Dasher? Dancer? Prancer? Nope. But there are "other" reindeer at this festive farm in Clare County Read Article

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 Read Article

Brian Wells

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

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

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

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

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Feature Story

Community Development

Small but important steps toward new housing

Rosemary Parker / RIX StaffThursday, November 9, 2023

Two small towns in rural western Michigan are moving forward with small but important housing projects, thanks to a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation's Housing Partnership Fund.

Partner Content

Healthy Communities

Celebrate National Rural Health Day on Nov. 16

Douglas Siwek Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Michigan Center for Rural Health encourages residents across the state to mark National Rural Health Day. The annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

Feature Story

Raising spirits: Couple opens distillery in former funeral home

Ann DallmanThursday, November 9, 2023

An entrepreneurial couple has turned a former funeral home in Menominee into a distillery and tasting room, adding to the downtown's roster of new businesses. The aptly named Spirit House plays up its interesting past.

Feature Story

Kingdom Builders to open childcare facility in early 2024

Jane ParikhThursday, November 9, 2023

“We need to make sure our children and families are at the forefront,” says Dr. Tino Smith. “I have always been a follower of Frederick Douglass and agree with his words — It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men and I would extend that to broken people given the times we are in.”

Feature Story

‘It’s been good to give back in a way that I can,’ says volunteer driver

Shandra MartinezThursday, November 9, 2023

Community Action of Allegan County is looking for more volunteer drivers like Steve Riley, who gives seniors rides to and from their appointments. He also delivers food to people in need at least once a month.

Feature Story

Arts and Culture

Rural Ottawa County firm’s expansion to add 80 workers

Shandra MartinezThursday, November 9, 2023

With the help of a $560,000 MEDC grant, DeWys Metal Solutions is making a $3.4 million capital investment that will generate 80 manufacturing, engineering, and administrative jobs.

Feature Story

Entrepreneurship

Ludington's STIX is a year-round destination

Erica HobbsThursday, November 2, 2023

An ophthalmologist turned the site of a former Ludington eatery into a multi-venue destination with a restaurant, bowling alley and biergarten. Open year-round, STIX is attracting locals and tourists alike.

Longform

Hikers explore the woods at the Howard and Hazel Weting Preserve in Clare County.

Sustainability

Family donates land for Clare County’s newest nature preserve

Rosemary Parker Thursday, November 2, 2023

Thanks to the donation of the Weting family, the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy has its first nature preserve in Clare County. The 80-acre tract is one of many protected by the Conservancy, which aims to protect natural resources in five north-central Michigan counties.

Feature Story

Irene Michels (right) poses for a photo with her youngest sister, Maggie Toole.

Arts and Culture

Throughout several generations, local family creates positive impact in Blue Water Area

Harold PowellThursday, November 2, 2023

The Reyna family is a remarkable example of multi-generational contribution to the Port Huron community. The Reyna family’s move was a new beginning and the family’s continued impact in the Blue Water Area has helped shape the landscape with notable structures and community activism.

Feature Story

The Attic Finds is located off of Dixie Highway in Fair Haven, Michigan.

Family-owned business The Attic Finds is set to expand offerings

Rita MacDonaldThursday, November 2, 2023

The Attic Finds and General Store, located on Dixie Highway, originally started as a store specializing in refurbished furniture and gift items. Over time, it has expanded to encompass a clothing boutique, an arts and crafts consignment shop, and is soon set to introduce local produce to its offerings.

Feature Story

$7M in investment by three companies will create 40 jobs

Shandra MartinezThursday, November 2, 2023

Three manufacturers’ expansion projects will collectively invest $7 million and create 40 jobs, representing growth in the region’s furniture, health care, and metal manufacturing clusters.

Feature Story

The campus of Northern Michigan University.

New NMU fellowship promotes economic development in the U.P.The goal is retain talent and help communities

UPword StaffThursday, November 2, 2023

A first-of-its-kind fellowship program in the state will provide Northern Michigan University students with hands-on experience in economic and community development in the Upper Peninsula, while also encouraging them to pursue careers in those fields and make the U.P. their home.

Longform

Dr. Jordan Braciszewski demonstrates an iPad app used to screen children for mental health issues in Henry Ford Health clinics.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan providers use innovative technologies to expand access to behavioral health

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, November 1, 2023

Telehealth, which ramped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, is here to stay and many agencies and providers are finding new ways to implement it.

Feature Story

A rendering of the redeveloped Cooley School in Cadillac.

Economic Development

Rural Michigan towns benefit from state grantsCheck out projects in Bad Axe, Cadillac and Chelsea

Ellen PiligianThursday, October 26, 2023

A new round of grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is helping redevelopment projects across the state move forward. Take a look at these long-sought developments in Bad Axe, Cadillac and Chelsea.

Feature Story

The opera house has been a center for the performing arts in the Straits region for decades.

Community Development

The show must go on for all: Cheboygan Opera House plans upgrades to improve accessibility

Rosemary Parker Thursday, October 26, 2023

Cheboygan is home to one of the last remaining opera houses in Michigan. Although a hub of culture in this northern Michigan community, the Victorian-era building is in need of upgrades to make it accessible for everyone. Thanks to a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation, improvements are in the works.

Feature Story

Youngblood Vineyard’s new expansion raises spirits year round

Blake WoodruffThursday, October 26, 2023

Macomb County’s Youngblood Vineyards’ new indoor tasting room has allowed the winery to expand into a full event space. Starting on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple behind the vineyard have remained creative and connected to the community to keep growing.

Feature Story

‘Red’s Shadow,’ filmed in the Great Lakes Bay Region in 2022, is now streaming on Amazon Prime

Kathy RobertsThursday, October 26, 2023

The 2022 film – directed by Bay City native Taylor Gradowski – imagines what happens to Little Red Riding Hood after she outsmarts the big bad wolf, grows up, and graduates from college

Feature Story

Community Development

Grant boosts efforts to restore Muskegon's historic Torrent House to 'former glory'

Shandra MartinezThursday, October 26, 2023

A collaboration has resulted in a new grant to advance efforts to restore Torrent House in downtown Muskegon to its “former glory.”

Feature Story

Kevin Fischer, executive director, NAMI Michigan

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

NAMI Michigan's Kevin Fischer, "Michigan’s CMHs are the front door"

Joanne Bailey BoorsmaTuesday, October 24, 2023

MI Mental Health recently had a chance to talk with Kevin Fischer, executive director, NAMI Michigan, about the important role that community mental health agencies play in Michiganders’ mental health.

Feature Story

Economic Development

New Grayling housing development back on track

Rosemary Parker Thursday, October 19, 2023

After a long delay, a new housing and mixed-use development is moving forward in Grayling. The project will create 42 new apartments in this northern Michigan community of about 2,000 people.

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