Welcome New Director of Strategic Impact
Kent County has hired Josh Spencer as director of strategic impact, which is a newly reclassified position. He will start on December 12, 2022 and will report to the County Administrator. Most recently, Spencer was vice president at Kennari Consulting in Grand Rapids, MI, and previously owned Meraki Grant Services. During his tenure at Kennari, Spencer worked with non-profit organizations in the areas of grant development, research, financial strategy, and capital fundraising campaigns. He will lead grant development for internal and external County objectives; manage significant County projects; and lead continuous improvement and development initiatives to meet the current and future needs of the County. He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in history from Central Michigan University.
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Welcome New Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator
Kent County has hired Scott Corbin as deputy emergency management coordinator. He will start in the new position on November 21. Most recently, Corbin was the emergency management director for Allegan County. Prior to that, he served as the assistant director of the Putnam County Office of Public Safety and as an officer with the Ottawa Police Department in Ohio. Corbin also served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves 938 Engineer Combat Battalion.
Corbin will assist in the development and implementation of disaster plans, coordinate local anti-terrorism planning efforts, supervise volunteer groups, and ensure key stakeholders are kept abreast of emerging situations and corresponding response plans. He holds an Associate’s Degree in law enforcement from Owens Community College; a Bachelor of Arts in organizational management from Bluffton University; and a Masters in homeland security and defense from the Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Corbin also completed the Northwestern School of Police Staff & Command program.
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Welcome New KCCA Director
Kent County has hired Gustavo Perez as the new director of the Kent County Community Action (KCCA). He will start the position on November 30.
Most recently, Perez was the director of programs and services for the Heart of West Michigan United Way (HWMUW) where he oversaw the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program, resource management, 2-1-1 operations, tax program, and assistance program departments. Prior to joining HWMUW, Perez was the business operations manager for the Salvation Army of the Coastal Bend in Corpus Christi, Texas managing and leading human resource, finance, contracting, fundraising, disaster relief and other operations serving the community.
He holds a Master of Business in public administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
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Broadband Survey
Help us improve internet connectivity in Kent County!
This survey provides accurate data regarding which properties have Internet access and the affordability if access is available. Information gathered will only be used to support broadband Internet expansion efforts and will aid in seeking grant funding to increase broadband availability in Kent County. Click here to view the current response rates. Spread the word and help us get to 10% for your area.
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Board of Commissioners Approve Nine-Month Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
The Kent County Board of Commissioners adopted a Fiscal Year 2023 budget last week, which will run from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. It is a nine-month budget to align the County’s fiscal year with State and Federal sources and to reset the County’s fiscal year end to September 30 which will gain internal efficiencies.
The total budget is $440.2 million and includes $371.6 million for operating expenditures, $13.6 million for capital improvements, and $59.9 million to support other funds. Read more.
KCSO Special Events
(Joy Matthews, Sheriff's Office)
The KCSO hosted a "Pumpkins with Police" event at the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding. The event was designed for persons with physical, mental, and social/emotional challenges. Attendees had fun interacting with officers and decorating pumpkins.
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John Ball Zoo partners with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to offer pumpkins to Zoo animals for enrichment activity
(Peter D'Arienzo, John Ball Zoo)
John Ball Zoo has partnered with the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to create a fun and healthy enrichment activity for the Zoo’s animals. During the first week of November, Meijer Gardens delivered more than 500 pounds of pumpkins and gourds, which were previously used to decorate the Meijer Gardens during its autumnal celebration, to the Zoo.
After being completely cleaned, extra-large pumpkins were offered to the large cats, bears, chimpanzees, goats, sheep and cows at the park. Smaller animals, such as spider monkeys, tortoises, small reptiles and porcupines, received smaller pumpkins and gourds.
Animal enrichment efforts are important to the overall well-being of Zoo animals. The Zoo’s staff enriches its animals' lives through stimulating and challenging environments, objects and activities — and the pumpkin delivery is just one way they can do that. Playing with, destroying and, for some, eating the pumpkins and gourds offers healthy mental stimulation to animals of all shapes and sizes.
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Building to Belong
(Teresa Branson, Office of Inclusion)
Kent County staff had the opportunity to engage in Treetops Collective Wall Breaking event for the West Michigan Cultural Community Center. Treetops Collective is a community partner of the Kent County Office of Inclusion and Kent County Welcome Plan. Treetops kicked off their Building to Belong initiative which is working to :
- Create a welcoming gathering space to foster cross-cultural friendships within the Cultural Community Center
- Develop six apartment units to create pathways toward home ownership for individuals/families making a home here in West Michigan
- Flexible co-working and event space for New Americans to launch ideas and celebrate milestones together
- Increased accessibility to local resources and organizations among our newest neighbors
- Playful space for children to enjoy while parents connect to people and opportunities
The goals of the Building to Belong initiative and bringing about the West Michigan Cultural Community Center is aligned with goals and recommendations in the Kent County Welcome Plan: https://www.kentcountynewamericans.org/
Congratulations to Treetops Collective Executive Director & Co-Founder Tarah Carnahan and Team for your work in creating a welcoming space. To learn more on Treetops Collective, visit www.treetopscollective.org/belong. View the video here.
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Pact Act of 2022: A Great IMPACT for Veterans and Their Loved Ones
(Ryan Grams, Veterans Services)
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act also known as the Pact Act of 2022 passed into legislation on June 16th, 2022. The PACT Act is possibly the largest Benefits and health care expansion in VA history. The Pact Act brings many changes for the veterans of Kent County, to include:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
For more information on what presumptive conditions have been added and locations click here.
If you think that you or a loved one:
- may be eligible for benefits under the PACT act or for any other reason or
- are experiencing food scarcity or another unforeseen emergency situation(s)
- are in need of support to find work, housing, mental health services, a sense of community, or recreational activities
Please reach out to Kent County Veteran Services at 616-632-5722 or kcvs@kentcountymi.gov.
Explore your Kent County Animal Shelter!
(Angela Hollinshead, Animal Shelter)
Have you ever visited the Kent County Animal Shelter? Angela Hollinshead, Shelter Director, invites you to stop by and learn more about the history of KCAS, the animals they care for, the services they provide, and more. Explore the veterinary room, surgical suite, intake areas, outdoor enclosure, and adoption area, allowing you to see firsthand how the shelter works to help animals. Of course, kitten snuggles are always part of the visit! Please get in touch with Angela Hollinshead to schedule a time to stop by and get the inside tour of the animal shelter.
KCCA Food Distribution Events
Kent County Community Action is holding several food distribution events throughout November. Click here to view the event dates, locations and eligibility requirements.
Kent County Offices Closed for Thanksgiving
All Kent County offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Join Our Team!
Impacting the Community Starts with You. Click here to see current career opportunities.
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