Innovation & Job News

Just B Yoga growing staff, offerings, and community ties

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Just B Yoga loves Lansing. "I like to call us The #LoveLansing Yoga studio. We wouldn't be what we are if the #LoveLansing community hadn't embraced us," says owner Belinda Thurston.

The studio is involved in activities with the Derby Vixens, Dragon Boat, Mid-MEAC, Art Alley, Reach Studio Art, the Greater Lansing Women's Center, Capital City DJ Olympics, Allen Neighborhood Center, the Lansing City Market, and the list goes on. "So, how has Greater Lansing positively impacted Just B?," asks Thurston. "Greater Lansing inspires, creates and recreates Just B all the time."

Currently operating with a staff of eight, Thurston is looking to add additional massage therapists, a studio assistant, and an online sales specialist (for LansingYoga.com, a hub for information, services and profiles of the New Age community), after expanding her team by three in the past year.

New ventures fort the Just B crew include Lansing's first LGBTQ Yoga Flow, an LGBTQ-friendly class; DOGA at Annabelle's Pet Station, a class for yoga with your canine; and Thurston has been selected to present a workshop at the Michigan Yoga Fest this summer on "Building community with yoga."

Source: Belinda Thurston, Just B Yoga
Writer: Veronica Gracia-Wing, Innovation News

Have an innovation news story? Send Veronica an email here.

Great Lakes Capital Fund celebrates 20-year anniversary, $130 million in local investments

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Situated in the heart of REO Town, Great Lakes Capital Fund is celebrating 20 years of local and national service and investments; $2.6 billion across the Midwest and $130.3 million in the Lansing Tri-County area.

"Twenty years of operation means twenty years of building vibrant, healthy, and sustainable communities," says GLCF advocacy specialist, Kelly Bernero.

GLCF is able to leverage private equity that otherwise would likely not be invested into local community development projects, through tax credits, mortgage and debt financing, grants, and other financing tools. Through $2.6 billion worth of investments, GLCF has supported 35,000 units of housing, 1 million square feet of commercial space, and in its 20 year history the Housing Credit has helped leverage 52,588 jobs.

Bernero says of GLCF and innovation: "As a full service community development finance institution, our organization is constantly seeking the most efficient, and flexible ways of doing things for people and communities."

In the Lansing Tri-County Area alone, GLCF has contributed $116.2 million to local incomes and $14.2 million in local government tax revenue. This amount of investment has leveraged 1,736 jobs in the Lansing Tri-County Area since 1993.

Source: Kelly Bernero, Great Lakes Capital Fund
Writer: Veronica Gracia-Wing, Innovation News.

Have an innovation news story? Send Veronica an email here.

REO Town to receive $2.3M makeover with help from $326K federal grant

Chad Gamble, City of Lansing Wednesday, December 07, 2011

The City of Lansing already had plans for a streetscape project in REO Town – they just didn’t know how they were going to pay for all of it.

“We meet with the REO Town Commercial Association to find out what they’d like,” says Chad Gamble, Public Service Director for the City of Lansing. “We kind of developed a priority list just in case. We thought it would be fantastic to get some money for this somehow, but we didn’t have it.”

A fortunate phone call the day before City Hall closed for Memorial Day this year changed all of that. Gamble received news of a Transportation, Community and System Preservation Grant from the Federal Highway Administration that could make the full REO Town project possible. The only trouble was that while most grant applications take a month or more to complete, this one was due the Tuesday following the holiday.

“So we went to work and over the course of the weekend put together a grant application,” says Gamble.

The overtime paid off. The City of Lansing was awarded $326,200 to assist with the $2.3M REO Town project.

“This allowed us to do a complete extreme makeover,” says Gamble. “This will help transition REO Town from an underutilized area to a place with a vibrant power station and lots of commerce.”

Construction on the project is scheduled to coordinate with the power plant development and will occur in two phases, the first beginning in 2012 and the second in 2013.

Reach Studio Art Center begins campaign to grow into a bigger space

Jeana-Dee Rogers, Reach Studio Art Center Wednesday, August 10, 2011

REO Town's Reach Studio Art Center is growing right out of its current location.

"We're completely bursting at the seams," says Reach Outreach Coordinator Jeana-Dee Rogers. "When people want to donate things we often have to say we just don't have any place to put anything. Most of our programs are full way before the start date."

That's why the local arts non-profit has kicked off their "Expanding our Reach" campaign to raise funds for a new location. While two different potential locations are under review, Reach plans least triple their current 1,000 square foot space. Though the exact location is undecided, the center does not have any plans to leave the neighborhood.

