expansion program

The successful program that allows shops and restaurants to conduct their operations outside was set to expire Sept. 7. However, the Holland City Council has voted to extend the arrangement, developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, through Dec. 1.

Crop dusting planes maneuver to avoid electric lines, irrigation towers, woods and more when working. (Photo by Bev Berens)
More farmers are using cover crops to keep pollutants out of lakes and streams

A cover crop “blanket” helps hold soil and contaminants like phosphorus in fields, reducing runoff into Lakeshore waterways. It also builds organic matter and nutrients, improving soil health.  

Kevin Foster started Capital for Compassion in 2004.
Capital for Compassion works to enable homeless to ‘live a more gracious life’

Capital for Compassion comes alongside Lakeshore nonprofits as they strive to provide affordable housing and shelter for the homeless. The Holland company wades through complex funding regulations to ensure they have the resources to carry out that mission.  

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