KDL wins national award, plans to reinvest the prize money into the community (Courtesy Photo)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Award recognizes libraries as a vital community asset (Courtesy, KDL)
The Kent District Library Board of Trustees recently approved a plan to reinvest $250,000 in prize money into the community. The money will be used to support library expansion projects and to establish a scholarship fund.
As the recipient of the fifth annual Jerry Kline Community Impact Award, KDL receives the one-time prize as the 2023 winner of this national award.
Developed as a partnership between the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, this award recognizes the powerful synergy that results when a library works closely with both its local government and its community.
Funding Details
Four communities in the KDL service area currently have a library expansion project underway — the cities of Rockford and Walker and townships of Grattan and Tyrone. Thanks to this one-time prize for excellence, KDL is able to pledge $50,000 to support each of these projects.
KDL is also establishing a scholarship fund for KDL patrons who are a pursuing a college degree with plans to positively impact their community. The fund will be established with $50,000 from the Jerry Kline prize, interest earned from KDL’s Community Foundation Fund through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and private donations.
Scholarship applications will be announced and accepted late in 2024.
Community Impact
“The whole focus of the Jerry Kline Award is community impact, so it only seems fitting we use these funds to have a positive effect on the communities that we serve and love,” KDL Executive Director Lance Werner said. “This is an exciting opportunity to live out our mission of furthering all people thanks to the financial prize that comes with this recognition.
“This gives us a unique opportunity to invest in the physical growth of branches in our community and in personal growth for exceptional patrons. We are so pleased to give back to Kent County, whose residents so thoughtfully support our operations.”
People who would like to donate to the building projects can do so by contacting the government offices for Grattan Township, city of Rockford, Tyrone Township or city of Walker. For those who would like to donate to the KDL Impact Scholarship fund, visit kdl.org/donate.
Impact Award Highlights
(Courtesy, KDL)
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Award was created in 2019 to distinguish the public library as a vital community asset.
KDL was recognized for building relationships with local officials based on a foundation of trust and credibility.
All U.S. public libraries were eligible to apply for the prize whether in a single building in a small town or a multi-branch system serving an entire region.
Nominations were evaluated based the library’s impact on the community in areas such as engagement, inclusion, leadership development, sustainable thinking and inventiveness.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s Board of Directors stands in front of the beam that contains their signatures. (Supplied)
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport raised a ceremonial beam this week to celebrate its $110 million expansion of Concourse A to accommodate passenger growth.
As air travel in West Michigan nears pre-pandemic levels, Ford International Airport gathered federal, state and regional business and community leaders to commemorate the project, which will create 125 new construction jobs and add 157,000 square feet of space to Michigan’s second largest airport. The expansion of Concourse A is part of the Elevate program, which has designated nearly $500 million in infrastructure investments to improve the guest experience while positioning the Airport for continued growth.
Today’s celebration comes more than two years after the Elevate program was first announced. The expansion will:
More than double the current capacity of Concourse A by adding eight new gates for a total of 15.
Widen the 66-foot concourse to 120 feet and lengthen it by 510 feet for a total of more than 900 feet.
Increase the number and variety of food and beverage options by introducing a marché, or market-style open concept area featuring regionally inspired cuisine, along with other vendor spaces.
Add an executive lounge on an elevated level overlooking Concourse A that will cater to the needs of business travelers, putting Ford International on a par with larger airports, including Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.
Grow the number of retail operations.
Provide a greater variety of seating options to accommodate guest needs, including tables, pods and soft seating options offered by West Michigan manufacturers.
Take advantage of natural lighting and the views to create a visually pleasing and energy-efficient space.
Reflect the look, feel and culture of West Michigan as the first thing guests see when they come into town and the last thing they’ll remember when they leave.
“Today has been a long time coming, and we could not be happier to gather today to celebrate this significant investment in the future of travel in West Michigan,” said Airport Authority Board Chair Dan Koorndyk. “Prior to the pandemic, Ford International Airport enjoyed double-digit passenger growth for nearly two years, necessitating we undertake this monumental transformation of what will become our signature concourse.
“As the pandemic continues to subside, our travel numbers continue to increase, putting our recovery ahead of our initial projections. Now is the time to begin the work that will position us to resume our anticipated growth trajectory for the next 20 years – and ensure we can deliver a world-class experience as West Michigan’s gateway to the world.”
The expansion will double the current capacity of Concourse A by adding eight new gates for a total of 15. (Supplied)
Construction on Concourse A is expected to take 24 months, with the first phase scheduled to open in spring 2023 and be completed by the end of that year. Concourse A will remain open during construction. The Christman Company is serving as general contractor for Concourse A while Mead & Hunt is the design project manager and HKS is the architect of record. Subcontracts are already in place with more than 30 West Michigan subcontractors who will bring their expertise and local suppliers to the project.
The expansion of Concourse A received the full support of Ford International Airport’s airline partners, including legacy carriers American Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc., low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines and ultra-low cost carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. Upon completion, Concourse A will be home to the legacy airlines while low-cost and ultra-low cost carriers will operate out of concourse B.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer and have been instrumental in helping Ford International Airport secure federal funds needed to launch the expansion.
