General Over View on Kent Count From Commissioner Carol Hennessy

We had the honor of hosting Commissioner Carol Hennessy at our January Meeting. If you missed it, here are the cliff notes.

Kent County is the biggest consequential level of government that many people know little about.

The county is growing and stands out on many indicators. It is younger, more diverse and better educated. The population is estimated at 659,000.

This seems to be the infrastructure age for the county! Much of the growth is on or near our Westside! Not all of it is related to Kent County operations, but is noteworthy. GVSU is expanding! We can expect more housing, especially apartments to be built. The amphitheater will happen and public engagement has started for a proposed soccer stadium. The Public Museum is expanding, as well. The Greenway Park, an extension of trails from the lakeshore to downtown, has financial support from Kent County through federal ARPA funds – along with funding for many other ARPA supported projects, including an affordable housing fund.

 For Kent County, a parks department building has recently opened. A new fleet services building – for repairs and retrofitting of vehicles – opened at the Fuller Campus. The county is developing plans to move many of its county departments to that campus along with construction of a new medical examiner facility. The Fuller site will make it easier for residents to access services, like from the clerk’s office, rather than traveling downtown. The prosecutor will take over much of the space at the shared City-County Building to remain close to the Courthouse. A mental health crisis stabilization facility, with shared funding support, is being constructed. The Road Commission, an independent arm of local government, also moved into a new central campus in 2023.

 Lots is happening! Get involved! Kent County often seeks residents for appointment to various boards and committees. The county website is www.accesskent.com