Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — it’s Wednesday, the week’s officially at halftime, and yes, snacks count as motivation.
Let’s keep things moving with what’s happening around our little slice of paradise.
Ps. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletters, check in with our socials, and simply keep showing up to give Calder news support. Now we can move on…
~LeQwane L.
Tech On The Rise
GR’s push to become a tech hub is paying off.
A new report from The Right Place shows 1,312 tech jobs were added in the past year, bringing the 4-year total to 5,610 new positions.
As of today, ~41,000 people work in tech across Kent County, which was also a big reason GR earned recognition as LinkedIn’s “City on the Rise” a couple of months back.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Development
Solar Project To Replace Landfill
The city’s solar project at the former Butterworth landfill, located along the Grand River, is moving forward. Spanning ~8 acres, the solar array is expected to power around 100 city facilities and is scheduled to break ground in June of next year. The city secured a $3M state grant and could lock in federal tax credits to help pay for construction before they expire in 2026. | Read more
Community
New Trash + Recycling Guide
The Kent County Department of Public Works has published its 2025 fall trash and recycling guide. The guide lists what belongs in bins, from paper cups and soup cartons to metal cans and foil, and how to get rid of hazardous items. | Read the guide
Education
Free Bachelor’s Degree For GRPS Students
Grand Rapids Promise Zone is expanding beyond providing free associate’s degrees at GRCC to now help students earn bachelor’s degrees at Ferris State or GVSU. Starting in 2026, those graduates with an associate’s degree from GRCC can receive up to $14K per year toward tuition, fees, and housing. The program already supports ~800 GRCC students each year and has covered over 2,000 since starting back in 2020. | Learn more
Transit
Bridge Repairs Close I-196 to US-131
Here’s a fun one… MDOT has started a $1.3M project to repair five bridges at the I-196/US-131 interchange downtown. There will be lane closures in both directions of I-196, plus a full closure of the westbound ramp to southbound US-131 through late October (potentially longer). Eastbound I-196 will also shut down at US-131 for two weekends, with dates still up in the air. | View closures
Ask Grand Rapids 🤔
Talk Of The Town
🧑🎨 Poster Competition Winner
Remember the GR 175th art competition that happened in the summer? Well, earlier this week, a winner was selected. Check out the art here.
💮 Mums At The Gardens
For the 27th year in a row, West Michigan’s largest display of chrysanthemums will be on display at Meijer Gardens. The display will open on Oct. 1 and run through Oct. 31st.
🌉 Wyoming’s Pedestrian Bridge Opens
The Pedestrian Bridge on 28th St. in Wyoming is having a grand opening event and you are invited. There will be a Run, Walk, or Roll on the bridge, ribbon cutting, and sponsored gifts.
Opening:
🍣 Kawa Sushi - The West Side’s newest sushi spot is having a grand opening this Saturday, and apparently, tickets are going fast
Event Of The Day
📍Studio Cor3 | 1300 Front Ave NW
📅 September 27th
⏰ 10 AM - 4 PM
Enjoy a day of Fall shopping, friends, and self-care for free.
Click image for details
What’s Happening?
Preview: Events —> Live Music
Wednesday, September 24th
Celebrate the Harvest | Goei Center | 5:30 PM - 8 PM | $125
Marking Time | Grey Rabbit | 5:30 PM | ?
Cadillac Crew | Grand Rapids Public Museum | (Wed - Sun) 7 PM | $20
Ladies Wine Night | Vivant | 6:30 PM | Free
Thursday, September 25th
Ashley Gavin | The BOB | (Thu - Sat) Multiple times | $27+
State of Play Fundraiser | GR Children Musem | 8 AM - 10 AM | Free (pre-register)
Hunger Hop | West Side | 5 PM | $25+
Patio Party 4.0 Fall Festival | Gypsum Grill | 5 PM | Free
Contemporary Writers: Jeff Zenter | Aquinas College | 6 PM | Free
Comedian Samantha Bee | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM | $55+
Oktoberfest | Dunneback Girls Farm | 1 PM | $12
Friday, September 26th
GRMoMs Semi-Annual Sale | Woodhaven Reformed | 9 AM | Free
Neighborwoods | River City Scholars Charter Academy | (Fri, Sat) 1 PM, 4 PM | Free
ArtPrize HalfTime Show | Sixth St. Park | 6 PM | Free
Oktoberfest
Thornapple Brewing Co. | 11:30 AM | Free
Riverside Park | (Fri, Sat) 3 PM | Free
Live Music
Wednesday, September 24th
Hannah Rose Graves Send off | Founders | 4 PM | Free
Mr. Smith & the Jones | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Thursday, September 25th
Immersive Harp Live Performance | 111 Godfrey Ave | 5 PM | Free
Moonshot | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Chartreuse Manouche | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Jazz on Bridge Street | Bridge St. | 6 PM | Free
Marianas Trench | GLC Live | 6:30 PM | $48+
Blitzkid + Nim Vind + Reckless Rhythms | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $27+
Friday, September 26th
Various shows | The Score | Multiple Times | Free
Scott Miller Wsg Michael Robertson | Tip Top | 4 PM | $23
Gabriel Estrada III, Mariachi Singer | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Jon Hayes & Abbie Thomas | The Stray | 7 PM | $11
Jedi Mindi Trip | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
Rebel Line | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
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