Battle Creek

With an economic development organization that is the envy of many communities, Battle Creek is a city building on its food industry roots and the land that makes it the state’s third largest city. For fun, each year the Cereal City, world headquarters to the Kellogg Co., celebrates the significance of the most important meal of the day with the World’s Longest Breakfast table. Bikers, cyclers and joggers take in the parks, forests and streams linked by a 24-mile linear park. Campers and outdoor lovers visit Fort Custer Recreation area for fishing, hiking, cross country skiing and boating. For animal lovers, African creatures, like giraffes, and Asian animals, like snow leopards, make the Binder Park Zoo a must. The Battle Creek Art Center and Battle Creek Symphony stoke the city’s cultural offerings and the new Firekeepers Casino adds to the city’s fun side. B.C’s Math and Science Center is acclaimed and secondary education needs are accommodated by Kellogg Community College, Robert B. Miller College and a branch of Western Michigan University. And Sojourner Truth, who lived here, watches over downtown from the memorial in her honor.

FireKeepers Casino keeps its word to Battle Creek

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 13, 2010

FireKeepers Casino has kept its promise to spend locally, reports the Battle Creek Enquirer.About 40 percent of FireKeepers' spending happens within a roughly 60-mile radius of the Emmett Township casino, according to the newspaper's analysis of spending data provided by the casino.Excerpt: FireKeepers spent nearly $12.8 million on supplies between its August opening and late-April, according to the documents.About 22 percent of that $12.8 million was spent in nearby counties, including $2.5 million, or about 20 percent of the casino's total spending, in Calhoun County.FireKeepers spent about $1.94 million in Battle Creek, according to the documents.The story goes on to say a big, positive impact on the local economy was one of the casino's biggest selling points to critics before it opened.And $2.5 million could be a big, positive impact for Calhoun County, said George Erickcek, a senior analyst with Kalamazoo's W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research who is studying FireKeepers' impact on Calhoun County. While FireKeepers could be tough competition for existing restaurants, the casino is spending the kind of money that could allow the beneficiaries of that spending to add jobs, Erickcek said.For a further breakdown on the casino's spending, read the entire story.Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

Runway work begins at state’s third busiest airport

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 13, 2010

A new runway is under construction at W.K.Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek.The 4,100-foot-long, 75-foot-wide runway is intended to improve the safety and efficiency of the airport, says Airport Manager Larry Bowron.Bowron says the runway, being built southeast of the airports existing 10,000-foot runway, will separate high-speed jets and slower general aviation aircraft. The existing larger runway will be freed up primarily for the faster traveling jets, although the slower aircraft will have the option of using either runway as available.The runway is expected to cost $7.2 million primarily paid for through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement program. The city and state are picking up the outstanding 5 percent of the cost.The work is expected to be done by the end of the summer.The project allows the airport to accommodate the growth it has seen over the past six to eight years, primarily that of Western Michigan University's School of Aviation and Duncan Aviation, Bowron says.Other airport projects are wrapping up or are completed. A $5.1 million air traffic control tower paid for by the federal government has been constructed.A previously stalled corporate hangar for the Kellogg Co. is now being built for about $10 million. When the project is complete, Kellogg will lease the hangar for about $35,000 a month. The W.K. Kellogg Airport, owned by the City of Battle Creek, is the state's third busiest airport after Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the Oakland County International Airport. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Larry Bowron, W.K. Kellogg Airport

Brewer sees a full glass in Battle Creek’s plans

By Jane Parikh

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General

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May 12, 2010

Springtime and Southwest Michigan starts looking for any excuse to crack a cold one. That's just fine with Tim Suprise. Writer Jame Parikh talks to the founder of Battle Creek's Arcadia Brewing Co. about all the reasons he expects business to remain good and hoppy.

