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.

Grant for $1 million will improve science education

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May 27, 2010

Prospective science teachers soon will get a chance to work in the laboratory next to scientists and in turn pass what they learn on to their students.A $1 million grant to Western Michigan University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will help teachers learn how to translate science into practical experiences for their future students. The four-year award to WMU will focus on identifying and working with high school science teachers who are trained first as scientists and will then learn how to turn their own research experiences into practical tools that can help them convey scientific principals to their students."We're out to create scientists who choose the profession of teaching," says Dr. Susan Stapleton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of chemistry and biological sciences at the University.Beginning this fall, WMU will recruit a group of 15 students who are interested in teaching high school science, chemistry, physics or biology. Those 15 students will spend the summer of 2011 working in a campus research lab, building their own scientific skills and credentials. During the following academic year, they will take a newly-developed course aimed at helping them translate their laboratory experience into practical tools. In summer 2012, they will use those new teaching tools in a summer science camp WMU offers annually for middle school students. A new group of students will be recruited in each of the four years of the project, so as many as 60 prospective science teachers will be part of the initiative."We hope that these programs will shape the way students look at the world," says Howard Hughes Medical Institute President Robert Tjian, "whether those students ultimately choose to pursue a career in science or not." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU

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Studio 246 invites fans and new friends to support theater

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Economic Development

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May 27, 2010

Some theaters invite patrons to fundraisers with champaign and chocolate covered strawberries. Kalamazoo's newest theater plans a tailgate party. The party, June 6 at 4 p.m., is part of four days of shows Studio 246 has planned raise money for needed renovations and improvements to the space. The weekend also is a celebration of the completion of the first season at Studio 246. To mark the event, Crawlspace Theatre Productions, Kinetic Affect and Fancy Pants Theater plan a series of shows titled Fancy Affection in the Crawlspace.On the first weekend in June, the theater troupes will fill the studio space with spoken word poetry, original theater works, improv and sketch comedy. Performances will include some favorite work from this past season, along with pieces getting their debuts. The actors hope to raise at least $5,000 over the four days of events for such projects as a highly visible mural that patrons of events in the Arcadia Festival Site will notice, new signage out front, improvements to the lobby and air conditioning that will allow the space to be used during the summer."Studio 246 is not satisfied with being Kalamazoo's best kept secret," says Dann Sytsma, Artistic Director for Crawlspace Theatre Productions. "We're aiming to enhance the aesthetics of Kalamazoo by improving our facility. Studio 246 is a storefront theater, and our storefront needs some attention. The leadership of Studio 246 wants to enhance the North end of the Kalamazoo Walking Mall with proper signage, an enhanced building front that exclaims 'the arts are growing in Kalamazoo.'"The studio at 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall has chosen to be "the theater for those seeking less traditional expressions of art," Sytsma continues. "Spoken word poetry, non-traditional plays, homegrown comedy, are just three examples of what you'll see in this space. Studio 246 celebrates the performing arts in its rawest form. It is not so much a theater as it is an incubator of ideas." For showtimes and ticket information visit the Crawlspace Productions Web site.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Dann Sytsma, Crawlspace Eviction Productions

Used medical equipment helps creatures far and near, great and small

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Economic Development

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May 27, 2010

Equipment that has outlived its usefulness at Battle Creek Health Systems sometimes is sent abroad. Donations have gone to medical missions in the Caribbean and the Philippines. Other times it goes no further than Binder Park Zoo. BCHS gladly obliged when a local request came from the zoo asking if the hospital might have some specialized equipment that it might be able to use in its veterinary clinic. Dr. Chris Tabaka, staff veterinarian at Binder Park Zoo recently performed a "spring teeth cleaning" for one of the zoo's snow leopards. He worked under a special light that was donated to the zoo by Battle Creek Health System. One piece of equipment donated has been a pulse oximeter, a medical device that indirectly measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood and changes in blood volume in the skin. The hospital also has given the zoo a surgical light, x-ray viewbox, and surgical instruments and trays. "Even though our medical staff does not treat animals, it does not mean that the hospital cannot be supportive with medical equipment for the zoo," says Tammy Clinger, BCHS director of materials management. "We had a number of medical devices that had outgrown our use, so what better way of extending their lives than to help our local zoo residents." Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations -- Trinity Health and BCHS Community Partners -- promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Peter Phelps, Battle Creek Health Systems