"We absolutely are staying in REO Town," say Rogers. "We have so many students and neighbors here we just couldn't keep our programming and mission going without them close by."

The "Expanding our Reach" campaign has a goal of $350,000. The Capital Region Community Foundation recently contributed $75,000 to the fund through an Impact Grant. Reach hopes to complete their campaign and be in their new location by the end of 2012.

The new center will allow Reach to expand their programming, specifically into the digital arts.

"We want to keep our students interested in the arts of traditional craftspeople, but also get them integrated with computers and technology," Rogers says. "We want to make sure we're equipping them to do the kinds of things they'll need growing up in 2012."

Deluxe Inn Graffiti to become REO town public art

Capital Gains Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Those who were sad to see the demise of the Deluxe Inn graffiti project along with the building's demolition last year will be delighted to know that some of the art is going to have a second life in REO Town.

Panels of the graffiti are in the process of becoming public art statues designed to attract visitors to the REO Town district with some help from REACH Studio Art Center, the REO Town Commercial Association and local artist Tom Sheerin. In addition to the graffiti-covered panels, the statues will be constructed with recycled industrial materials including car parts.

�We�re trying to do a kind of place-making [piece] to show that, �yes, we still identify with REO Town being about vehicles and industry,�� says Jeana-Dee Rogers, REACH Studio Art Center Outreach Coordinator. �For better or worse, we�re a rust belt community, and now we�re making sure art has a place in this landscape.�

Locals may recognize metal artist Tom Sherron�s work from the signs he�s made for The Tin Can and Fish Ladder Tattoo.

While the sculptures will be sealed to protect the graffiti art, Rogers says future events could include opportunities for the panels to be repainted on an annual basis, providing for continually changing art.

The sculptures are scheduled to be completed between April 15 and May 6. Helping to support the project are the City of Lansing Arts & Cultural Grant Program, which is funded through the Lansing Economic Development Corporation with help from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Inc.

Source: Jeana-Dee Rogers, REACH Studio Art Center

Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor

Teens work with art entrepreneurs through REACH Studio Art Center's new Teentrepreneurs program

Capital Gains Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Making the leap from artist to entrepreneur can be challenging at any age. Thanks to an on-going program at the REACH Studio Art Center, teens can now get a jump start on learning on how to turn their creative outlet into a career. �Teentrepreneurs: Art Means Business� is a weekly course allowing mentorship opportunities for teenagers interested in careers in the textile arts, jewelry design and production, graphic arts and ceramics.

�We hope the students learn what it is to invest in a business and make money from it,� says REACH outreach coordinator Jeana-Dee Rogers. �It�s learning life skills.�

The course, which began in January and continues every Thursday through May 18 is free and open to any teen who would like to drop in and attend a session. Students break into groups to learn specific skills from Lansing-area instructors. Rogers says the REO Town studio is the perfect location for teens to learn about entrepreneurship.

�REO Town itself is growing and getting some redevelopment,� Rogers says. �The teens are seeing things change economically and we wanted to make sure they know how get their own business growing to be a part of it.�

�Teentreprenuers� is funded by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and the City of Lansing through the Lansing Economic Development Corporation�s Arts and Cultural Grant Program.

Source: Jeana-Dee Rogers, REACH

Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor

Lansing nonprofits work to upgrade Adopt-a-River to Adopt-a-Place this spring

Capital Gains Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Lansing�s popular "Adopt-a-River" event has been revamped for 2011. On May 14, the expanded day of service will return as "Adopt-Your-Place."

"Adopt-Your-Place is the next generation of Adopt-a-River," says Julie Powers of the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, an organization that serves as one of the planning committee members. Key players in the expansion of this service include organizations like Leap Inc. and Impression 5.

"While we were in the planning stages for 2011's event, we realized that there was a real need to reach out to the entire region and embrace the concept of a community-wide day of service. So we brought together folks from many groups and brainstormed ideas and came up with Adopt-Your-Place."

This year, in addition to river cleanup activities, volunteers are asked to recommend any place in the Capital region that could use some attention. Some potential activities include planting flowers, repairing an eyesore, painting, rebuilding and neighborhood cleanup.

Mid-MEAC�s involvement will include coordinating water quality testing, environmental education activities and volunteers.

"We're inviting folks from across the region to nominate places that need some TLC," Powers says. "We've also partnered with Old Town Commercial Association, Downtown Lansing, Inc. and REO Town to leverage existing events into one huge day of fun and service."

To participate or to nominate a place, volunteers may sign up at the event website or call the Mid-MEAC at (517) 292-3078.

