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.

Produce from the Youth Mentor Garden at Marquette Park in Wyoming, Mich.

Youth Mentor Gardens grow food, family, and community in Detroit and Grand Rapids area

At two Youth Mentor Gardens, participating teens and their families work together to plant, weed, water, mulch, and harvest produce.

Latest in Economic Development
Ariane Donnelly, Anne Davis, and Tanya Andrews at the Prescription for Health booth at the Pittsfield Township Farmers Market. Prescription for Health is Washtenaw County's produce prescription program.
Prescriptions for fresh produce grow in Michigan through collaboration and new funding

Efforts are underway to better coordinate efforts between produce prescription programs and to create more standardized funding mechanisms for them.

Regional Housing Partnerships addressing need for affordable housing

As part of the Region I Regional Housing Partnership, the Capital Area Housing Partnership and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission are tasked with developing local action plans to address the housing crisis. City and state government, neighborhood developers including Forsberg Real Estate, and area nonprofits are working together to address homelessness in greater Lansing and to attract residents to Eaton Rapids. 

KCAD grads Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez head up Common Object, which helps organizations take steps toward sustainability.
Take a journey into regenerative design with Common Object

KCAD grads Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez share their philosophy of regenerative design in their firm Common Object, which helps organizations take steps toward sustainability.

How KCAD student collaborations are building community

Since 2016, a group of graduate students in KCAD's Master of Architecture program have had an opportunity to offer a solution to an architecture issue in Grand Rapids. The projects have included designing a greenhouse, wayfinding project, and visioning new uses for a historic building. 

Students from the Wege High School Collaborative Studio tour Padnos Recycling.
Designing a better world: Wege High School Collaborative Studio builds skills and networks

The Wege High School Collaborative Studio is a summer program that gives West Michigan high school students hands-on experience in sustainable design and problem-solving. Applications for 2024 are open.

Elevate grants help small Michigan businesses level up

Although headquartered in Indiana, the FHLBank of Indianapolis provides access to grant programs and resources for small businesses throughout Michigan. The Elevate Grant aims to generate more economic opportunity for all, and helps small businesses like Mushroom House Tours in Charlevoix and The Poke Bowl in Flint to level up.  

Robert Sheehan  and colleague, Valerie Jamerson, take a look at the new Tool Kit.
Social Work Career Promotion Tool Kit shares benefits and pathways to rewarding careers

The toolkit is designed to enhance recruitment and promote social work career opportunities across the state. It includes sample language for websites, emails, and social media posts as well as recommended language for various professionals, including high school guidance counselors, college academic advisors, and behavioral health providers. There are also photographic materials for outreach usage.   

Hope Starts Here puts Detroit’s young children first

The Hope Starts Here initiative brings together a team of advocates and champions who are leading the charge for Detroit’s early childhood systems. A collaboration among The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, and a host of agencies, community based organizations, and most importantly, Detroit residents, Hope Starts Here formally launched in 2017.  

Dr. Tino Smith
Planned closure of overnight Battle Creek Shelter has local faith leader looking for solutions

After three years in operation, the Battle Creek Shelter is slated to close. Dr. Tino Smith of Kingdom Builders Worldwide, the current operator of the shelter, is seeking funding.

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