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.
Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker is ending a 26-year career with the department. During that time he's served in many different roles — as a patrol officer, community police officer, SWAT team member, detective, and executive officer, culminating with his appointment in 2014 as the city’s 18th Police Chief. Blocker will retire at the end of January.
Classes this fall at Snackwerks were a test run for an initiative that the company's leadership plans to continue offering to employees who want to develop fluency in English.
The Holiday Shoptacular that began in early November jumpstarted the holiday shopping season in downtown Battle Creek and it's now headed into overdrive with a two-day Winter Wanderland event on Friday and Saturday.
Battle Creek has secured its place as a national and global food innovation leader in part because former Kellogg Co. employees decided to stick around and create their own food businesses once they parted ways with the cereal maker.
Pastor Monique French says she decided to run for public office because of her passion for the community and the hope she has for its transformation. She is now the new District 2 Calhoun County Commissioner.
It is reported that one in five low-income women and girls struggled to access feminine hygiene products. “We have girls in our community who are dealing with this every day,” says Teresa Allen, Executive Director of Charitable Union. And they are working to ease that struggle.
A recently introduced website offers a roadmap that can help the leadership of area businesses understand their options when supporting working families with their childcare needs.
At a series of Town Hall events that started in the Fall of 2021, the city of Battle Creek collected ideas on the best ways to spend ARPA funds so that they would have a positive impact on the city.
The city’s Neighborhood Planning Councils are gearing up for in-person meetings that were paused during the pandemic and among their priorities is ensuring that their representation reflects the residents in their neighborhoods.
Voices of Youth Battle Creek is now open for those who would like to participate.
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