Making money in an explosive way helps community

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

Churches commonly raise money through bake sales, bazaars and spaghetti suppers. Battle Creek's First Church of the Nazarene has found an uncommon fundraiser -- selling fireworks.The church partnered with TNT Fireworks as a way to help fund its food pantry last year, and it was so successful they're doing it again this year.In 2009, with an estimated $4,200 raised from the TNT Fireworks tent sale, the church purchased two modular buildings for its His Hand Compassionate Ministry Food Bank. The food pantry serves those in need from surrounding communities."We are making a difference in the lives of people who need encouragement, urgent assistance and life education," says Jim Spohn, pastor at First Church of the Nazarene. "Our partnership with TNT Fireworks greatly aided in our efforts to expand our food pantry last year, and we are again dreaming big as to how it may impact the lives of the more than 100 children we minister in this coming year. As a result, we feel these fireworks tents have a positive effect on our community." He said church members are praying for how the funds should best be used. One option is sending youngsters to camp.TNT works with more than 50 fundraisers in Michigan including church groups, marching band boosters to veterans groups. They raise money selling fireworks that are legal in Michigan.TNT advises the nonprofit organizations how best to conduct their fundraising campaigns. TNT conducts much of the preliminary work involved in setting up stands and tents at each location, lessening the labor-intensive burden on nonprofits. Part of this process is TNT University -- a required day of class -- to educate the group on what members need to know to run a successful fundraiser.The Alabama-based TNT has worked with nonprofit groups for more than 40 years. Groups use TNT stands and tents across the country to raise more than $20 million annually.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jim Spohn, First Church of the Nazarene

Kalamazoo salon ships hair clippings to nonprofit to help environment

By Newsroom

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Environment & Sustainability

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May 6, 2010

Hair clippings converted into mats and tubes to soak up oil spills? You heard that right. A Kalamazoo salon is sending more than a few hanks of hair to a group that helps turn the clippings into effective tools for relief efforts in disasters like the recent oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Blue 302 Salon and Spa fills a 3-foot by 1-foot by 1-foot receptacle full of hair at the end of each week. Rather than toss it out, that hair now is shipped at Blue 302's expense to Matter of Trust, a 12-year-old San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that connects other nonprofits in need with in-kind donations. Victoria Elkins, a Blue 302 employee suggested the move after reading about the initiative.Excerpt:"We just think it's going to be great for the environment," Elkins said. "Everybody here, we're all animal lovers and some of us are a little bit more rabid about the environment than others."She was excited about the idea of helping with spills that result from such incidents as the early April Chinese boat crash at Australia's Great Barrier Reef and last week's oil rig explosion off the shores of New Orleans.For more on the Reuse Of Society's Abundance program, read the entire story.Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Battle Creek Health Systems chief gets national recognition

By Newsroom

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Health

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May 6, 2010

One of the top 25 minority executives in the United States as selected by Modern Healthcare magazine is Denise Brooks-Williams, president and CEO at Battle Creek Health System (BCHS).She is one of only two executives from the Trinity Health system to be chosen in 2010, and one of just two in Michigan, according to a story in the Coldwater Daily Reporter.Excerpt:The annual award recognizes leaders who show the ability to effectively change the health care industry, demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and mentor others, and assume a leadership position in the industry outside the candidates own organization. Brooks-Williams serves as president of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE)."Denise is known and respected across Trinity Health for her ability to lead in times of change," says Nelson Karre, chair of the BCHS board of trustees. "She has demonstrated over the past year the ability to enhance the quality of patient care and to strengthen the bonds between a hospital and its community.""One of her many strengths is addressing business challenges through financial and strategic planning," adds Neil Nyberg, chair of the BCHS Community Partners board. "She has been actively engaged with not only local groups, but also with strengthening bonds with our medical staff. She is most deserving of this award."To find out more about Brooks-Williams' background read the entire story.Source: Coldwater Daily Reporter

The National Center for Food Protection receives $3.8 Million grant

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded a $3.8 million, 3-year grant to the National Center for Food Protection this week.The grant supports the national center's work advancing food protection and its role facilitating the exchange of information, generating new ideas and accelerating processes that will enhance the safety of the global food supply."By connecting food safety professionals and scientists, our aim is to influence policies and practices that will advance food protection," says International Food Protection Training Institute President and COO Stephen Benoit. "We are extremely grateful for the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as its generosity will enable us to make great strides toward realizing our overarching goal of improving public health."The NCFP will use the grant funds on three intiatives:• training for state and local food protection officials throughout their careers through the International Food Protection Training Institute;• development of new food protection technologies at the Emerging Technology Accelerator; and• the exchange of knowledge and generation of new ideas at a Global Food Protection Symposia.An estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to food pathogens; and about one of every four Americans will develop a food-borne illness each year, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The NCFP, a catalyst for the advancement of food protection, also is a lynchpin in redevelopment efforts for downtown Battle Creek. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jennifer Dama, National Center for Food Protection

