Eight things we're thankful for in Holland this year
HOLLAND — Each year, we're grateful for family, for friends, for food and fun. We all have individual reasons for be thankful.
But what about the Holland community? The good news is, we have plenty to be thankful for there, too.
The gift that keeps on giving — snowmelt
Downtown Holland’s expanding snowmelt system is good for tourism, business, and frankly, our feet. It allows Eighth Street (and beyond) to thrive year-round. Zeeland, too, is jumping on the bandwagon.
The return of Community Restaurant
Following a devastating overnight fire that destroyed Community Restaurant in 2022, residents were relieved to hear ownership in Zeeland planned to rebuild. Barry Elzinga is well on his way to reopening Community Restaurant, perhaps by the end of the year. That’s a win for West Michigan.
The many, many holiday events
Magic at the Mill, the Holiday Kerstmarkt, the Holiday Princess Ball, the Outdoor Holiday Market in Saugatuck. There's no shortage of shopping and community during the holidays along the lakeshore.
The growing Shops at Westshore
It wasn’t long ago The Sentinel asked the question everyone had on their minds — would The Shops at Westshore survive? Since the opening of GRCC's Lakeshore Campus, it's been nothing but growth, with the opening of Uptown Cheapskate, Up Leaf Café, Tha Rock ‘N Roosta and other businesses — and the announcement of Holland Township's upcoming Community Center. No matter how you slice it, a healthy Shops at Westshore is good for Holland and its residents.
The expansion of Holland Hospital
Just this year, Holland Hospital broke ground on three new facilities. That includes a downtown Hudsonville location, a new medical building in Saugatuck and a new orthopedic center in Zeeland. The expansion of quality healthcare in the region is always a plus.
Active local governments
The debate in boardrooms of city council, township boards, and planning commissions have been lively, with developers continuing to offer expansion plans and residents giving input on any number of changes and improvements. Here’s to keeping that involvement alive.
A thriving and innovative business community
Construction on the new "Next Center" in downtown Holland is underway. The new three-story building will serve as a hub for business incubation and economic development by Lakeshore Advantage. Local companies like Airdrop Gaming are creating products that've never been seen before. Like the years before, Holland is a go-to place in 2023 for all things business.
An ever-giving network of nonprofits
From the fun of Camp Sunshine to Benjamin’s Hope and its recent proposal for more housing, or the opening of the new farm at Critter Barn, Holland's nonprofit community is thriving. It remains one of Michigan's giving-est towns.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Eight things we're thankful for in Holland this year
