Named after a neighborhood school, the Edison Environmental Science Academy, a magnet elementary school, which was in turn, named after Thomas Edison, America’s best-known inventor, the Edison neighborhood is largely comprised of production, service and construction workers, people who have literally helped build and rebuild the city, as well as healthcare, office, and food service workers, people who take care of the city and its residents. And in the spirit of its namesake, Edison continues to invent itself, even when growth and revitalization have failed to deliver on hoped-for promises.With recent economic upturns both for the neighborhood and the city, as well as community and police efforts to lessen violent crime, the future looks bright.
Edison is the first neighborhood being covered in the “On the Ground" series which amplifies the voices of Edison Neighborhood residents. Over three months, Second Wave journalists will be embedded in the Edison Neighborhood to explore topics of importance to residents, business owners, and other members of the community.
The On the Ground program is made possible by funding from the City of Kalamazoo, LISC, the Fetzer Institute, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Michigan WORKS!, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
Longform
![ON the Ground Edison Update]()
Economic Development
Al JonesThursday, October 14, 2021
Feature Story
![On the Ground Edison Washington Square Update]()
Economic Development
Al JonesThursday, May 27, 2021
Feature Story
![On the Ground Kalamazoo Edison History Survey]()
Community Development
Al JonesFriday, April 2, 2021
Feature Story
![Creamery]()
Economic Development
Al JonesThursday, March 11, 2021
Longform
![On Ground Kalamazoo Edison YWCA Learning Center]()
Economic Development
Al JonesWednesday, October 21, 2020
Feature Story
![On the Ground Kalamazoo Farmers Market]()
Healthy Communities
Katie HoustonFriday, May 22, 2020
Longform
![Furr Auto Service]()
Entrepreneurship
Al JonesThursday, March 12, 2020
Longform
![On the Ground Edison George's]()
Entrepreneurship
Al JonesThursday, March 5, 2020
Longform
![On the Ground Kalamazoo Edison Diner]()
Economic Development
Al JonesThursday, February 27, 2020
Longform
![On the Ground Edison Dormouse Theater]()
Arts and Culture
Al JonesThursday, February 20, 2020
Feature Story
![Edison Dental Day of Caring]()
Healthy Communities
Gerry HoffmannThursday, March 28, 2019
Feature Story
![Creamery]()
Economic Development
Al JonesThursday, January 31, 2019
Feature Story
![too much alcohol Edison]()
Economic Development
Heather GorningThursday, October 25, 2018
Feature Story
![OTG Northside Sickle Cell]()
Diversity
Ke'Asia Shepherd-FridayThursday, October 18, 2018
Feature Story
![Edison Old Houses]()
Diversity
Gerry HoffmannThursday, September 20, 2018
Feature Story
![La Luna]()
Entrepreneurship
Gerry HoffmannThursday, August 9, 2018