Battle Creek casino chips in for clinic to serve employees

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

FireKeepers Casino isn't gambling on the health of its employees. On May 1 the Battle Creek casino opened a 766-square-foot clinic for its 1,500 workers.The clinic is being offered in partnership with Borgess Health, which participated in a competitive bid process. The clinic will feature two exam rooms and a Borgess Health mid-level care provider, also known as a nurse practitioner, will be on staff 40 hours a week. A doctor will be available on an as-needed basis.FireKeepers Casino's team members can get regular check-ups, preventative care and treatment for minor work related injuries. Team members can also come to the clinic if they are not feeling well or have general health questions or concerns. They can come from home or drop in while they are at work. Team members can visit the clinic during regular hours with or without an appointment.Pre-screens for new team members also will be offered at the clinic.The health clinic was a concept jointly initiated by FireKeepers Casino's Director of Human Resources Peggy Houston, General Manager Bruce McKee and the Tribal owners of the casino, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. All see the clinic as an added benefit for team members that promotes healthy life styles."The new clinic is an example of our continuous commitment to our team members' well-being, while striving to be an employer of choice," Houston says.Borgess Corpfit Services Executive Director Vince Marcinek, says, "FireKeepers Casino is applauded for the extra steps they are taking to foster good employee health. Caring for employees is the right thing to do and it is also a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Michael Facenda, FireKeepers Casino

The proof the arts make a difference is in the data

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

Battle Creek will host an opportunity for arts organizations to get their act together.At the informational event, representatives of arts organizations will learn about the Michigan Cultural Data Project. It's an online management tool designed to build arts and cultural organizations by giving them the information they need to analyze financial and other related information. The information collected allows organizations to put together 70 different reports that can then be used to bolster the case made in grant applications. The information also can be used to seek out funding partners and to keep board members, potential donors, advocates and policy makers informed.After completing an online form each year, nonprofit groups can generate instant annual reports and trend analysis, benchmark performance against other organizations and use the data as part of applications to participating foundations. Michigan launched its Cultural Data Project May 3, the eighth state to do so nationally.Among those attending the Battle Creek informational session will include Jennifer Hill, Director of Special Projects, ArtServe Michigan; Linda Holderbaum, Executive Director, Art Center of Battle Creek; Katie Nelson, Collections Manager, Kingman Museum and Jennifer Sellers, Special Projects Manager, Kingman Museum. The event is 2 - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, One Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek. It is one of 14 events ArtServe is sponsoring across Michigan through October.Sponsors of the program include: ArtServe Michigan, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Council of Michigan Foundations, Frey Foundation, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, MASCO Corporation Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and Southfield Community Foundation.The Michigan Cultural Data Project is operated by the Pew Charitable Trusts.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jennifer Hill, Director of Special Projects, ArtServe Michigan

Miller College graduates will go out wearing green

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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April 29, 2010

When the 2010 graduating class of Miller College marches across the stage at McCamly Plaza they'll be wearing the expected black cap and gowns. But these "black" gowns are really "green." The new gowns are biodegradable and will break down in a landfill within a year. The school is using the Sustainable Element gowns sold by the Minneapolis-based Jostens for the first time this year. The product contains acetate fabric fiber made from natural wood harvested exclusively from renewable managed forests. It even comes in environmentally friendly packaging, says Jenny Andrews, marketing and communications director for Miller College.Students can go a step further and return the gowns to Josten. The company promises to put them in a landfill and spend $1 on an environmental sustainability project.Although the zippers do not biodegrade with the rest of the gown, they are made of 100-percent recycled materials. The school also will be using invitations and diplomas made from recycled paper.The school is working to take small steps toward sustainability that make sense for the small, but growing student body in Battle Creek, Andrews says.In the fall of 2009 the school counted 100 new students -- a 56-percent increase over the previous year's numbers. The school draws students from Calhoun, Barry, Branch, Eaton and Kalamazoo counties.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jenny Andrews, Miller College