Page 544 – Second Wave

Champions for Change a sign of what’s new in twin cities

By Newsroom

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June 17, 2010

A popular saying these days is be the change you want to see in the world. A new initiative launched in the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph asks people to let others know you're the one making a change.The initiative, led by the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce, is expected to last at least two years. The Chamber hopes that by increasing the visibility of volunteer work that is leading to positive change there will be an increased sense of pride and encourage even more people to volunteer.When a volunteer effort is under way, groups or businesses are encouraged to use the Champions for Change logo to show how such work is making a difference in the community.Anyone gives of their time and talent to make the community better is a Champion for Change.The program will do well if participants "talk about it, believe it, live it," Chamber organizers say. They hope participants will encourage others to be a "Champion" and then join them on Facebook at the Champions for Change page. "The Michigan's Great Southwest community is truly blessed to have so many individuals willing to give of their time to make a difference in the area. This community is full of Champions for Change," says Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan Executive Director Doris Higgins.For more information contact the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce staff. The staff of Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is serving as the driving force behind this community initiative. The staff also can be readched by e-mail or telephone. Contact Pat Moody, at 269-757-0216 or Regina Ciaravino, at 269-757-0227.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Summertime in the city is festival time

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Summertime is festival time in downtown Kalamazoo. Lots of towns host a festival or two during the summers. But for Kalamazoo that's just not enough. Greek Fest kicked off the festival season. Next up is Island Fest. Yet to come are Blues Fest, the Black Arts Festival, the Irish Festival, Rib Fest, Rock for Kids, Taste of Kalamazoo, Woofstock and Boiling Pot, the area's newest festival. Community Relations Director for Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Vicky Kettner says over years the festival season has continued to expand as residents have found new ways to use the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. The $2 million festival site opened in 2004, developed through private funding, is managed by DKI. in 2009, an estimated 180,000 people were drawn to various events there from mid-April to mid-October. To promote a sense of community, all the festivals downtown must have a theme, Kettner says. "All our festivals have deeply rooted community connections." Some raise money for local causes. For example, proceeds from RibFest benefit Community Advocates, an organization that supports those with developmental disabilities. Others are simply a place to meet up with people from across the region. Once local retailers and restauerters dreaded the way the festivals siphoned off their business. Now, through a survey, local businesses have a say in the hours of operations of new festivals requesting to use the downtown site. As attendance at the festivals as burgeoned local businesses are finding their ... is brisk. Kettner says she heard reports that during Greek Fest the local bar and restaurant Ouzo Taverna -- within walking distance of the festival site -- was standing room only. "We are not hearing the complaints we once did." When a festival is not in full swing, Arcadia Creek Festival Place is a spot for picnics, weddings and other low key uses by people who want to be near the creek. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Vicky Kettner, Community Relations Director

Top entrepreneur recognition goes to Kalexsyn founders

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Kalexsyn Inc.'s leadership has been recognized for promoting excellence in technology. David Zimmermann, CEO, and Robert Gadwood, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer, of the company have been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year. The Kalamazoo-based company that focuses on providing medicinal chemistry services to the pharmaceutical industry and has averaged 30 percent growth each year since its founding. The award, in its 24th year, is given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate success in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Kalexsyn competed for the award with companies in Michigan and Northwest Ohio. "These entrepreneur of the year award winners are best in class, and we are proud to honor their outstanding success," says Frank Maselli, Ernst & Young L.L.P. Zimmermann and Gadwood founded Kalexsyn, a contract research organization, in 2003 with assistance from Southwest Michigan First, Western Michigan University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "This award recognizes the quality and value Kalexsyn brings to each of our clients," Zimmermann says. "Contract research organizations like ours thrive on the skills and qualities found in our exceptional staff and scientific team." Kalexsyn is a world-class medicinal chemistry contract research organization (CRO). Our scientists average 15 years of experience in hit validation, lead optimization and solving tough synthetic problems. We offer clients an outstanding CRO experience, including tailored short- and long-term FTE arrangements. Kalexsyn is privately owned and located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: David Zimmermann, Kalexsyn Inc.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation celebrates 85th birthday with Match Day