Source: Julie Powers, Mid-MEAC

Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor

Reach Studio Art Center Awarded More Than $10,000 for REO Town Arts Projects

Capital Gains Wednesday, November 17, 2010

On Monday, Nov. 15, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and the Lansing Economic Development Corporation announced the recipients of their arts and cultural grant awards, and REACH Studio Art Center was included.

REACH Studio, in partnership with the REO Town Commercial Association, proposed to create an open air gallery featuring a combination of salvaged panels from the Deluxe Inn Graffiti Project and new works commissioned for long term display along the main corridor of the REO Town Commercial District.

For this project, they were awarded $9,850.

�I am beyond overjoyed to know that REACH was one of the organizations selected for the arts and cultural grants awards,� says Alice Brinkman, founding director at Reach Studio Art Center.

REACH was also awarded funding for a professional artist mentoring program with its Teen Studio program. Using Reach�s weekly Teen Studio after-school sessions as the framework, teenagers will be coached by professional artists with business acumen on various art trades.

The teens will then produce functional art products, create a business plan and set up their products for sale in a retail venue. (Amount awarded to be announced Monday!)

�It will be such an invaluable experience to our Teen Studio participants, to collaborate with successful artists who will help them create a plan for their artistic future,� says Brinkman. �Most of our teens already have a passion for art, but applying the business component will show them that they can turn their passion into a career.�

Source: Alice Brinkman, Reach Studio Art Center

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Lansing-based Organization Wins $25,000 Grant To Produce TV Show

Capital Gains Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Office of Community Media for equipment to produce 24 hours of television for Lansing cable access over the next two years.

CEDAM's television show will be called On the Bright Side: Untold Stories of Our Community.

The purpose of the show is to highlight positive stories from the many programs of CEDAM members and other community stakeholders, and transformative work happening in the Capital region and across the state. An example of the type of stories that will be covered are the series of videos that CEDAM just completed for the Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC).

�The media is flooded with stories about the current dire economic situation, crooked politicians, violence and general negativity about Michigan,� says Tiffany Lemieux-McKissic, manager of membership and communications at CEDAM. �Our programming will improve quality of life and a sense of community for Lansing residents . . . by inspiring people to get involved and actively participate in the many opportunities available within their communities.�

Source: Tiffany Lemieux-McKissic, CEDAM

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

Capital Region Supports Local Food With 17 Farmers Markets

Capital Gains Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Love farm fresh produce?

Then you�re living in the right state. Michigan ranks 4th in the nation for the number of farmers markets, according to a new report by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Lansing alone boasts 7 operational farmers markets, and the tri-county region is home to 17.

�Between 2008 and 2009, we saw a 13 percent increase in the number of farmers markets operating in the state,� said Gov. Jennifer Granholm in a statement. �Dollars spent at area farmers markets are more likely to stay in Michigan, benefiting local communities and strengthening our economy.�

As the state�s largest industry, Michigan�s agri-food sector generates $71.3 billion annually. Production agriculture, food processors and related businesses employ more than 1 million people. Michigan produces more than 200 commodities, making it second only to California in terms of agricultural diversity.

To find a full list of farmers markets in Michigan, visit the Michigan Farmers Market Association at www.mifma.org.

Source: Jennifer Holton

Writer: Louise Knott Ahern

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Convention and Visitors Bureau Launches State's First Mobile Tourism Trip-Planner

Capital Gains Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Looking for a place to eat, shop or hang out in Lansing? You can now just check your phone.

The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a mobile application for iPhone or Blackberry that allows you to plan and map out your trip with a few thumb strikes.

GLCVB is the first in the state to offer such an application, said Tracy Padot, vice president of marketing communications.

The Greater Lansing app offers many of the same search-and-find functions of the organizations website, including information about festivals, businesses, hotels and attractions. It will also feed into the bureau�s live Twitter feeds.

�It uses GPS technology,� Padot explains. �So let�s say you clicked on shopping. . . You would get [info about] shops near your location. You would get a photo and a description. And if you wanted to figure out how to get to them, you could map it out.�

The application is available as a free download from www.lansing.org or from iTunes.

An app for Droid users should be available by fall.

Source: Tracy Padot, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau

Writer: Louise Knott Ahern

Ingham County Land Bank Program Trains Workers In Historic Window Rehab

Capital Gains Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Fresh off the success of its first YouthBuild home renovation collaboration, the Ingham County Land Bank is now partnering with another nonprofit to train local workers in a new skill necessary for rebuilding older neighborhoods.

The Land Bank and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network are offering a two-week workshop to teach craftspeople the art of historic window preservation beginning July 26.

