Features

Feature Story Vernon LaLone, founder and managing director of Wave Lumina, pitches at a recent TCNewTech pitch event, hosted by 20Fathoms.

Startup incubator expands its reach across northwest Michigan

After helping more than 200 entrepreneurs launch their businesses, Traverse City-based 20Fathoms is expanding its reach across northwest lower Michigan.

Feature Story Left to Right: Marquicia Pierce and Kanchan Wankhede.

Smartzone: How a state-run tool is helping businesses reach new technological heights

A new tool based in Port Huron is helping businesses get the support they need to keep growing.

Feature Story Houghton city officials and beautification committee members pose with the trophy from the Michigan Municipal League.

Houghton's waterfront 'vision' earns honors from Michigan Municipal League

Houghton is the second U.P. community to earn the Community Excellence Award from the Michigan Municipal League. The Keweenaw Peninsula city was honored for the transformation of its waterfront and improved connections to the downtown and the community.

Feature Story alleganscene

Downtown improvements help Allegan draw new businesses and visitors

With a fresh streetscape and improved infrastructure, Allegan is welcoming new businesses and visitors alike. The southwestern Michigan city is also home to vibrant community programming and a notable craft beer scene.  

Partner Content bucksporthopediner

Northern Initiatives helps rural entrepreneurs build businesses, community

Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender with a mission to support underserved entrepreneurs, helped restaurateur Tarra Hurlburt open the Port Hope Diner, helping to make the Thumb community a destination.

Feature Story The Muskegon County Airport is slated for a major renovation and modernization of the passenger terminal this year.

Muskegon County Airport marks new era of air service

Muskegon County Airport says its new carrier, Denver Air Connection, will provide improved reliability and service. It will replace Southern Airways Express.

Feature Story Jim Baumann and Michelle Cortright meet at Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company in Boyne City. They launched The Boyne Citizen earlier this month - a nonprofit digital newsletter.

As local media disappears, 'Boyne Citizen' returns under nonprofit model

Local news is disappearing across the American landscape. That means residents no longer get the information they need to understand important local issues. In Northern Michigan, a community-minded couple hopes to break that cycle -- they've resurrected The Boyne Citizen as a nonprofit digital newsletter.

Feature Story Consumers Energy list

Study draws a picture of the possibilities at the former Karn site in Hampton Township

A comprehensive study, titled "Where the River Meets the Bay," calls for transforming the former Dan E. Karn Generating Plant site into a public space featuring outdoor recreation areas, natural habitat, mixed-use development, and a clean energy complex.

Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate.

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  

Feature Story Champions of Wayne students with Wayne Memorial High School staff and mentors at the Student Achievement Banquet on June 20, 2024

Visionary Wayne Memorial High School program helps students succeed by paying themNonprofit Journal Project

At Wayne Memorial High School, Champions of Wayne pays students $250 per semester to work with mentors to meet personalized goals.

Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.

Feature Story Participants in the 2023 songwriters retreat.

Port Austin sets the stage for a songwriting retreat

The fourth annual Huco Songs songwriter retreat weekend takes place at the Port Austin Artist in Residence Bee Barn from Sept. 27-29. The retreat invites songwriters of all ages, experience, and styles to learn techniques, tips, and collaborate with a supportive network of creatives.   

Feature Story onawaybranchlibrary

Spark grant will help Onaway with trailhead, recreation improvements

Onaway, a small city not far from the Mackinac Bridge, has been awarded a big Michigan Spark grant to help with the development and improvement of recreational amenities and a trailhead.

Feature Story sunrisephotographer

Capturing the sunrise: A Marquette photographer's years-long mission

Bugsy Sailor has taken a photo of the sunrise every morning of every day for nearly six years straight. In 2019, he started the Year of the Sunrise project, and today has a gallery of photos on display online, and at his store, the Upper Peninsula Supply Co.   

Feature Story Nic Theisen (left), co-owner of Loma Farm and Farm Club, plants brussels sprouts with employee Dexter Lamie.

Labor of mixed emotions

Is farming a labor of love? Not necessarily, says Nic NAME, the subject of a recent Points North podcast. 

Longform Elizabeth Agius

Michigan organizations, universities, and agencies growing the public health workforce

Michigan, as well as the rest of the world, is going through a health care workforce shortage. The Michigan Health Council’s (MHC) Michigan Health Care Workforce Index projects that nearly all 36 health care occupations will experience workforce shortages between now and 2033.

Longform GHS Urgent Care

Funding gap threatens care for Michiganders utilizing community mental health

Michigan’s community mental health agencies face deep revenue gaps this year — a projected $93 million.

Feature Story The Autonomous Surface Vessel en route to Lake Superior.

Autonomous vessel to map the Great LakesBut first it will solve Lake Superior mystery

The Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University this week launched its Autonomous Surface Vessel. The unmanned vessel will map the Great Lakes and help answer decades-old questions involving the whereabouts of more than 200 unaccounted for shipwrecks and plane crashes in Lake Superior. 

Feature Story DoubleTree

DoubleTree Hotel in BC to offer premier hospitality for guests, hands-on learning for students

Battle Creek welcomes DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in September. As part of a unique community partnership, the hotel will feature luxury accommodations and a hospitality training center, the first 'training hotel' in Southwest Michigan.

Feature Story Josh Chapman, President and CEO, YMCA of the Blue Water Area

Blue Meets Green collaborative feeds economic prosperityNonprofit Journal Project Feature

The Blue Meets Green collaborative considers all sectors while cultivating a prosperous St. Clair County.