Eight years after plans began, redevelopment of the former Kmart site in Battle Creek is moving forward with an 80-unit affordable and workforce housing development with an on-site childcare center, backed by tax credits, philanthropic support, and local partners.
Christine Terpening founded “I’ll Be Your Rock” in Vermontville to create supportive spaces for LGBTQ youth, and her organization is now expanding to rural communities across Michigan and beyond.
A new initiative in Battle Creek will provide rent-free housing and a pathway to homeownership for early childhood educators, aiming to boost compensation, stabilize the workforce, and address the financial challenges facing one of the lowest-paid professions.
In Battle Creek, Felicia Jaramillo opened DelectAble Treats and Sweets to create jobs for people with disabilities, inspired by her sons and her own recovery journey.
In 2022, Andrew Scibbe’ purchased Pastrami Joe’s Deli in Marshall. Two years later, he reopened a second location in downtown Battle Creek.
Battle Creek leaders launched a new Housing Fund to address a 3,000-unit shortage, aiming to build and rehabilitate 1,000 homes by 2035 to boost workforce growth and community stability.
Spanning generations from recent high school graduates to musicians with 70 years of experience, Kellogg Community College’s Concert Band brings together players in a community-driven performance shaped by flexibility, resilience, and a shared love of music.
The Southwestern Michigan Urban League has launched a new financial literacy initiative in Battle Creek and Calhoun County aimed at equipping underserved families — particularly People of Color — with the knowledge and tools needed to build wealth and achieve homeownership.
The Nottawaseppi Band of the Huron Potawatomi received a $900,000 federal grant to combat human trafficking in Indian Country through undercover operations, victim-centered interventions, and collaborative efforts with local law enforcement along Michigan's I-94 corridor.
Calhoun County is investing $3 million in foreclosure funds through a partnership with Independent Bank to generate down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible homebuyers, turning past foreclosures into new opportunities for homeownership.
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