The State of Michigan has the lowest homeless rate since 2007. The number, statewide, has dropped to below 10,000 persons, with the overwhelming majority of homeless in shelters.

 
Unemployment rose in 16 out of 17 Michigan metropolitan regions during the month of October; increased from 4.4% to 4.6%, with the Detroit area statistics unchanged.

The City of Grand Rapids has upgraded seven of their parks, via federal grants and a 2013 parks millage. 2.5 million was spent this year, with improvements to Richmond Park, NW, Mulick Park, SE, Mary Waters Park, NE, Douglas Park, NW, Dickinson Buffer Park, SE, Campau Park at Delaware & Commons and Camelot Park, SE. Plans are underway for additional improvements during the 2017 year for Bike Park, SW, Clemente Park, SW, Huff Park, NE, Aberdeen Park, NE, Ball Perkins Park, NE and Alexander Park, SE. These citywide improvements have been a collaboration of GR Parks & Recreation & neighborhood meetings with community input.
 
Rockford, Michigan: The site of a 150-year-old paper mill, 17 acres on Childsdale Avenue, NE, will be the new home of BridgeWay Community Church in Rockford. After utilizing a clean-up grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, along with local fundraising, this church has begun a 2-million-dollar renovation of the existing paper mill structure into a place of worship.
 

Beer Capitol: GR just keeps on adding new venues and come spring, 2017, “7 Monks” Taproom will open its doors in the 616 Lofts on Michigan. Alger Heights will be the site for a new small-batch brewery, Brass Ring Brewing Company, with a grand opening planning for fall, 2017. December 5, 2016, marks the 83rd anniversary of the ending of prohibition, with the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933.

47-year-old, Rick Keyes has just been appointed as the CEO of Meijer. Meijer, which has been privately owned and operated by family members, since 1934, intends to continue the family’s involvement while realigning roles and development strategies consistent within their team.