The latest from Southwest Michigan.
SEMCO Launches $235K Scholarship Fund for HVACR Students at KCC
SEMCO Energy Gas Company has launched a $235,000 Workforce Empowerment Scholarship fund specifically dedicated to supporting HVACR students at Kellogg Community College. The goal of the scholarship is to support the development of a diverse workforce that is proficient in advanced HVACR systems and sustainable in the use of natural gas.
Capri Drive-In Opens for 60th Season This Weekend on U.S. 12
The snack bar is ready, and so is the Capri Drive-In theater, which will begin its 60th season Friday night just west of Coldwater on U.S. 12. Cozy up for a bit of nostalgia as you watch on the giant 150-foot-wide by 75-foot-tall Screen 1 or the 80-foot-wide by 40-foot-tall Screen 2 with sound on an FM radio.
Kalamazoo Students Developing Ideas to Keep Professionals in the City
Students from Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University are working on ideas to keep top talent in town, including developing a stronger connection between the social and professional scenes. The Monroe-Brown Foundation has pledged up to $400,000 to invest in concepts that come out of these student projects.
FireKeepers Contributes More Than $6.2M in Local Revenue Sharing
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), owners of FireKeepers Casino Hotel, will contribute more than $6.2 million this year in local revenue sharing to support schools and municipalities in Calhoun County. The contribution is the second highest ever and the result of strong performance in 2023, a year that saw the casino expand its employee base to 2,138 team members.
Pub in Southwest Michigan Named the Top New Brewery in U.S.
Seeds Brewery, a southwest Michigan pub located just a couple of miles from New Buffalo in Union Pier, ranked No. 1 on USA Today’s list of the 10 best New Breweries in the U.S. Known for its delicate lagers and ales, Seedz ranked ahead of other breweries in places like Chicago, North Carolina, and Seattle.
Bell’s Brewery Made USA Today’s 10 Best List of Brewery Tours in the U.S.
In 1985, Larry Bell began brewing Great Lakes Amber Ale out of a 15-gallon soup pot. Now, Bell’s beer is sold in 50 states and Puerto Rico—and Bell’s Brewery was just named to USA Today’s 10 Best List of brewery tours in the U.S., landing at No. 6.
400 Students from Across Michigan to Compete in Food and Hospitality Event This Weekend
This weekend, 400 Michigan high school students representing 28 schools will compete in the statewide ProStart Competition, the highest level of competition for students who are training for careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Students are competing to earn a spot at the national competition and a chance at $850,000 in scholarships.
Jay Leno to Perform at FireKeepers Casino in May
The community is invited to enjoy a stand-up comedy performance from Jay Leno on Friday, May 24. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online or in-person at the FireKeepers Casino Box Office.
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.