Rapid Growth Media

01/16/2026

Our Voices of Youth narrative shows how theater fosters empathy, confidence, and belonging. City High Middle School student Ineke Petroelje explains why this art remains a deeply human experience. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47561

01/16/2026

Michigan’s early childhood system is at a pivotal moment.

In this Q&A, Early Childhood Investment Corporation CEO Alicia Guevara shares how partners like Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, Think Babies Michigan, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are aligning policy with the real needs of families and educators.

Read the Q&A to see what’s working—and what’s next for Michigan’s birth-to-five system. ⬇️

🔗 bit.ly/ECICguidesEarlyEdStrategy

01/15/2026

As Rapid Growth marks its 20th anniversary, publisher Tommy Allen reflects on what the publication’s solutions journalism model has meant for telling the stories of Grand Rapids. While he has not led the organization for its entire history, Allen has spent two decades as one of its key storytellers, much of that time as a photographer. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47535

01/14/2026

Michigan has taken important steps in early childhood education, including expanded pre-K and wage supports, but leaders note the system still needs better alignment for infants, toddlers, and the workforce.

Policy experts from organizations like Michigan League for Public Policy and Policy Equity Group point to solutions such as sustainable funding, stronger data systems, and pay structures that stabilize educators and reduce turnover.

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is using lessons from other states to strengthen coordination and build a more connected birth-to-five system that works for families and providers alike.

Read more about Michigan's early childhood momentum ⬇️
🔗 bit.ly/EarlyChildhoodEdNatlInspiration

01/14/2026

At Kent District Library, longtime readers and librarians show how Let It Snow keeps patrons engaged through winter reading. The program runs through the end of February. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47537

A publication of Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news outlets focused on community transformation through solutions journalism. We highlight the people and projects tackling challenges and […]

01/14/2026

As Rapid Growth marks its 20th anniversary, we’re revisiting archival stories that captured cultural shifts in our community. “G-Sync: To the Powers of Three” (Jan. 19, 2012) asks what can happen when dialogue bridges cities that share a state, but not always a conversation. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47539

01/07/2026

West Michigan Works!’ Ascend youth program helps participants build confidence, explore careers, and gain essential workplace skills. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47462

A publication of Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news outlets focused on community transformation through solutions journalism. We highlight the people and projects tackling challenges and […]

01/07/2026

West Michigan tech professionals visit 52 classrooms, teaching coding basics and inspiring elementary students to explore future careers in computer science. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47466

01/06/2026

Chicago-based Lovet Pet Health Care opens fourth Grand Rapids clinic, aiming to reduce costs, expand access, and ease stress for pet owners. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47470

12/27/2025

Grand Rapids Public Museum’s highly anticipated annual live-music series Concerts Under the Stars returns in 2026. Historically, delaying ticket purchases for this series might result in missing this once-a-year event entirely. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47446

A publication of Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news outlets focused on community transformation through solutions journalism. We highlight the people and projects tackling challenges and […]

12/22/2025

A new Right Place report shows how decades of planning have positioned West Michigan for sustained economic growth and opportunity. https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/?p=47429

A publication of Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news outlets focused on community transformation through solutions journalism. We highlight the people and projects tackling challenges and […]

12/18/2025

🔗

Catching the Dream Learning Center သင်ယူရေးစင်တာသည် Calhoun ကောင်တီတွင် ပထမဆုံး မြန်မာဘာသာစကားဖြင့် သင်ကြား ပို့ချမှုကိုပေးသော မူကြိ.....