Community Development

Coverage of community groups bringing about changes, innovations, and solutions in their community.

Battle Creek architect makes a name for himself in historic preservation work

Randy Case will soon receive the American Institute of Architects Michigan 2022 Gold Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an architect in the State of Michigan.

Latest in Community Development
Over $10 million in rent and utility assistance goes to 4 percent of Calhoun County since March 2021

Calhoun County residents who need assistance with paying their rent or utilities are being encouraged to apply before a portal established for emergency rental and utility assistance closes in May.

Like others in Battle Creek, drop-in center’s consumers have mixed reactions to COVID vaccinations

At the daytime drop-in facility serving Calhoun County’s chronically homeless, those who visit the SHARE Center do not have to show proof of vaccination to receive services, but they do go through a temperature check upon entering the building and wear a mask when they’re inside.  

Kellogg Community College helps fill the growing healthcare shortage

As the pandemic challenged teaching models, board scores for KCC health care students have remained above 80, while there are schools in other states that have dipped down to 60. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the KCC staff. Find out the changes they have made to keep their students learning.

Northside Association in Kalamazoo sets plans to build houses and help residents buy them

The Northside Association for Community Development is working to build 21 new houses in the neighborhood and recently hosted the first in what will be a series of meetings to allow people to ask questions and learn what they need to know to buy one of the new houses.

As restaurants nationwide face staff shortages and closings, two Battle Creek enterprises expand

Two Battle Creek restaurant owners are moving ahead with plans to expand their businesses at a time when restaurants throughout the United States were closing because they could no longer afford to stay open.

WMU tells first step of how largest financial gift to public school will benefit students

The Bronco Promise is set to provide a tuition-free WMU education for up to five years for first-year students from Michigan families who earn $50,000 or less or who have $50,000 or less who have net assets. It's the first step WMU is making after it received a $550 million gift from anonymous donors earlier this year. 

Wanted: Dedicated, trustworthy leader for a tough but rewarding job in a neighborhood near you

The president of the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Association has died. The Executive Director of the Edison Neighborhood Association will retire this month. Two other core neighborhoods have executive directors who are planning their exits when major projects are finished. How will this transfer of leadership affect Kalamazoo's neighborhoods?

Building trust in people and partnerships have been keys for outgoing director of Kalamazoo’s Edison

There have been many accomplishments in the Edison Neighborhood over the past 21 years that Tammy Taylor has been Exective Director. But she says it has been the small things she and the association have done to help people that have meant the most to her.

You’re about to be hearing more from Calhoun County healthcare professionals on COVID-19 frontlines

Calhoun County physicians and nurses who continue to see firsthand the devastating effects of the virus on those who have it and their family members who have watched them die from it are going to be talking about it more than they have so far. 

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