Urban Innovation Exchange

UIX: Rich Bloem builds homes, hope, and connection

By partnering with Matt and Kristin Fowler and the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, Rich Bloem is building his passion for creating community one house at a time. Susan Julien Larimore reports on progress towards the goal of creating a "living building" in the Baxter neighborhood and a LEED-certified home for a veteran right here in Grand Rapids.

UIX: Rick DeVos shares how Start Garden is pruning its funding model to nurture sustainability

UIX checks in with Start Garden, the local venture capital fund, on how it's tweaking its funding model so it can keep growing new ideas. Writer Katie Jones interviews Start Garden founder Rick DeVos and finds a new focus on nurturing winning ideas is in the works.

What’s new at Springthrough? Glad you asked

UIX: Steve Faber and Gwen O’Brien lead on parks advocacy

A week before Grand Rapids will be asked to vote on an important parks millage, UIX catches up with Steve Faber and Gwen O'Brien, two Grand Rapidians who are using their talents to advance a cause that's dear to their hearts.

UIX: Scott VanderStelt leads Team Troll in hitting the dirt for Parkinson’s cure

UIX Grand Rapids catches up with local mountain biker Scott VanderStelt, who leads Team Troll in hitting the dirt for dollars to fund Parkinson's disease research.

UIX: Will Payne uses designer duds, does social good at Style53

Will Payne is taking men's designer consignment to the next level at Style 53. UIX writer Kevin Lignell reports on how the start-up is dressing West Michigan men while benefitting local nonprofits in the process.

UIX: Tyler Nickerson nurtures a lifelong passion for public policy

There are some who enjoy life by following the golden rule, and then there’s Tyler Nickerson, who strengthens others quite a bit more than he expects in return. UIX Project Editor Matthew Russell finds out what makes him tick.

UIX: Jenny Bongiorno gets her hands dirty with OurFreshLocal

Jenny Bongiorno combines the convenience of a neighborhood supermarket with the nutrution of a garden at OurFreshLocal. UIX Project Editor Matthew Russell catches up with her to hear about this uber-local farm-to-kitchen-table project right here in Grand Rapids.

Rapid Growth introduces new sister site, UIX Grand Rapids

The new Urban Innovation Exchange section will highlight the people and projects in West Michigan that truly spark social innovation with weekly features in addition to Rapid Growth Media's current coverage.