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Four Suns Farm opens for its first full summer season in Mt. Pleasant
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Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Charlevoix's iconic castle: A story of innovation, history and change in Northern Michigan
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From Munising to Memphis: Two brothers' journey to winemaking in rural Michigan
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Beyond books: Rural libraries expand services to meet community needs
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Photo: The historic Rogers Theater is owned by the Presque Isle District Library and is used for movies, community and school events.
Facebook / SHPO
Need to work away from home? Consider these co-working spaces in rural Michigan
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Tom Buchkoe
How one rural Michigan brewery created community
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Photo: A craft beer enthusiast, Jeremy Grossenbacher grew up in Coopersville.
Craig Watson
Michigan's first commercial elderberry farm offers u-pick, market and more
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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
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Cops & Doughnuts
Barn Believers work to save iconic farm structures
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Longform
Healthy Communities
Grow Benzie: Rooted in community
Dianna Stampfler
Thursday, September 1, 2022
A new type of community center has planted roots in Benzie County, providing residents and visitors the chance to learn old and new skills, everything farming and sewing to beekeeping and the arts.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Mason County history finds a new home in Ludington
Courtney Spitzley
Thursday, September 1, 2022
The West Michigan county's historical society moves into new space in downtown Ludington, hoping to better connect to the community and showcase local history.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Meet the Muskegon resident behind ‘Coffee with Craig’
Kelsey Sanders
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Craig Person moved to Muskegon Heights from California to make a difference. The
owner-operator
at
Blue House Manor
recently launched the docuseries “Muskegon What's to Come?” to highlight the stories of Muskegon residents.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
New life for West Michigan Pike, region’s original highway
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Ottawa County teams up with local historian Blaine Knoll to commemorate the original West Michigan highway, with help from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Metal Flow expands in Holland Township
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Metal Flow’s expansion will add 60,000 square feet of space in a new facility and create 10 new jobs.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Coffee and alcohol, a winning combination for startup
Jane Simons
Thursday, August 25, 2022
A business that creates a K-POD that becomes a hot drink with alcohol has been growing in Battle Creek since it launched in 2018. Now Cask & Kettle is selling 600,000 K-PODS annually and is closing in this year on just over $1 million in annual sales.
Technology and Innovation
The path forward: How telehealth continues to provide care for underserved Americans
Connected Nation Michigan
Thursday, August 25, 2022
The COVID-19 outbreak brought telehealth to the forefront, but a report by the Brookings Governance Studies shows us that the demand for virtual health services is not going away. If anything, the need will continue to grow.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Michigan ports welcome new era in Great Lakes cruising
Greg Tasker
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Small coastal towns in the Upper and Lower peninsulas embrace the return of cruise ships, delighting passengers from all over.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative bringing ‘monumental works’ to city
Kelsey Sanders
Thursday, August 18, 2022
The latest public art project, One Drop, honors the 70th anniversary of the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce and is about “how individual efforts when combined become major triumphs.”
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Charms of rural Michigan lure local back from across the pond
Jennifer Veitengruber
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Though he learned much from his time living in England, Guy Stickler is grateful to be back raising his family in rural Millbrook Township and working as a Survey Project Manager for Rowe PSC in Mt. Pleasant.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Let's get ready to Crumbl, Mt. Pleasant: New cookie franchise to open later this fall
Jennifer Veitengruber
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Look out, Mt. Pleasant - the Crumbl Cookie craze is coming to town! With the closest store currently in Novi, this sweet treat is moving a whole lot closer to those in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Blending art and history in the Upper Peninsula
Dianna Stampfler
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Small-city Ironwood is home to a slew of summer arts activities, everything from art fairs to film festivals to Broadway shows.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Wine runs generations deep in this family
Greg Tasker
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Fourth-generation takes the helm of Michigan's oldest winery.
Longform
Entrepreneurship
Lavender farms bloom across rural Michigan
Lisa Baird
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Michigan might not be on the scale of Provence, but lavender farms are increasingly becoming part of our landscape. The farms are beautiful, offering tourists lavender products and peaceful settings.
Longform
Arts and Culture
New owners of historic Ypsi home plan a B&B and culinary community hub
Sarah Rigg
Thursday, August 11, 2022
The owners of a new bed and breakfast called The Newton of Ypsilanti are highlighting the structure's unique history while also seeking to grow connections with the Ypsilanti community of today.
Community Development
An Ingham County community gets its senior center
Bella DiMascio
Thursday, August 11, 2022
The long-awaited senior center opens in Stockbridge, the culmination of years of effort by community groups.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Where’s your beef from? Learn about how JNelson Farms raises their grass-fed cattle
Crystal Gwizdala
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Tucked in the countryside outside of Midland, Jon Nelson of JNelson Farms raises grass-fed cattle. Besides offering quality beef, Jon enjoys educating the community about farming and believes farmers should be transparent about their practices.
Feature Story
Community Development
Muskegon Heights park could be anchor for community with prosperity grant
Andrea Goodell
Thursday, August 4, 2022
The "Reaching NEW Muskegon Heights" project will include a splash pad, restrooms, fountain, and a promenade.
Longform
Community Development
Ludington State Park: Recreation for everyone
Sarah Ratledge
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Advocates work to make northern Michigan's Ludington State Park accessible to people of all abilities and ages.
Partner Content
Technology and Innovation
How this Michigan county maps a plan for better broadband
Connected Nation Michigan
Thursday, August 4, 2022
After years of study, Leelanau County has plan in place to improve broadband service and provide most households with internet access.
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Development News
Some 125 properties included in upcoming DNR auctions
Brice Burge
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Healthy Communities
New housing developments in Cadillac and Elk Rapids receive Brownfield grants to remove contaminants
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Economic Development
Fennville’s agritourism sector to be complemented by $4.8M ‘regeneration project’ of historic hotel
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Community Foundation awards nearly $20,000 for equity and inclusion efforts
Rural Innovation Exchange
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Hancock pursues new bike park and trailhead
Brice Burge
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Arts and Culture
From Tecumseh to Traverse City, Michigan history projects set for USA's semiquincentennial in 2026
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Community Development
Marshall enters final stretch in fundraiser for new park with splash pad and pickleball
MJ Galbraith
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Four charter boat captains from Bay County earn national awards
Thursday, June 19, 2025
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Report: More Rural Maternity Departments Facing Closure
Thursday, July 24, 2025
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‘Big, beautiful bill’ scraps conservation projects in northwest Michigan
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New Mexico Teams with Montana, Virginia, Michigan in Supercharging Rural and Tribal Tourism
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Cheboygan man pushes for passenger train system in northern Michigan
Thursday, July 24, 2025
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St. Joseph, MI set for first major downtown development in decades
Thursday, July 17, 2025
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Proposed Public Media Cuts Will Hurt Rural Americans
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Farmland market remains resilient amid economic uncertainty
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Across Michigan
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Creating safer spaces for domestic violence survivors of marginalized identities
Simranjit Kaur
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Second Wave - Michigan
Kids and Education
More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings
Brianna Nargiso
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Commmunity mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities
Brianna Nargiso
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
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Equity
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences
Brianna Nargiso
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands
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