Photo Credit: www.markbrace.com
I have firmly planted roots in Grand Rapids, the city where I was born, raised, and continue to live. Grand Rapids is a green city on the rise in many regards. Over the years I have witnessed immense growth and change happen right before my very own eyes. Out of all of the recent recognition, and top 10 lists that Grand Rapids has graced of late, there are particular accolades that truly summarize the overall progress that has been charted in the area – like The US Chamber of Commerce naming Grand Rapids the Most Sustainable Mid-Sized City in the country in 2010, and Fast Company naming Grand Rapids America's Greenest City in 2008. Through strong efforts put forth by the office of Mayor George Heartwell (George has just been named to the White House Climate Council), the local private sector, and the residents of Grand Rapids, a solid foundation upon which to build a more sustainable city of tomorrow has been well established. This 3 minute video is an enjoyable watch, and highlights some of the things that make GR so special.
Local Food
Grand Rapids has a burgeoning local
food system. According to Local Harvest, an online resource with local food information
for all 50 states, there are 21 CSAs in the Grand Rapids area. Notable CSAs in
Grand Rapids include Trillium Haven Farm and Sandhill CSA. Trillium Haven Farm offers shares of beautiful, fresh and diverse produce June through October. Sandhill CSA grows offers shares of produce and pasture-raised meat. Sandhill also has a community calling - as stated on their website,
Grand Rapids also has community gardens and greenhouses that are specifically geared to targeting the issue of food deserts, helping some of our neighborhoods that are most in need, I touch on work being done in this area by Our Kitchen Table a few paragraphs down.
Farm-to-table restaurants? We certainly have our fair share here in GR. Two of my personal favorite joints, Bartertown and Cult Pizza source nearly all of their ingredients from local farms. Bartertown is also notable for their collective business structure and governance, from their website:
Oh, and those Trillium Haven Farm folks that were mentioned earlier – they helped form Trillium Haven restaurant, which now bears the name Terra GR. This farm-to-table restaurant has some serious foodie credentials. I will make one final mention (can you tell that I like to eat - an epicurean, let's say?) The Green Well Gastro Pub - In addition to having an amazing and ever-changing menu that uses ingredients sourced from local farmers, they are based in a LEED Certified building, and use solar panels in their energy mix. These restaurants are all committed to providing affordable options for fresh and local food.
On top of all of this, Grand Rapids has a diverse and abundant history of both small and large-scale farmer’s markets, including the classic Fulton St. Farmer’s Market, and the brand new $30M, 130,000 ft2 Downtown Market. It is safe to say that Grand Rapids is a mecca for sustainably-minded foodies - foodies who are determined to keep cookin' up change.
"Sandhill CSA knows farming and food to be much more than subsistence. It is both vitality and restoration - sustainability enhanced through community involvement. Our vision of community building means shareholders not only make a farm profitable, but will enable Sandhill to provide professional community services to neighbors in need."
Grand Rapids also has community gardens and greenhouses that are specifically geared to targeting the issue of food deserts, helping some of our neighborhoods that are most in need, I touch on work being done in this area by Our Kitchen Table a few paragraphs down.
Farm-to-table restaurants? We certainly have our fair share here in GR. Two of my personal favorite joints, Bartertown and Cult Pizza source nearly all of their ingredients from local farms. Bartertown is also notable for their collective business structure and governance, from their website:
"Bartertown Diner is a vegetarian, vegan, and raw, worker owned and operated diner. The goal of the restaurant is to promote fresh, local ingredients along with a positive, fair working environment."
Oh, and those Trillium Haven Farm folks that were mentioned earlier – they helped form Trillium Haven restaurant, which now bears the name Terra GR. This farm-to-table restaurant has some serious foodie credentials. I will make one final mention (can you tell that I like to eat - an epicurean, let's say?) The Green Well Gastro Pub - In addition to having an amazing and ever-changing menu that uses ingredients sourced from local farmers, they are based in a LEED Certified building, and use solar panels in their energy mix. These restaurants are all committed to providing affordable options for fresh and local food.
On top of all of this, Grand Rapids has a diverse and abundant history of both small and large-scale farmer’s markets, including the classic Fulton St. Farmer’s Market, and the brand new $30M, 130,000 ft2 Downtown Market. It is safe to say that Grand Rapids is a mecca for sustainably-minded foodies - foodies who are determined to keep cookin' up change.
