Features

Partner Content Kittie Tuinstra outside of the new Shelby Trails Apartments.

A bank few likely ever heard of helps Michigan communities thrive

An Affordable Housing Program grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis allowed Dogwood Community Development to complete Shelby Trails apartments.  

Feature Story Williamstown Township earned a bronze level of certification in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge.

Encouraging greener communitiesThe Michigan Green Communities Challenge promotes sustainability

Michigan Green Communities, a consortium of partnerships that includes the Michigan Municipal League, has been helping cities and towns across the state become greener. The annual Michigan Green Communities Challenge encourages communities to participate and also measures their sustainability efforts.   

Feature Story Helping out at Arcadia Dunes Baldy Trailhead is an option for volunteers.

Sustainable stepsTraverse City encourages tourists to volunteer to help the environment

Looking for a way to give back while visiting the Traverse City region? Traverse City Tourism will donate $20 to designated Northern Michigan nonprofit organizations for every volunteer who helps pick up trash, remove invasive species or other tasks. They're calling it the Green for Good Challenge.

Partner Content Mari Romero

Community foundations, nonprofit lenders blending strengths

A growing partnership model between community foundations and nonprofit lenders is expanding investment power in Michigan's small businesses.

Feature Story The marina site on the Belle River in Marine City is highlighted in red.

New marina in Marine City aims to boost tourism and downtown economy

The result of a multi-year collaborative effort with more developments still on the horizon, Marine City’s new marina is working to boost tourism in the coastal community.

Longform Emily Miller, Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project managing attorney.

Scams rob Michigan elders of millions, but health providers and nonprofits offer help

Michigan organizations that provide health care and other services for older adults are working to reduce the impact of scams through education and legislative help.

Feature Story InnovateMarquettesignage

Myconaut: Voyagers in the uncharted world of Fungi

A pair of wild mushroom foragers have transformed their passion into a startup in Marquette. Myconaut not only provides tasty mushrooms to local eateries but also is working to develop technologies that use fungi for toxin remediation. 

Longform Home-based early childhood educators are essential to Michigan's childcare and preschool landscape.

Mixed delivery of Michigan’s PreK for All could include home-based early childhood educators

A common concern about PreK for All that came up during listening sessions was the role of home-based childcare and early education providers.

Feature Story Early Education Matters,

Pre-K para Todos mejorará a largo plazo la salud, la educación y los resultados sociales de los niño

Cuando se trata de educación, el Kids Count Data Book (Libro de datos sobre el recuento de niños) de 2023 sitúa a Michigan en el puesto 42 de los 50 estados. Una de las muchas maneras en que el estado está trabajando para mejorar la calidad y la equidad en la educación es mediante el avance de Pre-K gratuito para todos.

Michigan Outdoor Summit returns this weekTraverse City again hosts annual event to bolster Michigan's outdoor economy

The Traverse City area will be the base camp this week for the Michigan Outdoor Summit. The event takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 26 and 27, and brings together networking, programming and outdoor activities to strengthen the outdoor economy across the state.  

Feature Story The De Vors have a herd of about 100 Jersey cows and a few Guernseys on their farm east of Kalkaska in northern Michigan.

Cow cuddling? It's a thing at this northern Michigan dairy farm

Looking to earn money while waiting for permits to sell their food products, Jackie and Henk De Vor opened up their northern Michigan farm to a Dutch wellness practice called koe knuffelen, which translates to cow cuddling. Customers can cuddle with the cows during designated times during the week. 

Feature Story hastingdowntownstreetscene

Hastings spruces up its downtown

Hastings, a small city in southwestern Michigan, is sprucing up its downtown. The city has begun a $3 million Downtown Streetscape Project, which will improve streets and sidewalks and add a host of amenities, including new lights, outside dining areas, new flower beds, new flower pots, and hanging baskets.

Feature Story Negaunee native Rachael Grossman is captivating diners with her Italian cuisine at Strega Nonna.

Buono! Strega Nonna's Italian fare enchants diners in Negaunee

With a love for snow and affection for her hometown, 34-year-old Rachael Grossman returned to her roots to open an Italian bar -- Strega Nonna. She's winning over foodies and visitors with her authentic cuisine and also creating a destination in Negaunee's downtown.

Feature Story The Muskegon DDA is offering grants to fund improvements to downtown Muskegon buildings. (City of Muskegon)

Muskegon DDA expands successful facade grant program

After a successful first year of a downtown facade grant program, the Muskegon DDA has expanded the program to improve the exteriors of downtown businesses and commercial properties.  

Partner Content Gretchen

How URC is building talent-generating capacity, designed to propel Michigan’s economy

“The state of Michigan has realized that this is a ‘do or die’ moment with this economic and technological transformation of the automotive industry and related industries,” says University of Toronto Professor Richard Florida. It's one of the reasons he is part of a group working closely with universities, cities, and stakeholders to build better, more vibrant, sustainable cities in our state.

Feature Story lilypadocked

‘Whisper-quiet’ solar boats create buzz on Lake Leelanau

Solar-powered boat prototypes are cruising the waters of Lake Leelanau in northern Michigan. The innovation in boating came after two years of research and work by a Holland-based company. Could this be the future of Michigan's boating industry?  

Feature Story Harrison is a city of more than 2,000 residents in Clare County.

Redevelopment Ready: Harrison and AlleganBoth communities hope hotel projects spur development

Communities across Michigan are tapping a state toolkit to help them create a streamlined approach to development and a clear vision for their future. The Michigan Municipal League is helping, preparing communities like Harrison and Allegan for development projects.

Feature Story Bootleggers Axe Co. has a speakeasy as well as a full bar available with 40 taps.

New axe-throwing venue, bar, and restaurant opens in downtown Port Huron

Offering food, fun, and perhaps some friendly competition, Bootleggers Axe Co. is set to become a go-to destination for entertainment in the Blue Water Area.

Feature Story Jon Ornée starting his swim off the North Manitou Island on Sept. 10. (Jon Ornée)

'Epic' record-holder swims between Manitou Islands

A spur-of-the-moment idea led Jon Ornée to complete what is believed to be the first-ever swim from the North Manitou Island to the South Manitou Island on Sept. 10. 

Feature Story The map shows the neighborhoods that qualify for the Fair Housing grants.

City of Muskegon giving out grants to ‘empower homeowners’

New improvement grants funded by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan provide $375,000 for targeted city neighborhoods.