Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury says city will keep working to keep community safe in 2022

There's other work to do beyond the pandemic responsibilities and it will be tackled in Battle Creek. City Manager Rebecca Fleury says, “From an economic development perspective, we are continuing to focus on small business and woman and minority-owned businesses, not only in the downtown district but also feeder districts and Beckley Road.”

A tasty tradition is turning into a legacy business for an enterprising Kalamazoo woman

Leaving the family with a legacy of success was something David Smith talked about a lot during the months before he died at age 88. His daughter Doreen Smith has found a sweet way to maintain that legacy. Peanut Brittle.

More small businesses will move to the front burner as Can-Do Kitchen becomes Can-Do Kalamazoo

The Can-Do Kitchen, which has long focused on mentoring, supporting, and providing working space for new food-based businesses, is in the process of expanding to help entrepreneurs of all kinds. It is re-branding to become Can-Do Kalamazoo.

Keynote speaker at MLK celebration in Battle Creek urges audience to build on King’s legacy

“What does Dr. King’s legacy have to teach us in the next 55 years? His legacy teaches us to engage in deep listening,” says Marc Lamont Hill, the keynote speaker for Battle Creek's 2022 celebration of MLK Day.   

boys & girls clubs Kalamazoo
$1 million federal support goes to continuing pandemic recovery efforts in Kalamazoo

How is a portion of the city's ARPA funds being spent in Kalamazoo? A total of 41 agencies representing 54 programs requested more than $6 million in funding. A total of $1 million, the funds available in this round of spending, went to 17 organizations.

$26 million Welch Foods expansion creating up to 57 jobs in Southwest Michigan’s Van Buren County

“We look forward to the new job opportunities and growth that this investment will bring to our residents and neighbors,” says Lawton Village Manager Lisa Imus.

Calhoun County Administrator Kelli Scott looks ahead to 2022, sees call for strength

"We have shown how we have not just held down the fort over the last couple of years, but have also improved things for the public that we serve," Calhoun County Administrator Kelli Scott says. What will 2022 bring? She has some projections.

Larry Bell raises a glass to young people with a $1M gift to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo

The Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo is more than halfway to its $9 million goal for the construction of a 30,000-square-foot central headquarter in the Edison neighborhood. That goal is closer to being realized thanks to a $1 million donation from craft brew entrepreneur Larry Bell.

Dr. Sheila Marcus.
Michigan docs tackle youth mental health crisis with on-demand psychiatric support from U-M program

Michigan Child Collaborative Care helps primary care providers address their young patients' mental health by offering same-day phone consultations with psychiatrists, among other services.

Vaccination, masks, and distancing remain keys to fighting COVID-19, Kalamazoo’s medical leaders say

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, the development of a vaccine has been viewed as an intervention and a possible sign of relief. But many people continue to go unvaccinated and unmasked and sickness continues to spread. Medical community leaders in Kalamazoo are asking people to help stop it.

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