Administrator's Digest - September 18, 2023

Last week I had the opportunity to celebrate the opening ceremony and events for ArtPrize 2.0 in Grand Rapids. With the new iteration of ArtPrize, I was excited to learn about the expansion of programming and growth of community events for Kent County residents to enjoy. 

On Friday, I went on the GR Housing Commission Bus Tour to view the various housing opportunities developed and owned by the Housing Commission. It is an impressive inventory. 

My staff and I also recently visited the "Overcoming Hateful Things" exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, chosen to host the first stop of this traveling exhibit. As our society further struggles with agreeing on what truth is in many different areas, I’ve found that observing actual physical items and images can help change the conversation. The Jim Crow Museum is located just a short drive away, up in Big Rapids for those who haven’t experienced it yet.

We also held our first fall local unit quadrant meeting last week, which was hosted by the City of Kentwood. We had a full agenda of updates with good questions and discussion and wrapped up the meeting with a community update from Mayor Kepley, from the City of Kentwood.

Please let us know if you have articles, topics, or ideas that you would like to include in future newsletters.

- Al Vanderberg

Over the past three years, the Kent County Treasurer’s Office has focused their efforts on keeping people in their homes. And as a result, Kent County’s property tax foreclosure rate has been at a record low with 2023 being the lowest number of foreclosures in 15 years, at 13 foreclosures.

This is important because our county is amid a housing crisis and keeping residents in their homes helps alleviate this issue. The Treasurer's Office has expanded outreach and foreclosure prevention efforts by developing bi-lingual promotional materials, making personal visits to properties, offering hardship extensions, developing community relationships, and providing sound payment plans with property owners.

If you or anyone you know are experiencing property tax delinquency or forfeiture, contact the Kent County Treasurer's office at 616-632-7500.

Kent County Parks Department staff was out in the community this weekend seeking community input about our parks and what improvements residents would like to see implemented in the next 5 years.

Whether you're a casual park patron or an avid visitor, we want to hear from you about how we can make our parks better! Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey here. Your responses will help shape our County parks for years to come.

Released by the Grand Rapids Chamber and American Immigration Council last week, the Economic Impact Report of New Americans in Kent County showcases the crucial role immigrants play in the region’s labor force, business creation, and consumer spending power.

The report shows there were 57,400 immigrants living in Kent County in 2019, up 5.2% from five years earlier, and that they contributed $5 billion that same year to the county’s gross domestic product. These findings align closely with our work on the Welcome Plan, an initiative that focuses on creating a more welcoming community for immigrants and refugees. One of the plan's goals is to maximize the economic potential of New Americans.

A collaborative effort between Kent County Community Action and the Urban League of West Michigan, Rent This Way is a no cost tenant training program that educates and empowers existing and future tenants to become successful, stable renters.

Interested residents can attend the training events at the Urban League of West Michigan on September 20 and 21, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. To register, visit here.

The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) is always looking for residents to adopt a furry friend! Stop by anytime during their regular business hours to meet their available pets, like Carson. No appointment necessary.

Carson is a polite gentleman around 3.5 years old. He loves people and has to greet everyone he sees. He has also gotten along with most dogs he has met. He's down for any, and ALL snacks, and lets no leftovers go to waste. He loves to play with toys, and will even bring the ball back to you to play fetch! He walks nicely on a leash, and loves to have conversations with you. Carson has been with us for over a month and is starting to get sad. Come meet this best boy today.

The Kent County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) recently partnered with Meals on Wheels to deliver food in Plainfield and Grand Rapids Townships. The clients were incredibly excited to see the deputies who delivered meals and provided a quick safety check.  

The KCSO Community Services Unit coordinates many volunteer programs like this as well as educates the public internet and phones scams, personal safety and recreational safety classes, and more presenting to groups of all ages. 

Congratulations to the Kent County Veterans Services on another successful "Stand Down" event, helping local veterans who are experiencing homelessness with resources and to find the help they need. The event provided free food, haircuts, clothing, hygiene products, and more to dozens of grateful veterans!