Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Grand Rapids Promise students are getting direct pipelines to local jobs

Also check out College Park Skyhawks at Grand Rapids Gold on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Wednesday January 7th Patch AM
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Morning Grand Rapids! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Grand Rapids Promise students are getting direct pipelines to local jobs
  • Where you can recycle your Christmas tree free around Grand Rapids
  • How a $9M trail upgrade will reshape southwest Grand Rapids

Also on today's calendar: Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Grand Rapids and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, temps: high: 47, low: 41.
  • Friday: A little morning rain, with a high of 48 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bridging the gap: New partnership links Promise Zone students to West Michigan employers (wgvunews.org) — Grand Rapids high school grads now have a stronger bridge from free college to local jobs thanks to a new Career Pathways partnership between the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority and the Grand Rapids Chamber. The program links Promise students with business leaders for resume help, interview prep, site visits, and connections in high-demand fields, building on existing ties with GRCC, Ferris State, and Grand Valley.
   

2. Still have your live Christmas tree? Here's where you can recycle it for free (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids residents can drop off live Christmas trees for free at four city parks through Jan. 31, with similar programs running in Kentwood, Walker, Grandville and East Grand Rapids on specific dates. Only real trees are accepted, and all decorations must be removed. Artificial trees must be donated, repurposed, or taken to Kent County trash drop-off sites for a fee.
   

3. The Oxford Trail receives MAP Excellence Award (legalnews.com) — A $9 million overhaul of the Oxford Trail in Grand Rapids’ First Ward has earned a statewide planning award for advancing diversity and social change. The project, led by the city and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., will revitalize 2.5 miles of non-motorized trail, connecting Roosevelt Park and Black Hills to downtown with safer, more accessible, art-filled public space.
   

4. The top good news stories of 2025 (wzzm13.com) — Grand Rapids shows up repeatedly in this roundup of 2025’s most uplifting local stories, from a pioneering sustainable home and a nationally recognized Cherry Street restaurant to a record-setting pygmy hippo birth at John Ball Zoo. You’ll also find feel-good moments featuring Coast Guard heroism, a massive Lowell book sale, statewide sports highlights, and West Michigan residents gaining national attention.
   

5. Data center near Grand Rapids uncertain after residents shut down meeting (themorningsun.com) — A massive data center proposed about 20 miles east of Grand Rapids in Lowell Township is on hold after residents packed and effectively shut down a December planning meeting. Developers have paused their rezoning request, and both township and city officials say they need more project details, including water and wastewater impacts, before it can move forward.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday January 7
  • B.O.B. Business Owners Breakfast
    South Kent Chamber Office
    7:30 am
  • Youth Basketball
    Stoney Creek Elementary - SC Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Greenridge Elementary - GR Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Planning Commission Meeting
    Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
    7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Grand Rapids PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We lost our family cat , we live near Plymouth and mason area.
    His name is grandson he's black with white feet and long haired... he is a indoor, outdoor cat... been missing about a week.any information please… (Nextdoor Fuller & 96 NE)
  • FOUND CAT ALERT!
    is this your pet? This black cat has been hanging around my apartment patio meowing. I got her to come inside and am keeping her in my bathroom… (Nextdoor Far West Forest Hills)
  • Aramark posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - NHA-MI2-Custodial in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeper- Full Time! Days! $18.50/hr! in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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