State of the County Event
On Nov. 2, nearly 250 community leaders and partners joined us at our annual State of the County event.
Our Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek and County Administrator Al Vanderberg spoke about Kent County's accomplishments over the past year and discussed our plans for 2024.
If you weren't able to make it to the event but would still like to watch the program, you can view it on our YouTube page here or read the speech here.
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Operation Green Light
The Kent County Veterans Services' Operation Green Light campaign was in full swing last week, raising awareness and support for our veterans. Many homes and businesses participated in shining a green light, including the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (pictured to the right), the McKay Tower, the Grand Rapids Police Department, and more. At the Board of Commissioners meeting, our Board Chair Stan Stek read a proclamation and presented it to Reginald Farrior and Chris Kamps, Representatives of the Kent County Veterans Services Committee. The campaign culminated with our participation in the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, with our Sheriff Office's cruisers, armored vehicles, K-9 unit and mounted unit in the parade.
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USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small Visits Health Department
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) was honored to be visited by United States Department of Agriculture Deputy (USDA) Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. the USDA is the agency that oversees the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program nationally. WIC provides mothers and young children with supplemental nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization screening, and important health and social services referrals.
Torres Small toured our WIC facilities and spoke with staff and clients about their experiences. The tour comes as the USDA releases the results of a recent study that shows only about half of the people who are eligible for WIC benefits are taking advantage of them. Find more about KCHD's WIC program by clicking here.
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Restaurant Week: Visit Your Favorite Places This Week and Beyond

The KCHD collaborates with every restaurant licensed by them in Kent County, assisting with food licensure and auditing facilities that sell or serve food to the public. This includes restaurants, concession stands, bars, school lunch programs, catering operations, mobile food carts, coffee shops, cafes, and temporary food events. Our sanitarian team inspects every restaurant twice a year, an enormous task. They work with restaurant owners and operators to establish the most secure and reliable practices possible of getting you the food you love. We thank our sanitarians for the work they do with our food establishments.
Check Presentation by HUD to Expand Lead Remediation
The Kent County Health and Community Action Departments ceremonially accepted a $2.5 million check from U.S. Housing and Urban Development to expand our efforts to battle lead. The City of Grand Rapids was also awarded $6 million in funding.
The funding will be used over three years to develop a new lead program for communities located primarily outside of the City of Grand Rapids. This includes, but is not limited to, abatement activities, contractor development, and a countywide educational campaign. Additionally, this funding will be used alongside the $3.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the Kent County Board of Commissioners in December 2022. You can read more about the plans for the grant funds here.
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Dr. Scott Korpak Named New Director of Michigan State University Extension
Congratulations to Dr. Scott Korpak for being named Michigan State University Extension District 7 Director. Starting Nov. 20, he will oversee MSU Extension operations and build partnerships in Allegan, Barry, Kent, and Ottawa counties.
“Providing people with the resources and education they need to reach for success is at the heart of what I do,” says Korpak. “I am looking forward to using my skillset and experience to broaden our programs’ reach and the impact Extension has in southwest Michigan.”
Korpak previously served as Northview Public Schools Superintendent in Grand Rapids.Congratulations Scott and welcome to the Kent/MSU Extension team!
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Kent County Business Networking Event
The Kent County Purchasing Division and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect hosted a Business Networking Event on November 1.
With over 150 people attending, the event focused on business opportunities, certification requirements for federal grant contracts and how to do business with Kent County. Community Action offered informational seminars and answered questions about upcoming construction opportunities. In addition, over twenty business resource partners, County departments and offices, and other public entities hosted informational networking booths.
This event is part of Kent County Purchasing’s ongoing commitment to seek a qualified and diverse vendor database to provide goods and services to the County. The County received an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees who were grateful for the opportunity.
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Employee Halloween Costume Competition
 Kent County's various departments celebrated Halloween with a group costume competition. From Ms. Pac Man to Construction Workers to Sesame Street, our teams had fun and looked great!
Family Court Judges TJ Ackert, G. Patrick Hillary, and Patricia D. Gardner reviewed every submission and selected the Health Department's Certified Coding Specialist Division at the North County Clinic who dressed as the "Spice Girls."
GRR’s Tory Richardson Selected As Director of the Year, Small Airports Division by AXN
Congratulations to Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, for being selected as the Director of the Year, Small Airports Division, by Airport Experience News.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire airport team, who continually strive to deliver a world-class experience to our guests,” Richardson said. “I take great pride in serving the Ford International Airport, fostering economic growth in our region, building community and global connections and enhancing airport operations.”
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Transit Master Plan
The Rapid is working on a 20-year Transit Master Plan (TMP), called Thriving: A Framework for the Future of Connectivity and they are looking for the community's input and ideas! Transportation has always been the essential component to community-building, and Thriving is The Rapid’s vision for the region.
To learn more about their vision and provide community feedback, you can visit their website at: http://www.transitthriving.org, watch their video, and take a survey. You can also email thriving@ridetherapid.org if you would like to schedule a meet and greet, presentation, or have The Rapid team pop-up at one of your community events.
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County Staff Joins Community for Youth Etiquette Dinner
Kent County staff were honored to recently support and attend the Endless Opportunities Annual Youth Etiquette Dinner. This event offers young people the opportunity to learn professional dinner etiquette, while dining with local professionals. It was created to orientate young people to the professional dinner table and equip students with the tools to feel confident navigating the table while networking and learning about careers.
For more information on Endless Opportunities, visit endlessopportunities.org.
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Looking for a rewarding career? Consider Kent County!
Working for the County, you will have the opportunity to serve the public and contribute to your community. We have employment opportunities in general government, health, public safety, judicial, recreational, and much more. To view our open positions and apply, please visit accesskent.com/jobs.

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