KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The City of Kalamazoo has been selected to join a prestigious national initiative focused on advancing inclusive economic development in small and midsized cities.
LEAP, which stands for Learn, Explore, Activate in Place, is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and led by the New Growth Innovation Network.
Representatives from Kalamazoo will participate in LEAP Summer 2025, June 9-16 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Kalamazoo delegation will include the City of Kalamazoo, Urban Alliance, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and the Kalamazoo Entrepreneur Network.
City officials say the Kalamazoo team will explore and apply strategies that prioritize community wealth building, capital approaches that center racial and economic equity, and cross-sector collaboration for systemic change.
“We’re honored to be selected for LEAP 2025 and look forward to bringing back actionable ideas and partnerships to strengthen Kalamazoo’s inclusive economic future,” said Kevin Ford, Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo Coordinator. “This is a powerful opportunity to deepen our collective impact, build community ownership, and advance equity-driven solutions.”
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