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.

Riddle Elementary students at their school garden.

How edible schoolyards in Lansing help feed the community

An afterschool gardening club at three Lansing-area elementary schools helps kids learn how food gets from their own school gardens to their table – and how to improve their community's overall food security.

Latest in Economic Development
The Blog: Finding new and old hobbies

Find out how bird watching and teaching literacy to first graders can ignite an old spark and lead to new pursuits.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center opens trails on limited basis

Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis as the Nature Center operates at limited capacity for the safety of all.

Tribal chairman will serve on statewide coronavirus task force on racial disparities

The voices of the state’s Native American population will be represented in the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities through a leader with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

Re-opening During the COVID-19 Pandemic Nine Requests
The Blog: Transforming a working model — Leading with relationships

Just as the Communities In Schools of Michigan partnership with Battle Creek Public Schools was building momentum COVIC-19 brought everything to a halt. This is how CIS has found ways to keep up with its mission at a time when relationships are all at a distance.

The Eat Well in a SNAP website.
Easy-to-access website helps Michigan families Eat Well in a SNAP

The Eat Well in a SNAP site aims to connect people with support and inspiration for seasonal meals and recipes, resources, and conversations about food. 

City of Kalamazoo parks to open for limited activities Wednesday, May 6

Kalamazoo City Parks reopen Wednesday, May 5. Park-goers are asked to continue to observe social distancing. 

The Blog: Applying the glue of life

A professional tells us good communication needs to start long before a crisis hits and continue long after.

The Blog: Holding on to a this too shall pass state of mind

Restaurateur Peecoon Allen of Battle Creek encourages us to be our own temples where good things live inside our hearts, in today's blog.   

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