Input session set for Oct. 30
ELK RAPIDS — Community members are invited to comment on the future of the Island House from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 30.
The building is home to Elk Rapids District Library, which is planning to move to a larger location. Comments may also be provided through https://tinyurl.com/5xjpaz6m.
Grant cycle open
TRAVERSE CITY — The 4Front Foundation collected more than $30,000 during its Evening on the Diamond event. Funds will go to the 2024 grant cycle.
Area nonprofits and community organizations may apply until Oct. 31. Awards can support projects, programs or operational costs. To learn more, go to 4frontfoundation.org/grants.
Skip a Bag program
TRAVERSE CITY — Backcountry North will offer its Skip a Bag program this winter.
Generations Ahead has been chosen as one of the featured nonprofits. For each bag a shopper skips at checkout, Backcountry North will donate 25 cents to the organization. More details: 231-946-1339.
IPR’s ‘Points North Podcast awarded
INTERLOCHEN — Interlochen Public Radio’s podcast “Points North” received a national Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. The podcast was recognized in the “Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” category for its episode “Complete with His Language: Kenny Pheasant and the Great Lakes’ Original Tongue.”
Dan Wanschura, the podcast’s executive producer and host, accepted the award in New York City during the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala.
The podcast received four regional Murrow awards in 2023 and four in May. The show has also been recognized in the 2024 Public Media Journalists Association Awards and the 2023 Signal Awards.
Safety Net acquired by Thrive
TRAVERSE CITY — Safety Net, a local information technology services company, was recently acquired by Thrive, a worldwide technology outsourcing provider.
“Safety Net’s similar business philosophies and company culture are a perfect fit as our Midwest regional platform,” Thrive CEO Rob Stephenson said in a release. “Their product and service sophistication, client first mentality, and dedicated team of talented engineers will allow Thrive to grow in Michigan, as well as expand deeper into other Midwest markets with their strong leadership team.”
Grant recipients are announced
TRAVERSE CITY — The Boundless Futures Foundation has awarded its fourth round of EmpowHer grants to several organizations led by women.
Award recipients: Sydney Kobak, Kelley Levaggi, Sage Dobby and Erika Gossett, founders of Pina Designs in California ($15,000); Drew Lederman and Emily Cohen, founders of Resist Nutrition in New York ($20,000); Brenda Kasaty, founder of Rose Cat Coffee Company in Nebraska ($25,000); Kristen Fechtel, founder of Spacers Inc. in Texas ($20,000) and Tova Feinberg, founder of VertiGreens in Missouri ($20,000).
Additionally, a $50,000 Her Village grant went to Venture North in Traverse City and Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago.
Energy makeover contest underway
DETROIT — DTE Energy is running its Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest through Nov. 8. DTE customers may apply for $5,000 in energy updates for their business. Enter at dteenergy.com/makeover.
Nominate a company for state recognition
LANSING — Michigan Celebrates Small Business is accepting nominations for its annual awards until Nov. 11.
Michigan businesses can be recognized in several categories, including veteran owned, women owned and “Great Place to Work.” New categories for 2025 are disability-owned and microbusiness.
Nominate a small business at https://michigancelebrates.secure-platform.com/a.
Youth academy sign-up starts
LANSING — Michigan Youth Challenge Academy is accepting enrollment for its next class, which begins Jan. 12. The free education program is for ages 15-18 who may not graduate from high school.
Academy graduates can participate in the Michigan Job Challenge Program, which includes job placement assistance and skilled trade opportunities.
Information sessions are scheduled Nov. 12 in Cheboygan and Nov. 14 in Alpena. For other events and to apply, visit www.michigan.gov/myca.
Teacher program
CHICAGO — The Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching is accepting applications for its second Golden Apple Scholars program in Michigan.
Individuals may receive classroom teaching experience, help with job placement after college graduation, a stipend and mentoring.
Michigan residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores may apply at goldenapple.org/scholars-michigan.
Scholarship available
LANSING — The Michigan Reconnect program is available for Michigan adults ages 21-24.
The program helps cover tuition costs for state residents who are working toward a degree or skill certificate. Michigan Reconnect is part of the state’s Sixty by 30 goal: increasing the number of working adults with a college degree or certification to 60% by 2030.
Michiganders can apply until Dec. 31 at michigan.gov/reconnect.
Business certification
LANSING — The Small Business Association of Michigan has announced a new certification for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran small businesses.
Businesses are eligible if they are at least 51% owned and operated by a veteran or service-disabled veteran. The program provides access to resources and recognition in government and private sectors, according to a release.
Applications are available through the National Veteran Business Development Council. For more details, see www.sbam.org/certification-of-service-disabled-and-veteran-owned-businesses.
Training academy
LANSING — The Michigan Department of Corrections has welcomed 281 new students to its fall Officer Recruit Training Academy.
The Lower Peninsula class has 233 recruits, and the Upper Peninsula class has 49, according to a release. This is a 55% increase in enrolled recruits from the previous class, making it the largest group since 2015.
The eight-week training includes corrections officer basics like safety, de-escalation techniques, legal compliance and more. After graduation, students will start on-job training.
The next academies will begin in February. To learn more about careers in corrections and recruitment events, go to michigan.gov/mdocjobs.
This post was originally published on here