Participants will learn how to repair and rehabilitate wooden, double-hung windows in older homes while also helping renovate a Land Bank property.

Project coordinators say the project � which is based on a similar program in Kalamazoo � brings two benefits to the community.

First, craftspeople will gain new skills they can put to use in the job market.

Second, there will now be more people with the knowledge necessary to rebuild aging homes in neighborhoods that could be important to regional revitalization.

�Many of these targeted neighborhoods contain buildings that are older and historic,� Land Bank chair Eric Schertzing says in a statement. �Many of these buildings, both commercial and residential, will require rehabilitation to remain functional and efficient properties.�

For more information about the class, visit the MHPN�s website at www.mhpn.org

Source: Ingham County Land Bank

Writer: Louise Knott Ahern

Keep Learning Coalition Invests $100,000 in Life-Long Education Initiative

Capital Gains Wednesday, May 05, 2010

More than $100,000 in grant funding has been invested into the Capital region's Keep Learning pledge project, and over the past three years, partners in the coalition have donated public service announcements, creative services and staff time.

Keep Learning...Our Future Depends On It, is a pro-education coalition of business, education, government and media partners challenging local businesses to step up and �Take the Pledge� to support a tradition of life-long learning.

The essential goal behind this initiative is to double the number of college graduates in Mid-Michigan.

�Greater Lansing has become a desirable place to be, but many of the folks who�ve been here for years or decades may not accurately see the amazing education opportunities we have, and why it�s absolutely essential every man, woman and child take advantage of them,� says Kate Tykocki, chief communications officer at Capital Area Michigan Works! and one of the founding members of the effort.

�We need to create a culture of expectation�the expectation that post-secondary education is for everyone," Tyckoki adds. " I hope Keep Learning will play a role in that transformation."

By taking the Keep Learning pledge, businesses commit to one simple, no-cost act each month to support and promote further education in the Capital region community.

Source: Kate Tykocki, Keep Learning

Writer: Suban Nur Cooley

STEMing from the Middle Ages, Trebuchet Day Lands in Lansing

Capital Gains Wednesday, January 13, 2010

May 8, five teams of students will test their homemade, eight-foot tall trebuchets by launching water filled milk jugs at several targets in the field behind the Marshall Street Armory in Lansing.

Trebuchets are large catapults used during the Middle Ages to crush walls or launch things over them. Five teams of K-12 students and college students will each take an eight-week trebuchet design course at Lansing's Impression 5 Science Center (I5). After five weeks of training, each team will design an eight-foot trebuchet.

The teams, comprised of 5-10 students, will use all aspects of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to design the trebuchets and will have to apply these skills on competition day, the goal being to hit various targets with the water laden milk jugs.

�This opens kids eyes to STEM,� says Paul Jaques, Michigan State University (MSU) internship coordinator and trebuchet facilitator. �They�ll work as a team and they�ll even get into construction. Hopefully this will become a yearly event where schools and students look forward to having somewhat of a competition.�

Jaques is not aware of other cities engaged in Trebuchet Day, but the concept is based, in part, on the Discovery Channel�s punkin chunkin' show.

Trebuchet Day was developed by MSU, I5, YSG Lansing and Linking Lansing & U.

The workshops start March 8 and include eight weeks of 1.5-hour sessions. For more information regarding Trebuchet Day, click here.

Source: Paul Jaques, MSU

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

Lansing-Based Granger Energy Builds Fifth Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

Capital Gains Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Lansing-based Granger Energy Services has added five landfill gas utilization projects this year and is looking to add at least two more by the end of the year.

The landfill gas utilization projects allow Granger to generate electricity by using engine generators set to recover methane gas produced by the landfill. The generated renewable energy is then sold to a local utility.

The Michigan-based projects that went online this year include the Wood Road Generating Station, South Kent Generating Station and White Feather Generating Station. Granger also brought the Conestoga Landfill Gas Recovery Project in Pennsylvania and the Trans-Jordan Generating Station in Utah online.

"We believe this type of renewable energy is the most reliable form of renewable energy because all plants are online 98 or 99 percent of the time," says Granger Chief Executive Officer Keith Granger. "Other sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, may only remain online less than 20 percent of the time."

Granger also builds "direct-use" fuel partnerships with landfills across the nation. These partnerships allow Granger to pipe the landfill gas fuel to nearby industrial users.

Combined, Granger has 14 direct use and landfill gas-to-electric projects online in six states. Granger is looking to add more sites as demand requires.

Granger was the first company in Michigan to sell landfill gas and is one of the few such companies that also develops these projects.

Source: Tonia Olson, Granger

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

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