Local Economy
The Grand Rapids Metro population
just passed the 1 million mark this year, and spans across Kent, Ottawa, Barry,
Montcalm and Wyoming counties. The Grand Rapids Metro area is a hub of advanced
manufacturing, design, medicine, and entrepreneurship. Grand Rapids is home to pioneering
companies and institutions like, Herman Miller, Steelcase, Haworth, Amway,
Cascade Engineering, X-Rite (Pantone), Van Andel Institute (biomedical research), Spectrum Health, and Metro Health, and too many others to list here.
These large-scale institutions are largely founded, owned, and operated by Grand Rapids Metro natives, and contribute heavily to the local economy. A lot of infrastructure and sustainable development within the area is funded by them. But it is not just the “big guys” that make Grand Rapids tick, we have a thriving small business community. And with organizations like Local First, there are structures in place to support, develop, and sustain small business, and concentrate local cash circulation. Local First commissioned this study on the impacts of local business on West Michigan / Grand Rapids' economy.
These large-scale institutions are largely founded, owned, and operated by Grand Rapids Metro natives, and contribute heavily to the local economy. A lot of infrastructure and sustainable development within the area is funded by them. But it is not just the “big guys” that make Grand Rapids tick, we have a thriving small business community. And with organizations like Local First, there are structures in place to support, develop, and sustain small business, and concentrate local cash circulation. Local First commissioned this study on the impacts of local business on West Michigan / Grand Rapids' economy.
Local Waste Management
Grand Rapids offers free single-stream recycling and the My GR City Points program to offer consumer incentives for recycling.
Residents simply contact The City to request a cart for their home, and within
a matter of days the cart is delivered to their front door – now the resident
is able to start recycling, and earning points for free bus rides, and
purchases from local businesses! Also, Kent County offers free e-cycling for its
residents, and organizes community collection events. The company that I work for, Cascade Engineering, is 100% zero-waste-to-landfill. We have on-site composters, and multiple recycling stations throughout our entire campus for plastic, cardboard, paper, metal, foam, and organics / compostables. Other businesses like MadCap Coffee and Steelcase are looking at similar zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives.
Advanced Building
Codes
As far as LEED Certification goes,
it is safe to say that Grand Rapids is an international leader. The Experience Grand Rapids website does a great job at detailing some of our LEED highlights:
• #1 in LEED-certified buildings per capita for mid-size U.S. cities (2010)
• #5 in LEED-certified buildings per capita for all U.S. cities (2010)
• World's highest LEED rating (Catalyst Partners/M Retail Solutions, 2012)
• World's 1st LEED Gold art museum (Grand Rapids Art Museum)
• World's 1st LEED-certified YMCA (Downtown YMCA)
• World's 1st LEED-certified transit station (Rapid Central Bus Station)
• World's 1st LEED-certified school (Goodwillie Environmental)
• World's 1st LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity Home
• World's 1st LEED-certified residence (St. Anthony of Padua rectory)
• World's 1st LEED-certified church (Keystone Community Church)
• World's 1st LEED-certified healthcare project (Lacks Cancer Center)
• World's 1st LEED Double Gold building (East Hills Center of the Universe)
• World's 1st LEED-certified municipal building (Water & Environmental Building)
Education, Advocacy, and Networking Efforts
Grand
Rapids is home to a great deal of world-class educational institutions like
Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), Aquinas College, Calvin College, Grand Valley State University and
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. There are serious
sustainability initiatives being spearheaded throughout these campuses. According
to their website, “In fall of 2003, Aquinas College launched the nation's first
undergraduate degree program in sustainable business.” KCAD has recently
appointed a Chief Sustainability Officer, and has become a center for
sustainability in the area. KCAD is helping to lead students toward top marks
in national sustainability competitions.
There is no shortage of advocacy for sustainability in Grand Rapids. West Michigan Environmental Action Council is headquartered here, and has been taking action for the past 45 years. The WMEAC Grand River clean-up is a huge deal every year, and this is only a sliver of what they do. Then there's the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, as they say, "WMSBF is here to build up our region by increasing the number of individuals and organizations in West Michigan committed to a Triple Bottom Line philosophy."
