Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority Grayling location.

Michigan’s rural CMHs work hard on improving access to mental health resources

MI Mental Health spoke with Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Chief Operations Officer Joanie Blamer and Sanilac County Community Mental Health CEO Wil Morris on addressing the mental health and wellness needs of rural communities.   

Harbor 31 is a waterfront redevelopment of a former engine plant property. (City of Muskegon)
3 Muskegon waterfront housing projects receive $3M in state funding

The city of Muskegon has received three brownfield redevelopment grants and developer-backed loans to assist three transformative housing projects.

Andrea Martinez with her daughter. (Lakeshore Habitat)
More than 80 veterans step up to build a Habitat house for veteran mom

Lakeshore Habitat is partnering with veterans and veteran-owned businesses to build a home for a Navy veteran mom and her daughter.  

The Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster has grown significantly in its 14 years on the historic farm. More than 150 reenactors will join the fight this year.
Van Raalte muster brings spectacle, theater, and living history to Holland

For one weekend a year, Van Raalte Farm turns into a living history museum with 150 reenactors. The 14th annual Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster will be Sept. 16 and 17.

Left to right: Sen. Roger Victory, Holland Township Manager Steve Bulthuis, Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks, Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens, Brian Burch, LDFA Board Chair, Rep. Greg VanWoerkom and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga. (Carl, Inc.)
Lakeshore Advantage breaks ground on Innovation Hub

The Next Center will be a three-story, 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Holland. Construction is expected to finish in November 2024.  

Jon Ornée starting his swim off the North Manitou Island on Sept. 10. (Jon Ornée)
‘Epic’ record-holder swims between Manitou Islands

A spur-of-the-moment idea led Jon Ornée to complete what is believed to be the first-ever swim from the North Manitou Island to the South Manitou Island on Sept. 10. 

Students surprised with laptops as part of Comcast donation to LAUP

Comcast donates 70 laptop computers to LAUP Más Adelante and Adelante youth programs to bridge the digital divide. 

Prettyrock Big Bear, of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi from Dowagiac, performs a jingle dress exhibition dance for spectators attending the International Festival of Holland at the Holland Civic Center. (J.R. Valderas)
How to take part in the International Festival of Holland

The International Festival of Holland offers three opportunities for community members to be part of the Sept. 30 event at the Holland Civic Center Place. 

The Teachers Live Here grant program is helping Holland Public School teachers put down payments on in-district and near-district homes. Holland High School math teacher Christine Boatman now lives close enough to walk to work.
HPS looks to draw more teachers into district homes with second round of Teachers Live Here grants

The Teachers Live Here grant program, now it its second round of helping teachers put down payments on in-district homes, is funded entirely by an anonymous donor.

How URC is building talent-generating capacity, designed to propel Michigan’s economy

“The state of Michigan has realized that this is a ‘do or die’ moment with this economic and technological transformation of the automotive industry and related industries,” says University of Toronto Professor Richard Florida. It's one of the reasons he is part of a group working closely with universities, cities, and stakeholders to build better, more vibrant, sustainable cities in our state.

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