Southwest Michigan First shares the good news of the region it serves on FIRST & 42—our own media platform where we communicate about the people and companies you should get to know, community events, economic updates and more.
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Business Consulting, Community Development, Economic Development, and More
Southwest Michigan First distributes positive news about the region it serves through FIRST & 42, a digital platform offering updates on what the organization and local businesses are doing, as well as other regional happenings, in our geographical latitude—parallel 42. You can enjoy FIRST & 42 news from us in two ways: when you want it on the standalone site or delivered straight to your inbox through our digital newsletter called “First & 42: The Kalamazoo Region’s Digital Daily” on Mondays. Subscriptions are free, so there is no excuse not to get all that you need to know fast and at your fingertips—meaning on your phone, computer or watch.
If you’re interested in staying up to date with all of our latest news and announcements, click the button below to explore all that FIRST & 42 has to offer.
Senior living facility plans 10 new buildings in Kalamazoo
8/28/2024
Developers at a Kalamazoo senior living facility are planning additional meetings with residents after some components of a new project angered neighbors. The 72-acre campus at 1400 N. Drake Road welcomed its first residents in 1975.
New tenant coming to century-old bank building in downtown Kalamazoo
7/28/2024
A new Horizon is coming to downtown Kalamazoo, as part of a vision to provide a variety of attractions and amenities in one corner of downtown.
Horizon Bank is planning to open a new professional office in the Monroe Building located at 151 E. Michigan Ave., according to Treystar, the owner of the
Biden administration announces $67M for Detroit, Kalamazoo and Menominee infrastructure
6/27/2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded about $66.9 million to three infrastructure improvement projects in Michigan.
The funds will go toward new shared-use paths in Detroit, a multimodal mobility network across 3.5 miles in Kalamazoo, and several improvements at Menominee Harbor on the
New ‘cakery’ offers more than just baked goods in downtown Kalamazoo
5/28/2024
It’s been a little over two weeks since Meka Phillips opened the doors to her new cakery in downtown Kalamazoo.
Already, she’s made friends from all over the city and world, as she’s welcomed them into Dessert First, 220 Eleanor St. on the south side of Hilton Garden Inn.
Discover Kalamazoo Sports estimates $28.5M influx from visitor spending in 2023
3/28/2024
With more than 70 sporting events held in Kalamazoo in 2023, Discover Kalamazoo Sports has estimated $28.5 million in direct visitor spending went into the local economy.
Industrial Recycler Opens $20M ‘Green’ Aluminum Plant Near Kalamazoo
1/28/2024
Industrial recycling and metals distribution company Schupan & Sons Inc. has opened a new production facility near Kalamazoo that will help meet growing demand for recycled “green” aluminum.
The Michigan Strategic Fund closes out 2023 with investments that support and grow businesses and communities across Michigan
12/27/2023
Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce Michigan Strategic Fund approval of a wide range of projects that, in total, will create or retain 956 jobs and generate nearly $253 million in investment in Michigan.
Southwest Michigan First Receives $600,000 Grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation
11/28/2023
Funds will allow Southwest Michigan First to expand community, economic and workforce development projects in southwest Michigan with a focus on Calhoun County.
WMU president outlines vision for student success in State of the University address
10/30/2023
Striving toward student success: that was the vision for Western Michigan University as WMU President Edward Montgomery gave the 2023-24 State of the University Address Wednesday afternoon.
2 new life science companies ‘graduate’ from WMed Innovation Center
9/28/2023
The WMed Innovation Center is an incubator for growing science and technology businesses. The 69,000-square-foot building offers lab space and office space companies can rent out. Companies get access to high quality materials and support services, according to the WMed Innovation Center website.
