Economic Development

Coverage of projects, big and small, and the people who create them, which promote the economic health of a community, including manufacturing, retail, office, and hospitality developments.

Steelcase is making an impact on a global scale, helping better the world through furthering work on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and driving social innovation from its headquarters in West Michigan.

Design as an ‘inescapable’ part of life in West Michigan and where you can find it

The world of design involves hard and soft skills, hands-on creativity and abstract vision. Here's how design is defined by the individuals who are doing the work in West Michigan.

Latest in Economic Development
Tina Swanton, Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA) executive director of community impact and strategic partnerships, and MiHIA CEO Heidi Tracy at Hidden Harvest and East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw.
Despite agricultural hub, Michigan’s Thumb has high food insecurity. Can collaboration change that?

The Michigan Health Improvement Alliance is taking a new approach to addressing food insecurity in the 14 heavily agricultural counties it serves in central and eastern Michigan.

Issue Media Group launches new publication ‘The Helm’’ serving Greater Sandusky Region

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online news platform – The Helm Sandusky. This publication will tell the stories of investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and individuals that are shaping the Greater Sandusky Ohio region.

Solar panels are part of the village's SMART Park.
Cassopolis: A village reimagined

A rural community in southwestern Michigan looks for a brighter future, tapping grants and other monies to revamp its downtown and add new amenities, including a beach, a pier and a skate park.

Monique French: Ready to work for change as Calhoun County’s newest commissioner

Pastor Monique French says she decided to run for public office because of her passion for the community and the hope she has for its transformation. She is now the new District 2 Calhoun County Commissioner.

Pickleball courts part of Marshall’s Recreation Plan

Marshall launches fundraising campaign to create a new community area that will include designated pickleball courts, to meet the demand for the fast-growing sport.   

Skills learned at Woman’s Co-op in Battle Creek lead to employment for women and men

The Women's Co-op of Battle Creek serves about 350 families annually. The network of members, women, and men fill needs for one another including childcare, food, and laundry.

Reducing medical debt church by church

RIP Medical Debt was established to pay off medical debt for millions of people in the United States and it has a goal to wipe out $4 million in Michigan medical debt by November.

Michigan produce at the lunch counter at George Long Elementary School in Grass Lake.
Major expansion coming for program that offers schools “10 Cents a Meal” to serve Michigan produce

The budget for the state of Michigan's 10 Cents a Meal has more than doubled each of the past two years, with $9.3 million available in the coming fiscal year to help schools purchase local fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Voices of Youth: Transportation, a photo story

From walking, to biking, to taking the bus the ways of getting around Kalamazoo are many. Here are some scenes from the street as seen by a Voices of Youth Program participant.

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