City of Grand Rapids
Recent News About City of Grand Rapids
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Grand Rapids Reporter Publication Area: How many H-1B petitions were made by employers classified under the Manufacturing industry during 2024?
Employers classified under the Manufacturing industry based in the Grand Rapids Reporter publication area submitted 61 H-1B petitions during 2024, according to data provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub.
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4.7% of citizens unemployed in Kent County in 2021
The unemployment rate in Kent County hit 4.7% among residents aged 16 and 65 years old in 2021.
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Grand Rapids appoints new economic development and mobility directors
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City Manager Mark Washington has announced the appointment of two new directors to the city's administrative team following an extensive nationwide search. Sarah Latta Rainero, a 16-year veteran at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), will take up the vacant economic development director position. Jessica Smith, a 15-year transportation professional from Anchorage, Alaska, will fill the vacant Mobile GR director position.
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Water Pool-ooza on the Grand comes to Riverside Park June 1
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is thrilled to announce Water Pool-ooza on the Grand, a FREE community event aimed at engaging families and students in water conservation efforts while providing a day of fun-filled activities and education. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Riverside Park (Guild Street Entrance), located at 2001 Monroe Avenue NE, Grand Rapids. Water Pool-ooza on the Grand is open to students (ages 6+) and families, offering a variety of interactive experiences to explore and enjoy.Attendees can look forward to:...
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City to unveil Community Master Plan recommendations in workshops
GRAND RAPIDS — After more than a year of research and gathering community input, the City of Grand Rapids is inviting the public to review the draft Community Master Plan (CMP) during a series of workshops that will take place from May 7 to May 9.“This plan belongs to the community and the residents who voiced their opinions about what this city should look like as it grows and develops for future generations,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.City Manager Mark Washington praised the city’s Planning Commission, Planning Department, and the Community Master Plan...
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Registration Opens for Free Summer Day Camp, Camp Counselors Sought
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation has officially opened registration for its seventh annual Free Summer Day Camp program, catering to over 200 Grand Rapids youth. The camps, held at Garfield Park, Calvin Christian Reformed Church/Martin Luther King Park, and Roosevelt Park, will run from June 10 to August 16, Monday through Friday, welcoming children aged five to 14.According to David Marquardt, the City's parks and recreation director, "Our Summer Day Camp program is an important resource providing safe, fun and engaging activities for...
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City of Grand Rapids Releases Inaugural Report on Surveillance Activities
Published on April 24, 2024GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids has issued its first report on surveillance activities, which found no adverse impacts on the public's constitutional rights. Brandon Davis, interim managing director of the Office of Oversight & Public Accountability and Office of Equity & Engagement, presented the report to the Grand Rapids City Commission's Public Safety Committee.The report, covering the period from January 3, 2022, to June 30, 2023, focused on the City's use of surveillance equipment and services. Brandon Davis highlighted the...
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City approves zoning text amendments
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids City Commission has unanimously approved a series of Zoning Ordinance text amendments aimed at enhancing housing supply, diversifying housing types, and promoting housing affordability. These amendments cover various aspects such as accessory dwelling units, unrelated occupants in a household, single room occupancy dwellings, transitional and emergency housing, small-scale residential infill, and certain parking regulations.Kristin Turkelson, the planning director, highlighted the significance of these changes, stating, “The zoning...
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Transformational Investments and City Services Highlight Proposed FY25 Budget in Grand Rapids
City Manager Mark Washington presented the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget to the City Commission, outlining a $690 million spending plan aimed at continuing strategic objectives and making transformational investments. Washington emphasized that the budget will address crucial issues related to safety, health, environment, mobility, economic prosperity, housing, community engagement, and governmental excellence.Washington stated, "The FY25 Preliminary Fiscal Plan builds upon investments made in prior fiscal years and allows us to be consistent with our values and...
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10th Annual Neighborhood Summit in Grand Rapids Opens Registration for May 18 Event
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich – Registration is now open to attend the 2024 Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit. Celebrating its tenth year, the Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit encourages community members to join fellow Grand Rapidians for a remarkable day-long learning experience focused on resident voice and racial equity.The free event, Saturday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. aims to bring together Grand Rapids residents and stakeholders to learn, strategize, and connect to make our city a more equitable place for all. Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus, 401 Fulton St. W,...
