The Michigan State Housing Development Authority, MSHDA, launched a $10 million employer-assisted housing fund Monday, Feb. 24 for businesses that plan to invest in housing for workers. Employers can tap into the fund through various approaches like developing housing, donating land or offering down payment assistance to staff.

Rockford's Kate Higgins (4) drives to the basket against Muskegon's Nadia Hill (22) during the Division 1 girls basketball district semifinal game at Rockford High School in Rockford, Mich. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Becky Particka | MLive.com

Demonstrators marched through downtown Grand Rapids for a Ukrainian solidarity rally on Saturday, Feb. 22, to mark the three-year-anniversary of the war with Russia. The Ukrainian Society of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Sister Cities International Dnipro Committee (GRSCI) hosted dozens of people at Veteran’s Memorial Park for a rally and subsequent march through downtown.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan is investing $10 million in employer-assisted housing. From 2014 to 2023, Michigan built one new home for every 14 new jobs, resulting in workers struggling to find housing, according to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

In west Michigan, the Grand Rapids Spring Craft and Vendor Market, hosted by Hometown Vendor Market, will run April 12-13 at Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids. The market is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13. The events will include local vendors, seasonal treats, handmade gifts, specialty items and more.

While it would be eye-catching to note gas prices in Grand Rapids have jumped 5.8¢ this week, a look at the broader pattern shows the nickel-and-diming netted a 0¢ difference over the past 4 months.

The city of Grand Rapids racked up nearly $1.5 million in cannabis excise tax revenue by permitting 25 cannabis dispensaries or microbusinesses across the city last year.

The state Treasury on Friday, Feb. 21, announced its intent to pay nearly $100 million in marijuana excise tax disbursements to 298 municipalities and four tribal governments over “the next few days.” Each county,

State and local business advocates are backing a new state program that rolled out Monday that provides financial support to employers of all sizes that want to invest in housing for their employees.

The latest report on homelessness in Michigan reveals a troubling trend: the state's homeless population has grown by 2%. This increase raises a pressing question.

Take a break from all of the stress and the cold this weekend with the help of some fun and timely events in West Michigan.

Michigan State's athletic department hired Jon Dykema away from the Lions to oversee the Spartans' NIL deals and other contracts.