Growth News

After years of discussion, plans for what could become of the buildings that comprise Western Michigan University’s historic East Campus look like they are finally coming together.    
       
Under preliminary plans announced by WMU officials Wednesday, Feb. 1, the centerpiece of the redevelopment would be the transformation of East Hall, built in 1904, into a boutique hotel, a high-end, less than 100-room facility that would be geared toward weddings, conferences and other professional uses. 

North Hall, built in 1925, would be turned into residential units and 20,000 square feet of the Speech and Hearing Building, opened in 1939, would be renovated into office space, according to the plans.

"We want to focus on the adaptive reuse of these historic buildings," Bob Miller, associate vice president for community outreach at WMU, told about 50 people gathered for the announcement at the university’s Walwood Hall.

After an extensive national search process, the university hired Dearborn-based KDC Real Estate Development and Investments to handle the master planning of the project, estimated at between $55 million and $60 million. 

The project will be financed by private dollars, Miller said, with WMU entering into a yet-to-be designed agreement that would hand over ownership of the buildings to developers for a period of time, but ensure that after that timeframe, the buildings would be again owned by the university. The development of each of the buildings would stand on their own, he said, each one a unique project.

No one is buffing their ceremonial first dig shovels yet, however.

The cutting of Brownfield and other development tax credits and grants by Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration has meant that WMU and KDC still don’t know what level of support for the project they can muster out of Lansing.

Although Kalamazoo city officials and the area’s state house and senate contingent have been "incredibly supportive" of the project, Miller said, there are still many details that need to be hashed-out before firm plans can be drawn up.

"We’re just waiting on proposals from the state," said Randy Doran, senior vice president and partner with KDC, and a 1983 WMU grad. "We’re at a point now where we can start to move, but we need to know what incentives we might be able to get."

Said Miller, "It’s a very, very difficult project to make final sense out of given the challenges we are facing."

Still, Doran and Miller were excited about the prospects for the project and what it could mean for WMU and the community at large. Boutique hotels have gained popularity since the 1980s, and the East Hall redevelopment would likely include a health club in the building’s gymnasium area, an atrium and other high-end amenities, Doran said.

A parking ramp would be built in an area adjacent to East Hall and extensive landscaping would be installed on the former WMU football practice fields just east of the campus at the bottom of Prospect Hill.

Efforts would be made to keep as much of the historic architecture of the buildings as possible, most notably at East Hall, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. All of East Campus was placed on the list in 1990.

The WMU archives, currently housed in East Hall, would be moved to another location, Miller said.

"This is the home of the university," Doran said. "We are not going to forget that."

Writer: Chris Killian, For Second Wave
Source: WMU Townhall Meeting

The name on the award reads John Allen but he insists it's the team he works with at Varnum that made it possible for him to be named a 2012 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

It's an award that goes to just 25 of 40,000 lawyers in the state each year, one Allen says he's honored to receive. And he adds that his work is supported by a lot of good people, especially his assistant Darla Betts. "Without them I couldn't do any of this. I have a lot of exceptional colleagues."

Second Wave spoke with Allen about his law career in Commercial Law and Litigation that spans 40 years to find out his perspective on what makes a lawyer a leader in the field.

"The first rule is always do what's best for the client and that will always be what's best for you," Allen says.

"What I learned of leadership I learned in the United States Army," he continues. "They've been training leaders for a very long time under difficult circumstances."

Here are a few of the things he's learned and put into practice:

"One is to take care of your people, your troops. Remember they're the ones following you, and they're behind you with loaded guns. It's important that you've earned their respect.

"Two: Make yourself dispensable. In the service that's important because if you go down in a plane there has to be another person to take command. In the legal profession, it means mentoring people, teaching them and helping them be better people.

"Three is delegating authority, not just responsibility. When you delegate authority and you let them do the work they may come up with better ideas than you would have. The client is better served."