Growing gardens from the ground up

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

A grass-roots effort supported by the Battle Creek Community Foundation is growing not only vegetables, but neighborhood leaders and a sense of community all at once.The program grew out of a forum in January in which 80 people turned out to brainstorm ideas for getting neighborhood gardens planted.From that discussion has grown a network of community gardeners, a plan to donate surplus produce to local food banks, and a way to address the need for fruit and vegetables in parts of the city where healthy food has not been available -- sometimes called food deserts. Today there are 14 SPROUT Urban Farms, gardens ranging in size from 300 square feet to a single acre, across the city. "We focused on a grass roots strategy, asking people who wanted to participate," says Jeremy Andrews, of the Battle Creek Community Foundation. "We put it on Facebook and it took off."The Battle Creek Foundation has made neighborhood grants available for tools, soil, seeds and seedlings. By the first week of June the plots should be tilled and planted.At harvest time a crop swap and at least one harvest dinner is planned. The urban farmers are developing business ideas that could build the local economy as well, Andrews says. Funding for the program has been provided by the Penny Kelly Center for Sustainable Consciousness. Partnerships have developed with Battle Creek Unlmited, the W.K.Kellogg Foundation, Leila Arboretum, Neighborhoods INC., various neighborhood associations, the County Land Bank, City of Battle Creek, the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative and the homeless ministry the Haven.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jeremy Andrews, Battle Creek Foundation

A prosthetic limb that doesn’t look like a prosthetic

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

Paul Rothchild is changing the tradition that says prosthetics need only be functional. He's making them beautiful, too.The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Rothchild believes the future for prosthetics is wide open to innovations that will create affordable, durable and comfortable pieces that look real."What I'm trying to do is change that whole conversation in the industry," Rothchild said in the story. "This isn't just for looks."As he tries to market his work, however, the young entrepreneur is fighting other prosthetists who believe the types pf prosthetics he makes don't work and he's bucking the notion that creating them is too difficult.He's also up against insurance companies that do not pay for cosmetic upgrades, only functional prosthetics. Rothchild said his products offer both, but convincing insurance companies of that can be a battle.The 28-year-old medical artist's dream is to have a one-stop shop for patients in which they can learn all the options and make the best choice for them. Alex Karsten said she not only supports Rothchild's efforts, but is grateful that he chose to start his business in Southwest Michigan, where he fitted her with a lifelike foot in time for her wedding day.Excerpt:Karsten stepped into the foot, pulled on a pair of sandals and strode confidently across the room. Only a faint seam between the silicone rubber and her ankle bone betrayed that it was fake."I look at this and I think, 'What's going to happen in the next 20 years?'" she said.Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

InterAct to be under one roof in $1.95 million downtown Kalamazoo project

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

By the first of next year a longtime downtown Kalamazoo community services center could be in a new home.InterAct of Michigan, now working out of three locations downtown, will be leasing a newly constructed headquarters built by The Hinman Company. Ground recently was broken for two-story, 24,000-square-foot building at 610 S. Burdick Street that is expected to cost $1.95 million to build. The building also is LEED Certified."We're extremely excited that this building will give us a barrier free, safer, more efficient opportunity to serve people," says Claudia Wink-Basing, InterAct Executive Director. "We're grateful for this opportunity."The new building, which had been in the conceptual stages for about four years, will allow the agency to bring its 110 employees under one roof. There's also room for expanding the agency's staff by 10.Last year InterAct provided services to more than 1,300 people with mental illness, physical and developmental disorders or both. InterAct has been a tenant of The Hinman Company for 19 years.Due to their long term relationship and support of InterAct of Michigan's mission, The Hinman Company partnered with InterAct to make the project a reality, says Andy Wenzel, Director of Development for The Hinman Company.Incentives from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of the City of Kalamazoo and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Brownfield Redevelopment MBT Credit also helped bring about the project."We are excited about the opportunities this project will bring to InterAct of Michigan, to the downtown Kalamazoo area," Wenzel says, "and to the citizens that depend on InterAct's services to better their lives."Writer: Kathy JenningsSources: Claudia Wink-Basing, InterAct of Michigan, Andy Wenzel, The Hinman Company

Apartments spur redevelopment in Washington Square

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

Redevelopment has been slow in coming to the Washington Square district of Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood. But now it's happening, thanks to Roger Schmidt and his partners at TCS Properties LLC. The group acquired the property at 1336-1348 Portage Street two years ago for about $240,000. After extensive renovations they are now offering apartments for lease there. Schmidt said five of the 16 apartments on the second and third floors of the property are leased.The tenants thus far are professional people who work downtown and want easy access to it.Excerpt:The renovation work has included modernizing the building with new plumbing and electrical work, opening up interior areas, reconfiguring spaces and ameliorating damage from a fire that ravaged part of the interior of the structure after the acquisition, about 18 months ago."Eight of the 16 apartments are done and we will be getting a certificate of occupancy in a week or two," Schmidt said.Apartments in the location range in size from 600 square feet to about 800 square feet and will lease for about $500 per month. TCS will look to renovate commercial space on the ground floor of the building, which already has two tenants.The city of Kalamazoo, business leaders, economic-development officials and neighborhood groups continue to look for resources and ways to revive the area, particularly the now-vacant, one-acre lot that used to be the site of Deja Vu. It is directly across Portage Street from Schmidt's property.To learn Schmidt's vision for the neighborhood, read the entire story.Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Allegan hospital will spend $300,000 on expansion

