Z EELAND R ECORD THE
Vol. 129-No.46
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Zeeland, Michigan
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Serving Western Michigan for more than 128 Years
• September 7, 2023
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Cost$1.00/copy $30/year
Zeeland High School Student Dies in Car Crash
Lakeshore Advantage held a ground breaking for its new Innovation Hub last week Thursday, Aug. 31. The center will consist of a three-story, 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility strategically located on the corner of College Ave. and 7th Street in downtown Holland. Photo Images by Carl, Inc.
Lakeshore Advantage Breaks Ground on Innovation Hub Entrepreneurs will soon have a new facility to sharpen their skills and ideas as Lakeshore Advantage, the development organization for Ottawa and Allegan counties, gathered with dozens of representatives from Michigan’s public and private sectors to celebrate the groundbreaking of the organization’s Next Center. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction on the new downtown hub for innovation and business growth that will be located in Holland. “The Next Center will add so much to this incredible community” said Neil Boehm, Chairman of the Board for Lakeshore Advantage. “This development will revitalize that corner of downtown Holland helping to attract people to the downtown area while also being a catalyst for continued economic growth.” Lakeshore Advantage has supported product and technology startups with entrepreneurial programming since 2015 when the Holland SmartZone was established. The program, now known as SURGE powered by Lakeshore Advantage, currently boasts 38 members and has supported hundreds of concepts since its inception. Providing support for startups is part of the economic development organization’s strategy for developing a diversified regional economy and empowering the region to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. “Entrepreneurship can’t be hidden; it can’t be tucked away”, said Jennifer Owens, President of Lakeshore Advantage. “We need to make a visible, accessible statement that the entrepreneurial ecosystem is alive, well, and growing—and come on in and be part of it!” Lakeshore Advantage announced its plan to build the Next Center at the end of May. The announcement came following a business incubator grant awarded by the State of Michigan to help Lakeshore Advantage expand its entrepreneurial efforts. “Risk-taking small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy and we’re committed to doing all we can to provide the support, resources, and opportunities required for growth and success. Lakeshore Advantage’s Next Center is a shining example of how Team Michigan invests in the state’s small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO and
Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair Quentin Messer Jr. “We remain committed to working with our partners across West Michigan and statewide to deploy resources to spark additional innovation and economic opportunity here in Michigan. Work remains, but we are relentlessly focused on elevating our entrepreneurs and encouraging businesses of all sizes to make it in Michigan.” The Next Center will consist of a three-story, 20,000-square-foot, stateof-the-art facility strategically located on the corner of College Ave. and 7th Street in downtown Holland. The Center will provide a collaborative space for startups, established businesses, and research institutions to come together on the first floor in its business incubator and community education spaces. Its second and third floors will be home to the headquarters of Lakeshore Advantage and an established business tenant which complements the ecosystem, respectively. “At MillerKnoll, we deeply understand and appreciate the value that collaborative, multidimensional environments have,” said Andi Owen, MillerKnoll’s Chief Executive Officer. “The Next Center is going to be a tremendous asset to the Holland community, providing a place to spark innovation, create partnerships and cultivate new economic development. I am delighted to see this project break ground.” The center will be owned and operated by Lakeshore Advantage and is part of the Holland SmartZone, a satellite district of the Grand Rapids SmartZone which directs tax increment financing (TIF) dollars toward economic development in the technology sector. The SmartZone provides technology companies, entrepreneurs and researchers with a place to collaborate and share resources. “Successful communities and businesses must be creative and innovative to thrive long term,” said Richard G. Haworth, Chairman Emeritus of Haworth, Inc. “The addition of The Next Center expands and opens new ways for that to happen. The Next Center will help us continue to foster West Michigan’s entrepreneurial spirit.” Since Lakeshore Advantage announced the project, more than a dozen community businesses have committed leadership (Continued on page 9)
A Zeeland High School student died in an early morning vehicle crash on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. A little after 6:00 am, Allegan County Central Dispatch received a call of a vehicle on fire on 137th Avenue near 44th Street in Overisel Township. “The caller also stated that it appeared that the vehicle had crashed into a tree,” stated Sheriff spokesperson Lieutenant John Damveld . Allegan County Sheriff Deputies as well as first responders arrived on scene and found the vehicle fully engulfed and when the flames were extinguished located a male driver still in the vehicle. That male driver, who was identified as a 14-year-old male from the Zeeland area was pronounced deceased on the scene. “Preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle, later identified as a jeep wrangler was traveling west on 137th Ave. and ran off the roadway striking a tree head on. The Allegan County Crash Reconstruction Team was on scene and investigating the incident for several hours but have since completed their on-scene investigation. Support for students and staff was made available Tuesday when students returned to class after the Labor Day holiday weekend and throughout the week by Zeeland Public School officials. “If you feel that your student is having difficulty coping with this event, please let
us know as soon as possible,” said District spokesperson Brandi Navetta. School officials advise the community that after such a loss, students may experience a variety of emotions and reactions. In addition, such a tragedy can trigger an emotional reaction, even to an unrelated current or past event (family illness, prior losses, etc.). “They may be in shock, deny the reality of the death, be angry, project blame on themselves or others, demonstrate anxiety about their own safety, search for reason, or be depressed and deeply saddened. These feelings may result in a variety of behaviors. Some of them are crying, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches, bad dreams, restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, mood swings, irritability and hostile or rebellious behavior. “Although many of these emotions and behaviors are normal reactions to grief, please feel free to contact one of our counseling staff members if you have any questions or concerns,” she added. The name of the subject is not being released because he is a juvenile and family notification is still being completed. It appears that speed was a factor. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by AMR Ambulance, Overisel Fire Department, Hamilton Fire Department and Allegan County Medical Examiner’s Office
Fall Peddlers’ Market This Saturday Zeeland will host its ninth Fall Peddler’s Market and second annual Little Peddlers’ event, an artfully curious faire downtown on Church Street between Main Street and Central Avenue on September 9 from 9am to 3pm. Welcome Fall into your home by shopping at the Peddlers’ Market! The market will house a number of different curiosities, including but not limited to, locally handmade children’s clothing and accessories, screen printed clothing, art prints, flowers and botanicals. Handmade women’s jewelry, household gifts and goods, vintage furniture and décor, architectural salvage, handmade specialties including, fresh bread, handcrafted outdoor furniture, live music, food trucks, antiques
and repurposed finds. “This event has attracted a variety of vendors. From brand new businesses to well established ones – even young entrepreneurs! The Little Peddlers’ Market is where little kids with big ideas can peddle their items! It’s a fresh open-air lifestyle market for all of your favorite things in one setting,” says Kerri VanDorp, City Events Coordinator. Grab a cup of coffee and stroll Church Street and shop or enjoy an adult beverage as the event is within the downtown Social District. This event has attracted over 60 different vendors from around the area, offering a large variety of items available for purchase, as well as special orders.
Police Blotter A single vehicle accident occurred on Lawrence Avenue at the 101st Street curve at 2:39 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 21. Kadyn Goosen of Spring Lake was west bound on Lawrence when he attempted a left turn onto 101st Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the curb.
An Operating While Intoxicated investigation was conducted on the driver, and he was arrested for OWI. Running a red light resulted in a twovehicle crash at the intersection of State Street and BL-196 at 3:44 a.m. on Monday, Aug. (Continued on page 9)