Features

Feature Story vacccineimage

Michigan Vaccine Program educates residents and shares accurate information about vaccination

The Michigan Vaccine Program focuses on statewide education and outreach, tapping in-person programming and media campaigns to share accurate information on vaccination.   

Feature Story millsideview

Glen Arbor mill finds new life as cafe, restaurant and hotel

Historic grist mill in Glen Arbor has been restored as a cafe, restaurant and hotel, providing hospitality to visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and northwest Michigan. 

Feature Story Tech Farming List

Precision farming and technology revolutionizes crop management in mid Michigan

Farmers in mid Michigan are leveraging cutting-edge technology such as auto-steering tractors and precision-planting tools to optimize crop production and mitigate challenges. These advancements not only enhance efficiency and reduce costs, but also empower farmers to make data-informed decisions, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices for the future.

Feature Story Steve Nordgren poses for a photo in front of his artwork.

How mentorship and art are creating beautiful spaces in Port Huron

In Port Huron, artists have transformed buildings, storm drains, and many other public spaces with their creative works. Explore the story behind two of the most recent projects in the Blue Water Area.

Feature Story Grants are available to help U.P. farmers build hoop houses to extend the growing season.

Helping U.P. farmers extend the growing season

The U.P. Food Exchange has grants available to help farmers build hoop houses or similar structures to expand the growing season and offer fresh produce to residents in the Upper Peninsula. 

Feature Story Small-pt-comunity-center

Park Township announces public engagement process for new community center

Gather Park Township will host multiple opportunities for public input in shaping a vision for a new community center. The former building on the Ottawa County Fairgrounds was lost to fire in 2022.  

Longform Rendering of Sawmill Lofts in Grayling

Recent Michigan housing legislation incentivizes more housing developments

As part of the Make it in Michigan Strategy, the state of Michigan has new finance tools and opportunities to convert vacant land into housing via the Transformational Brownfield Fund and tax increment funding. The State Land Bank Authority and Michigan Community Capital are working with state, local, and federal organizations to develop attainable workforce housing in their communities.   

Feature Story mentalhealth

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health: Building trust and improving health

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health partners with community mental health providers in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. 

Feature Story Contrast Coffee has locations in Iron River, Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Marquette and Negaunee.

Brewing a difference in the U.P.

Contrast Coffee Co. began as a coffee wholesaler and a way for a trio to make a difference in the community. Success has brought retail locations in the central U.P. and a difference in its circle of business and the community.

Feature Story The G-M Wood Products facility in Newaygo.

Wood products manufacturer expands in Newaygo

“We are bringing a new technology on site that we previously sourced from out of state and overseas. We firmly believe that the value of automated USA manufacturing will continue to increase over the coming years,” says Kevin Karrip, who is vice president of G-M Wood Products in Newaygo.

Longform Head Start students at St. John's Universal Church of Christ in Jackson learn about cucumbers and dragonfruit in a lesson on mindful eating.

Pilot program in Jackson County aims to support preschoolers' mental health through mindfulness

A new study will test whether and how mindfulness-based food-body-mind interventions can optimize young children's cognitive function and behavioral health.

Feature Story Small-John-Miller

Brewery’s new summer offerings reflect growth of region’s agribusiness

Allegan County-based Saugatuck Brewing Company, which has grown into one of Michigan's largest independently owned craft breweries, is aiming to grow its market share even more with a new Shandy Variety Pack.

Feature Story Owner of The First Cup Jake Skarbek shakes hands with former owner Don Peterson.

The First Cup: Clay Township coffee shop gets new owner and new look

With a new owner and new name, a long-standing coffee shop in Clay Township has reopened after a brief closure for renovations. Here’s what’s next for The First Cup.

Feature Story Summer Hill Village

Summerhill Village: Pioneering sustainable living with Clayton eBuilt™ homes in central Michigan

With a goal of building innovative homes which are less expensive, healthier, and more sustainable places to live, Summerhill Village in Mt. Pleasant introduces first-of-it's-kind eBuilt Zero Energy Ready Homes amid housing shortage.

Feature Story Luis Benitez spoke about the future and importance of outdoor recreation at a recent Friends of Grand Rapids Parks event.

Outdoor industry thought leader Luis Benitez sees economic potential in rural Michigan

Luis Benitez, author of “Higher Ground: How The Outdoor Recreation Industry Can Save The World,'' makes summer visits to Northern Michigan. He has some ideas on how rural communities can find success beyond the tourism economy.

Feature Story healthclinicimage

The doctor is in -- and so is the dentist at these soon-to-be school-based health care clinics

Three southeastern Michigan schools will have new student health centers on campus this spring, thanks to grants from the Family Medical Center of Michigan.

How GoPro cameras could bring Great Lakes fisheries research into sharper focus

Tribal fisheries biologists are leading the way on a project that will submerge cameras to get a better idea of how fish populations are interacting and changing.

Feature Story Small Business Cohort program flyer

New Small Business Cohort program offers opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their business

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County recently launched a new program available to entrepreneurs in several Michigan counties that is designed to connect entrepreneurs with training and resources conducive to growing their businesses.

Longform Melvin Henley

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   

Partner Content The conference will include four break-out sessions offering a choice among 15 different topics.