by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 23, 2026 | Business, Places
Recent conversations in Lansing highlight an important reality for Michigan’s economy: long-term competitiveness will depend on how well the state aligns workforce development, housing availability, and economic development policy. Last month, economic development...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 18, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Google search results never stop evolving. And, as a small business, it can be a huge challenge to stay on top of new updates, understand new features, and explore the new opportunities they offer. If you get all of your Google- and SEO-related news from LinkedIn, you...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 11, 2026 | Chamber Corner
In the world of family business, there is a haunting proverb often whispered in boardrooms: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”. The first generation builds the business through grit and sacrifice, the second enjoys the fruits of that labor, and the...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 9, 2026 | Sponsored Content
Tornado Relief Resources This page includes trusted links and on-the-ground resources following the tornadoes that impacted Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch Counties. We will update this page as new information is confirmed. Last updated: March 9, 2026 Quick actions Get...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 9, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Introduction We’ve all been there: sitting across the table, or the screen, in a crucial business meeting, feeling the pressure to make a great impression. You have your pitch perfected, your slides are polished, and you’re ready to convince the client that you have...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 6, 2026 | First & 42 Original, Places
Several regional partners played a key role in bringing the new Cass District Library’s Edwardsburg Branch to life. The $7 million, 5.4-acre facility celebrated its grand opening on February 27, 2026, marking the first new library built in Cass County since 1978 and...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 4, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Main Street businesses have long been the foundation of Kalamazoo’s economy. They provide stable jobs, long-standing customer relationships, and a sense of place that national chains are unable to duplicate. Yet many of these businesses are entering a period of...
by Eric Ringwelski | Feb 24, 2026 | Chamber Corner
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...
by Eric Ringwelski | 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...