When asked about his proudest moment at a lawyer, Allen says: "Every time you conclude a matter--end a trial or finish a deal--if you can look back and say you did the best you possibly could and you did it the right way, that's a very good feeling."

He offers advice on serving the community, as well: Find something that you really like to do and you will do a much better job. For Allen one of those has been his work officiating golf matches, which has taken him to golf events big and small. He does a lot of work with local high school golf teams.

Allen was recognized for his work after consideration by a Michigan Lawyers Weekly editorial panel. It looks for lawyers who exemplify "the noble tradition of the legal profession, coupled with commitment to practicing law in Michigan; a record of winning cases, solving problems or coming to judicial conclusions that reflect the utmost integrity; possessing the ability to achieve success in his or her respective practice, while also displaying the strength of character that transcends results; being passionate and aggressive on behalf of both clients and the legal community."

Allen has been admitted to the bar and can practice in six states. He also is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate. He has written and co-written hundreds of articles and books, and speaks frequently to business and law groups. Legal ethics is one of the issues he writes and speaks on most frequently.

He was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite, invitation-only recognition of jury trial lawyers in the United States and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 2005. Recently, he listed on the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Michigan.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: John Allen, Varnum

More than 50 blocks of ice weighing 300 each pounds will be sculpted as festival goers look on during Ice Breaker 2012 in South Haven the weekend of Feb. 3-5.

This year’s festival theme is The Four Seasons of South Haven and the ice sculptors are asked to follow the theme. Sculptors compete in three divisions: professional, amateur and student.

With the ice side covered, the festival moves into fire mode with two chili cook-offs. Downtown South Haven restaurants compete in the professional chili cook-off with the winner taking home the Con Carne Trophy. The amateur cook-off for local and regional chili connoisseurs also takes place over the weekend. The public and judges both try the various chili offerings in order to pick a winner.  

The amateur chili cook-off will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, while the professional taste-off will be from noon to 3 p.m.

Opportunities to learn to skate, how to wield a broom and stone in the sport of curling and an open skate are part of the fun.

A pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday will raise funds for Senior Services of Van Buren County.

Proceeds of many of the events throughout the weekend will go to local nonprofits.

A complete list of the weekend’s activities can be found at the South Haven Chamber of Commerce website.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: South Haven Chamber of Commerce

Now that the Michigan Business Tax and related surcharges have been eliminated, some in the business community want the state to take what they see is the next step. This opinion piece by Steward Sandstrom, CCE, president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce details reasons for getting rid of Michigan's Personal Property Tax.

Eliminating the Personal Property Tax (PPT) would continue to improve Kalamazoo's economic climate and truly declare to the world that Michigan is once again open for business.

The Personal Property Tax is a form of taxation that is not easily understood by many community members outside of those directly impacted. Essentially, the state's Personal Property Tax is a tax on capital expenses such as new computers, machinery and hardware. It also applies to other improvements, such as new electrical wiring for your building or improvements made to the physical structure -- "bricks and mortar" so to speak.

The Chamber believes this is a tax structure based on the concept that businesses are to be taxed whenever they invest in new property improvements. Essentially, the reward for reinvesting in your business and our community is a tax hike.

I have had many conversations with our membership about how the Personal Property Tax has negatively impacted their decision to hire more workers or to buy new equipment. Overwhelmingly, I am hearing that PPT is a growth-inhibiting expense that counter-intuitively taxes investments. It essentially penalizes business for trying to grow.

I recently had a conversation with Jeff Hawkins, President of Envirologic Technologies. Mr. Hawkins says a portion of his business requires the use of heavy drilling equipment. To purchase new drill rigs entails an investment on the order of about $350,000. In this example, first the equipment would be charged sales tax of 6 percent or $21,000; then the Personal Property Tax is applied based on a depreciated value, including the sales tax, over time which would account for approximately $23,000 in additional tax over the next five years. Although the Personal Property Tax goes down over time, the tax continues essentially forever until the piece of equipment is no longer in use.

