Groundbreaking Innovation Hub in Battle Creek creates abundant opportunity downtown

"All of this will help to build a downtown where people want to live, where businesses want to relocate and grow, and where stores want to open, all of which is essential for the future success of Battle Creek.” 

The 1,300-acre Jenkins Farm grows Russet potatoes.
Kalkaska potato farmers honored as businesses

 “It is humbling to be awarded the Kalkaska Business of the Year along with the Iott's and Jenkin's for doing what we do in our little part of the county,” members of the Cotton Family said in a statement.

Hillsdale Hospital completes $1 million capital fundraising campaign

“Every dollar raised by this campaign contributes to our mission to provide exceptional patient care for our community,” said Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president and chief executive officer of Hillsdale Hospital. “We are incredibly grateful to the donors who have helped us make a difference for our patients and staff.”

Maribeth Leonard
Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.

Now showing: The environment is the star of this annual film festival in Manistee

Folks from all over Michigan are gathering this weekend in Manistee to promote environmental stewardship through an annual film festival and other events.  

Cherry Republic expands in Leelanau County

Cherry Republic, the retailer of all things cherries, is expanding its distribution and fulfillment center in Empire. The $2.8 million project will create jobs and mean purchasing more cherries. 

The park, which sits along the North Bank Trail at the end of Central Avenue, now has a small dog park, tennis courts, and softball and baseball diamonds, but it is in dire need of an update, officials say.
Spring Lake Village leaders aim for accessibility all year long in Central Park renovation

The park would be the Spring Lake's first to be universally accessible and available year round.

John Counts, author of "Bear County, Michigan."
Former journalist explores darkness, beauty of northern Michigan in short story anthology

John Counts' book, "Bear County, Michigan," blends elements of crime, folklore, and personal experience, drawing inspiration from Counts' time as a police reporter in Manistee.

“The Lakeshore Trail project will create further connectivity amongst the developing regional trail network in Southwest Michigan,” says MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz.
Lakeshore Trail extension to start construction in June, adds two miles to 20 mile trailway

“The Lakeshore Trail project will create further connectivity amongst the developing regional trail network in Southwest Michigan,” says MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. 

One of the cougar cubs looks for shelter under the wheel of a vehicle.
First cougar cubs discovered in Michigan in more than a century

“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Our Partners

Michigan Health and Hospital Association
MEDC

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Rural Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.