FIRST & 42

The Importance of Window Treatments: More Than Just a Finishing Touch

When designing a space, window treatments are often thought of as a final detail—but in reality, they play a much bigger role. The right window treatments do more than frame a...

Old Walls, New Life: Inside Ironworks, PlazaCorp’s Downtown Transformation

On a stretch of downtown Kalamazoo where construction, restoration, and new momentum are starting to overlap, the Lofts at Ironworks (also known as Ironworks), is turning the...

Raising Cane’s Celebrates Portage Opening

80 New Apartments Planned for Battle Creek

Cancel Your ERP Project… or Whatever Expensive Acronym You Were About to Buy

ERP. CRM. WMS. PLM. HRMS. EMR. Pick your acronym. Add a polished demo. Stir in some magical thinking and a pint of unrealistic expectations. Marinate in a six or seven-figure...

Kruggel Lawton Recognized as One of the Best and Brightest Company to Work For

A Stronger Future Along The Road to Regional Prosperity: Highlights from the 2026 State of Economic Development

Last Thursday, February 5, 2026, Southwest Michigan First hosted its third annual State of Economic Development event, welcoming more than 500 regional stakeholders, business...

When Technology Becomes the Bottleneck

The Hidden Cost of "Just How We Do It" A local manufacturing client came to us frustrated. Every online order had to be hand-entered into their system. That meant hiring temp...

OEO Energy Offers No-Cost LED Lighting Upgrades

Southwest Michigan First Chamber member OEO Energy is offering eligible organizations across the region no-cost LED tubes upgrades to replace existing fluorescent fixtures. The...

Marshall Project Lands $500K RAP Grant

Kalamazoo/Portage Arts Scene Recognized

Workforce Housing Coming to Burdick St

Kruggel Lawton Recognized as One of the Best and Brightest Company to Work For

Feb 9, 2026 | Sponsored Content

Courtesy of Kruggel Lawton

The Importance of Window Treatments: More Than Just a Finishing Touch

Feb 24, 2026 | Chamber Corner

Jessica McGuire - Flair Interiors

When designing a space, window treatments are often thought of as a final detail—but in reality, they play a much bigger role. The right window treatments do more than frame a view; they influence how a room feels, functions, and performs every day. From light control...

Broncos Capture MAC Championship

Dec 8, 2025 | Culture, Thrive

Joseph Hartzell | Western Herald

Old Walls, New Life: Inside Ironworks, PlazaCorp’s Downtown Transformation

Feb 23, 2026 | First & 42 Original, Places

On a stretch of downtown Kalamazoo where construction, restoration, and new momentum are starting to overlap, the Lofts at Ironworks (also known as Ironworks), is turning the page from long-term project to lived-in place. Trisha Kidd, PlazaCorp’s director of project...