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.
Michigan Cracks Top 10 in National Site Selection Ranking
11/16/2024
The state continues to reap the rewards of its Make It in Michigan economic development strategy, moving up two spots in Site Selection’s 2024 Business Climate Rankings.
How Discover Kalamazoo is reaching WMU students, visitors
10/28/2024
A new partnership between Western Michigan University and Discover Kalamazoo aims to get students more engaged in the community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the WMU Student Center Wednesday afternoon for Discover Kalamazoo’s visitors’ center.
$56M Affordable Housing Development Coming to Kalamazoo
9/28/2024
A new $56 million affordable housing development is coming to Kalamazoo.
The 7.4-acre development, River’s Edge, is located on two parcels of land: 508 Harrison Street and 660 Gull Road. It will have 228 units, with 184 of the units being affordable…
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.
