Sturgis — Americraft Carton Inc. in Sturgis is expanding.

“In the very near future, we will be breaking ground on the northwest corner of our property to start the first phase of our expansion,” said Eric Hansen, general manager and divisional vice president.

James Ware Construction of Sturgis is contractor for the 25,000-square-foot addition. Expected completion is early December.

Borrowing a page from Warren Buffett's playbook, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi tribe is redirecting money from its highly successful Four Winds Casinos into brick-and-mortar businesses outside of gambling to build its sovereign nation into an economic powerhouse ... The Pokagon Band has created its Mno-Bmadsen development arm, whose name means "walking the good path" in the tribe's language.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The organization whose focus is job-creation -- Southwest Michigan First – is expanding its staff by four and bringing on four new interns.

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Southwest Michigan First honored more than 50 regional companies, organizations and individuals during its 2013 Catalyst Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Presented annually since 2005, this event is designed to recognize significant contributions by community partners that have resulted in economic growth and job creation in Southwest Michigan.

Vickers Engineering operates two facilities in Michiana—120,000 sq. ft. in New Troy (west of Buchanan) and 50,000 in Buchanan. Started in 1970, the company has grown quickly since 2000, as precision machining and fabrication supplier to a variety of markets. From 35 employees in 2000, to 175 employees today, Vickers expects to be around 225 employees in 2016.

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Southwest Michigan First announces the expansion of its team. With its constant focus on creating change through jobs, the organization will grow jobs internally with the addition of four new staff members and four summer interns.

This week’s segment focus on Stryker Corporation’s machine shop where a variety of components are made for future assembly into medical devices used in surgical rooms around the world to improve the lives of patients.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Mechatronics System Technician Academy is the focus of this week's Jobs First episode. The 20-week hands-on program teaches core applied skills in basic electricity, programmable logic control and electrical testing to students interested in starting careers in robotic, process and machine technology.

Specializing in automotive and industrial filtration systems, MANN+HUMMEL USA is seeking qualified individuals with CAD, process and product engineering backgrounds to fill 50 new jobs by 2014 associated with its recent $15,890,000 investment in Portage, Michigan. Based in Ludwigsburg, Germany, the company selected Portage as its U.S. headquarters because of its close relationship with the local colleges and universities and the strength of its workforce.

Jobs Celebration! Southwest Michigan First honored more than 50 regional companies, organizations and individuals during its 2013 Catalyst Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 for contributing to the economic growth of Southwest Michigan. Watch to see what we've done Southwest Michigan!

WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The stretch of I-94 from Kalamazoo to Battle Creek is one of the busiest stretches of road in the entire state ... For four months we investigated whether our leaders have a plan of action for I-94 expansion.

Western Michigan University's Sangren Hall embodies the University's commitment to excellence and sustainability and supports its mission for academic success and future achievement in the region.