MONTCALM COUNTY
County Offices
211 West Main Street
Stanton 989-831-7300
www.montcalm.org
Chamber of Commerce
411 South Lafayette Street
Greenville 616-754-5697
http://greenvillemi.org
Located in the west-central section of Michigan, picturesque Montcalm County features nearly 225,000 acres of fertile farmland that produce diverse crops from corn, potatoes, beans, and alfalfa to fruit and Christmas trees. The leading city within this beautiful rural region is Greenville, although the county seat of government is located in Stanton.
Services
Students of all ages can look forward to a quality education in Montcalm County, where a strong public school network joins opportunities for a higher education just around the corner from home. The Central Montcalm Community Education center under the umbrella of Central Montcalm Public Schools provides career training for high school students but also serves the entire community with adult education programs, alternative education, and community enrichment and recreation. Montcalm Community College provides an affordable start on a four-year degree as well as two-year degree and certification programs. Others attend MCC for non-credit classes, personal or professional continuing education, and cultural or recreational pursuits. Students enjoy an exceptional learning environment, small classes, highly motivated instructors, state-of-the-art equipment, and the beauty of a rural campus in Sidney. Off-campus sites are located in Ionia, Greenville, Howard City, and Alma to serve a regional population. Greenville also hosts the M-TEC educational center for MCC, supporting the training needs of individuals and area businesses. The main 240-acre-campus is easily accessible from the geographical and population centers of the district via county and state highways. Rural Montcalm County is further served by MSU Extension, delivering university-level, research-based knowledge in pertinent areas from family nutrition to agriculture and natural resources.
State-of-the-art healthcare services in Montcalm County are anchored by Carson City Hospital, a 77-bed, acute care hospital distinguished as the oldest osteopathic hospital in Michigan. Since its founding in 1936, the hospital has been serving the needs of residents in a four-county region. In addition to acute care, Carson City Hospital provides a wide range of advanced services. The affiliation of Carson Health with the Sparrow Health System of Lansing has enabled the system to control costs while improving access to specialized services. Sheridan Community Hospital is a 25-bed, acute-care institution in the heart of the county that provides an additional 10 beds for transitional care nursing. Services include emergency and walk-in care, inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical specialties, advanced imaging, and wellness educational programs. More than 50 physicians serve as consulting and courtesy staff professionals, greatly expanding the scope of the hospital’s resources. Spectrum Health United Memorial provides comprehensive medical and surgical services on Lakeview and Greenville campuses, including the Hendrik & Gezina Meijer Surgery & Patient Care Center and the Cook Family Surgery Center. Spectrum Health recently completed a $17 million addition to its facilities that further enhances the quality of care.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Montcalm County will discover charming villages and growing cities, rural townships, respected schools, an impressive healthcare network, and outstanding recreational opportunities. Boat launches and campgrounds abound in Montcalm County. Sport Leagues, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, golfing, hiking, swimming, tennis, ice skating, sledding, and snowboarding are all common pastimes in this four-season playground. Annual events draw regional crowds to the county, including Carson City Frontier Days, the Clifford Lake Boat Show, Fiddler’s Jamboree, the Harvest Festival, and Stanton Old Fashioned Days. The Danish Festival celebrates Greenville’s proud Danish heritage with a Hans Christian Andersen play performed by local youth and one of Michigan’s largest arts and crafts fairs. The Montcalm County 4H Fair is another cherished event that showcases the best of country living.
Many of the cultural attractions in Montcalm County preserve the area’s rich heritage, including the Flat River Historical Museum that invites visitors to stroll down “Main Street” as it would have been in Greenville’s formative years. The Fighting Falcon Military Museum recalls a World War II contract between a Greenville business and the federal government to build gliders for military use, and Heritage Village on the Montcalm Community College campus in Sidney replicates an early 1900s small town. Residents and visitors alike enjoy day trips to the county’s charming Amish Country, where farm-fresh produce, home cooking, and hand-crafted goods reflect a commitment to simple living and country pleasures. The Greenville Area Community Center is the focal point of visual art displays and live-stage productions including those of the Flat River Community Players. Those who enjoy fast-paced thrills will want to frequent Crystal Motor Speedway in Crystal or the Mid-Michigan Motorplex and Moorlands U.S.A. Supercross Park in Sidney. From flea markets and farmer’s markets to the warmth and friendliness of small towns, Montcalm County invites new residents to enjoy rural living at its finest.
Carson City
City Offices
989-584-3515
www.carsoncitymi.com
Chamber of Commerce
616-754-5697
http://greenvillemi.org/
The small community of Carson City is located on the eastern edge of the county, taking for its slogan “A small town with big city services.” Carson City Hospital, the Carson City Public Library, and Carson City Community Theatre are all evidence of the commitment to quality of life. Known for is clean and well-kept community environment, Carson City relies on zoning to preserve attractive residential neighborhoods while it builds a strong economic base in its 400-acre Renaissance Zone. More than 50 acres within the city are devoted to green space and lush parkland. Haradine Park nestled along the banks of Fish Creek for fishing and family recreation, while West Park features a $120,000 playground built by community volunteers. The Grove Park shelter is ideal for intimate gatherings. The schools are highly respected, and more than 80 percent of the graduating seniors go on to pursue a higher education. The city prides itself in providing a small-town setting and pristine country atmosphere within an hour’s drive from the urban centers of Grand Rapids and Lansing.