In 1999 and 2000, Envirologic made these similar substantial business purchases. In 1999, it obtained a 50-percent tax abatement on one rig, but was unable to receive similar results the next year. This taxation, including essentially a tax on a tax, makes the hiring and reinvestment decisions much more challenging. In the next couple of years, Envirologic may have to make this purchase again, and according to Mr. Hawkins, Personal Property Tax will play a large factor in any purchasing and hiring decision.

Moreover, if a business buys a piece of equipment, the Personal Property Tax is applied to the transportation, associated delivery costs and on the sales tax it pays.

Granted, over time the tax goes down based on a depreciation rate, but unless you throw away the item it will continue to be taxed. Every year, companies large and small are required take inventory of all assets associated with the Personal Property Tax to see how much that investment can be taxed. It is important for businesses to re-evaluate items on an annual basis and throw away unused assets to avoid burdensome taxation rates.

Personal Property Tax does add up and is one more tax that discourages further investment and expansion.

This is a snapshot of many companies in Southwest Michigan facing similar uncertainties in their expansion plans. In addition to the financial burden, business owners are saddled with compliance paperwork, which takes time away from helping their business grow and prosper.

Eliminating the Personal Property Tax is going to be difficult to address. The main benefactors of the Personal Property Tax are local governments and the School Aid Fund. Certainly, businesses don't want to see school funding cut or public safety services eliminated due to lost revenue. But there must be some balance struck in an effort to make the property tax code as easy and fair as the new Corporate Income Tax.

Here are some considerations and possible solutions to be brought to the table:

• First and foremost, the personal property tax deters job and capital investments by companies. By removing this barrier, it lifts the tide on the entire economy allowing more growth through purchasing and hiring.
 
• Phase-out the tax over time for all taxpayers. Providing a planned phase-out of the tax would allow local governments to adjust resources, seek efficiencies and consolidation.
 
• Immediately implement a reasonable threshold exemption. Approximately 80 percent of taxpayers have property valued at less than $50,000 in taxable value. For relatively little cost (estimated $70 million) most paying the tax would be alleviated. In addition, local governments would be immediately relieved from administration of the tax.
 
• Make efforts to improve administration of the tax statewide. Providing clarity and consistency in assessing the tax would help reduce costly and time-consuming disputes and appeals.
 
• Allocate expiring tax credits as a source of revenue replacement. Efforts to rely less on targeted industry, and company, specific tax credits potentially affords an opportunity to re-direct those "unused" dollars towards general business tax relief to benefit a wide range of job providers.

If we want more jobs available in our region, we need Kalamazoo's businesses to succeed. If we want more jobs in the Kalamazoo area, we need to improve the path to employment by finding ways to spur job creation. And if we want area businesses to continue investing in our communities and hiring our residents, then we must find a way to compromise and tackle this onerous tax burden. This is a jobs issue.

Reforming PPT won't be easy and it may not be popular with everyone in the short term. But the long-term benefit of enabling business to invest in growth and expand their employee base is going to help everyone by improving Michigan's job climate.

We urge the state legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder to make 2012 another landmark-year in changing Michigan's tax structure. We are confident there is a way to work together on this issue. This is a discussion requiring businesses, schools and municipalities at the table to solve this dilemma and eliminate the business Personal Property Tax once and for all.

This opinion piece submitted by Steward Sandstrom, Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Do you have an opinion regarding business growth and investment in Southwest Michigan? Tells us about it: feedback@secondwavemedia.com.

Western Michigan University’s Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center has a new man at the top. Stephen J. Haakenson has been named executive director of the BRCC. He comes with an extensive background in helping to launch startup companies.

Haakenson previously was responsible for managing the State of Michigan’s investments in companies to help them grow, expand and diversify in his position as the Michigan Economic Development Corp. program and portfolio manager.

