The beer industry is a significant part of economic vitality in West Michigan and the COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark. Industry entrepreneurs are doing their best to innovate amid the challenges, keeping customers coming in (or staying outside) and ordering online.

"The COVID pandemic has amplified the disparities that have existed for generations...the solution must be intentional, requiring sacrifice on the part of those who have benefitted from disparities. Long-term success will occur only when society is fundamentally changed; that is to say, when we defeat the addiction of American-styled racism." -Dr. Sullivan, 12-year board member of the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute.

The City of Grand Rapids has added six more 24/7 absentee ballot dropboxes across the city.

“You have to be able to take a step back and, at the core, understand what you’re trying to do and what you’re trying to accomplish with your career,” says Laura Hopson, president and CEO of EM Services, LLC. She continuously strives to find opportunities for everyone to thrive, particularly fellow minority- and women-owned businesses. She shares details about her decision to relocate the multi-million dollar company to Grand Rapids and her insights on the importance of diversity within the supply chain.

Medical professionals are certainly not immune to a widespread spike in mental health challenges, and several new initiatives have sought to provide them much-needed support.

For Autocam Precision Components Group, much has changed on the shop floor. From temperature checks to spacing precautions to masks, manufacturing has been transformed amid COVID-19.

“People care about and protect what they know about. And if they have access to it, then they know about it.”