Economic Development

Enjoy Homestead Sundays, bird banding, kayaking at Chippewa Nature Center this summer

Chippewa Nature Center’s summer lineup includes free, family-friendly educational events. Highlights include Homestead Sundays, bird banding, paddling excursions, and guided nature experiences.

Latest in Economic Development
The Fields at Linwood, a lavender farm in Bay County, hosts its annual Open Fields event from July 4-6.
Visitors can tour a growing agritourism farm, specializing in lavender and wildflowers

The Fields at Linwood, a lavender farm in Bay County, hosts its annual Open Fields event from July 4-6.

The front of Chef Sergey’s Bakery in the historic Ashman Circle
Making home (& bread) from scratch: Meet Natalia Iakovleva

Natalia Iakovleva found new beginnings in Midland, where she blends Ukrainian heritage and homemade bread into a story of resilience, warmth, and starting over from scratch.

The owners of the Three Bridges Distillery and Taproom.
Three Bridges distillery expands with craft brews, event space and bigger dreams

Three Bridges Distillery is expanding with a new event space, growing its craft beer and spirits offerings, and eyeing broader distribution while keeping its community roots.

Penny Miller-Nelson
From fields to the classroom: Helping students grow, meet Penny Miller-Nelson

Midland Public Schools Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson reflects on her journey from a family farm to educational leadership.

Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 

All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by  Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.
Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

The START Collaborative's first retreat in January 2024.
From tornado to ice storm, collaborative addresses unmet needs in Otsego County

Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.

Business by the Bay accepting applications through Aug. 13

Applications are open now for the annual Business by the Bay Pitch Competition.

Pre-owned golf clubs make it affordable to enter the sport or upgrade your equipment. Encore Golf Supply also offers repair and re-fitting services.
Encore Golf Supply takes a swing at providing the region with affordable, pre-owned golf equipment

Encore Golf Supply opened its Monitor Township location in 2023. Since then, the business that focuses on selling pre-owned golf equipment, has steadily grown.

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