He comes to WMU at the same time the BRCC launches its second phase of funding--$3.8 million aimed at life science business starts--invested by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Western Michigan University’s Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center was established in 2003 with $10 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. It provides early-stage capital, pharmaceutical expertise and business development consultation.

So far, the BRCC has invested $10.1 million in 31 life science companies across Michigan. Today 25 of the companies are viable entities.

Most decisions on funding for BRCC companies are based on their patents, 16 of which are licensed from Michigan universities and private inventors in Michigan and another seven coming from universities in other states. The remaining BRCC-funded companies provide services to the life science industry.

Haakenson says he is eager "to provide the financial expertise and resources I have acquired during my career to expand on the BRCC's success and solidify its reputation as a supportive investor in Michigan's growing entrepreneurial community."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Cheryl Roland, Western Michigan University

The Genesis Casket Distribution Center is now located in St. Joseph and brings with it six jobs.

The company is leasing 10,000 square feet of a 75,000-square-foot space at 211 Kerth Street.

The Indianapolis-based Genesis describes itself as a company that is changing the way metal caskets are manufactured and distributed to funeral homes throughout the United States.

Genesis Casket is business partners with Gestamp North America, a supplier of components to the international automotive industry. Metal caskets by Genesis are created through many of the same technologies and processes used to manufacture parts for BMWs and Mercedes-Benz.

One of the unique features of Genesis Caskets is the use of a robotic painting system refined in the automotive industry that the company says assures a smooth finish. It is seeking patents for: a self-supporting cap hinge that is quieter and easier to operate than a traditional cap brace; a slotted, high-density polyethylene bed is secured to a hardened steel beam supported with a durable bracket at either end; and its unique welds -- unlike other metal caskets that are welded in each corner, Genesis caskets have only two welds on the ends.

St. Joseph is attractive to  a warehousing and distribution center like the one Genesis has opened because of its proximity to major markets and accessibility to interstate highways, says Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser. The company agrees.

"Our location in St. Joseph, Michigan allows us to provide the high level quality customer service we are known for in a timely manner," says Wm. Anthony Colson, president and chief executive officer of Genesis Casket.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Jamie Nilson-Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Businesses that want to find out how to be part of HUD projects that are reshaping the City of Benton Harbor are invited to a seminar that will shed light on what it takes.

The seminar, "Section 3, Practices for HUD Funded Projects," will be offered from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Michigan Works, 499 W. Main St., Benton Harbor. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Registration is due Jan. 30.

Guy Stockard, a Section 3 Coordinator for MSHDA will lead the seminar. Stockard will discuss what Section 3 is and how it applies to locally funded projects such as the NSPII project in Benton Harbor. (NSP II is a federally funded program intended to arrest the decline in residential property values in various targeted communities such as Benton Harbor. Under this program, the city has received funds to acquire residential properties, rehabilitate them and prepare them for ultimate resale and reoccupation.)

Tony Thompson, from the Senior PGA presented by KitchenAid also will speak at the seminar about possible contracting opportunities.

The seminar is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and offered in partnership with Cornerstone Alliance, the Local Business Consortium and MSHDA.

The Local Business Consortium is a forum for including local businesses into the Harbor Shores project planning. The initial membership reflects an emphasis on construction trades, with participation by established general contractors as well as subcontractors. Future plans call to expand the consortium to include local suppliers, retailers and service providers.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Jamie Nilson-Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

It’s typical to find the policy-shapers of the Michigan Environmental Council testifying before state and local legislators. This year they’re trying something new -- getting to know people over a cocktail and talking over important issues for the state at the same time.

The Michigan Environmental Council’s #ForwardDrinking event comes to Kalamazoo Feb. 3 and the topic will be how a healthy food system is essential to promote the well-being of residents and the economic vitality of a region. The free event begins at 6 p.m. at the Olde Peninsula Brewpub, 200 W. Michigan Ave.  

