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.

Portage man expands business from garage to commercial space

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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March 25, 2010

Two years ago, Steve Scott started a small-engine repair shop in the garage of his Portage home. Business has been so successful, he's ready to move out into the world, reports the Kalamazoo Gazette. His Something for all Seasons has moved into commercial space at 8139 Portage Road, just south of Centre Avenue, in Portage. Scott, who the story says repairs snowmobiles, lawnmowers, automobiles, tractors, combines, tillers, cultivators, boats, all-terrain vehicles and virtually anything else with a motor, said he is excited to be getting into his new, much larger work space. Excerpt: "This is heaven," he said of the 2,800-square-foot shop. He now has room to display the equipment he sells. The story goes on to say Scott was born with congenital glaucoma, and underwent 23 surgical procedures before his eyes were replaced with prosthetics when he was 17. Read the rest of the story to find out how his wife helps with the business.

DeVos firm, Portage company roll out energy efficiency technology

By Newsroom

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In The News

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March 18, 2010

A new joint venture between a Grand Rapids investment firm owned by Dick and Betsy DeVos and Portage company, Pro Services, has launched and is expected to employ 15 people this year.Their new company, Pro Renewables, will sell what is known as Green Machine.Excerpt:The patented Green Machine invented and manufactured by ElectraTherm Inc. in Reno, Nev. has been installed in six locations worldwide and has earned awards from such respected publications as The Wall Street Journal and Popular Science magazine. One of the newest of the six Green Machine installations is in the Michigan Technical Education Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, where a demonstration and announcement about the new venture took place Wednesday morning. "We are pleased to announce this new venture bringing the Green Machine to the Midwest," says Dick DeVos, president of The Windquest Group. The venture, called ProRenewables, LLC, represents a partnership between The Windquest Group, DeVos' investment management firm in Grand Rapids, and Pro Services, a specialized trades contractor in Portage.The Green Machine uses heat and pressure recovery technologies to capture heat lost from virtually any geothermal or industrial operation and turn it into fuel-free, emission-free usable electricity. The escaping heat is a byproduct readily available from industrial sources, among them inefficient machines and manufacturing processes, and is abundantly available in the Midwest where there's a broad base of energy intensive industrial activity.Company officials estimate that more than two-thirds of the energy in fuel used to generate power in America is lost as heat. Read the whole story, to learn more about the company.Source: Rapid Growth Media

Portage residents say keep it up

By Newsroom

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Development News

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March 18, 2010

Portage residents love their bikeway and trails system.They also think their parks are pretty great and they really dig the city's recycling program.So says 90-plus percent of residents responding to the annual city survey.Results of the the 24th Annual Citizen Survey let the city know what's important to residents each year.In 2010 it's quality of life, economic development, roads and neighborhoods, to name a few.Asked about the city services they receive, 85 percent gave a thumbs up. Economic development got a less enthusiastic 65 percent approval for the city's efforts to promote itself to business.The survey was conducted by mail by the Kercher Center at Western Michigan University.The City Council is listening and has made economic development, quality of life and infrastructure improvements, among other initiatives, priorities for 2010.Writer: Kim North ShineSource: City of Portage

Portage cheers $204,700 grant to improve city buildings

By Newsroom

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Innovation News

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March 18, 2010

A number of projects meant to make Portage city facilities more energy-efficient are under way thanks to a $204,700 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.Thegrant comes from dollars set aside in the American Reinvestment andRecovery Act and will create additional jobs as work is done on fourseparate city buildings.City Hall will receive HVAC upgrades, window replacement, insulation and general weatherization. ThePortage Senior Center will also undergo similar work while the city'sPublic Services building will have its lighting upgraded.Fire Station No. 2 on Oakland Drive gets its boiler replaced and have a radiant heat system installed.The improvements could save the City of Portage $10,000 annually on energy bills.Writer: Kim North ShineSource: Devin Mackinder, CIO/IT Director City of Portage