On the Ground helps to tell the stories of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for Southwest Michigan.
Published by Southwest Michigan Second Wave, the mission of On the Ground is to connect readers to the area's most visionary and active people, businesses, and organizations — elevating a wide diversity of voices and contributing to the community conversation about what it means to call Southwest Michigan home.
Our journalists engage residents through regular listening sessions, events, and conversations to build trusted relationships that shape the community’s unique, solutions-oriented stories. We want to know what you think because what you think matters.
The On the Ground Battle Creek team includes Project Editor Jane Parikh and Photographer John Grap. The On the Ground Kalamazoo team includes Project Editor Al Jones and Photographer Fran Dwight. The Managing Editor for both series is Theresa Coty O'Neil.
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
We’re always looking for story content. Send your Battle Creek or Calhoun County ideas to otgreporter18@gmail.com. Send your Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo County ideas to editor@swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com.
Money to get a business off the ground can be one of the biggest obstacles to opening the doors. Right now Kalamazoo has a number of resources to help small businesses over those barriers.
Nearly 80,000 people a year visit Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek. This is what brings them in.
Making customers feel welcome and serving them their favorites is one of the secrets behind the longtime businesses that provide stability in the Urbandale neighborhood.
Battle Creek's Sprout Boxes are a way to buy local, support local farmers and entrepreneurs, and eat well.
Developers are looking at Kalamazoo's Northside with new appreciation thanks to the tireless work of many, including Mattie Jordan-Woods.
How could Urbandale be "The Home of the First Auto Tours"? Keep reading.
Stability and a willingness to help one another is what makes Urbandale attractive to new businesses like Plumeria Botanical Boutique.
A program to make sure children did not go hungry during the summer has grown into a much bigger deal. Find out about what's happening at St. Thomas Episcopal.
A program that started out helping youngsters learn they need more than sports to succeed has grown way beyond those beginnings. This is New Level Sports led by Pastor Christopher McCoy.
The Financial Opportunity Collaborative at the Douglass Community Center expects to provide an estimated 150 area residents with financial coaching and employment services in its first year alone.
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