The latest from Southwest Michigan.
Cassopolis, Battle Creek, and Albion Receive State Money for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades
Cassopolis, Battle Creek, and Albion will all be sharing in the Michigan State Housing Department Authority’s third wave of MI-HOPE funding, awarding $7.4 million in grants for energy-efficient home upgrades throughout the state.
Jack in the Box is Coming to Michigan
The first Jack in the Box in Southwest Michigan will be in Battle Creek. “This is very exciting because we can give our community more food options and help provide 40 to 50 new jobs per location,” said franchisee Niraj Patel.
Bronson Battle Creek Named Among Top 10% of U.S. Hospitals for Surgical Care
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital has been named among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation for surgical care, according to Healthgrades, a leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. The organization has named Bronson Battle Creek a 2024 Surgical Excellence Award recipient, which reflects superior clinical outcomes in surgical care across 15 of the most common in-hospital surgical procedures.
$42M WMU Project has Glass Exterior, Roof Gardens
After a three-year renovation, Western Michigan University’s Dunbar Hall is preparing to open its doors soon with a fresh face-lift. The $42 million renovation added 11,000 square feet to the building. New features include gardens on the roof and a glass exterior on the building’s southern face with bird-deterrent glass.
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.