“GRR is often the first and last thing people see when they visit West Michigan” said Meijer, who gave remarks via video during today’s beam raising. “The employees in management here have fully embraced their role as ambassadors for our community. While West Michigan continues to experience tremendous growth, with this new expansion at GRR it will be able to better meet the demands of a growing population.”
As it prepared to design the expansion, HKS led a visioning session with Airport stakeholders to ensure the principal concepts of community and the physical attributes of West Michigan were brought into the space. Architect Jorge Barrero likened the journey of walking the length of the new concourse to exploring West Michigan and its many offerings.
“We wanted the new space to mimic the experience of arriving in West Michigan, which is reflected in the colors and textures chosen for the expansion,” Barrero said. “From the blue of Lake Michigan and natural tans of the sand dunes to the greys and purples of the urban core to the greens of the forests and farmland in between, your walk from the ticketing counter to your gate parallels the beautiful geography of West Michigan.
“Your travel experience will start when you arrive at Ford International Airport, which wants to be part of your journey – not simply a building.”
Plans for additional infrastructure improvements under the Elevate program are also underway, including:
The addition of a federal inspection station, or FIS, which will enable the Airport to offer nonstop international commercial passenger flights. This project was announced in August 2019, and the first phase – the addition of a new baggage claim area, restrooms and operations infrastructure – has been completed. These enhancements are being used for domestic flights until the full FIS project is complete.
The relocation of the current air traffic control tower, or ATCT, to make way for diverse terminal-area developments such as additional tenant hangars and more parking. The Airport selected a new site, which was reviewed and approved virtually by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2021 – the first-ever such virtual sighting of an ATCT.
A proposed consolidated rental car facility with an enclosed walkway from the terminal that will offer additional transportation accommodations to travelers visiting West Michigan.
The proposed addition of parking infrastructure to accommodate additional guest traffic.
A proposed upgrade to the Airport’s checked baggage inspection system, which will enhance safety while streamlining the process for staff and guests.
“We are gratified to find support at all levels – local, state and national – for our plans to enhance the infrastructure at Ford International Airport so we can better meet the needs of our business and leisure guests today – and tomorrow,” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “We pride ourselves on our ability to connect West Michigan to the world – and vice versa. The investment being made today to expand Concourse A marks another evolutionary step in our history.
“We are grateful for the continued confidence and commitment of our elected officials, our team, our airline partners, our tenants and vendors and all who choose to Fly Ford.”
Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek, who spoke the April 27 event, stressed the importance of having quality infrastructure in the county.
Visitors can add their name to the ceremonial beam May 2- 6. The beam will be located at the Amway Grand Hall near the screening. (Supplied)
“The Ford International Airport is often the first impression travelers have of our community – and the last they have while leaving,” Stek said. “We must continue to invest to have a first-class Airport that delivers a world-class experience for business and leisure guests alike.”
The Ford International Airport is offering community members an opportunity to sign a 14-foot steel beam that will become a permanent piece of the newly expanded concourse. The beam will be placed in the Amway Grand Hall near the screening checkpoint from May 2-9 for guests to sign their name.
No local taxpayer dollars will be used to finance any of the projects included in the Elevate program, which will be paid for with a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the Airport and user fees.
Armed with umbrellas in an effort to stay dry from the downpour of rain, about 50 people came out to the dedication and ribbon cutting for the expansion of the KDL Grandville Branch on Oct. 8.
The event, hosted by the City of Grandville and the Kent District Library, celebrated the addition of 6,665 square feet to the library, with the largest part of the addition being a divisible community room for hosting library programs and serving city and community events.
“At the Grandville Branch, we see a number of people from throughout the county,” said KDL Grandville Branch Manager Josh Bernstein, who is a regional manager serving both the Grandville and Byron Center branches. In fact, because the KDL library branches over the years have become more regional sources, KDL has created regional branch managers to work with communities.
“We have a lot of our neighbors from Byron Center and Georgetown, as we have a partnership with them, coming to the Grandville library for resources and meeting space,” he said.
A new feature is the fireplace that separates the community room from the library. (WKTV)
Visitors check out the new children’s play area. (WKTV)
The KDL Grandville branch has more than one million library items. (WKTV)
Space was the original reason that Grandville City Council decided to move the library from the city complex to its own space. The current library facility was built in 1991 and dedicated in 1992. The original library project costs was about $1.8 million.
Space again was the concern for city and community leaders to come together to raise funds for the expansion, according to Grandville Mayor Steve Maas who spoke during the dedication ceremony. Through the additional space, Maas said the library facility was able to expand from one study room to 10 new private study rooms. The expanded and updated Grandville facility also includes:
The new Nelson Foundation Disability Resource Room
More than a million library items
Hundreds of regularly scheduled in-person programs and activities for all ages
Separate and enclosed space for children’s programs and early literacy efforts
Drive-up book drop
Larger space for the Friends of the Grandville Library Book Nook
Fireplace area separating the library from the new community center
New, high-efficiency HVAC system
Additional restrooms, including a family restroom
Area residents and leaders were willing to brave the heavy rains for the KDL Grandville Branch dedication on Oct. 8. (WKTV)
For the new addition, city and community leaders hosted a Building Beyond Books fundraising campaign with the goal of raising about a million dollars. At the time of the dedication, the effort had raised $870,000 with donations still being accepted.
