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Outdoor Recreation / Manufacturing
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Lavender farms on the rise in Michigan
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Brian Wells
New 'ride' showcases Cadillac as an ORV destination
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Downtown Clare has a new vibe, thanks to a new wave of entrepreneurs
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Courtney Jerome
Agritourism: How small farms in rural Michigan are finding solutions
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Leslie Cieplechowicz
A roadmap to prosperity for rural communities
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Photo: Cassopolis has made many improvements, including to its downtown, but housing remains an issue.
Bryan Esler
The life of a modern shepherdess: Bridging tradition and innovation in farming in rural Michigan
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Dasher? Dancer? Prancer? Nope. But there are "other" reindeer at this festive farm in Clare County
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Photo: A reindeer stands on top of a hill inside an enclosure at Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm
Brian Wells
It's a gym, theater, library ... a building for the community in Harbor Beach
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Brian Wells
Cow cuddling? It's a thing at this northern Michigan dairy farm
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Kim Schneider
Michigan hop farmers are upbeat about their future
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Chuck Marshall
Photo essay: The murals of Monroe
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Indoor axe throwing and corn hole entertainment venue coming this fall to Mt. Pleasant
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Courtney Jerome/Epicenter
Visitor perspectives help move MI communities forward
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Katielynne Gougherty
Ludington celebrates a milestone anniversary
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ToddandBradReed.com
Hop Lot Brewing Co. finds success with Up North vibe
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Lisa Baird
Creating an idyllic space for artists, educators and entrepreneurs in rural Michigan
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Barn Believers work to save iconic farm structures
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Cassopolis: A village reimagined
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Bryan Esler
Cops & Doughnuts: Behind the badges and doughnuts
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Cops & Doughnuts
An honor for the whole village of Vicksburg
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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
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Delft Theater
Grow Benzie: Rooted in community
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Grow Benzie
Ark Installation by Scott Hocking
Barns become works of art in Michigan's 'thumb'
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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
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Features
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Longform
Second Wave - Michigan
Community Development
How public health cares for Michigan's infants and new parents
Estelle Slootmaker
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Michigan’s state and local public health systems make great efforts to ensure that expectant mothers and infants get the best start possible.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Rebranding: ‘Southern Michigan Outdoors’ plan promotes Jackson’s outdoor assets
Michelle Miron
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Three counties in southern Michigan -- centered around Jackson -- are working to rebrand the rural region as a center for outdoor recreation, a supporter of “rec tech” business innovation and a more attractive place to live.
Feature Story
Navigating Success: Uncle Ducky's journey from the skies to the shores of Lake Superior
Jennifer Champagne
Thursday, June 20, 2024
A customer's random request to rent a fleet of canoes from William Duckwall's charter fishing company led to a kayaking enterprise. Today, Uncle Ducky's paddling and other operations are an integral part of the tourism industry in Munising at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Feature Story
Why Mt. Pleasant is central Michigan's cannabis capital: Growth, revenue, and community benefits
Kathy Backus
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Mt. Pleasant has become a hub for cannabis retailers, leading to significant economic and community benefits. Explore the reasons behind the town's appeal to marijuana businesses and the positive impacts on local employment, infrastructure, and city revenue.
Feature Story
How Women in Tech is elevating West Michigan’s tech scene
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Women in Tech is growing as more female tech firm founders and leaders are coming together to support and elevate each other. After taking part in the first annual Go Beyond, they are gearing up for Tech Week Grand Rapids this fall.
Feature Story
Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber President Cindy Larsen to retire
The Lakeshore
Thursday, June 20, 2024
After 25 years of leading the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Larsen will retire in the fall. The chamber’s chief operating officer, Rachel Gorman, will take over the role.
Feature Story
GR-based Life EMS Ambulance expands services to Saugatuck
The Lakeshore
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Life EMS Ambulance adds northern Saugatuck Township, the city of Saugatuck, and the city of the Village of Douglas to its growing Southwest Michigan 911 paramedic response area.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
U-pick flower farms blooming across Michigan
Erica Hobbs
Thursday, June 13, 2024
U-pick flower farms are sprouting up across Michigan, part of the state's flourishing agritourism industry. Consumers like picking fresh, local flowers and farmers like the additional revenue source.
Feature Story
Community Development
$2 million waterfront plaza planned for Benton Harbor
Rosemary Parker
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Benton Harbor is redeveloping a stretch of waterfront site as community space, with plans for a water taxi dock, kayak launch, and fishing area.
Feature Story
Study shows the economic importance of tourism in the counties of the western U.P.