Greenville
City Offices
616-754-5645
http://greenvillemi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
616-754-5697
http://greenvillemi.org/
The county’s leading city of Greenville is a friendly, forward-thinking community set on gentle, rolling hills surrounded by picturesque farmland, woodlands, lakes, and streams. Three lakes and the Flat River further enhance the natural beauty of Greenville. Civic leaders capitalized on these natural resources by building an award-winning pedestrian trail and lush parks. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the 9-mile Fred Meijer Flat River Trail that borders the Flat River and provides boardwalks through marshland. Other recreational highlights include the Danish Kingdom Playground, the Veteran’s Memorial Park with its basketball courts, Tower Park with its sledding hill, and certified mountain biking trails. The city is proud of its vibrant historic downtown shopping district and reinvestments in local developments and businesses. A new shopping district is available at the west end of the city, along with major residential expansion that meets a wide range of lifestyle needs. The city is home to two museums that honor the area’s history during World War II when Greenville produced military gliders for the federal government. The Flat River Community Library and the Greenville Community Center are outstanding educational, cultural, and social resources. Each summer, Greenville celebrates its proud Danish heritage in the Danish Festival, drawing as many as 75,000 visitors to the city.
Stanton, Village of Sheridan, Sydney Township
Stanton City Offices
989-831-4440
https://stantononline.com/
Village of Sheridan Village Hall
989-291-3485
https://villageofsheridan.com/
Sydney Township Town Hall
989-328-3535
http://www.sidneymi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
616-754-5697
http://greenvillemi.org/
The “Heart of Montcalm Chamber of Commerce” that unites these communities takes its name from the area’s location in the heart of the county. The city of Stanton serves as the county seat of government with an economic base that combines services with agriculture and tourism. In addition to a quality school system, the city offers a location within five miles of Montcalm Community College in Sidney. Residents and visitor alike enjoy the picturesque hilltop downtown area with its collection of well-preserved turn-of-the-century buildings. Each August, Stanton proudly celebrates its colorful history with Old Fashioned Days. The village of Sheridan is another choice for small-town living with the convenience of local shops and services, including the full-service Sheridan Community Hospital. Pearl Lake adds scenic beauty to the village along with a park and beach, picnic facilities, a fishing dock, and a multi-age playground. Each Memorial Day, the community gathers for the popular “Sheridan Springfest” celebration. The rural farming community of Sidney Township features several of the county’s premier resources: The campus for Montcalm Community College, the Montcalm Area Career Center, and the historic jewel of Heritage Village. Numerous lakes, snowmobile trails, and scenic golf courses dot the landscape for four-season recreation.
Village of Howard City, Maple Valley Township, Pierson Township, Reynolds Township
Village of Howard City Village Hall
231-937-4311
https://www.howardcity.org/
Maple Valley Town Hall
231-354-6774
www.maplevalleytownship.com
Pierson Town Hall
616-636-8570
https://www.piersontwp.org/
Reynolds Town Hall
231-937-6739
https://www.reynoldstwp.com/
Winfield Town Hall
231-762-4555
http://www.winfieldtownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-937-5681
The communities that are encompassed within the “Panhandle Chamber of Commerce” region encompass the village of Howard City as well as the unincorporated community of Coral in Maple Valley Township—an agricultural and summer tourist community near several lakes. The rural townships and welcoming small communities in this area are located close to the 131 expressway for quick commutes to urban centers. The area provides excellent access to outdoor adventure with three major streams that attract canoe and kayak enthusiasts and anglers. Shimmering lakes encourage boating, swimming, water sports, and fishing. Four-season recreational opportunities range from camping, hiking, biking, and horseback riding to winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Golfing is available on local courses. The farmer’s market, the Burley Park Antique & Collectibles and Car Show, musical concerts in the park, townwide yard sales, and local festivals including Howard City’s Harvest Festival attract visitors and bring together the area’s urban and rural residents.
Village of Lakeview, Cato Township
Village Hall
989-352-6322
https://villageoflakeview.org/
Town Hall
989-352-7967
https://villageoflakeview.org/cato-township.php
Chamber of Commerce
616-754-5697
http://greenvillemi.org/
The welcoming small village of Lakeview and scenic Cato Township are rural communities that are ideally located on beautiful Tamarak Lake. The township also features part of Towline Lake in its northeast corner, sharing that resource with neighboring Belvidere Township. Lakeview is the largest of the developed communities within the primarily agricultural township, which also supports limited manufacturing activity. Approximately 40 miles from Grand Rapids, these picturesque communities offer the advantage of modern schools and a full-service local hospital. A small scattering of local businesses and services adds to the convenience of rural life. Residents enjoy easy access to four-season recreational activities from camping, hiking, biking, fishing, water sports, and horseback riding to winter sports like ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Expanded urban amenities are available within Montcalm County in Greenville, and larger centers like Grand Rapids and Lansing are a reasonable drive from home.
