In honor of Rapid Growth’s 20th anniversary, Publisher Tommy Allen revisits stories from the archives, offering a fresh perspective through behind-the-scenes insights, analysis, and updates on how those topics have evolved.
In his 14th #RG20LookBack, Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2013 story on Herm Baker, whose journey from Vinyl Solution to Vertigo Music reflects resilient innovation shaping Grand Rapids’ music culture.
In his 13th #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth publisher Tommy Allen reflects on the 2022 story by Enrique Olmos, which serves as a reminder that the region’s music economy is about more than entertainment.
In his 12th #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth publisher Tommy Allen revisits the 2008 story, “A River Runs Through Green Grand Rapids,” which now reads like an early spark for everything unfolding along the Grand River today.
In his eleventh #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2014 story, “The Vegan Kitchen Takeover: Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill,” reflecting on how local restaurants can be spaces for connection and community.
For his tenth #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen revisits its 2007 “Atomic Object is People” story, tracing West Michigan’s thriving tech culture.
For his ninth #RG20LookBack, Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2013 story, written while he was Lifestyle Editor, about the Division Avenue Arts Collective’s eviction from Avenue for the Arts just days before its 10th anniversary.
For his eighth #RG20LookBack, Publisher Tommy Allen honors Women’s History Month by revisiting a 2018 series that not only celebrates women-owned businesses but also highlights how many entrepreneurs begin their education long before they ever step into a classroom.
For his seventh #RG20LookBack, Tommy Allen reflects on the lasting impact of his predecessor, Jeff Hill, who served as Rapid Growth publisher from 2008 to 2015.
For his sixth #RG20LookBack, Rapid Growth’s Tommy Allen revisits Monroe North’s transformation into a vibrant riverside neighborhood shaped by redevelopment.
For his fifth #RG20LookBack, Rapid Growth’s Tommy Allen reflects on thinking he understood DACA—until sudden federal changes forced him to learn faster, listen closer, and document how policy reshapes neighbors’ daily lives.
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