Economic Development

Art Seen Festival will take place in downtown Midland from June 5-6, alongside even more local art festivals.

Paint Midland red: “Support Local Art” festivals coming in June

Midland will be oozing art this June. Art Seen kicks off its inaugural festival in downtown Midland. Also happening that same weekend are Mural Blast, the Midland Center for the Arts’ Summer Art Fair, and Creative 360’s community mural and Art Speaks Festival.

Latest in Economic Development
Mike Avery and his catch of the day, a walleye.
Q&A with Mike Avery, Outdoor Magazine

The outdoors is a way of life and is big business in Michigan, including the Great Lakes Bay Region. Mike Avery has worked in broadcasting, promoting the outdoors for most of his 40 years in the business. Avery shares with Catalyst his thoughts on what the outdoors means to our region, COVID’s impact, and why hunting and fishing are a way of life for him and many others.    

Mid-Michigan is home to beautiful hiking trails, fit for rugged hikers or young families. (Photo: Midland City Forest)
These trails were made for walking: Our top 10 hiking trails in mid-Michigan

The Issue Media Group editors in the Great Lakes Bay Region walk you through our 10 favorite hiking and biking trails in the Great Lakes Bay Region. These paths take you through natural areas, small towns, cityscapes, and more.

Midland Blooms is coming back this year with a new business sponsor — Corteva Agriscience.
World-class tennis and lines of marigolds return to Midland in 2021

Midland is looking forward to seeing the return of two exciting programs: Midland Blooms and The Dow Tennis Classic. Midland Blooms will be held May 22, and the world-class tennis tournament will take place November 1-7.

In designing the space, Holliday said the team wanted to create a unique atmosphere, something different from the experiences at other incredible regional restaurants.
Midland Center for the Arts opens Mid-Century Modern inspired lounge

The Midland Center for the Arts celebrates its Mid-Century Modern design with the Pendulum Lounge, opening Thursday, March 4. The bar features small plates, cocktails, beer, and wine, giving a nod to iconic design elements from notable architect Alden B. Dow.

The major proposed design change is to reduce Buttles Street down from a three-lane road to two-lanes.
Buttles & Indian Corridor Improvement Project moves into design phase

The Buttles & Indian Corridor Improvement Project is now in the design phase, led by the Michigan Department of Transportation. To stay up-to-date on the project, tune in to the new Word on the Street(s) podcast.

Alysia Christy's New Year’s Resolution is to re-prioritize her wellbeing. Christy is the director of community impact at the Midland Area Community Foundation.
What makes Midland special to you?

By sharing elements of our day-to-day lives, Catalyst Midland hopes to foster a sense of community in Midland. Follow our new Instagram page @CatalystMidlandOfficial for relaxed and candid stories about the foundation of our community — you.

All 501(c)(3) nonprofits are welcome to apply to the #TeamUp for the Great Lakes Bay Region charitable program.
The Dow GLBI golf tournament is back, #TeamUp charitable program returns

The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational is ramping up preparations for the Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament this summer, including their #TeamUp for the Great Lakes Bay Region charitable program. Over $230,000 will be donated to nonprofits this year; all local 501(c)(3) nonprofits are welcome to apply.

Mike Hayes is Vice-President & Secretary of the Michigan Baseball Foundation.
Q&A with Mike Hayes, interim president and general manager of the Great Lakes Loons

Mike Hayes, a longtime community leader, is now at the helm of Midland’s minor league baseball team. He looks at what’s ahead for the Loons in the era of COVID-19 and he looks back at how the team has been a catalyst in the region 15 years after it was first announced that baseball was coming to Midland.

Street art festival in Bay City goes virtual and attracts national attention

COVID-19 forced the 2020 Chalk Walk Art Festival off the streets and onto a virtual platform. Now, the Bay City festival is attracting artists from around the nation.

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