The latest from Southwest Michigan.
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.
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.