Muskegon County

Beginning in the 2021 fall semester, qualifying low-income students can receive free tuition through the Grand Valley Pledge. A program removing financial barriers.

“Focus on families with incomes of less than $50,000, adjusted gross income, and make sure that these prospective learners have a great opportunity to come to Grand Valley State University.”

Students from six Michigan counties; Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Grand Traverse, Calhoun and Wayne.

In an effort to learn about the benefits and challenges of living in the county, officials on Tuesday launched another round of the Muskegon Livability Lab. It’s the second time Muskegon County officials launched a livability lab, a daylong session of community feedback from county leaders and residents that gives the county a snap shot of what makes Muskegon a great place, or not such a great place to live for area residents.

The vote was scheduled to take place Tuesday afternoon, but commissioner Marcia Hovey-Wright says the legal implications of passing the resolution need to be assessed further. 

“We have decided…the chair and I have decided to remove that item from the agenda and refer it to committee—which is the normal way it should have been done in the first place so that they can look at the legal aspects, they can look at making sure its including everything we want to include.”

Millions of dollars overlooked for funding a major road project in Muskegon County have been restored.

Sherman Boulevard is one of the most heavily travelled roads in Muskegon County providing access to the Mercy Hospital campus and Lake Michigan beaches. In need of repair, the Sherman Boulevard infrastructure project was drawn up and budgeted.

Muskegon County voters turned down the idea last November by over 3000 votes, however, Emergency dispatch officials are asking the public to reconsider this May.

Essentially, the ballot proposal would increase a county resident’s monthly 911 surcharge by over 500 percent, from 42 cents to nearly $3 a month.

While that is a big jump, dispatch officials say the money is desperately needed to upgrade the call center from analog to digital. Officials say not doing so would become a safety issue in the years ahead.

Voters in West Michigan headed to the polls yesterday to vote on a number of proposals in both Kent and Muskegon Counties. In the City of Grand Rapids, voters re-elected Commissioner Senita Lenear for a second term. Originally elected to the city commission in 2014, Lenear held off challenger Kent Boersema and maintained her seat on the City Commission.

A day after experts forecast a slower 2017 economy in Grand Rapids that may ultimately lead to a recession, one economist says the future is looking bright in Muskegon.

While experts have said the economy will slow down in Kent and Ottawa counties in the next year, specifically in job growth, just 40 miles away at the Muskegon County annual economic forecast, experts say the county’s best days may be still ahead.

The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners kicked off the New Year with new leadership at its helm. Muskegon County Board of Commissioners unanimously selected former vice-chair Ben Cross as their new chairman in their first meeting of 2017. 

Chairman Cross says the vote of confidence by his peers is an honor he does not take lightly.

Muskegon County is experiencing an increase in its hotel occupancy rate. What's driving more visitors to the county and how is it impacting tax revenue? WGVU talks with Bob Luken, Muskegon County Community Development Director.    

Muskegon County is attracting more visitors and more guests at county hotels mean more tax dollars. Over the past three years Muskegon County has collected over $1 million dollars in accommodation taxes.

This year was the highest with over $1.2 million collected.