KDL oversees 20 branches that serve the communities around Grand Rapids. (The City of Grand Rapids is served by the Grand Rapids Library.) Locations on the southwest side of the county include, Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines, Byron Center, Grandville, Caledonia, and Kelloggsville High School. KDL operates the Bookmobilie and the KDL Wyoming branch houses the KDL Talking Book and Braille Center. For more about KDL and its locations, visit kdl.org.
Demand for senior living services drove Holland Home to undergo a $5.5 million expansion project at its Breton Woods campus on 44th Street near Breton Avenue in Kentwood. Completed recently, the new facility will provide an innovative 19,000 SF, 15-bed assisted living unit and a 5,400-square-foot activity center with a gym and exercise area.
The privately funded single-story assisted living unit will be a much-needed addition to the two existing assisted living buildings on the Breton Campus. Each of the existing structures, built in 2015 and 2017 respectively, contain 15-bed units.
“The growth of our assisted living services at Breton Woods is part of Holland Home’s overall strategy to meet the needs of our aging population,” said Holland Home President & CEO Mina Breuker.
The facility was designed by Post Architects with Erhardt Construction as the builder.
“We are thrilled to partner with Holland Home on their most recent addition to the Breton Woods Campus,” said Taggart Town, vice president, Erhardt Construction. “For over three decades, Erhardt Construction has been privileged to work with Holland Home as they provide independent living and continuum of care to the West Michigan senior community. The new expansion is another example of the top-notch senior living and care that Holland Home is known for.”
It’s expected that 10 to 15 new positions will be created to accommodate the increased capacity.
A peek into one of the living spaces at the new facility. (Supplied)
“We are excited to offer the additional assisted living building to our Breton Woods property, adding to our full continuum of care,” said Breton Woods Campus Executive Director Sara Heethuis, R.N., B.S.N.
The new assisted living building is a deinstitutionalized version of the typical assisted living facility and will afford residents the feeling of living in a real home with spacious private rooms and private bathrooms arranged around a communal dining and living area and a residential style kitchen. The building will also house a den, a salon (staffed by professionals) a spa (with a ceiling lift to assist individuals), nurses’ station, staff office and clean and soiled linen rooms.
The new 15-bed unit is named “Water View” as the interior design offers various art pieces centered on serene water setting. Various photographs of water-based concepts by West Michigan photographer and artist Steven Huyser-Honig line the halls and rooms. Many of the rooms either face woods or ponds or an outside patio and walking path surrounded by wildlife.
The new building will be staffed by universalworkers along with nursing and social work support.
“Staff will handle any necessary tasks whether it is dealing with personal care, doing laundry, or making the resident a snack,” adds Heethuis. “It has been shown that universal workers experience less job stress and spend more time engaging with residents.”
A study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has shown that the small, assisted living model results in significantly improved quality of life and does not compromise care. In fact, other studies have shown that residents maintained self-care abilities longer with the new model.
The Breton rehabilitation and living centers are rated five stars by Medicare Compare. The facility is part of Holland Home’s Breton Campus, which also features independent living facilities, rehabilitation and long-term care services. Learn more atwww.hollandhome.org.
Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that medical device packaging engineering firm, Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. In addition to a capital investment of $2.57 million, the company will bring 27 new jobs to the area.
PCL was founded in 2014 as a solution to a stagnated health care packaging industry. Headquartered in the City of Kentwood, PCL specializes in helping global medical device manufacturers launch new devices to market faster while maintaining regulatory compliance around the globe.
PCL, along with its sister company, SmartStart Medical, LLC (SSM), will take on the additional 27 jobs as a result of this expansion. SSM specializes in device cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and pilot production for new medical technologies.
“Packaging Compliance Labs is in the midst of an exciting period of growth,” said Matthew Lapham, President, Packaging Compliance Labs. “We’re thankful that The Right Place and their partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have provided continuous support to our business as we’ve prepared for this upcoming expansion.”
Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. (Supplied)
The MEDC is supporting the expansion with a $135,000 Jobs Ready Michigan grant, a program designed by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) to address the cost associated with recruiting and training individuals for occupations that are high-wage, high-skill or high-demand.
“West Michigan’s medical device manufacturing industry has grown steadily over the last five years at a rate of about 10%,” said Eric Icard, senior business development manager for The Right Place and project lead, “These are high-paying, high-quality jobs that are contributing to our regional economy. When a company like Packaging Compliance Labs chooses to expand here, it makes way for continued growth as they create an increasingly efficient supply chain for medical device manufacturers in the area.”
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley also shared his optimism about what PCL’s expansion will mean for his community.
“Having an innovative firm like Packaging Compliance Labs bring more jobs and investment to Kentwood is excellent for our residents and for the community at-large,” Kepley said. “We are glad to be home to Packaging Compliance Labs and commend the company’s efforts to provide critical solutions to the health care industry when they are needed most.”