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

Community residents and the Perrigo Foundation are teaming up to help a local hospital become bigger and better. More specifically, Allegan General Hospital will be expanding its infusion center, where treatments are administered into a patient's vein using tubing.Chemotherapy treatments, immune system medications, steroids, iron, antibiotics, blood count stimulants and other medications, as ordered by a physician, are some of the treatments offered.The center will serve cancer patients and patients with anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, colitis, and other diseases requiring transfusions and IVs.Other features are private treatment areas with heated, massaging rocker-recliner chairs for patients and TVs, music systems and headphones for each patient. DVD players and laptop computers with wireless Internet access also will be available. A waiting area with more space for families and friends, and a patient education center are part of the plans.The infusion center renovation and expansion is funded with $200,000 from the Perrigo Foundation and $100,000 from the Allegan community. In July 2009, the Perrigo Foundation made an initial donation of $100,000 to the hospital and challenged the community to raise a sum that the company would then match. Community donations totaled $100,000, allowing the hospital to receive the full amount of the challenge grant from the Perrigo Foundation. "To reach the $300,000 mark in our fundraising efforts is a tremendous achievement, allowing us to move forward with the renovation and expansion of the infusion center," says Gerald Barbini, president of Allegan General Hospital. Allegan General Hospital is a 25-bed community hospital governed by an 11-member board of trustees. Perrigo is the world's largest manufacturer of OTC pharmaceutical products for the store brand market. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Gerald Barbini, Allegan General Hospital

Sunshine provides power for RVers, retailers

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

The strong winds that often rock Michigan's shorelines and the beating sun are creating energy in Southwest Michigan. And that's creating opportunity for local retailers. "In the upper Midwest, solar business is really starting to pick up," says Jay Quickel, category team leader for general merchandise for Harbor Freight, in Kalamazoo. "We have entry level panels that can power up to 10 hours." For Brian and Leslie Pitts of Vicksburg, "10 hours of electric" is music to their ears. Last summer, they purchased a single solar panel that connects to their deep cycle RV/Marine battery. "It allows us to run our RV without being plugged into electricity," says Leslie. "All functions of our RV can be run as long as the battery stays charged, and it stays charged pretty much indefinitely as long as it's sunny." The Pitt's found out about the solar option from another well-traveled RV couple who had been using their own for years to power their RV. "The panel is about 18 inches by 36 inches and has what looks like jumper cables extending from it," adds Leslie. "It fits nicely against the front of the RV and is small enough so it's easy to tuck away during traveling. Plus, it enables us to travel to more rustic areas while maintaining certain levels of comfort that we like when RVing." Quickel says Harbor Freight is "pleased to provide alternative-power options and many of our products are highly mobile."Currently, Harbor Freight also offers a solar panel that rolls up like a mat for easier transportation.Writer: Stacie CarlsonSources: Jay Quickel, Harbor Freight, and Leslie and Brian Pitts

Borgess again named one of 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For

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Economic Development

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May 20, 2010

A familiar name is among companies recently recognized by Michigan Business & Professional Association for having exemplary practices in human resources.For the seventh consecutive year, Borgess Health was named one of the 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For by the MBPA and was among those honored at a celebration at The Pinnacle Center, Hudsonville, Mich., marking the accomplishments of the 101 leading businesses. Those recognized are companies that work with "imagination and conviction to create organizational value and business results through their policies and best practices in human resource management," says the MBPA."This award reflects the professionalism and dedication of Borgess nurses, physicians, therapists and all members of the healthcare team who provide and support high quality patient care," says Paul Spaude, President & CEO, Borgess Health.To get that recognition, companies provide information about their practices and an independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in the areas of communication, community initiatives, compensation and benefits, diversity and multiculturalism, employee education and development, employee engagement and commitment, recognition and retention, recruitment and selection and work-life balance. "The honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work," said Jennifer Kluge, MBPA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Borgess Health includes more than 130 sites of care in 15 southern Michigan cities, as well as eight owned or affiliated hospitals, a nursing home, ambulatory care facilities, home health care, physician practices, managed care services, a cancer center and an air ambulance service. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Paul Spaude, President & CEO, Borgess Health