Multi-million dollar investments by the City of Lansing, the federal government, and the Board of Water and Light are transforming a dormant Lansing district for the 20-teens. Just south of downtown, REO Town promises to light up with festivals, new business and revitalized neighborhoods. There’s even a restored train depot in the deal.

What would you do if you had 54 hours to spare? Laundry? Start a new project? How about start a business? That’s what budding and experienced entrepreneurs alike did one weekend in October when they gathered from around the globe at the Center for New Enterprise Opportunity and the Henry Center for Executive Development for Lansing Startup Weekend. By Sunday evening, five new businesses had been launched, complete with business models, research, working websites and pitches to venture capitalists.

Lansing resident, Ty Forquer, loves Lansing so much he launched 517 Shirts, an online t-shirt company capturing Lansing landmarks with a unique edge and providing Lansing-lovers with a hip way to wear their pride.