This is the third #ForwardDrinking event. In Marquette, the importance of a community that is bikeable and walkable was discussed. And in Lansing the significance of a thriving downtown was the topic.

In Southwest Michigan, with it many busy farmers markets, a location in the heart of Michigan’s farmland and a growing interest in urban farms and backyard gardens, the topic of local food is one Kalamazoo area residents are talking about.

"The idea is to have an informal conversation about a topic that is important in the community," says Andrew McGlashen, of the Michigan Environmental Council.

The discussion is intended to give those who attend a sense that they better understand the discussion topic -- in this case the importance of local food -- and are able to take action to improve their community.

The event also is an opportunity for people to meet others who may be working on the same issues they are, who may have new, creative ideas that will help them move forward with projects, or may have some wild idea they've never even heard of.

The nonprofit Michigan Environmental Council is a coalition of more than 70 organizations created in 1980 to lead Michigan’s environmental movement and achieve positive change through the political process. It  promotes public policies to ensure that Michigan families will enjoy clear waters, clean beaches, beautiful landscapes and healthy communities for years to come.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Andrew McGlashen, Michigan Environmental Council

You never know what you will find when you’re shopping at 6 Degrees Retail Shop. Merchandise changes daily at the funky, eclectic resale shop that employs women who have been through various programs offered by Emergency Shelter Services Inc.

The store has moved to a new location and opened its doors this week in the Historic Kitchen Mart Building along Main Street in downtown Benton Harbor. The 14,000-square-foot shop employs about 10 people, both full- and part-time.

Proceeds of the store go back into wages for the employees, says Emergency Shelter Services, Inc. Executive Director Alysia Babcock. Ideally, someday the shop could help fund programs offered by the shelter, but Babcock says that creating income for the store’s employees will always be the priority.

By working at 6 Degrees employees get training and build skills needed to succeed in life, Babcock says.

All the goods sold at the store are donated by the community, and Babcock says donations have been generous. In the front room shoppers will find antiques, collectibles, as well as other one of a kind items. Low-cost items are available throughout the store. Shoppers are also will find recycled, re-used and repurposed items all created by staff and volunteers.

Babcock says that if a donated items cannot be sold the way it came in it often is repurposed. For example, candles are melted down to make new candles.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Alysia Babcock, Emergency Shelter Services, Inc.

Environmental services have become a tool to support economic development and a company with projects throughout Southwest Michigan has brought the two together.

ASTI Environmental, which has worked on more than 30 projects in Southwest Michigan over the past year, has created the Environmental Concerns Inventory that brings together an environmental review and ways to the use the property as well as development incentives in one document.

The document helps identify solutions to environmental impediments that otherwise would hinder redevelopment on a single parcel or over a wide area.

Using public documents and an inspection from the public right-of-way, ASTI reviews and maps suspected environmental impacts and provides an analysis of the implications for future development. It looks at nearby properties to see if they would be impacted, as well. Installed infrastructure and any improvements needed are identified.

Parcels that cannot be developed in a cost-effective way are identified. And options for remediation and a map based on the future use of the site are part of the environmental concerns inventory.

Impediments, such as historical foundations, unstable fill material or waste disposal areas, that may require engineering assessments, are also identified.

The tool is being used by communities to bolster public-private partnerships and planning activities.

However, it does not replace the need for environmental due diligence required prior to purchase or remediation.

One city official who has hired ASTI to for an Environmental Concerns Inventory says: Understanding the perceived and actual environmental impediments to redevelopment efforts can be critical if you want to identify and prioritize incentives early in the redevelopment cycle.

ASTI Environmental, with offices in Grand Rapids and Brighton, has completed 7,500 environmental investigation, remediation, compliance and restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes Region since 1985.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Souce: Doug Brown, ASTI

A collaboration between Western Michigan University and Michigan's other research universities is recruiting businesses to host interns.

