Stories

Feature Story DU

Uniting people and community: How art, culture, and collaboration promote growth on South Division

The South Division corridor is a vibrant area made up of individuals and business owners with diverse backgrounds. The Division United project seeks to address community concerns and create a plan for improvement.

Feature Story Mantella

GVSU President Philomena Mantella on a year of accelerating initiatives and creativity amid crisis

Having spent over half of her tenure thus far leading a major university amid a global pandemic, Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella, Ph.D. is hard at work implementing and accelerating initiatives that she hopes will create lifelong learners through relationship-based teaching, whether this occurs remotely, or in small groups on campus.

Feature Story The Michigan National Guard is helping counties across Michigan with providing free COVID-19 testing.

Free COVID-19 testing available as cases surge

State and county health departments are offering free coronavirus testing as concerns rise about a second wave of cases in Michigan. Health officials consider testing — along with wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands — as essential to slowing the spread of the virus.

Feature Story  Macatawa Area Express (MAX Transit) has openings for 12 full- and part-time bus operators. The positions have a starting wage of $15.25. 

Dozens of employers will look for workers at upcoming Virtual Job Fair

As the economy begins to bounce back from COVID-19 shutdowns, more employers are hiring. West Michigan Works! has more than 50 employers lined up to connect with job seekers during its next Virtual Job Fair on Oct. 21.

Feature Story Cindy Brown

Published Together: Cindy Brown on why talent attraction takes all of us

"If we all work together to promote the region and welcome those newcomers into our community, West Michigan will continue to thrive," says Cindy Brown, Vice President of Talent Initiatives at The Right Place. In this special op ed, Brown makes the impassioned case for talent attraction and retention in our region.

Feature Story Julian Turley

Virtual series highlights, mines knowledge of underrepresented entrepreneurs

Hosted by Julian Turley, Entrepreneur in Residence at Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the Virtual Entrepreneur Series is focusing on underrepresented entrepreneurs from around West Michigan.

Partner Content Women at a WOW class offered by LAHC.

Nonprofit LAHC breaks barriers to physical activity for Dearborn residents

The nonprofit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities has spent decades providing a variety of services for Dearborn residents, most recently using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education funding to make physical activity more accessible to all.

Longform A salad bar in the cafeteria at 10 Cents a Meal grantee Boyne Falls Public School.

Michigan offers "10 Cents a Meal" for all schools to serve healthy, local food

The state recently reinstated and expanded the program, which aims to improve children's daily nutrition, build their healthy eating habits, and invest in Michigan's local food economy.

Development News Outlook

Inclusive Barber Shop and Salon changing hair industry culture

Outlook Barber Shop and Salon creates welcoming, eco-friendly space and services for all genders, ethnicities, hair styles, and hair types on Grand Rapids' West Side featuring gentle, local, and earth-friendly products that are all cruelty-free.

Feature Story KDL

Local organizations seek to bridge the digital divide in Kent County

To fill the gap for those in desperate need of internet access amid COVID-19, Kent County, Kent District Library, and the Kent County Essential Needs Task Force are each working on unique solutions for equal connectivity and access to vital information, services, and education.

Partner Content Bronson Wellness Center Health Educator Isabel Hinton shares healthy eating tips in a video from Online Learning in a SNAP.

Michigan SNAP-Ed YouTube channel delivers Online Learning in a SNAP

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Michigan Fitness Foundation launched a new YouTube-based learning platform that enlists statewide partners to produce short videos that inspire healthier living. 

Feature Story Just Goods Gifts recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new location.

Retailers find new home in Grand Haven’s refurbished Depot

Just Goods Gifts recently moved into the Grand Trunk railroad depot, which has been transformed into a retail center. Sales benefit the fair trade and social cause gift shop and the Momentum Center, its former home.

Feature Story Jeffrey Sorensen, the Rev. Jennifer Adams, and Sara Van Tongeren pose in the Holland City Council chambers during a meeting to discuss a civil rights ordinance Aug. 19.

After nondiscrimination ordinance passed, the time has come to heal, advocates say

Nearly 10 years after the Holland City Council shot down a nondiscrimination ordinance that would codify protections for LGBTQ people, the council voted 8-to-1 in August to approve an ordinance that bars discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services “on the basis of age, race, national origin, color, disability, education, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, height, marital status, religion, source of income or weight.”  

Feature Story George Barfield, Deanna Rollfs, and Angelica Colon will be the panelists for the first antiracism town hall event.

Racist attack on race/racism town hall leaves organizers shaken, resolved to continue

The Momentum Center's first town hall on race and racism was interrupted with just that — racism. Participants of the virtual town hall were accosted with rapid-fire shouting of the n-word and other racial slurs as well as graphic pornography.

Feature Story An eight-man team recently rode 369 miles in under 16 hours, crossing Michigan from south to north. In completing the course, the team set a new World Ultra Cycling cross state record.

8 cyclists, 1 Epic Ride, 1 new world record set in Michigan

An eight-man team recently rode 369 miles in under 16 hours, crossing Michigan from south to north. In completing the course, the team set a new World Ultra Cycling cross state record.

Feature Story Robyn Afrik is Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

How Diversity Forum aims to advance equity in Ottawa County

Robyn Afrik, Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, discusses the upcoming Diversity Forum on Oct. 20 and how to participate. The virtual event will focus on the role of government in advancing equity and addressing health inequities amid COVID-19.

Longform Jametta Lilly.

State task force leads the way on reducing Michigan's COVID-19 racial disparities

Black residents have borne a disproportionate share of Michigan's COVID-19 cases and deaths, but in recent weeks those disheartening numbers have begun to turn around.

Feature Story Joe Haveman speaks at a Ottawa County meeting.

Legislature’s automatic expungement vote is good for future of state, economy

Former State Rep. Joe Haveman shares why he is grateful that the Michigan Legislature finally passed laws allowing some felons to have their records expunged.

Longform Idlewild-Access-Pa

Michigan's 'Black Eden': A short history of Idlewild

The town of Idlewild was once known as "the Summer Apollo of Michigan." By the1950s, the community was so packed that it would draw 25,000 visitors in a given weekend. But then the Black Eden entered an era of decline.


Feature Story Jubilee Ministries Executive Director Steve Grose and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Don Wilkinson speak to a crowd before a ceremonial groundbreaking at Park Vista Place on East 40th Street in Holland.

Jubilee, Habitat break ground on mixed-income neighborhood

Work has begun on Park Vista Place, a joint project to create a mixed-income neighborhood. Organizers Jubilee Ministries and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity expect the first three homes to be move-in ready by early spring.