New contest for small and emerging Michigan snack makers offers $50K in cash prizes and more

“The growth of new small craft and niche snack food companies in Michigan is exciting,” says Duncan Smith, President and COO of All Star Services, Inc. “All Star Services is a growing small business and we want to help bring more focus to the growing segment of snack food companies in Michigan.”

New contest for small and emerging Michigan snack makers offers $50K in cash prizes and more

“The growth of new small craft and niche snack food companies in Michigan is exciting,” says Duncan Smith, President and COO of All Star Services, Inc. “All Star Services is a growing small business and we want to help bring more focus to the growing segment of snack food companies in Michigan.”

Jake Williams, Gleaners Community Food Bank nutrition education manager, and Bridget Brown, director for Gleaners' Food Secure Livingston program, at Shared Harvest Pantry in Howell.
SNAP-Ed inspires healthy eating in Southeast Michigan food pantries

Gleaners Community Food Bank is working to bolster nutrition security by actively sourcing a variety of fruits and vegetables for food pantries, and by providing nutrition education information for pantry guests. 

The 109 Cultural Exchange in downtown Saline.
State awards grants to support downtown placemaking projects in Niles, Otsego, Saline, and more

“Historic Downtown Sault Ste Marie is a place many have still yet to discover,” says Sault Ste. Marie DDA Director Tony Cutler. “This opportunity to partner with the MEDC in the Vibrancy Grant will help strengthen our brand and commitment to enhancing our downtown.”

Saltless Sea Creamery sells its cheeses at area farmers markets and hopes to have a permanent home in the Traverse City area later this year.
Traverse City creamery looks to purchase repurposed shipping container-turned-micro dairy

“This facility will provide us lots of things,” says Dave Omar, who owns Saltless Sea Creamery with his wife, Joy. “We can make more styles of cheese and more quantity, bigger batches and more often.”  

Entrepreneur Chris Boyle poses outside his first Port Austin venture: Port Austin Kayak.
Port Austin entrepreneur breathing new life into old buildings

Boyle family works to transform abandoned buildings into new businesses, helping revive tourism in Port Austin and the Thumb. 

Timothy Michling, research associate in health affairs at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and author of a report entitled "Michigan Falls Short on Mental Health Services."
How can Michigan address its dire shortage of mental health professionals?

Even as mental health issues have risen worldwide, Michigan has fallen behind on having enough health professionals to address that trend.

Enter Stage Right at the Citadel Stage falls in the footprint of the newly minted Port Huron Theatre District.
Downtown Port Huron formalizes its Theatre District, festival to follow

“This collaboration is a perfect demonstration of the true spirit of Port Huron,” says Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp. “It is exciting to have a dedicated area in our downtown spotlighting not only the physical buildings that make up the Port Huron Theatre District, but also the people that share their talents with showgoers to Downtown Port Huron.”

The 123-acre as seen from above in Olive Township. (Ottawa County)
Michigan’s fastest-growing county remains committed to preserving farmland

Ottawa County is both the fastest growing county in the state and an agricultural powerhouse. The challenge is preserving farmland that also is in demand for housing developments. That’s where the county’s PDR program plays a pivotal role.

Marquette entrepreneur sees growth potential for outdoor recreation economy in the Upper Peninsula

David Ollila, who holds at least 16 patents, is the force behind a new development in Marquette that he hopes will bolster the outdoor recreation sector in the Upper Peninsula and connect it to Michigan’s mobility engine.  

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