Pictured above: Marvin Martin of Grand Rapids Urban League and Kenneth Cortez are part of the Baxter United Coalition. They are leading a group focused on improving economic opportunity for residents in the Baxter neighborhood in Grand Rapids.

In 2022, Baxter United formed to help “build access, creativity, equity, and unity in the Baxter neighborhood.” 

Baxter is a historically underserved neighborhood on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. Residents have long come together to build community, laying the foundation for Baxter United to continue improving the quality of life for all those living there.  As one of our three focus neighborhoods where we partner with the community to build affordable homes, we are proud to support this resident-led initiative because a safe, stable place to live goes beyond the four walls of a home. 

With generous funding from General Motors for our Neighborhood Revitalization efforts this year, Baxter United is taking a significant step toward achieving its goals.  A neighborhood planning consultant helped the group survey the community and develop a ten-year vision plan. The plan focuses on four key areas for growth identified by Baxter residents: housing, economic opportunity, safety, and relationship building. 

Another outcome from the survey is the newly formed Baxter United Coalition comprised of Baxter residents and representatives of several organizations and businesses in the neighborhood – the Baxter Neighborhood Association, Grand Rapids Urban League, and Wealthy Theatre. Each area of growth listed above is being addressed by groups of three to four coalition members, all of whom live or work in Baxter.  Through General Motors’ support, each of the four groups has a $10,000 grant to use by this June to improve their focus area.  

Coalition groups are beginning to meet and big plans are underway in each category. Because all coalition members live in Baxter, residents have ownership and decide what they need and want for their community. We can’t wait to see what the coalition does over the next few months and its impact on the neighborhood. Stay tuned for updates on projects and initiatives they’re working on!