Kalamazoo, Michigan

THE C I TY OF KALAMAZOO, MI CHIGAN Kalamazoo Valley Culinary College that has a Food Innovation Centre. “The students bring a welcome infusion of life to the city every fall,” says Mitchell. “That brings a different change of atmosphere. So we’re tied into education, science, and arts and we’re trying to grow in that sense of creating an atmosphere of acceptable involvement of all individuals of race, LGBTQ2, community, religion. We’re trying to be as diverse and accepting as possible.” When it comes to connectivity, the city is trying to ensure fiber internet cables are laid throughout the city and not just downtown, so everyone can access high speed internet. That’s an important factor, especially with the growing population. Many people who visit or complete their education in Kalamazoo want to stay, but there is currently a shortage of available housing stock. According to Mitchell, anything Antonio Mitchell, Community Investment Manager for the Community Planning and Economic Development Department