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title: FIRST & 42 - Room to Grow
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Southwest Michigan’s people, ideas, and momentum all in one place. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Issue #183  \|  Monday, May 18 Good Morning, Southwest Michigan! This week in FIRST & 42, we’re celebrating Portage philanthropists Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang as recipients of the 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. We’re also highlighting Beacon Kalamazoo’s national recognition from Healthgrades for clinical care and patient safety, Open Roads Bike Program’s $750,000 push to turn its new Vine Street home into a permanent community bike hub and youth development center, and the opening of Great Lakes Wrestling and Training Center in St. Joseph, where a new 9,000-square-foot facility is creating space for athletes of all ages. Plus, don’t miss the May Chamber Connect on Wednesday, May 27, an evening of networking, conversation, and new connections with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber. KALAMAZOO COUNTY Zhangs Receive Ellis Island Medal Portage philanthropists Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang will receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for their contributions to business, public service, and philanthropy.  Read Full Story SPONSORED Beacon Kalamazoo Earns Top Honors Read More Kalamazoo County Open Roads Raises Funds for New Home Read More Berrien County New Wrestling Facility Opens in St. Joseph Read More   Quick Hits ● Bronson Healthcare is celebrating 125 years of care, innovation, and community impact across Southwest Michigan. Read › ● Kalamazoo is responding to downtown parking feedback with easier short-term parking, longer on-street limits, enforcement ending at 5 p.m., and “Park. Shop. Win.” running through September 5. Read › ● The Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Hub has launched as a new regional resource connecting founders to coaching, funding, accelerators, programs, and technical support. View › ● Regional housing partners will gather Friday, June 12 for a Housing Summit focused on shared equity, development support, networking, and updates to Michigan’s State Housing Plan. Read › ● Michigan business leaders can join a four-part webinar series on child care solutions, employer benefits, financing tools, and workforce strategy. Read › Upcoming Events May Chamber Connect Join us for the May Chamber Connect at Advia Credit Union and spend the evening building relationships, making new connections, and growing your network with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber. Wednesday, May 27 \| 4 - 6 p.m. Register Kalamazoo Community Planting Days @ Downtown Kalamazoo Tuesday, May 19 through Friday, May 22 AKC Apple Blossom Cluster Dog Show @ Kalamazoo County Expo Center Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25 Small & Mighty Business Series: Retain Team Members with Financial Wellness @ The Catalyst Center Wednesday, May 27 \| 12 - 1 p.m. Kalamazoo Township Business Community Townhall @ Kalamazoo Township Townhall Thursday, May 28 \| 9:30 - 11 a.m. Niles Bluegrass Festival @ Riverfront Park Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31 Advocacy & Ales \| Workforce + Childcare @ The Cricket Club Monday, June 1 \| 4 - 6 p.m. Women2Women: Self Love and Entrepreneurship @ The Catalyst Center Tuesday, June 2 \| 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. MIX with KRESA and Wightman @ KRESA Career Connect Campus Thursday, June 4 \| 4 - 7 p.m. denotes Southwest Michigan First event Jobs Board Director of Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives Southwest Michigan First is hiring a Director of Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives to lead regional policy work, build partnerships with civic and government leaders, support community outreach, and help advance strategic initiatives across Southwest Michigan. Apply Now Featured Supporters INVESTORS CHAMBER MEMBERS NEW: Press Massage & Bodywork NEW: Bareither NEW: Zemlick.com NEW: Signal + Story NEW: BJ Benjim's Clothing NEW: PurposeCare A-1 Refrigeration Sales & Service 400 Rose Apartments Quote of the Day "Have those uncomfortable moments. Because my strong personal belief is it is those moments that cause you to grow the most yourself, but that also differentiate you the most in your career." Corie Barry Like what you see? Share the newsletter or send us your local news tip. Share Your News Forward to a Friend Powered by Southwest Michigan First 180 E. Water Street, Suite 2690 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 269.553.9588 Unsubscribe    Manage Preferences    View in Browser |
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