Features

Development News three-thirteen

City of Detroit releases playbook on reopening businesses safely

Detroit's COVID-19 Small Business Playbook aims to help small businesses in Detroit reopen safely.

Development News Downtown Farmington.

Free legal consultations for downtown Farmington businesses thanks to DDA-attorney partnership

"This kind of advice can be expensive, especially for small shops."

Feature Story Halal Metropolis on Instagram

Video series spotlights how Dearborn's 'Halal Metropolis' has responded to COVID-19

The Muslim community has been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis in Dearborn and across Metro Detroit. A new project called "Zoom in on the Halal Metropolis" endeavors to tell those community members' stories.

Development News patronicity

Main Street downtowns raise funds for recovery

The nation's first mass-crowdfunding effort to benefit Main Street businesses has raised more than $67,000 in just over two weeks.

Longform Health journalism infographic

Michigan innovators step up to reverse nationwide decline in health journalism

The loss of health journalism has had wide-ranging impacts on the communities health reporters once served. But a variety of innovative solutions have arisen to fill the gap and restore some of the coverage that's been lost.

Feature Story The Bridge to Bay Trail

Bike trails’ development potential could prove valuable for Southeast Michigan communities

Here's a look at how communities across Southeast Michigan —  from Detroit to St. Clair County — are planning to expand and connect their trails to draw new visitors, businesses, and residents.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan prepares to make its reopening safe and healthy for youth

BGCSM prides itself on embracing an entrepreneurial mindset and quickly adapted to continue serving youth. As far as pivots go, it's been a big transition. But, that said, they've got another big task ahead of them right now as they prepare to reopen the Dick & Sandy Dauch Club.


Feature Story Liz Blondy is owner and founder of Canine to Five.

Entrepreneur diaries: Liz Blondy from Canine to Five

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Canine to Five. It was also supposed to be the business' best year ever. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Feature Story The Phoenix Center in Pontiac, 2015.

Q&A with Mayor Deirdre Waterman: Pontiac's Phoenix Center, and possibly the city itself, is at risk

After three emergency managers and seven years of state oversight, the city was finally back under the control of its elected mayor and city council. Now, Mayor Deirdre Waterman is saying that Pontiac is faced with one of its most important decisions yet.

Development News Sterling Heights Community Center

Sterling Heights ramps up COVID-19 testing for essential employees

This week essential workers in Sterling Heights were provided with COVID-19 antigen testing, with the goal of identifying who may be already immune to the virus as the city prepares to re-open.

Development News Farmington Farmers Market

Adapted to the times, the Farmers & Artisans Market opens season in downtown Farmington this weekend

"For all the uncertainty in the world, at least the weather looks to be promising."

Innovation News Sarah Scopas, Sterling Heights, student scholarship

Sterling Heights foundation awards $20,000 to college-bound students

Sarah Scopas is one of 20 college-bound students to benefit from $20,000 of scholarships awarded last week by the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation, and she has her heart set on the medical field. 

Feature Story Junior & Heidi Merino, owners of M Cantina in Dearborn.

How Dearborn’s M Cantina is helping feed those in need

The restaurant has donated over 200 meals to low-income families in need since the pandemic hit, relying on a purely word-of-mouth system.

Feature Story Marie McCormick

Friends of the Rouge ED Marie McCormick on how the nonprofit is coping with the pandemic

Local nonprofits like Detroit’s Friends of the Rouge provide a way for residents to get involved in helping their local environment. FOTR executive director Marie McCormick shares how the 34-year old organization is coping financially while innovating new ways to help connect people with their watershed.

Feature Story Monica Marie Jones is a life coach.

Lessons from a life coach: During COVID-19 pandemic, give yourself grace for grief

When we hear the word grief, we often associate it with extreme loss such as the death of a loved one. But loss is loss, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, and with loss, comes grief.


Partner Content Kids prepare food at The Learning Kitchen.

Kitchen classroom empowers young chefs to pursue healthful choices

The Learning Kitchen is a hands-on cooking and nutrition education program for middle schoolers offered at Kalamazoo Valley Community College through a partnership between KVCC and Bronson Healthcare.

Development News Ryan Dietiker, owner of Forefathers Grooming, is relying on his community to get his small business through COVID-19 closures.

'We all want to see each other succeed': Q&A with small business owner Ryan Dietiker

Ryan Dietiker misses the sense of community at Forefathers Grooming, in Sterling Heights, but the small business owner hopes "we can come out of this closer and more connected to each other than ever".

Development News Courtesy Browndog

Downtown Farmington ice cream maker, bakery, and restaurant pivots to online sales

Single-use face masks, vinyl gloves, and rolls of toilet paper, baked goods, and boozy milkshakes, all delivered to the home. Welcome to 2020.

Development News hp

Main Street Oakland County launches 'Mom and Pop Business Relief' crowdfunding campaign

In a time when 1 in 7 Michigan small businesses don't think they'll survive the pandemic, Main Street Oakland County has launched a crowdfunding campaign for patrons of the county's small, downtown businesses to help them survive.

 

Feature Story sheeba.jpg

Is your fave Dearborn eatery open for curbside? Wonder no more.

The DDAs' online directory also makes note of the many unique deals and other twists.

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.