Article Author: Heather Baker

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Kalamazoo, MI The Kalamazoo Promise (The Promise) is known far and wide as one of the nation’s premier community development programs, and education is just one of its team’s many purposes—and passions. The Promise employs specialists who come to work every day eager to break down the barriers that stand between Promise Scholars […]

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Galesburg, MI An office nestled in a beautiful wooded corner of Galesburg, MI, may seem like an unlikely place for the headquarters of a high-tech internet company. Inside, CTS Telecom’s technical skills and vast network empower it to compete with and win against the largest multinational corporations in their business. CTS also has […]

BANK Kalamazoo, MI A visit to First National Bank of Michigan, located in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, comes with a complimentary cup of locally brewed coffee and warm smiles from familiar faces. “We have customers who come in every day,” says President and CEO Dan Bitzer. “We think of everyone who walks in as […]

DESIGNER AND MANUFACTURER OF CUSTOM ENVIRONMENTS Kalamazoo, MI It should come as no surprise that at Landscape Forms—one of the world’s premier manufacturers of outdoor site furnishings, lighting, and structures—people like to get outside. The company’s benches, streetlights, bike racks, and more can be found everywhere from the Kalamazoo Mall to Barbados to London. “Chances […]

STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT FIRM Kalamazoo, MI WSI’s mission is to “empower people to live their best lives.” As a staffing and recruitment firm, this means helping people find a profession where they will be successful and fulfilled; however, the company’s guiding purpose also translates to the way it treats its internal staff. Culture Manager Lauren […]

CREDIT UNION Kalamazoo, MI In business for over 85 years, Honor Credit Union prioritizes collaboration. As a growing credit union with 24 locations throughout Southwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, “We place a premium on creating intentional spaces that keep our team members engaged, empowered, and connected,” says Brand Manager Stacey Dodson.  Leaning into its […]

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FORM Kalamazoo, MI The headquarters of the full-service product development firm Tekna is a hive of activity, with industrial designers, mechanical engineers, graphic designers, and creatives of every kind huddled around computer screens and sketching out new ideas on whiteboards. The space—with ceilings high enough to allow for an airplane to be suspended […]

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS Kalamazoo, MI Gibson is always thinking ahead. Whether providing insurance to cover illness and injury or even building a succession plan for a family business, the company is dedicated to managing risk. Gibson recently expanded its presence in the region. One of the company’s values, “Pursue Growth,” is the force […]

The 269 MAGAZINE team sat down with two local leaders to talk trust, team development, emerging leadership, and more. Cyekeia Lee Director of Community Collaboration AT the Kalamazoo Promise Liz Semaan Executive Director AT Bronson Health Foundation — What does a great leader look like? Lee: A great leader is someone who includes the input […]

Layoffs associated with the auto sector strike raised the roof on October unemployment levels in a few Southwest Michigan counties, with St. Joseph County hit the hardest. Despite this unexpected snowstorm (yes, remember that on Halloween?), the month recorded typical employment changes. Education returned to full staffing, while jobs in Leisure and Hospitality continued to […]

Yes, it’s one of the most wonderful times of year. Next week, you’ll be gathered around the dining room table with family and friends. Stuffing. Football. And pumpkin pie! And, just when your mother places that turkey platter in the middle of the table, it will happen: Your uncle will ask that question you’ve artfully […]

And by that, we mean jobless rates. Employment data for September 2019 is out and the regional jobless rate fell more than half a percentage point compared to August. Low unemployment (3.3%) in the Kalamazoo-Portage MSA continues to be the catalyst driving down Southwest Michigan’s numbers. Source: Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and […]