The luncheon will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Grand Rapids Community College’s Heritage Restaurant. The meeting is open to the public. Registration in advance is required along with payment of $25 for United Growth members and $35 for non-members. The cost includes lunch featuring locally grown foods prepared by culinary arts students and free parking at the Applied Tech Center of GRCC.
The meeting will feature Rick Chapla, Vice President of Business Development for The Right Place, who will speak on the GOOD NEWS about our local economy.
“West Michigan’s economy continues to grow better and faster than the rest of the state because of a unique alignment of great human resources, abundant woods and waters,” says Chapla.
“So often the media doesn’t report on all the good things happening in our community. We are tired of feeling sorry for ourselves. Its time we celebrate West Michigan as one of the best places to live, work, play and raise a family,” said Kevin Wisselink, United Growth for Kent County Board President.
Also at the luncheon, United Growth will present Gordie Moeller with the 2011 Carol L. Townsend Land Use Stewardship Award. Mr. Moeller will be honored for his work to increase access to locally grown foods for limited income families. Specifically, Mr. Moeller voluntarily worked to increase the number of community farmers markets, farm market vendors and on-farm markets accepting Bridge Cards.
As a result of his efforts there was a 750% increase in the number of markets and vendors accepting Bridge Cards in 2011 from 2010. Mr. Moeller and his wife Jan believe so strongly in this cause they created the Food Security Fund at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to support these types of projects on a permanent basis. To view a list of markets and vendors accepting Bridge Cards, visit http://www.npiinc.org/farmers/
Meeting participants are invited to give a three minute update on their organization’s work in an effort to promote communication and collaboration.
The media is invited to attend this event at no cost, however, please register in advance by contacting Kevin Wisselink at (616) 774-1159.
United Growth for Kent County, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit corporation that works to promote sustainable land use in Kent County and West Michigan. Subject areas of interest include: neighborhood revitalization, farmland preservation, affordable and safe housing, green building design, and alternative energy. For more information about free, monthly educational meetings or membership, please visit www.unitedgrowth.org
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