Community support sought to fund trail extension
In 2008 the Kresge Foundation committed $800,000 to build the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail if the community could raise $3 million for the project. Since then the deadline for raising […]
Portage
With the area’s largest enclosed mall and an extensive commercial strip Portage draws those born to shop. It also draws those born to bike. More than 60 linear trail miles for bikes, 800 acres of protected land open to the public and seven lakes offering water sports and fishing make Portage someplace people want to live. The network of parks and trails, used for walking, cycling and canoeing, demonstrate the priority the city places on balancing green spaces and work places. The city is home to the manufacturing headquarters of Pfizer, a world leader in biopharmaceuticals; Stryker, a medical technology leaders; and the U.S. Headquarters of Mann-Hummel, a major corporation in automotive components. Portage benefits from being close to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Community College — all of which contribute to the city’s highly educated workforce. Restaurants and bars include the nationally recognized and local favorites. During the summer months cultural events are offered in venues in each of the city’s parks.
Hear Here puts compassion in print in Kalamazoo
How do you get people who don't agree to start listening and talking to one another? The answer for Anne Hensley and Melanie Crow was to start a local magazine to foster compassion that they call Hear Here. Zinta Aistars talks with them about the publication launched this summer.
Teen tech expert finds a lot to like in Southwest Michigan
Daniel Brusilovsky is 19 but he knows tech and he's spending time in Kalamazoo this week to learn about the startup scene.
Startup Spotlight: The Sangria Shop to open next week
Now that all the licenses are in hand, the negotiations with vendors completed and recipes tweaked The Sangria Shop is ready to open its doors next week to let everyone else taste what the owner's friends have been raving about.
A Second Round: Craft brewers keep it local with Michigan ingredients
Many Southwest Michigan brewers are choosing to source their ingredients from area farms or in some cases even ingredients they grow themselves. Jeremy Martin finds it is a growing trend with room to grow.
Making it anywhere: Crowdfunding fuels startup companies in surprising places
Crowdfunding is big and likely to grow even bigger in the next few years as new sites launch. Meet some of the people across the Midwest, including a couple from Portage, who are enjoying a little help from their crowd of friends.
