Administrator's Digest - February 19, 2024

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

- Al Vanderberg

In the November 2023 magazine of the Michigan Townships Association, three of our township officials and their roles were highlighted. In Ada Township, Manager Julius Suchy worked with Supervisor Ross Leisman, playing pivotal roles in transitioning to a manager and supervisor model of governance. Furthermore, Cameron Van Wyngarden, Plainfield Charter Township Superintendent, discusses the day-to-day operations of his role. The article explores the responsibilities of township managers and supervisors, as well as the diverse township governance structures in place. To read the full article, visit here.

We are fortunate to have Julius, Ross, Cameron, and all of our township officials serving alongside the County. They are invaluable partners in ensuring effective governance and community development.

This article was shared with permission from the Michigan Townships Association.

Be sure to watch this new video about Kent County Community Action's programs and the impact they are having in our community!

Community Action's mission is to alleviate poverty in Kent County by helping families and individuals move to long term self-sufficiency. Programs and services focus on meeting emergency needs such as, but not limited to food, utility assistance, transportation, and socialization for residents of Kent County.

We thank the entire Community Action team for the significant impact they are making in the lives of our residents.

Check out the cards in the video to the left, along with the adoptable dogs that inspired them. These guys are ready for adoption and waiting for their forever family!

To learn more about pet adoption through KCAS, you can visit their website here and to view all of the animals seeking a forever home, visit here.

Animal Shelter Location: 740 Fuller Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Hours: Sunday: Closed, Monday: 1 - 6pm, Tuesday: 1 - 6pm, Wednesday: 1 - 7pm, Thursday: 1 - 7pm, Friday: 1 - 6pm, Saturday: 10am - 1pm

Walk-ins are always welcome! Adoptions end 45 minutes prior to closing.

The Village of Sparta recently finalized a lease agreement with Sowing Seeds Child Care LLC, to renovate 347 Evergreen Street in Sparta to offer childcare services to local families. In 2023, the Village of Sparta acquired this facility from Kent County. Following the renovation, the facility is projected to accommodate up to 84 children and will create job opportunities for around 24 individuals.

“Finding affordable, high quality child care is a major challenge for many local families. We are pleased to have created a unique way to help solve this problem in our community,” said Sparta Village Manager Jim Lower.

Those interested in learning more about the services that will be offered by Sowing Seeds Child Care LLC can contact Allie Houseman at 616-383-7077 or sowingseedschildcare@yahoo.com. Families currently on the Sowing Seeds waitlist will receive priority and can expect to be contacted shortly as they proceed with filling the new roster.                                         

The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force is seeking individuals to take an online survey about complete streets.

Two resolutions were passed at the February 5 Board of Commissioners meeting to secure funding for the preservation of 233.5 acres of farmland in Sparta Township. Kent County is actively pursuing the development rights from the Linda Bradford Anderson Trust and the Bettes & Kingsbury families, both owning farmland properties along Peach Ridge Avenue in Sparta Township.

Kent County's Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program compensates owners of agricultural property for their voluntary acceptance of a permanent deed restriction in the form of a conservation easement that limits its future development for non-agricultural purposes. The acquisitions are made possible through federal and state funds, donations, and the Bettes, Kingsbury, and Bradford families. With the addition of these properties, Kent County's PDR program will grow by 7.8% totaling about 3,000 acres.

A Lowell Charter Township property along I-96 recently received a $17.5 million state grant to develop the site. The 237-acre land parcel has been zoned for commercial development but has sat bare for more than 30 years. This is one of 18 projects receiving funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) new Strategic Site Readiness Program.

"There's such a demand for companies to be in West Michigan. Companies want to be here, and we just don't really have the sites and buildings to offer them to house them," said Travis Alden, Senior Director of Community Development at The Right Place. "The number of companies that we get inquiries for that want to be in West Michigan, we don't have a lot to offer them. So, this will give us a lot of really good space and inventory to kind of put that out there and say, 'okay, you want to be in West Michigan, here's a great spot for you."

The February meeting of the Kent County Cultural Insight Council (CIC) was hosted by the Department of Public Works (DPW), where DPW Director Dar Baas provided insights into DPW's history, services, and latest technologies.

Additionally, the group was privileged to welcome a special guest to commence Black History Month: George A. Bayard III, Director & Curator of the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA). During his presentation, George shed light on the historical shift of duties to women when Africans were brought to the Americas. In recent times that person was a grandmother, granny, nana, grandma or GRAAMA. The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives' acronym describes much about the Museum’s mission: collecting and retelling the rich, colorful stories which composes the historic African American tapestry of living in Grand Rapids. 

George's presentations are always highly engaging and informative in sharing American history from an African American viewpoint. For more information about the museum and George Bayard's bio and story, visit graama.org/about_us.