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Shandra Martinez

Shandra Martinez's Latest Articles

Local historian Blaine Knoll (left) and Ottawa County Land Use Specialist Andrew Roszkowski install a new West Michigan Pike sign in Holland earlier this month. [Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]
New life for West Michigan Pike, region’s original highway

Ottawa County teams up with local historian Blaine Knoll to commemorate the original West Michigan highway, with help from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.  

Rendering of Metal Flow's planned expansion in Holland Township. (Lakewood Construction)
Metal Flow expands in Holland Township

Metal Flow’s expansion will add 60,000 square feet of space in a new facility and create 10 new jobs.  

The Chinook Pier Food Truck Park officially launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 29. (City of Grand Haven)
Grand Haven creates waterfront gathering spot with food trucks

Grand Haven has turned a grassy patch along its waterfront into a destination with the new Chinook Pier Food Truck Park.  

Rendering shows an aerial view of Gentex's planned expansion. (Gentex)
Gentex’s $300M expansion to add 500 new jobs

Ottawa County's biggest employer is growing. Gentex Corp. is investing $300 million to expand its operations with new facilities in the city of Zeeland and Zeeland Charter Township.

The reception area of the new West Michigan Works! office in Holland.
West Michigan Works! relocates Holland service center

West Michigan Works! has relocated its Holland service center to a more central location close to key partners such as the GRCC Lakeshore Campus.

Ryan Kilpatrick, Executive Director of the Holland-based HousingNext.
Collaborative approach to addressing affordable housing shortage garners national spotlight

HUD award recognizes the collaboration of public, private, and philanthropic partners that came together to create Housing Next to focus on addressing the region’s housing problem.

JR Automations is a designer, builder, and integrator of advanced automation solutions globally.
JR Automation’s $9.9M expansion expected to create 140 new jobs

The automation solutions provider will be creating one of the top machining and fabrication facilities in West Michigan.

Coastal Container is investing $25 million to expand its operations.
Coastal Container’s $25M expansion expected to create 60 new jobs

In addition to creating jobs, Coastal Container’s investment in a state-of-the-art corrugator, and a new rail spur for the delivery of paper rolls, will reduce 1 million miles of truck traffic annually.   

Residents can purchase composting bags for $5 for one bag or $12 for three bags.
Ottawa County launches food composting program

Ottawa County’s new food composting program is the only local public health-led residential composting program of its kind in West Michigan.

GMB Architects and Engineering was honored for the Holland company's work on the GRCC Lakeshore Campus.
GRCC Lakeshore Campus earns national recognition for design transformation

The transformation of a shuttered JCPenney department store into the vibrant learning hub that is the GRCC Lakeshore Campus and the renovation of historic Steven C. Ender Hall into a new student space has earned national recognition for the architectural and engineering firms leading the projects.

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