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.

Sweet Success: Papa’s Brittle driven by owner’s desire to invest in her community

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Economic Development
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August 6, 2025

In the summer of 2021, the Rev. Doreen Gardner began making her large batches of brittle in the commercial kitchen space at the small business incubator Can-Do Kalamazoo. Papa’s Brittle went on to win the national NAACP’s Black Entrepreneur Award, which came with a $25,000 award and mentorship from an investor on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank. Now they operate from a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen on Stadium Drive.

Latest in Economic Development
Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office.
Attacks on immigrant families and what that means for early education
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Economic Development
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August 5, 2025

Community-based organizations report that approximately 15% of students  withdrew from preschool programs within weeks due to immigration enforcement activity. Advocates and policy researchers attribute these shifts to the growing climate of fear among immigrant families in Michigan.

Julie Molenda
SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers
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Community Development
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July 29, 2025

The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.  

Over 200 people attended a recent Town Hall in Kalamazoo with U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Voices of Youth: U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed sees politics as public service
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Economic Development
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July 23, 2025

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed recently hosted a Town Hall in Kalamazoo. Braylon Youker of Voices of Youth attended the event and spoke with El-Sayed about his vision — a bold and comprehensive plan that weaves together public health policy, climate action, and a push for Medicaid for All.

Jonathan Yarbrough
Back to build bridges: Yarbrough brings homegrown vision to Northside leadership
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Community Development
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June 26, 2025

Northside native Jonathan Yarbrough has been named executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development. Seen as a "connector, bridge-builder, and advocate," he plans to "move the needle" on the neighborhood’s legacy while driving community-focused growth.

Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan
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Community Development
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June 18, 2025

Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 

All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.
Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges
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Economic Development
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June 17, 2025

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

‘That was really big for us,’ How United Way’s mini-grants support small businesses
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Economic Development
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May 29, 2025

As the product line for Samson's Barbershop grows, a Kalamazoo Enterprise Grant has helped them keep up with the equipment they need to producing the hair care products their customers are raving about.

The Kalamazoo City parks that kids like the best – and least
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Economic Development
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May 21, 2025

Studies show children who had access to parks were less likely to suffer from obesity, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Merze Tate Explorers set out to find out what to expect when visiting Kalamazoo City Parks. And they ranked  their favorites. 

Kat Layton
Library social worker connects patrons with resources and a listening ear
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Economic Development
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May 20, 2025

Ypsilanti District Library’s social worker bridges the gap between patrons and local resources they need — everything from housing support to simply listening without judgment.   

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