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

Kim Schneider

Michigan hop farmers are upbeat about their future Read Article

Chuck Marshall

Photo essay: The murals of Monroe Read Article

Indoor axe throwing and corn hole entertainment venue coming this fall to Mt. Pleasant Read Article

Courtney Jerome/Epicenter

Visitor perspectives help move MI communities forward Read Article

Katielynne Gougherty

Ludington celebrates a milestone anniversary Read Article

ToddandBradReed.com

Hop Lot Brewing Co. finds success with Up North vibe Read Article

Lisa Baird

Creating an idyllic space for artists, educators and entrepreneurs in rural Michigan Read Article

Barn Believers work to save iconic farm structures Read Article

Cassopolis: A village reimagined Read Article

Bryan Esler

Cops & Doughnuts: Behind the badges and doughnuts Read Article

Cops & Doughnuts

An honor for the whole village of Vicksburg Read Article

An historic postcard of the Lee Paper Mill, which once generated over 17 tons of paper per day at its peak.
Photo: An historic postcard of the Lee Paper Mill, which once generated over 17 tons of paper per day at its peak.

Now showing ... former theaters repurposed Read Article

Delft Theater

Grow Benzie: Rooted in community Read Article

Grow Benzie
Ark Installation by Scott Hocking
Ark Installation by Scott Hocking

Barns become works of art in Michigan's 'thumb' Read Article

Secret Sky Barn in Hume Township
Photo: Secret Sky Barn in Hume Township Catie Newell of Alibi Studio.

Cops & Doughnuts: Behind the badges and doughnuts Read Article

Cops & Doughnuts

Barn Believers work to save iconic farm structures Read Article

Features

Partner Content Kittie Tuinstra outside of the new Shelby Trails Apartments. Second Wave - MichiganBuilding Communities

A bank few likely ever heard of helps Michigan communities thrive

David SandsThursday, September 28, 2023
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. Sustainability

Encouraging greener communitiesThe Michigan Green Communities Challenge promotes sustainability

Sarah SpohnThursday, September 28, 2023
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. Sustainability

Sustainable stepsTraverse City encourages tourists to volunteer to help the environment

RIX StaffThursday, September 28, 2023
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 Economic Development

Community foundations, nonprofit lenders blending strengths

Northern InitiativesThursday, September 28, 2023
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

Genevieve FoxThursday, September 28, 2023
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. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

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

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, September 28, 2023
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

Brenda and Chuck MarshallThursday, September 28, 2023
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. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

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

Ashley KingWednesday, September 27, 2023
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, Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

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

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, September 27, 2023
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.
Economic Development

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

Sarah Spohn Monday, September 25, 2023
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. Entrepreneurship

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

Kim SchneiderThursday, September 21, 2023
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 Community Development

Hastings spruces up its downtown

Rosemary ParkerThursday, September 21, 2023
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

Brenda Sodt MarshallThursday, September 21, 2023
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

Shandra MartinezThursday, September 21, 2023
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

Sarah Spohn Thursday, September 21, 2023
“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 Entrepreneurship

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

Rosemary ParkerThursday, September 14, 2023
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. Economic Development

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

Sarah SpohnThursday, September 14, 2023
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

Harold PowellThursday, September 14, 2023
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) Arts and Culture

'Epic' record-holder swims between Manitou Islands

Shandra MartinezThursday, September 14, 2023
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. Economic Development

City of Muskegon giving out grants to ‘empower homeowners’

Shandra MartinezThursday, September 14, 2023
New improvement grants funded by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan provide $375,000 for targeted city neighborhoods.  
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