Start-up companies and small- or medium-size Michigan businesses of less than 500 employees are being encouraged to become part of the new Small Company Internship Award program before Jan. 31.

Each of the six participating schools receives $25,000 to help student interns work on projects relevant to their course of study and of benefit to the company. Employers receive a 50 percent match from the statewide university network. Employers may participate with up to two of the schools in the network and have two interns from each school.

The WMU Michigan Corporate Relations Network office will select 10 to 12 companies to participate in the program. Companies that focus on innovative work in the science, technology, engineering and math fields will be given preference. However, students may come from any academic program.

The internship program will expose students to a variety of  companies within Michigan, says Dr. Kay Palan, dean of the Haworth College of Business at WMU.  And employers will have the opportunity to see the resources WMU students can provide.

The five other public universities in Michigan that make up the network are: Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan’s campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn. It is the first statewide university network in the country to provide a critical new tool for business growth and attraction.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Cheryl Roland, Western Michigan University

Batteries used to be for flashlights, cars and kid’s toys. Today they seem to be in everything. Batteries Plus is making the most of that. The company has become the nation’s largest and fastest growing battery retailer, selling more than 50 million batteries per year.

As part of its growth nationally, the retailer that specializes in batteries recently opened a new store in Benton Charter Township. The new facility is at 2061 M-139, Suite B in Benton Harbor. Local officials and Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed the retailer in a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Store Manager Adrian Ryk says, "We sell everything from common AA and 9-volt batteries to hard-to-find specialty batteries." It is this product line and the knowledge employees have regarding different batteries that have contributed to the company’s expansion.  

Each Batteries Plus store offers "business to business" programs. Participating customers may be eligible for delivery, open account billing, bulk purchasing efficiencies and other services. Each store also has an on-site tech center where battery packs are analyzed, rebuilt, custom-designed and assembled.  

Batteries Plus stores also are leading the charge to recycle spent batteries and protect the environment.

Inc. Magazine calls Batteries Plus the nation’s fastest growing specialty retailer. It has more than 500 retail stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico. The company has access to more than 40,000 types of batteries, Batteries Plus has the widest selection of batteries and battery-related products and offers unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government entities at the national and local levels.

Batteries Plus calls itself the battery retailing leader in the expanding $24 billion dollar battery category.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Adrian Ryk, Batteries Plus

Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s lineup of academy offerings intended to get students ready for real-world jobs is about to grow by one.

A Utility Line Worker Academy begins May 7. The 26-week-long training program provides training and certification to prepare students for high demand, high paying career opportunities as line workers.

Line workers generally begin their career as an apprentice with a starting salary range from $45,000 to $55,000 annually before overtime and benefits. While on the job, they participate in a structured apprenticeship which, over the course of four years, and leads to the opportunity to gain journeyman status.

KVCC and Consumers Energy Services will collaborate in the presentation of the new training program.

Line work is performed outdoors, workers are subjected to all types of weather and the work can be very physically demanding at times. The work requires technicians to be willing and able to work long hours and to travel at the direction of their company.

Line workers are employed by utility companies, local municipalities and firms who sub-contract with transmission line owners. They perform critical operational and maintenance services and also participate in the construction and installation of transmission lines.

The program is divided into two segments. During the first 16 weeks, trainees will meet at KVCC and master the foundational skills needed for this field of work and prepare physically for a career as a utility line worker.

Week 17 is an intense line worker orientation at the Consumer Energy Training Center in Marshall. Trainees will be required to exert extreme physical and mental strength in order to successfully complete the orientation. The final nine weeks of the training is completed at the Consumers Energy Marshall Training Center, where knowledge and skills acquired are applied to work performed on an actual job.  

"The demand for highly trained line workers is expected to increase," says Lesa Strausbaugh, director of career academies at KVCC.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Dawn Kemp, Lesa Strausbaugh, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Two new homes have gone up in the Northside neighborhood in Kalamazoo and it looks like they will be going fast.

