Some news from the week:
1. Lot's of moving pieces right now with the City's ongoing master plan talks and related discussions:
Sounds like a lot of talk, but this part of the story caught my attention:
Quote:
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...in some of the biggest news of the night, Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) announced that it will fund economic development and housing strategies in Kalamazoo intended to serve as a catalyst to “re-energize” core neighborhoods and create living-wage job opportunities that are accessible to those living in core city neighborhoods. Kalamazoo will be part of a pilot program funded with a 2- to-1 match of an as yet to be determined amount, Denise Scott, Executive Vice President of LISC, told the commission...Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Chicago are also working with LISC in the economic catalyst program...
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2. The first tenant is confirmed for the latest Trade Centre building, along the I-94 corridor:
Quote:
650 Trade Centre Way to get first tenant
Kathy Jennings | SecondWave Media
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Kalamazoo's largest law firm will be leaving its downtown offices on East Michigan Ave. for a new space in the third of the Trade Centre office buildings, off the I-94. Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP will move its Kalamazoo office to 650 Trade Centre Way, where it will be the building's first tenant. 650 Trade Centre Way, is a five-story, 100,000-square-foot office space designed by world famous architects, Minoru Yamasaki...
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A bit misleading, as Minoru passed away in 1986. If the article meant to refer to the firm which he founded, it was called "Minoru Yamasaki Associates, Inc." before his death, and it was renamed to Yamasaki & Associates after his death, until its shutdown in 2009. Recent news indicates that the firm will be reopening again in Detroit.
3. More info on Newell-Rubbermaid's planned expansion in Kzoo:
Quote:
Newell Brands plans expansion at BTR Park
Kathy Jennings | SecondWave Media
Thursday, September 28, 2017
The Newell Brands Inc. acquisition of the consumer products company Jarden is proving to be good news for Kalamazoo. The business move means Newell needs to expand its design capabilities to accommodate the additional product lines. Newell plans to expand its current product design and testing facility in Kalamazoo with a $7.3 million investment that is expected to create 87 design jobs...
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4. Trader Joe's is soon to open its first location in Kalamazoo: