Kalamazoo’s name is so distinctive strangers around the world have been known to break into song at hearing the name. With such a recognizable moniker you’d think Kalamazoo wouldn’t need nicknames, but through the years changing names have reflected the city’s refusal to stand still. The Zoo, Celery City and the Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown K’zoo the nation’s first pedestrian mall in 1959 continues to work today. Innovators have developed thriving life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. They build on the expertise of Kalamazoo’s universities. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College all are centers of research, development and technology. They surround a downtown vibrating with condos, apartments and homegrown, top-notch restaurants. The universities are woven into the city’s social fabric and contribute to a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and a vibrant local theater community are a few of the offerings. Locals also love their festivals that fill the air with music and the scents of ethnic foods wafting over the Arcadia Festival grounds and the Kalamazoo River. Outdoor activities from biking on the Kal-Haven trail to disc golf and standard golf on a nationally-acclaimed course in Milham Park are the start of the city’s leisure side. Sports fans have competitive college teams, minor league baseball and hockey to follow. And it all comes with a Promise. All high school graduates who live in Kalamazoo qualify for a scholarship that pays 100 percent of their tuition at any public university or community college.
As rumors swirled about the future of Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries amid downtown redevelopment, CEO Pastor John Simpson reaffirms the organization's commitment to remaining downtown while championing a faith-based model of dignified sheltering and long-term transformation for people experiencing homelessness.
The inaugural cohort of Kalamazoo Forward Ventures’ Tsunami Lab brings together 13 aspiring business owners from more than 100 applicants to learn how to acquire and lead existing small businesses, addressing the growing need for succession planning as Baby Boomer owners retire.
For Cancer Survivor's Month, we share the story of a Battle Creek oncologist who reflects on the patients he has treated and explains why colorectal cancer screening — now recommended beginning at age 45 — can detect cancer early and, in many cases, prevent it altogether.
KatchaSteak, a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak pop-up in Kalamazoo, is opening its first permanent location on Portage Street, bringing authentic cheesesteaks, hoagies and other Philly favorites to Southwest Michigan.
Facing eviction in Kalamazoo? Local housing advocates, fair housing experts, and Legal Aid attorneys explain tenants' rights, common eviction pitfalls, and the critical steps to take before a housing dispute leads to court.
Recognizing that lack of capital is a leading cause of startup failure, Michigan's PitchMI competition offers young companies a chance to secure up to $1.25 million in funding while showcasing the state's growing innovation ecosystem.
As thousands head downtown for the KIA Fair, Pride, the Do-Dah Parade, and other events, understanding parking, walking, and transportation options can make the weekend far less stressful.
RxKids is expanding across parts of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, providing eligible pregnant women with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months after birth to support maternal and infant health regardless of income.
As colleges promote sustainability through recycling programs and climate initiatives, students and faculty at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University question whether higher education institutions are doing enough to address the climate crisis through funding, policy, and climate education.
Amy Williams, the new president of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, brings a community-focused vision shaped by her success in Savannah, aiming to make symphony music more accessible and inviting to people across Kalamazoo.
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