The houses at 1021 Rose and 1025 Rose were built through a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo County Land Bank using Neighborhood Stabilization Funds.

Both homes are selling for $102,000 and Kelly Clarke, executive director of the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, says there will be an open house for the two properties on Jan. 22.

If experience is any measure, they are not expected to be on the market for long. Four other homes built through the program have been sold and three sales are pending, Clarke says. Buyers are working hard to get together the paperwork necessary to purchase the homes.

The two homes on Rose Street were built after one condemned house was demolished creating three vacant parcels of land. Those were divided into two to create lots big enough for the houses that are each 1,646 square feet and feature four bedrooms and three baths, among other amenities.

Now, there are 15 other newly built or rehabilitated homes being sold in various neighborhoods across the city as part of the Kalamazoo Home Ownership Program.

Work will continue on other similar projects through February 2013. A 50-year-old building that's been vacant for 20 years and that once was a tuberculosis sanitarium has been demolished, making way for senior living apartments for low income residents.

There was has been the demolition of the former Kalamazoo Creamery at Lake and Portage streets. Landscaping of the property should take place this spring and officials will make it available for a mixed-use development as the economy improves.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Kelly Clarke, Kalamazoo County Land Bank

Because Southwest Michigan loves its craft beer, there is Kalamazoo Beer Week coming up Jan. 14 - 21. It’s the second annual celebration of hops and malts and all things brewed.

Programming for this week of events includes beer dinners, demonstrations, tastings, and meet-the-brewer functions. Intended to educate, offer insight into the craft beer movement, beers styles, or the industry at large, the events are open to the public.

The week is filled with events created by local restaurateurs and retailers who have teamed up with their favorite brewer or brewery. Each event concentrates on craft beer and will have a special element such as a bottle signing, a tasting or a presentation with remarks from the featured brewer.

Some of the events about which organizers are excited for participants to experience include a vertical tasting at Central City Tap House, in which ferkins for one style of beer from succeeding years are tapped to compare their tastes. Two more are events at the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange that will feature beer and cheese, with cheese from the Cheese Lady of Texas Township, and beer and chocolate with chocolate from Chocolatea in Portage.

The first Kalamazoo Beer Week grew out of a celebration of Imperial Beverage being named Craft Beer Distributor of the Year in 2010 by the National Beer and Wine Wholesalers. When an estimated 2,000 people turned out during dreadful winter weather to try new beers during the first Kalamazoo Beer Week organizers knew they had the makings of an ongoing communitywide event.

"We had no idea it would as popular as it was," says Anne Drummond of Imperial Beverage.

Imperial Beverage went on to collaborate with Discover Kalamazoo, the region's convention and visitor's bureau, to make plans for 2012. More partners agreed to participate. And what had been a week with 16 events in 2011 began to explode. This year, at least 80 different events are scheduled and 25 restaurants or retailers are hosting them. Many have multiple events throughout the week. A complete schedule of events and their locations is available here.

Kalamazoo Beer Week also has all its social media bases covered, with a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. Participants are encouraged to tweet from events through week using the hashtag KBW2012.

Kalamazoo Beer Week gets under way Saturday, Jan. 14, with the Kick Off Pub Crawl. Participants ride for free on a double-decker bus that will stop at bars and restaurants that feature craft brews, including Gallagher's, Roadhouse, Waldo's (Pilsen Club), O'Duffy's, Central City Tap House, and Old Burdick's downtown location. The bus will travel in a loop between locations from 6 to 11 p.m.  The pub crawl is sponsored by Samuel Adams.

Other partners in the weeklong event are: Millennium Restaurant Group, Greenleaf Hospitality Group, Paw Paw Wine Distributors, I.H.S. Distributing, Midwest Communications, Bell’s Brewery, Arcadia Ales and West Side Distributing.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Anne Drummond, Imperial Beverage