Clerk Launches New Tool to Help Residents Search Past Election Results
The Kent County Elections team recently launched ElectionStats, a cutting-edge tool to increase public access to historical election data. Accessible through KentCountyVotes.com, ElectionStats is a comprehensive data warehouse, offering insights into past elections, ballot questions, and voter turnout statistics.
“I am very excited to continue efforts to modernize my office and to provide the public a better way to access and analyze past election results,” Kent County Clerk/Register Lisa Posthumus Lyons said. “In addition to providing more transparency, this tool will increase efficiency in my office, diminish costly records requests, and help increase voter confidence in our elections.”
|
Participate in Michigan's Broadband Map Challenge
A few weeks ago, we issued a call to action for all our residents and businesses to participate in the Broadband Map Challenge, and we're thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response from our community.
However, we've noticed that there are areas within our county, particularly in Northern and Kentwood/Wyoming, where the response to the challenge has been lower than expected. We urge our neighbors in these areas to take the test.
Why is this so important? We're partnering with the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to prepare for a federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant. This grant aims to improve broadband infrastructure in underserved areas across Michigan. But here's the catch: only locations identified as "unserved" by high-speed internet on the MIHI broadband map will qualify for BEAD funds.
This is where you come in. By participating in the Broadband Map Challenge, you're helping us pinpoint these unserved areas and advocate for the necessary resources to bring reliable internet access to every corner of our county.
Residents, businesses, and institutions are asked to:
- Visit the Challenge website: challenge.merit.edu
- Look up their address, and
- Confirm that the broadband service designation is correct
If the map has incorrect services or speeds listed, users will be guided through steps to challenge the incorrect information.
So, if you haven't already, please take the test and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. The BEAD State Challenge Process runs until April 30. If you have any questions, contact 616-632-7597 or mapchallenge@kentcountymi.gov.
|
Spring Recycling Guide
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) has released its Spring Recycling Guide to help residents dispose of their recyclables properly. It focuses on what items can and can’t be recycled, in hopes to minimize the volume of waste that ends up in landfills.
“So many items that get placed in residents’ trash bins can be disposed of in a better way, and the DPW’s Spring Recycling Guide offers helpful information to help protect our environment,” says Reduction Educator Katelyn Kikstra. “We encourage residents to use the guide and our online Recycling & Waste directory to help reduce landfill waste.”
|
24-Hour Microchip Scanning Station Helps Residents Reunite Lost Pets with Owners
The Kent County Animal Shelter launched a first-of-its-kind in Michigan 24-hour microchip scanning station, assisting residents in reuniting with their lost pets! The scanner is strategically located outside the Kent County North Campus in Cedar Springs (4191 17 Mile Rd NE). This site was chosen specifically to alleviate transportation challenges faced by Northern Kent County residents when retrieving their pets from shelters.
"Transportation to the shelter or time off work are often reasons owners are unable to come for their pets, added Hollinshead. "The ability for the community in the northern part of the county to use 24-hour microchip identification for reuniting pets before they are taken to the shelter will assist us in keeping families and pets together."
To read our full press release, which includes instructions about how to use the scanning station, visit here.
Local Unit Quadrant Meetings
The Spring quadrant meetings are fast approaching, with the first one scheduled for April 17th! The upcoming series of meetings, in date order, for local officials, County Commissioners, county-wide elected officials, and staff are as follows:
Group 2 (Brown): City of Walker, City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Township, City of East Grand Rapids, City of Grandville, City of Wyoming, City of Kentwood
Meeting in Wyoming: Wednesday April 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Group 3 (Gold): Byron Township, Gaines Township, Village of Caledonia, Cascade Township, Caledonia Township, Lowell Township, Bowne Township, City of Lowell
Meeting in Caledonia Township: Monday April 22, 3:00-5:00pm
Group 4 (Tan): Ada Township, Vergennes Township, Alpine Township, Plainfield Township, Cannon Township, Grattan Township
Meeting in Grattan Township: Thursday May 9, 3:00-5:00pm
Group 1 (Orange): Sparta Township, Village of Sparta, Algoma Township, City of Rockford, Courtland Township, Oakfield Township, Spencer Township, Nelson Township, Village of Sand Lake, Solon Township, Tyrone Township, City of Cedar Springs, Village of Casnovia, Village of Kent City
Meeting at the North Kent Campus: Wednesday May 15, 3:00-5:00pm
If you have any questions about these meetings, contact Katie VanHevel. If you are unable to attend the meeting in your area, feel free to join another meeting.
|
New CSNIP Clinic and Headquarters
Last Tuesday, CSNIP announced a new 12,000-square-foot nonprofit veterinary clinic and headquarters in Walker. This future site will allow them to better meet community needs by merging their three small existing clinics under one roof within a facility that allows an expanded range of high-volume, reduced-cost veterinary services for financially challenged pet families in West Michigan.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners allocated $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to this project. For an overview of the progress of all our ARPA-funded projects, please refer to our comprehensive report.
|
City-Wide Community Cleanup This Saturday
Join the West Grand Neighborhood Organization for the 15th annual Community Cleanup on April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sign up at westgrand.org/wsccleanup to choose your cleanup location from 17 launch pads. After the cleanup, enjoy an after-party at John Ball Zoo with complimentary meals and beverages, including adult options. Kids can enjoy activities, and attendees get free zoo access (voucher valid for one week). Click here to register to participate in this event.
Kent County Views the Solar Eclipse
 On April 8, County staff took a break from work to view the Solar Eclipse in Calder Plaza, at the Health Department, and at our other buildings. The first solar eclipse in 7 years, the event featured clear skies and great Spring weather. Grand Rapids saw a partial eclipse with about 94% of the sun blocked by the sun at around 3:11 p.m. and as it reached its peak, it got dimmer outside and caused the temperature to drop from 70 to 64 degrees.
Kent District Library Finalist for National Award
Congratulations to the Kent District Library for being named a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service!
The annual award given by the Institute of Museum and Library Services names fifteen libraries as well as fifteen museums, from throughout the country, as finalists.
The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Since 1994, IMLS has presented the award to outstanding libraries and museums of all types and sizes that deeply impact their communities.
|
City/County Administration Building Earns Energy Star Certification
The City/County Administration Building on 300 Monroe Ave. NW earned Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for superior energy performance in 2023.
On average, Energy Star certified buildings use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer Green House Gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort. For more information about Energy Star for Commercial Buildings, click here.
|
Explore Rewarding Careers At Kent County Today!
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.
|
