economy
Heart of West Michigan United Way offers free tax preparation assistance
by (GRTV)
Submitted 01-11-2017 under NONPROFITS
In this week’s episode of GRTV’s NPO Showcase, Brenda Brame, Program Manager for the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition (KCTCC), discusses how households with total income of $55,000 or less can access free tax preparation services and...
Land, labor, capital: Looking at root causes of our diseased food system
by (Lance Kraai)
Submitted 02-09-2016 under OPINION
I’m convinced that the ideology of capitalism is the ultimate root cause of the dysfunction of our diseased food system. Addressing food system work without this acknowledgement will only lead to shallow short term solutions. Capitalism has...
Food Bank helps hunger-relief agencies amplify impact
by (jtl6)
Submitted 01-13-2016 under LOCAL LIFE
When a needy family with a sick child came to United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), program director Shawn Keener knew providing food would be the first step toward helping them. “Food is usually the presenting issue that brings...
Overwhelmed by medical bills, family finds help at food pantry
by (Feeding America...)
Submitted 12-30-2015 under NONPROFITS
Nate and Roxann McNinch have been together for eight years. They have three beautiful children, a nice house and a steady income. But when unexpected medical bills came their way, they struggled to cope. It got to the point where they worried about...
Building equity, opportunity in greater Grand Rapids
by (DowntownGR)
Submitted 11-10-2015 under PLACE-MATTERS
Signs of renaissance abound in the City of Grand Rapids. Cranes and construction dominate the urban heart of downtown. The city is on track to recover all of its pre-recession population and now claims one of the nation’s strongest real estate...
Urban agriculture + placemaking = new economy
by (levigardner1)
Submitted 10-06-2015 under OPINION
Drive through the city to see abandoned lots with a “For Sale” sign, and you are faced with a fascinating conundrum. Inquire from a real estate agency the value of that property and they will de facto respond with its financial value....
Time to review GR Forward
by (DowntownGR)
Submitted 07-21-2015 under PLACE-MATTERS
Downtown, everybody’s neighborhood, is changing and growing for the better- and Grand Rapidians right now have a unique opportunity to shape its future. GR Forward is a once-in-a-generation initiative to prepare a community plan and...
Power Up Tech Fair works to connect community to growing job market
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 07-14-2015 under NEWS
Community leaders Jonathan Jelks and AJ Hills IV have collaborated to organize the "Power Up" Technology Fair, set for Tuesday, July 21 at the Baxter Community Center. They have coordinated to help expose aspiring entrepreneurs, young...
Building legacy now: GR Current works to strengthen startups, investors with impact investing
by (grcurrent)
Submitted 07-14-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Written by Felip Ballesteros, Startup Communicator at GR Current Working within the startup community in Grand Rapids, at GR Current we’re deciphering the DNA of local entrepreneurs and investors. Identifying risk tolerance, industry strengths...
With designs in the works, river restoration to move toward launch
by (NGarbaty)
Submitted 06-30-2015 under NEWS
As of June 2015, the construction plans for the Grand River rapids restoration in downtown Grand Rapids have reached 50 percent completion. While the project currently remains in the design phase, the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Whitewater...