David Ollila, who holds at least 16 patents, is the force behind a new development in Marquette that he hopes will bolster the outdoor recreation sector in the Upper Peninsula and connect it to Michigan’s mobility engine.  

The customized furniture manufacturer’s expansion will create seven new jobs in the city of Zeeland. 

Community foundations have traditionally focused on grant making and other nonprofit support. These days, however, community foundations across Michigan are lending a hand with development projects of all kinds in small towns. 

“The goal of the event is to bring women together and make them feel empowered and encouraged, because I feel it’s really lacking in today's community,” says Demiree Fultz, owner of Ruboo Boutique and organizer of the empowHER Conference. “Hopefully this can become an annual event and change the lives of those who attend.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has done a great many things. But one of the good ones is to show how much people are willing to help each other. From a partnership with Zeeland's oldest restaurant and one of its most popular ones, a new venture was formed.

“We grew out of our Broadway location so quickly and have been looking to expand for some time,” Steve Neiman says. “We really love the community and when the offer from the Inn came up — it was a beautiful view, great people, room for parking, and indoor and outdoor seating — it was a no-brainer for us.”

Retired teacher Frank Kraai is giving his life savings of $1 million to bring an ice skating rink to downtown Holland that he hopes will bring “pure joy” to the residents.

Mushers Justin and Jaimee High left Alaska for the Upper Peninsula, where they produce durable outdoors gear and run a retail shop in downtown Calumet.

As a result of an increase in demand for reliable power, one family-owned business is expanding its Mt. Pleasant location helping to meet the need and create jobs in the local community.

An ambitious transit proposal that's been gathering steam for over a decade could significantly contribute to addressing the inequities in access to transportation between northern and southern Michigan.