The latest from Southwest Michigan.
DENSO Celebrates Graduates of Four-Year Apprenticeship Program
Battle Creek community members celebrated Monday as five more apprentices became journeymen at DENSO. Since the program’s creation in 2003, the company has seen over 60 apprentices graduate. This rigorous program is designed to optimize DENSO’s manufacturing operations by developing a highly-skilled workforce.
Discover Kalamazoo Receives Funding Through the Accessible Traveler Grant
Discover Kalamazoo received an Accessible Traveler Grant to fund a community accessibility audit of Kalamazoo County. They are partnering with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to map at least 130 locations across the county. Jane Ghosh, president and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, said, “This work will help us attract and welcome visitors with accessibility needs, who make up a significant portion of travelers.”
Stryker Corp. Exceeds $20B in Annual Sales, Expects Uptick in M&A
Higher capital spending by hospitals in 2023 and the drive to develop more outpatient surgical centers contributed to Stryker Corp. exceeding $20 billion in sales for the first time. Stryker expects sales to grow 7.5% to 9% in 2024.
Go! After School Programs Opens New Facility, Helps Kids to Pursue Gifts
Go! After School Programs celebrated the opening of their new space Saturday by throwing an indoor block party to introduce kids of all ages to a variety of activities offered. The program is open five days a week and was made possible by an OST grant through MiLEAP. Click to learn more about this program and how it’s helping kids succeed.
Que the Creek BBQ Festival Sizzles This Saturday in Battle Creek
The Que The Creek BBQ Festival promises an afternoon of delectable BBQ goodness this Saturday, February 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Kellogg Arena. This mouthwatering extravaganza will be a feast for your senses, bringing together BBQ enthusiasts, vendors, and a whole lot of flavor. Attendees can cast their vote to crown the 2024 BBQ Champion!
‘Historic Opportunity’: Palisades Nuclear Power Plant Owner Discusses Steps to Reopen
The federal government could loan $1.5 billion to Holtec International yet this month to restart Van Buren County’s Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. The plant was operational for 50 years before it shut down in May 2022. If Holtec receives approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Palisades plant would create 600 high-paying jobs, according to Holtec.
Ice Fest Returns to St. Joseph This Weekend
The city of St. Joseph is known for being a water wonderland in the summer, but its focus will turn to frozen water this weekend! The annual Ice Fest returns to downtown St. Joseph from Friday, February 2, through Sunday, February 4. You can enjoy professional ice carving competitions, a scavenger hunt, ice interactives, and more at this family-friendly event.
New Details Emerge on the Proposed $300M Kalamazoo Event Center
The visionary behind a downtown Kalamazoo sports and entertainment arena 27 years in the making shared as-yet-unreleased details on the project at Southwest Michigan First’s State of Economic Development outlook event held yesterday. Greenleaf Companies founder and chair William Johnston said the schematic design phase is now complete on the proposed $300 million, 320,000-square-foot Kalamazoo Event Center. His company’s real estate development arm, Catalyst Development Co. LLC, hopes to break ground on the project in November.
AT&T Donates $60,000 to Kalamazoo Organizations to Combat Digital Divide
Three Kalamazoo area organizations received a total of $60,000 in AT&T contributions to help expand internet access to those who need it. According to a news release, Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, Western Michigan University, and Portage Community Center each received a $20,000 check to help with the digital divide. “Too many Michiganders face challenges in life due to digital divide barriers, particularly those in underserved communities,” Tim Weststrate with AT&T Michigan said. “Not only is access to connectivity vital to bridging the digital divide, but it is also critical in success in both the classroom and workplace.”
Downtown Kalamazoo’s Wild Bull Night Club to Reopen in February
A popular downtown Kalamazoo restaurant, bar, and dance club is officially reopening its doors next month. The Wild Bull announced their grand reopening on Friday, February 2 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to an Instagram post. The Wild Bull is known for their dance floor and, of course, their mechanical bull.
Bell’s Brewery Investing $2.6M in Automation to Boost Variety Pack Production Fivefold
Bell’s Brewery Inc. is betting on automation equipment to help it churn out more variety packs of its popular beers. At its Comstock Township brewery east of Kalamazoo, Bell’s is investing $2.6 million to boost packaging automation capacity, along with an additional $500,000 project to reduce waste at the production facility. The investments come just months after the company wrapped up an 18-month expansion project that doubled the brewery’s canning capacity.
Beloved Silver Beach Carousel Undergoing $50,000 Renovation Project
There’s new activity inside the Silver Beach Carousel, as renovations are underway at the longstanding St. Joseph attraction. Silver Beach Carousel Society President Suz Schalon said that she expects the repairs to wrap up by January 31 – just in time for the carousel to be open for Ice Fest on February 2-4.