Jennifer Donovan
Thursday, June 13, 2024
A newly released study underscores the importance of tourism to the economy of the western Upper Peninsula. Officials across the region hope the study further enhances tourism and helps with community planning and promotion efforts.
Feature Story
Holland couple’s experience with aging parents leads to new business
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Brian and Mollie Gaggin decided to take their careers in a new direction after caring for their aging parents as they battled Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Blue Water River Walk celebrates 10-year anniversary
Joseph Hayes
Thursday, June 13, 2024
After years of restoring the shoreline, The Blue Water River Walk has become one of the must-see sights in the area and is known for its wetlands, artwork, and pedestrian trail.
Longform
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
$5 million in federal funding will help 5 Michigan organizations reduce infant and maternal deaths
Estelle Slootmaker
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Five Michigan organizations will receive federal support of about $1 million each to improve maternal and infant health in the state.
Feature Story
Kids and Education
Revving up: The transformative experience of the Gilmore Garage Works program
Brenda and Chuck Marshall
Thursday, June 6, 2024
The Gilmore Car Museum is more than a collection of polished antique cars. The well-known museum in Hickory Corners offers hands-on automotive restoration and maintenance education to youth in southwest Michigan.
Feature Story
Community Development
Cassopolis reimagines childcare
Rosemary Parker
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Cassopolis returns to the imagination to come up with solutions to a shortage of childcare workers and childcare options in the Cass County community.
Feature Story
Adelaide Pointe celebrates grand opening of Michigan's first new marina in nearly three decades
Andrea Goodell
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Adelaide Pointe on Muskegon Lake incorporates both private and public amenities into its plan, including fishing spots, a soft shoreline, and residential property along the lake.
Feature Story
PHOTOS: Iconic beachside store reopens
The Lakeshore
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Take a look inside the newly rebuilt ‘vintage’ Ottawa Beach General Store that has reopened next to Holland State Park in time for summer.
Feature Story
Making a small difference in Manistique
Ann Dallman
Thursday, June 6, 2024
The historic Manistique Bank building in downtown Manistique is undergoing a renovation for commercial and residential uses.
Longform
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Michigan's free school meals yield high returns for student health and academic success
Estelle Slootmaker
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Michigan has become one of eight states to make free school meals available to all, creating notable benefits for students' health.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Small ports welcome uptick in Great Lakes cruises
RIX Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Interest in cruising the Great Lakes continues to grow, and small ports along Michigan's vast shoreline are welcoming more passengers. They're disembarking to explore downtowns, historic sites and natural landmarks.
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Development News
Nor’East Outdoors opens storefront and possibilities
Amy Hutchinson
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Technology and Innovation
Traverse Connect to launch pilot program using drones to deliver medical supplies to rural residents
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Community Development
Village of Honor plans to activate underutilized park space with new playground
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 25, 2024
The U.P.'s Island Resort & Casino plans expansion
Brice Burge
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Technology and Innovation
More EV chargers announced along Michigan's west coast in boost for tourism
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Community Development
New roof for Charlevoix City Hall among 7 historic preservation projects to win grants in Michigan
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Sustainability
Showcase highlights the next wave of organizations working to bolster Michigan's circular economy
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Community Development
'The Electric City': Downtown Sturgis ready for the spotlight in latest placemaking campaign
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 11, 2024
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Rural Buzz
Farming for wind in rural Michigan
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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Brookings
Michigan gets $129M from feds to accelerate development of large wind, solar projects
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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MLive
Rural, Recreation-Related Businesses Support Each Other Through ‘Rural is Rad’
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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The Daily Yonder
Dual hotel proposed for Grand Haven along Grand River
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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Yahoo
Michigan beach town competes against Hawaii and California for best bed and breakfast
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Source:
MLive
Benton Harbor Commissioners approve Brownfield plan for housing development
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Source:
WSJM
Small Towns Are Paying Remote Workers to Move In
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Source:
The Daily Yonder
McLaren supports 'Cheboygan Commons' development
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Source:
Interlochen Public Radio
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Across Michigan
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Opioid health homes remove barriers to recovery
Estelle Slootmaker
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement
Estelle Slootmaker
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Second Wave - Michigan
Building Communities
Repurposing community assets strengthens communities in Pontiac and Detroit
Monique Bedford
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Second Wave - Michigan
Kids and Education
How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids
Kelsey Sanders
Monday, June 24, 2024
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Connecting to mental health services is as simple as picking up a phone
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
All Michigan Stories