Congratulations Treasurer MacGregor!
Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor has earned the Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (ACPFIM) Certification from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada (APT US&C).
The nationally recognized advanced certification program is designed for those who have achieved the initial CPFIM Certification and provides further instruction on investment analysis, strategy and application to better manage investments on behalf of their municipalities. To earn the CPFIM certification, individuals must participate in a six-hour certification training and successfully pass a comprehensive exam on the following training objectives components: identifying and understanding investment options; how and where to buy investments; establishing internal controls and developing procedures; identifying and mitigating risk in the portfolio; quantifying and reporting safety measures; understanding liquidity needs and yield calculations; managing and forecasting investments; and, implementing and monitoring strategy. Congratulations Pete!
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John Ball Zoo Earns National Certification on Sustainability
(Peter D'Arienzo, John Ball Zoo)
John Ball Zoo has been building structures on site to green standards for years and recently was the first zoo in the world to be awarded a Sustainable SITES Initiative certification for its Meerkat habitat and the first SITES gold certification in the state of Michigan of any business. SITES is a comprehensive rating system for developing sustainable landscapes and protecting ecosystems.
The certification is just one example of the Zoo’s commitment to sustainability and conservation. With the Meerkat exhibit, John Ball Zoo is reducing water demand, filtering and reducing stormwater runoff, providing wildlife habitat, reducing energy consumption, bettering air quality, improving human health and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation. John Ball Zoo also included public art by local artists around the exhibit.
The Zoo incorporated sustainable measures from the start of the project, using recycled materials whenever possible and eliminating CO2 emissions. The Meerkat habitat’s solar panels in 2021 produced 648 kWh, a carbon offset of 988 pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent or 10 trees. A favorite at John Ball Zoo because of its interactivity and the best in the U.S. with the most space, the Meerkat exhibit is just one way the Zoo works to promote its core values and provide world class educational experiences for West Michigan and beyond.
HOME-ARP Grant to Address Homelessness and Housing Stability Needs
(Chad Coffman, Community Action)
Kent County is receiving federal funds from the HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program to fund a variety of projects and services aimed at reducing homelessness and increasing the availability of affordable housing. This funding must focus on needs within Kent County but outside of the City of Grand Rapids.
Your input will help the County determine the best uses of these funds. Please visit our website to complete the survey, which is available in English and Spanish.
CERA (COVID Emergency Rental Assistance)
(Rachel Ahee, Community Action)
Invitations to apply for CERA have been extended through October 14, 2022. Interested residents should call Salvation Army’s CERA Intake at 877-372-5368 or the Kent County Community Action (KCCA) CERA office at 616-632-7400 for information about invitation to apply.
As of September 1, 2022, Kent County has distributed $47.2 million of CERA assistance to the community. Our KCCA CERA team specifically distributed $21.3 million of that total.
Boards, Commissions and Committees
We received received 483 applications to our open Boards, Commissions, and Committee seats, which is the largest response we have received to date! Thank you to everyone who applied and shared these opportunities with your network. Our Board office will begin reviewing these applications and those selected for an interview will be notified.
First Steps Kent Announces New President
This First Steps Kent Commission approved Jennifer Headley-Nordman as the new president of First Steps Kent. Jennifer will lead the organization’s work to strengthen and coordinate the system of early childhood services in Kent County so that all children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life. She comes to First Steps Kent from Holland Public Schools, where she served as Associate Superintendent of Student Services. She has worked in a variety of non-profit and educational leadership positions over the last 25 years. Welcome Jennifer! Read more.
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Statewide Ballot Proposal Summaries and Virtual Forum
This fall voters in Michigan will decide on three proposed constitutional amendments when they head to the polls. Residents can learn more about these three proposals and their possible impacts through two virtual forums, on October 12 or 19. These forums will feature presentations from experts on each of the three proposals, and a chance for voters to ask questions to help inform their votes this November.
The webinars will take place on Zoom and Facebook live on:
• October 12, 7 PM
• October 19, 12 PM
More information and registration for the webinars is available here.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The federal government has adjusted the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to a longer-term broadband affordability program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).The program helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more by providing a discount on broadband service and connected devices.
Eligible households receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of several other criteria. Visit Affordable Connectivity Program | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov) for more information and to apply.
Community Food Distributions
Dates and times of food distributions for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) can be found by clicking the links.
Kent County by the Numbers
Grand Rapids was recently ranked one of the top 4 cities to start a tech career in the U.S. As tech talent leaves places like Silicon Valley, they’re moving to emerging tech hubs like Grand Rapids. The Right Place Tech Strategy, developed in collaboration with hundreds of business and community leaders, gives our community a detailed roadmap for capitalizing on this opportunity and solidifying Greater Grand Rapids as the Midwest’s leading tech hub.
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