Region
Second Wave - Michigan
Capital Gains - Lansing
Catalyst Midland
Concentrate - Ann Arbor/Ypsi
Epicenter - Mount Pleasant
Route Bay City
Rural Innovation Exchange
Southwest Michigan
UPword - UP
The Keel - Port Huron
The Lakeshore
Metromode - Metro Detroit
Flintside - Flint
Model D - Detroit
Rapid Growth - Grand Rapids
Focus Areas
Agricultural Economy / Technology
Arts and Culture
Broadband / Technology
Community Health
Government / Nonprofit
Housing
Outdoor Recreation / Manufacturing
Philanthropy / Social Innovation
Placemaking
Small Business / Entrepreneurship
Sustainability / Environment
Workforce
Youth / Education
Series
Block by Block
Early Education Matters
MI Mental Health
Michigan's State of Health Podcast
Preserving Michigan
State of Health
Stories of Change
Toggle navigation
Focus Areas
Agricultural Economy / Technology
Arts and Culture
Broadband / Technology
Community Health
Government / Nonprofit
Housing
Outdoor Recreation / Manufacturing
Philanthropy / Social Innovation
Placemaking
Small Business / Entrepreneurship
Sustainability / Environment
Workforce
Youth / Education
Series
Block by Block
Early Education Matters
MI Mental Health
Michigan's State of Health Podcast
Preserving Michigan
State of Health
Stories of Change
About
Support Us
Four Suns Farm opens for its first full summer season in Mt. Pleasant
Read Article
Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Charlevoix's iconic castle: A story of innovation, history and change in Northern Michigan
Read Article
From Munising to Memphis: Two brothers' journey to winemaking in rural Michigan
Read Article
Beyond books: Rural libraries expand services to meet community needs
Read Article
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
Read Article
Tom Buchkoe
How one rural Michigan brewery created community
Read Article
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
Read Article
Lavender farms on the rise in Michigan
Read Article
Brian Wells
New 'ride' showcases Cadillac as an ORV destination
Read Article
Downtown Clare has a new vibe, thanks to a new wave of entrepreneurs
Read Article
Courtney Jerome
Agritourism: How small farms in rural Michigan are finding solutions
Read Article
Leslie Cieplechowicz
A roadmap to prosperity for rural communities
Read Article
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
Read Article
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
Features
Load More Stories
Feature Story
Talent
Seeing what Mt. Pleasant offers beyond the college experience proves crucial for talent retention
Jennifer Veitengruber
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum Executive Director Lizzie Dilg credits Central Michigan University's Nonprofit Program and Isabella County's robust nonprofit sector for influencing her decision to remain in the area after graduation.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Niche sports help put rural towns on the map
Rosemary Parker
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Small towns in rural Michigan have transformed single-day events like bike racing and ice climbing into branding campaigns, luring athletes and visitors to their communities year round.
Feature Story
Grand Haven creates waterfront gathering spot with food trucks
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Grand Haven has turned a grassy patch along its waterfront into a destination with the new Chinook Pier Food Truck Park.
Feature Story
Experience the Blue Water Area at downtown Port Huron’s newest hotel
Andrea Harrington
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Overlooking the Black River at its waterfront location on the corner of Water and Military Street, Port Huron’s newest hotel offers visitors the opportunity to stay right in the heart of downtown with close proximity to all the Blue Water Area has to offer.
Feature Story
Sustainability
Almost heaven: Silver Mountain
Nature Conservancy in Michigan helps preserve unique tract
Greg Tasker
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The Nature Conservancy in Michigan transfers the last parcel on Silver Mountain to the U.S. Forest Service, ensuring preservation of an usual tract and adding to the recreational opportunities in the Upper Peninsula.
Feature Story
Gentex’s $300M expansion to add 500 new jobs
Shandra Martinez
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Ottawa County's biggest employer is growing. Gentex Corp. is investing $300 million to expand its operations with new facilities in the city of Zeeland and Zeeland Charter Township.
Feature Story
Economic Development
CVB lauded as ‘community ally’ as it markets Isabella County and drives tourism forward
Gabrielle Haiderer
Thursday, July 21, 2022
The Mount Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau looks back on a few of the big projects it’s helped fund since 2019 – when it first received a funding increase – and looks forward to what the future holds; local organizations describe the impact CVB funding has had on their projects and on the community as a whole.
