If you’re looking for Grand Rapids residents Steve and Jeanne Grant this summer, try catching them at a Rafters game, where they’ll likely be rooting on the player they host throughout the summer. You could also attend a Tribune engagement – they have been involved since the very first meeting!

Steve and Jeanne toured the Tribune building in the summer of 2013, and were excited about the prospects of what the building could do for our area. Once the Tribune Building Project public meetings began that October, they were inspired to become more engaged with the resident-centered planning process. Steve volunteered as a table host, and now works very closely with the Microbrewery interest group, recently participating with other residents in an informational discussion and site visit at O’so Brewing Company.

“We connected with other people who have similar interests to ours,” Steve said. “We are all excited about the Project and the difference it can make in the community.  It’s a new way of doing business…people are excited to make meaningful contributions to our community.”

It’s never too late to engage in the process. “Involving so many people in making a community decision seems daunting, but broken down step by step, it is so achievable,” Jeanne said.

You can get involved by joining Steve and Jeanne, other residents and Team Incourage at continued engagement and learning opportunities this summer – like the building tours offered in July and August. Like Steve and Jeanne say, the positive energy is contagious, and time is well spent and meaningful!

*Photo is of Steve and Jeanne at a Tribune Building Project meeting in June. Photo by Carol Davis.