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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June 17, 2010

If you've ever wanted to help out a local nonprofit with a financial gift, but never quite got around to it, the right time to give is at hand. All it takes is a walk through the park and a willingness to donate. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation hosts Match Day June 23. On that day, donors will be able to contribute to the endowment funds of the nonprofits of their choice. And the Foundation will match 50 cents for every dollar given.The Foundation will donate as much as $85,000 to local nonprofits. PNC Bank and an anonymous donor who has a donor advised fund with the Foundation also will contribute $85,000.Representatives from 56 nonprofit organizations will be at tables set along the paths in Bronson Park. From there they will describe to would-be donors the services they offer. Organizations have sent out reminders of the Match Day event to friends and contributors in hopes for a good turn out. In order for a donation to be matched, it must be made to the endowment fund of a participating organization, and must be made in person on June 23.Donor Relations Officer for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Coby Chalmers says, "Donors will celebrate the past by giving at an event that marks Kalamazoo Community Foundation's 85th birthday with gift in the present. By helping organizations build their endowments so they will have greater support available to them in the future."Founded in 1925, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation works to address existing and emerging community issues in the areas of individuals and families, youth development, early childhood learning and school readiness, and economic and community development. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Coby Chalmers, Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Daycare filling up a sign of improved economy

By Newsroom

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General

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June 16, 2010

Jobs are returning to Battle Creek's industrial park and so is growth in the businesses that support them, reports the Battle Creek Enquirer.Manpower Inc. at 4661 W. Dickman Road now employs five times more workers than it did during the worst of the economic recession, Branch Manager Betsy Sanford said in the story. The temporary staffing service center has about 380 workers on its roster, up from 75."It is turning around. The jobs are coming back," Sanford said.Excerpt:The hope of a brighter industrial future led Nicole Lewis to expand her home-based day care into the former Altrusa Day Nursery in the 4661 W. Dickman Road office complex alongside Manpower.Lewis' former business, called Urbandale Day Care, could accommodate only 12 children, but her new Fort Custer Child Care Learning Center is licensed for 100.At full capacity, she would need to hire an additional seven to 12 child care workers and she expects to need them eventually, she said. Already parents in the industrial park are clamoring to secure places for their little ones.For other signs of recovery, read the entire story.Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

Fast company blazes out of Climax

By Jane C. Parikh

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General

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June 16, 2010

CTS Telecom has come a long way from its beginnings as the Climax Farmers Telephone Co-op. Writer Jane Parikh finds out what has kept the company going since 1911 and where it's going next.

Dog park open for games of fetch

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 16, 2010

Not every Kalamazoo County Park specifically prohibits digging. But that's rule No. 7 for dogs whose owners take them to the Kalamazoo area's latest dog park. Prairie View County Park now has six acres of Kalamazoo County park land devoted to dogs and their owners open to the public and their pooches.Volunteers who helped make the park a reality are expected to bring their dogs to the ribbon cutting and related festivities on opening day, June 17.Demand for the park emerged in two different planning processes: one during the overall master plan for Kalamazoo County Parks; and the second a plan for Prairie View, says David Rachowicz, director of parks and recreation. Since June 17 is a free day at all county parks, including Prairie View, Rachowicz may be too busy to bring Rory, his Brittany, to check out the park. The dog will have to wait to sniff out a five-foot fence surrounding the property. It encompasses three acres that are wooded with trails and three acres of open fields. Amenities include drinking water, dog waste bags, shady areas and benches. Dogs can run without leashes in the park, though they must be leashed from the car to the park entrance and as they are exiting the park.Dogs must be accompanied by an adult age 16 or older and parents should note children younger than age 8 will not be permitted in the fenced-in area as a safety precaution.The park is open year-around from 7 a.m. to sunset.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: David Rachowicz, Kalamazoo County Parks