Feature Story
Community Development
In Ludington: Make your mark at this bed and breakfast
Lisa Baird
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Giving back to the Mason County community, the new owners of the Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast are providing volunteer opportunities for their guests.
Longform
Arts and Culture
Popular Kal-Haven Trail gets money for upgrades
Rosemary Parker
Thursday, July 21, 2022
The Kal-Haven Trail has been awarded $5 million in federal funds for the long-overdue resurfacing of 17 miles of the trail’s 33.5-mile length.
Feature Story
Economic Development
West Michigan Works! relocates Holland service center
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, July 21, 2022
West Michigan Works! has relocated its Holland service center to a more central location close to key partners such as the GRCC Lakeshore Campus.
Feature Story
Arts and Culture
Peek into the honeycomb: A day in the life of a beekeeper
Crystal Gwizdala
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Will Sears of the Midland Bee Company has raised bees for over a decade now. He’s come to appreciate how well they work together and just how sweet Michigan honey is.
Longform
Entrepreneurship
A one-of-a-kind campground emerges outside Rockford
Greg Tasker
Thursday, July 14, 2022
The pandemic inspired a rural Michigan couple to build a secluded retreat for people to "detach" from their tech-laden lives.
Feature Story
Sustainability
Negwegon: Hidden gem protected by Friends group
Courtney Spitzley
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Friends of Negwegon State Park work to keep the secluded park along Lake Huron in pristine shape, preserving the landscape for future generations.
Partner Content
Technology and Innovation
New insight about state telehealth laws provides a clear path to expansion
Connected Nation Michigan
Thursday, July 14, 2022
The Center for Connected Health Policy released its
spring 2022 report
in May on state telehealth laws and Medicaid program policies. Among other things, the document tracks changes in Medicaid policy that states have enacted since fall 2021.
Feature Story
Economic Development
Collaborative approach to addressing affordable housing shortage garners national spotlight
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, July 14, 2022
HUD award recognizes the collaboration of public, private, and philanthropic partners that came together to create Housing Next to focus on addressing the region’s housing problem.
Longform
Food co-op in downtown Battle Creek will support local food growers and makers
Jane Simons
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The idea of a food co-op in downtown Battle Creek has been discussed for several years and now there is a demand for it given the growth of residential properties that are fully occupied with waiting lists.
Longform
Sustainability
Growers, community come together to build fruit research station in west central Michigan
Sarah Ratledge
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The newly opened West Michigan Research Station serves the unique needs of fruit tree farmers in west central Michigan.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Tiny brewery overcomes hurdles to keep on pouring
Rosemary Parker
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Ramshackle Brewing Co. survives COVID and other obstacles to become a community gathering spot in southern Michigan.
Feature Story
JR Automation’s $9.9M expansion expected to create 140 new jobs
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The automation solutions provider will be creating one of the top machining and fabrication facilities in West Michigan.
Feature Story
After two years following the May 2020 flood, the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is fully reopened
Ed Hutchison
Thursday, June 30, 2022
While the library took a hit during the 2020 disaster, it’s come back to new life with some new services!
Load More Stories
Share this Page
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
View All Development News
Recommended Content
Facebook
Rural Buzz
Report: More Rural Maternity Departments Facing Closure
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Source:
The Daily Yonder
‘Big, beautiful bill’ scraps conservation projects in northwest Michigan
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Source:
Bridge Michigan
New Mexico Teams with Montana, Virginia, Michigan in Supercharging Rural and Tribal Tourism
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Source:
Travel and Tour World
Cheboygan man pushes for passenger train system in northern Michigan
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Source:
The Alpena News
St. Joseph, MI set for first major downtown development in decades
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Source:
WSBT
Proposed Public Media Cuts Will Hurt Rural Americans
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Source:
The Daily Yonder
Farmland market remains resilient amid economic uncertainty
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Source:
Michigan Farm News
How NMC’s Office Of Possibilities Became A Key Driver Of Local Innovation
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Source:
The Ticker
View All Rural Buzz
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
Second Wave - Michigan
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
Shandra Martinez
Monday, June 23, 2025
All Michigan Stories