Local Startups Receive $20K Each + Trees Planted On Wealthy St.

Happy Monday, Grand Rapids! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 74 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. Grand Rapids-based business incubator Start Garden LLC awarded 10 local entrepreneurs $20,000 each to support the growth of their startups. The competition was fierce this year, with over 650 business owners submitting their applications for consideration; the top 100 each received $1,000 in the first round. Start Garden’s Demo Day on Wednesday, held at GLC Live at 20 Monroe, narrowed those down to the lucky 10 winners. (MiBiz: West Michigan Business News)
2. On Saturday morning, the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks planted 40 trees along Wealthy Street. As part of the West Wealthy Beautification Project, the group planted 40 trees along Wealthy Street from Front Avenue to Indiana Avenue. Leaders of the group say the goal is to not only create more green space but also to bring people together. They also say research shows planting trees in a line can slow traffic naturally and make roads safer. (WOODTV.com)
3. The Humane Society of West Michigan held its ninth annual Bark in the Dark fundraising event at Riverside Park on Saturday evening. (WZZM13.com)
4. A Grand Rapids man who found WWII dog tags in the Grand River is hoping to reunite them with the veteran's family. (Fox17)
5. The Grand Rapids Women's March garnered a crowd on the Blue Bridge this past Saturday. (WZZM13.com)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.