Kalamazoo

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 Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown Kazoo the nation's first pedestrian mall in 1959 thrives today. Innovations in life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals combined with the expertise of Kalamazoo's universities - Western Michigan, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College - make the city a center of research, development and technology. It's all part of an eclectic, vibrant city with a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and scrappy local theater companies are a few of the offerings. Locals love their festivals, many at the Arcadia Festival grounds, and their outdoors, whether it's taking to the Kalamazoo River or biking the Kal-Haven trail or golfing at the nationally-acclaimed Milham Park course. The city's 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 scholarships at any public university or community college.

Development News Cares
Feature Story FIRE

Edison Voices: Jaylah N. Lewis offers an invitation to Fire


Feature Story Laura Henderson, left, Queer Theatre Kalamazoo founder/executive producer; Jen Hebben, ”Mama’s Girls” director. Photo by Mark Wedel
Feature Story Geno Hinton

Edison Voices: Geno Hinton in his own words


Feature Story Martha Gonzalez-Cortes
Feature Story Starting Gate Green

Young entrepreneurs make their pitches


Feature Story Edison OTB

On the Ground Kalamazoo launches in the Edison Neighborhood


Development News Cyekeia Lee

Kalamazoo's commitment to education topic of panel at WMU


Development News Kalamazoo Nature Center

Kalamazoo Nature Center to open new maple sugar shack


Development News Lakeside for Children
Feature Story Latitude 42
Feature Story YWCA

YWCA helps children eat better so they learn better