Nearly 100 Muskegon city workers on furlough due to COVID-19
Updated Jan 06, 2021;
Posted Jan 06, 2021
Facebook Share
MUSKEGON, MI – Nearly 100 Muskegon city workers began voluntary furloughs this week, the second time furloughs have been instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The eight-week furloughs taken by 99 employees will save the city about $250,000, said Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson, who is among those on furlough.
The furloughs range from 15 percent to 50 percent of the work week, Peterson told MLive.
The city saved about $500,000 with an earlier furlough, instituted last year from April through July, said Peterson, who is working 85 percent of his normal hours.
City hall has been closed since Nov. 5 due to the pandemic.
Grand Rapids Business Journal Courtesy Jimmy Cobb
Courtesy Ed Irmen
Courtesy Ashley Nash
Courtesy Dan Parker
Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores will soon enjoy a series of murals on two railroad overpass bridges along Seaway Drive with the support of a new crowdfunding campaign.
The Muskegon Rails Project campaign launched on the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the city of Muskegon.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by Feb. 20, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
For more project details and to donate, people can visit patronicity.com/mkg2.
Muskegon economic development director named statewide ‘emerging star’
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
Muskegon Economic Development Director Jake Eckholm has been named the Michigan Economic Developers Association s first emerging star.
Facebook Share
MUSKEGON, MI – Muskegon’s economic development director, who previously was Muskegon Heights’ city manager, has been named an “emerging star” by a statewide organization.
Jake Eckholm, economic director for the city since March 2019, was named the first ever “Emerging Star” by the Michigan Economic Developers Association. The award recognizes “early career achievement in economic development.”
“I know what really drives Jake is a clear love and devotion for the community he calls home,” Muskegon Mayor Steve Gawron told MLive, saying Eckholm has a “keen sense” of what businesses and residents alike need.
Large marijuana grow operation recommended for sprawling old factory in Muskegon
Updated Dec 16, 2020;
MUSKEGON, MI – A large-scale marijuana growing and processing operation could go into the vacant portion of the old Shaw-Walker factory in Muskegon, a section of which currently houses condos.
The Muskegon Planning Commission has endorsed a request by the building’s owners to be zoned for all types of marijuana licensing. The building, which houses the Watermark Lofts condominiums, Coffee Factory restaurant and the Watermark 920 Conference Center, was already placed in a district that allows for marijuana retail sales.
“That building has been vacant and falling apart slowly for a long time,” Muskegon Planning Director Mike Franzak told the planning commission earlier this month. “We’ve already seen part of it come down. I don’t know how much longer it has to go.”
Large ‘dry’ marina proposed along Muskegon Lake could draw many boaters downtown
Updated Dec 15, 2020;
Facebook Share
MUSKEGON, MI A large indoor “dry” marina on Muskegon Lake that city officials said could bring in a lot of boaters who currently are bypassing the community, along with townhomes are the latest proposals from a Muskegon developer.
Jon Rooks of Parkland Properties is proposing his latest developments near his Shoreline Inn and Lake House Waterfront Grill on Muskegon Lake. In close proximity is Rooks’ Terrace Point Landing residential condominium development that he said is nearly full.
The Terrace Point Dry Marina, essentially indoor storage with on-demand delivery of boats to the water, would take up much of the parking lot for Shoreline Inn, which is next to the existing Terrace Point Marina, a preliminary site plan shows.