Building Communities

Ottawa County Sheriff's Dep. Ramon Soto-Lopez

Deputy awarded for inspiring trust with migrant workers

Ottawa County Sheriff's Dep. Ramon Soto-Lopez was able to break down more than language barriers when he responded to a report of an assault at a Chester Township farm last year.

Latest in Building Communities
Robinson Landing in Grand Haven broke ground in 2022 and now has 16 income-restricted and 14 market-rate homes.
New tools help Housing Next connect communities, developers

With new tools in its belt, Housing Next is hoping to add much-needed housing to the market in West Michigan.

Jaden Anderson works at Kenzie's Be Café in Grand Haven. His favorite jobs are passing out coffee and cleaning tables. His favorite drink is hot chocolate with whipped cream. 
Kenzie’s BE Café provides work opportunities for people with disabilities

Kenzie's Be Café is a nonprofit coffee shop in Grand Haven that provides meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

An aerial view shows progress Monday on a Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build on the Vista Green project.
Three homes, one week: Habitat Blitz Build jumpstarts Vista Green project

Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity has increased its work more than 600% in recent years. The need for affordable housing is higher than ever, and to keep up with demand, the nonprofit has turned toward large-scale projects such as Vista Green where, this week, crews will create the framework for three homes in what is being called the Blitz Build.

Gentex Discovery Preschool will be the first of its kind in the area with subsidized preschool for first and second shift parents on the Gentex manufacturing site in Zeeland.
Gentex, ODC partner to bring child care to employees

The Outdoor Discovery Center is working with Ottawa County to use $7.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to create 1,000 new child care slots in the county. That money will be matched with $30 million from local business partners.

Marisela Sierra won the 2022 Start Garden 100 pitch competition with her Navarro’s Mexican Takeout.
Start Garden win lifts third-generation restaurateur’s dreams to next level

After winning the 2022 Start Garden 100 pitch competition, third-generation Muskegon Heights restaurateur Marisela Sierra is ready to get Navarro’s Mexican Takeout’s stone-ground tamales into the freezers of local retailers.

You don't have to go half-way around the world to get a different perspective. The Momentum Center and Muskegon Community College have created a cultural exchange with their Cultural Immersion Experiences.
Two Lakeshore communities team up to explore racial, ethnic, cultural divides

Cultural Immersion Experiences Across the Bridge brings together residents from Grand Haven and Muskegon to learn about each other’s communities.

Anthony Lambers credits real estate for helping him turn his life around.
Anthony Lambers use his story to help others ‘Get up out the mud’

Anthony Lambers credits real estate for helping him turn his life around after serving time in prison. Now, he works to help others pursue the American dream of home ownership.

Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar performed with the Holland Symphony Orchestra in 2021 as part of the symphony's free community concert. It was the impetus behind a new drive to include diverse cultures in next year's community concert.
HSO seeks diverse music groups for Music Unites Us concert

Most orchestral music is strictly European. The Holland Symphony Orchestra is looking for groups to help change that. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 31.

In Holland, we point with pride to the Tower Clock and several downtown buildings.
Treasuring the legacy of artisans in Holland and beyond

Dale Wyngarden, who for decades guided Holland’s development, takes a look at the structures that are standing the test of time.   

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