From traveling bookstores to mobile video gaming, a growing wave of Genesee County entrepreneurs is taking their businesses on the road. Rather than investing in traditional brick-and-mortar locations, more and more small business owners are turning to custom-built vans, retrofitted horse trailers, and pop-up vehicles that allow them to bring their wares directly to customers. Continue Reading
In mixed-use development, it’s all about finding the secret sauce: That unique, often intangible, combination of “live-work-play” that creates a vibrant community. While not a new type of urban development – think popular shops and restaurants on the ground floor and apartments or offices on upper floors – mixed-use properties are once again revitalizing urban Continue Reading
Black cowboys and cowgirls have been overlooked for too long – but Nicole Scott is determined to change that. “The story of the Black cowboy has never really been lost, but it’s very rarely been told,” she said. “That’s why we’re excited to bring the culture of the Black cowboy – and the nation’s top Continue Reading
Improving access to child care is more than just a social issue – it’s a strategic economic investment. “Attracting new businesses and maintaining a strong workforce are simply not achievable without a supply of child care throughout the state that meets the needs of families,” said Joan Blough, senior director for the Child Care Innovation Continue Reading
Aliz Mendoza had the dream and determination; she just needed the know-how to bring the idea to life. That’s where Flint Food Works stepped in. “Flint Food Works took me by the hand and walked me through building my food business from the ground up,” said Mendoza, owner of the I Love Pig eatery at Continue Reading
It begins with a 245-mile marathon from Canada to downtown Flint and only gets better from there. The CANUSA Games – a three-day sporting competition between amateur athletes from Flint and Hamilton, Ontario – are again expected to draw thousands of competitors, coaches, volunteers, families, and fans to athletic venues across Genesee County. This year Continue Reading
Jacob Pickett grew up in Flint, but it took a summer internship here to really appreciate his hometown. “I love how the internship program sheds light on the positives of Flint because so many people only hear about the negative,” said Pickett, a political science major at Michigan State University (MSU). “Many people wish to Continue Reading
Sacred Heart Veteran Village is more than just housing. “It’s really a place to learn and grow and heal,” said Gerri Lajewski, director of development at Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties, the nonprofit group behind the all-new transitional housing program for homeless veterans. The Village is a $3.5-million housing project slated to break Continue Reading
Miracle McGlown really hopes Michelle Obama likes his gift. Oh … and Barack, too. “I worked a long time creating a bag that fits her style of fashion and I figured what better time to gift it to her than Jan. 17 — her birthday and the day President Obama gave me clemency,” McGlown said. Continue Reading
Almar Orchards takes apple eating personally. “We know our apples are going into lunch boxes and being used to make applesauce and pies and snacks. So, it’s really important to our family that we produce apples that are always healthy and wholesome,” said Monique Lapinski, who helps run her family’s 150-year-old Flushing farm. It’s that Continue Reading
