Features

Development News Studies show that natural light not only improves student performance, but has an impact on health, wellness, and academic performance.

Architectural design for learningIn the fifth article in a Catalyst Community series, we’ll focus on architectural designs for learning.

In the fifth article in a Catalyst Community series, we’ll focus on architectural designs for learning.  

Development News Poster-Northwood Human Library

Northwood University "Human Library"

Northwood University invites community storytellers for its human library event on Tuesday, April 5. The free event aims to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes via ‘human book’ storytellers.

Feature Story Two guys-machine-consumers energy

Consumers Energy improving infrastructure in Midland

Consumers Energy is making major infrastructure improvements in Midland. It's part of a long-term goal to become carbon neutral.

Development News The City of Coleman occupies one square mile and has a population of 1,262.

Profile Q & A: Steve Miller, Coleman Mayor

In our  Profile Q&A, we meet Steve Miller, the mayor of the City of Coleman, a community located on the west end of Midland County. He talks about Coleman's assets, challenges, and relationship to Midland.

Development News Three Bridges plans to open with 8 to 12 beers on draft.

Three Bridges Distillery opening on March 3

A new distillery and taproom, Three Bridges, is slated to open March 3 in downtown Midland. The business will serve beer, spirits, small plates, and eventually, made-in-house wine.

Feature Story Impact Analytical is a hub of analytical testing equipment. Among the benches are liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and more.

Analytical laboratory makes lasting “Impact” on Midland

Impact Analytical is a contract research laboratory on the outskirts of Midland. Their focus is on testing. Think: personal care products, pharmaceuticals, or the water running through our pipes. In its few years as a company spun off from Michigan Molecular Institute, it’s grown significantly.  

Feature Story RIX Logo

Issue Media Group Launches Rural Innovation eXchange

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online media project – Rural Innovation eXchange (RIX). RIX will focus on the innovation, talent, entrepreneurship, social innovation and community development taking place in rural Michigan and feature the work of rural talent and content creators.   

Development News GLBR Mental Health Partnership logo

Mental Health in the Workplace Seminar

Being able to talk about mental health issues with an employer can be challenging.  An upcoming summit in the Great Lakes Bay Region hopes to tackle those obstacles and help businesses help with resources.

Development News Cropped-Johnson-Broadway

Made in Michigan at the Center for the Arts

The Midland Center for the Arts is celebrating local talent, and hoping to inspire the next generation with its Made in Michigan series. Essexville native Eric Anthony Johnson, is performing on Feb. 19 for a night of song, dance, and stories.

Feature Story Wake Up Midland meeting at Valley Plaza

WakeUp! Midland connects the community

WakeUp! Midland is a Midland tradition. One Friday morning a month, members of the business and non-profit community gather to network, share information, and have some fun.

Development News There's plenty to do outside this winter.

Embrace the snow! Get outside this winter

Don’t let cabin fever get the best of you! Here’s a rundown of winter recreation ideas around the Midland area from Midland County Parks & Recreation  and the Chippewa Nature Center.

Feature Story Northwood University is one of 30 other colleges in Michigan that compete at the varsity level with dedicated facilities, coaching, and scholarships for their esports program.

Northwood University students level up with esports program

Competitive gaming is taking the sports world by storm. College-level esports are gaining popularity nationwide. Northwood University is on board with an award-winning esports program.

Feature Story MSU Extension will offer an online Cottage Food Law Food Safety Training program starting Feb. 16.

Want to sell homemade foods? Here’s what you need to know

If you want to start a food business in Michigan, it’s important to understand the state’s Cottage Food Laws. The Michigan State University Extension service is offering an online Food Safety Program on Feb. 16.

Development News Elizabeth Lumbert is the Director of Dow Gardens.

Catalyst Community-Ecology 101

In the latest in a series of columns from different perspectives in our community, Catalyst Midland focuses on a “ecological community epiphany,” shared by the director of Dow Gardens.   

Development News The Blue Light concerts are held on the second floor of the Ashman Plaza building.

The Blue Light studio, a new "old" music venue

The Blue Light is a community-based space, offering free, live music, and spaces for musicians to play and record music. Their next concert is Feb. 2, a benefit for Safe and Sound, Midland’s only child abuse and neglect organization.

Feature Story Monarch Academy students learn about monarch butterflies and join in national efforts to preserve it. Little Forks Conservancy, Northwood University, 4-H, Fisher Family Fields, and the Midland Co. Board of Commissioners are all lending their support.

Young offenders transform at the Monarch Academy

The Day Treatment Program for Midland’s juveniles has been renamed the Monarch Academy. The monarch butterfly symbolizes the transformation of Midland’s youths from criminal offenders into rehabilitated members of society.   

Development News Faith Tabler, scholarship recipient, and Dave Marsh, scholarship representative, gathered at the MACF's scholarship awards event in June 2021.

Scholarships-Midland Area Community Foundation

If you need some financial help to attend college or a trade school next fall, the time is now to apply for a scholarship from the Midland Area Community Foundation.  

Development News City Forest has trails for winter mountain bike rides.

Midland's City Forest-winter destination

The temperatures are cold, which means there’s wintertime fun to be had. Midland's City Forest has a variety of outdoor recreation activities to keep the whole family active outside this season.  

Feature Story Enjoying aquatic arthritis class in the Oasis Pool. The class was designed by The Arthritis Foundation.

Planning for new Midland Community Center

Plans are underway for a new Midland Community Center, next door to the facility that's served the community for 65 years.

Development News Turntable at Radio Wasteland Records

Radio Wasteland Records celebrates fifth anniversary

Radio Wasteland Records is celebrating the fifth anniversary of their business, which has embraced the vinyl resurgence. On Saturday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m., the store is hosting turntable giveaways, vinyl drops, and refreshments for in-store shoppers.