Benton Harbor Safe Summer 2010 offers jobs and more for young people

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 10, 2010

Programs in Benton Harbor could provide as many as 5,000 summer opportunities for young people in the community.An initiative called Safe Summer 2010 is designed to improve economic and job development opportunities for youth and young adults throughout the summer.More than $250,000 in reallocated or new program funding has been identified for these programs. Funding is made possible through various state and federal programs in addition to local donors.Partners in the initiative are Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment Inc., Michigan Works!, the Consortium for Community Development, Whirlpool Foundation and Whirlpool Community Relations, the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor, Cornerstone Alliance and many others. "As we are working our way through rough times," says Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke, "activities to engage young people in both recreational and job training will set the stage for future opportunities for them as individuals, as well as for the economic development efforts underway for the community as a whole."Safe Summer 2010 will include programming for recreational activities, such as summer youth sports and transportation to Jean Klock Park, job training and workplace experience.Michigan Works! will provide opportunities for local youth to gain summer work experience and prepare them for their future careers. "Today's employers are requesting skills and talents that come from specific experience, training and education. For six years, our Youthworks! Summer Jobs program has provided these opportunities. This year, despite funding challenges, we've enrolled nearly 200 Benton Harbor youth into the program." said Todd Gustafson, Executive Director of the Michigan Works of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. The Benton Harbor Area Schools announced its summer lunch program and the locations and times for serving meals to area students. "This program helps to provide students a healthy diet, which is an essential part of their development and well being," said Dan McGinnis, President of the BHAS School Board. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Shuttle service will connect neighborhoods and beach

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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June 10, 2010

A free shuttle service to link the neighborhoods of Benton Harbor and Jean Klock Park will be offered in partnership with Dial-A-Ride, making a trip to the beach a whole lot easier this summer.The Jean Klock Express will run in continuous loops of 16 stops across Benton Harbor from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The route begins at Calvin Britain Elementary and some of the stops are Benton Harbor High School, McCord School, Morton Hill, The Boys & Girls Club, The Golf Club at Harbor Shores and Jean Klock Park. The full schedule is here. In accordance with normal Dial-A-Ride rules, all riders under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.The service, which began May 18, will continue through Labor Day. The Consortium for Community Development, Cornerstone Alliance and the Whirlpool Foundation are working with Harbor Shores and the City of Benton Harbor to provide recreational and educational opportunities for the youth of the community. "For me, it's all about the kids. To make a difference in the lives of our young people is the foundation of re-building any community," says Marcus Robinson, President of the Consortium of Community Development and Harbor Shores Trustee. Harbor Shores is Lake Michigan's first beach and golf resort community, just 100 miles east of Chicago in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. The community's central amenity is an 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course that offers stunning views of Lake Michigan. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Ron Eng, Harbor Shores

Improved math, reading will better chances of employment

By Newsroom

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Development News

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June 10, 2010

Sometimes getting a job requires training in the basics.The Workforce Development Center, a new project offered at the Northside Association for Community Development in cooperation with Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will offer such training.Mattie Jordan-Woods, the NACD's executive director, says she knows skilled technicians in automotive mechanics and other trades who lack the basic math and reading skills to gain certification in those professions. In the one-year pilot program, participants will learn about a variety of jobs and what it requires to apply for them. They will determine their existing skills and what skills they need to better qualify for employment. They also will be able to create a customized learning program for each student.Participants will be able to learn at their own pace and one-on-one tutoring will be available. "It will get people on the path to a job," Jordan-Woods says. "For people to work themselves out of a low-income or poverty situation, they need to have solid math, writing and reading skills."William Willging from the M-TEC of KVCC will oversee the project.Two tutors will be based at the NACD, located at 612 N. Park St., to provide one-on-one, computer-based instructions that will raise the basic mathematics and reading skills of neighborhood residents.The training is free to all participants. It is funded by a $7,000 grant from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. KVCC President Marilyn Schlack says she sees the Workforce Development Center as a stepping stone to what is being envisioned in the evolving Arcadia Commons West concept for the redevelopment of downtown Kalamazoo, and a positive influence on adjacent Kalamazoo-core neighborhoods.Among the missions of the NACD are job creation, neighborhood revitalization, and financial independence for residents. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Tom Thinnes, Kalamazoo Valley Community College