As far as networking goes, there are a lot of opportunities in Grand Rapids, and many events are being conducted with a truly sustainable approach. TEDxGrandRapids is an exemplary sustainable networking event in that the entire experience was designed to be zero-waste. I had the pleasure of attending a TED event for the first time, after collaborating with Fred Keller on the visual presentation that accompanied his talk at the Civic Theater this past summer.
Grand Rapids is full of sustainability professionals, and there are many exciting synergies, opportunities, and discoveries that grow out of events like TEDxGR attracting like-minded agents-for-betterment together all under one dynamic roof.
There is no shortage of advocacy for sustainability in Grand Rapids. West Michigan Environmental Action Council is headquartered here, and has been taking action for the past 45 years. The WMEAC Grand River clean-up is a huge deal every year, and this is only a sliver of what they do. Then there's the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, as they say, "WMSBF is here to build up our region by increasing the number of individuals and organizations in West Michigan committed to a Triple Bottom Line philosophy."
As far as networking goes, there are a lot of opportunities in Grand Rapids, and many events are being conducted with a truly sustainable approach. TEDxGrandRapids is an exemplary sustainable networking event in that the entire experience was designed to be zero-waste. I had the pleasure of attending a TED event for the first time, after collaborating with Fred Keller on the visual presentation that accompanied his talk at the Civic Theater this past summer.
Grand Rapids is full of sustainability professionals, and there are many exciting synergies, opportunities, and discoveries that grow out of events like TEDxGR attracting like-minded agents-for-betterment together all under one dynamic roof.
Alternative Transportation
“The Rapid” is the name of Grand
Rapids’ public transit system. The Rapid has had a very successful history of
servicing the community, and been making even further strides as of late,
including a $40M allocation to implement the Silver Line - Bus Rapid Transit(BRT). The Silver Line will add another layer of efficiency to the already
expansive reach of Rapid bus lines, providing a high-speed means of connecting
high-traffic areas of the city into and out of downtown. It is also certainly
worth mentioning that the Rapid Fleet uses hybrid buses.
In addition to public transit additions, Grand Rapids as a whole is increasingly supporting recreational and commuter bicycling. Grand Rapids has recently been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze Bicycle-Friendly Community. All of this recognition stems from the addition of over 30 miles of bike lanes within the past three years, with plans to topple 100 within the next two! There are also multiple mountain biking trails through our beautiful deciduous woods – there has been a lot of excitement from co-workers and myself about this new trail. This excerpt from the Grand Rapids Business Journal speaks to the bright future of biking in GR:
In addition to public transit additions, Grand Rapids as a whole is increasingly supporting recreational and commuter bicycling. Grand Rapids has recently been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze Bicycle-Friendly Community. All of this recognition stems from the addition of over 30 miles of bike lanes within the past three years, with plans to topple 100 within the next two! There are also multiple mountain biking trails through our beautiful deciduous woods – there has been a lot of excitement from co-workers and myself about this new trail. This excerpt from the Grand Rapids Business Journal speaks to the bright future of biking in GR:
“The city of Grand Rapids is playing a critical
part in creating a truly Bicycle Friendly America,” said Andy Clarke, LAB
president. “We know Grand Rapids’ investment in bicycling will be returned many
times over in the economic, health and environmental benefits that contribute
to a thriving community.”
Grassroots Organizations
“We are a grass-roots, nonprofit organization
serving the communities of greater Grand Rapids, Our Kitchen Table (OKT) seeks
to promote social justice and serve as a vehicle that empowers our neighbors so
that they can improve their health and environment, and the health and
environment of their children, through information, community organizing and
advocacy.”
It should be noted that major farmer’s markets within Grand Rapids city limits accept
foodstamps, and moreover that Fulton Street Farmer’s Market
actually matches foodstamp dollars 1:1 – what a wonderful thing to help people in
need to eat healthily!
I am proud of the many sustainable strides that Grand Rapids continues to make. This is a wonderful place to grow deep roots, a place with four seasons of natural beauty, and a place where I feel compelled to keep thinking for tomorrow.
I am proud of the many sustainable strides that Grand Rapids continues to make. This is a wonderful place to grow deep roots, a place with four seasons of natural beauty, and a place where I feel compelled to keep thinking for tomorrow.
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