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Oversight and Public Accountability hosts May 4 Expungement Fair
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA) and its community partners will host the third annual Project Clean Slate Expungement Fair on Saturday, May 4. The event aims to assist individuals in navigating Michigan's Clean Slate expungement process.Brandon Davis, the director of oversight and public accountability, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the event, which last year successfully helped over 600 people with the expungement process. Davis highlighted the positive impact of the expungement program on...
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City announces ninth annual summer series of free outdoor fitness
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids, in partnership with Priority Health and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., is hosting the ninth annual summer of free outdoor fitness in parks and public spaces across the city. The 16 dance, cardio, and yoga classes will run weekly from May 13 to Aug. 22.Classes will be held weekly, Monday through Thursday. All classes are free of charge, no registration required. Cancellations due to weather will be announced on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page and on the department’s cancellation hotline at 616-456-3699.According to...
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City of Grand Rapids Achieves ENERGY STAR Building Status for Five Buildings
The City of Grand Rapids in Michigan has recently announced that five of its buildings have achieved the prestigious U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for exceptional energy performance in 2023. Among these, three buildings have secured the ENERGY STAR certification for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2023, while the other two buildings received the certification for both 2023 and 2018.Operating buildings in an energy-efficient manner not only reduces costs but also improves air quality and decreases greenhouse gas emissions....
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City invests in community through Neighborhood Match Fund projects
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids has recently announced its latest round of Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) investments, totaling $75,509 to support 24 community projects. This fiscal year, the NMF has already supported a total of 52 projects with an investment of $165,309, promoting a deeper sense of community belonging among residents.A team of City administrators and community leaders carefully reviewed all NMF applications for alignment with program objectives, emphasizing social justice and inclusion. The NMF committee engaged with project leads to ensure...
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How many companies in cities in Kent County received FDA inspections in 2023?
There were 18 companies in cities associated with Kent County that received 19 FDA inspections in 2023, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.
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League of American Workers founder: ‘Biden’s open border claims another innocent life’
League of American Workers founder Steve Cortes said President Joe Biden’s open border policy is the cause of multiple deaths of innocent people.
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City of Grand Rapids Announces Start of Yard Waste Curbside Collection Service
The City of Grand Rapids is set to kick off its curbside yard waste collection service on Monday, April 1. According to a city announcement, "Curbside yard waste is collected on the same day as refuse collection through the second Saturday in December, weather permitting." Residents are reminded that "All yard waste needs to be placed at the refuse collection point by 7 a.m."This curbside yard waste collection service is a pay-for option provided by the Department of Public Works. Those interested in signing up for the service can do so by visiting...
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Census Bureau: 75.8% of people in Kent County were old enough to vote in 2021
Of the 654,958 citizens living in Kent County in 2021, 75.8% were old enough to vote, equating to 496,712 individuals, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained on Oct. 26.
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Boil Water Notice Lifted in Grand Rapids After City's Swift Response
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Effective immediately, the City of Grand Rapids has lifted the boil water advisory issued on March 17, 2024. City Manager Mark Washington expressed gratitude for the swift response of the staff during the boil water period, stating, “This is exactly what our community expects in challenging times and our employees never fail to deliver.”Washington emphasized that while residents can now resume normal water usage, the city will continue to assess the event, determine lessons learned, and improve future response strategies. Mayor Bliss also commended...
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Bing Goei Appointed Third Ward Commissioner
Published on March 19, 2024GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids City Commission has unanimously approved and appointed Bing Siong Goei to fill the Third Ward Commissioner position left vacant by the resignation of Commissioner Nathaniel Moody. Goei, a 64-year Grand Rapids resident, is the first Asian American to serve on the Grand Rapids City Commission and is a small business entrepreneur and owner of two Grand Rapids businesses – Eastern Floral and the Goei Center.Mayor Rosalynn Bliss expressed her gratitude to the Committee on Appointments for their work in the...