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.

Students at Flint's Brownell STEM Academy participate in MI Apple Crunch Day.

Genesee County organizations collaborate to create healthy local places

Genesee Intermediate School District and Crim Fitness Foundation are encouraging Genesee County residents to eat healthy and move more, while also addressing barriers to make healthy choices more accessible to county residents. 

Latest in Economic Development
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.

KISD Nutrition Educator Amy Klinkoski at the Kentwood Farmers Market at the Kent District Library's Kentwood branch.
Collaboration with libraries extends Kent ISD’s SNAP-Ed reach

Kent District Library patrons can now nourish their minds and their bodies at the library, thanks to a unique collaboration with the Kent Intermediate School District and Kentwood Farmers Market.

Dr. Sheila Marcus.
Michigan docs tackle youth mental health crisis with on-demand psychiatric support from U-M program

Michigan Child Collaborative Care helps primary care providers address their young patients' mental health by offering same-day phone consultations with psychiatrists, among other services.

With COVID cases peaking, Michigan seeks solutions to health care worker shortage

Michigan health care leaders are advocating for investments to support staffing needs in hospitals, nursing facilities, emergency medical services, and workforce training programs.

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. 

Dr. Susan Goold and Dr. Renuka Tipirneni have been working on the University of Michigan's evaluation of Michigan's Medicaid expansion.
Michigan’s Medicaid expansion leads to lower uninsured rates, improved health, and cost savings

The state is looking back to examine how the 2014 introduction of the Healthy Michigan Plan has improved health for Michigan residents who otherwise could not afford health insurance.

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?

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Milestone Senior Services
Consumers Energy

Don't miss out!

Everything Southwest Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.