When it comes to reopening the economy, most reports of businesses restarting are cautious at best, with the majority offering up ominous stories of new COVID-19 cases, lost revenue, and worse. But the reality when talking to most business leaders in our region is...
Business
Michigan’s May Jobless Rate Remains High Due to COVID-19 Impact
Michigan’s seasonally-adjusted jobless rate remained above 20 percent in May, although the rate declined slightly from 24.0 percent in April to 21.2 percent in May. Michigan’s employment total rose by 256,000 in May while the number of unemployed fell by 97,000. The...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Mary Balkema
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Mary Balkema. As a self-proclaimed...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Julie Rogers
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Julie Rogers. Running with a focus on...
Michigan Small Business Restart Program Announced
The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) yesterday approved a $100 million program that will provide grants to Michigan small businesses working to recover from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced. Called...
The Outdoor Experience in Downtown Kalamazoo
Let's take it outside! Downtown Kalamazoo is getting down with the new normal and adapting to accommodate new capacity regulations in restaurants and retail establishments. A new plan, dubbed “The Outdoor Experience,” is the product of a collaboration between the...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Sarah Joshi
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Sarah Joshi. Running to serve as the...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Jason Wiersma
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Jason Weirsma. Running to represent...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Bronwyn Haltom
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Bronwyn Haltom. With experience as a...
The FIRST & 42 Forum: Meet Doreen Gardner
To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Doreen Gardner. As a lifelong resident...










