KALAMAZOO COUNTY
County Offices
201 W. Kalamazoo Avenue
Kalamazoo 269-384-8111
https://www.kalcounty.com/
Chamber of Commerce
346 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo 269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
A wide variety of industries and businesses call Kalamazoo home, including large corporations in the pharmaceutical, medical science, and craft beer industries. The county also offers an assortment of cultural attractions that are typically found in larger metropolitan areas including music, visual art, dance, and theatre.
Lifestyle
Scenic countryside, welcoming small towns, and easy access to first-rate metropolitan amenities characterize Kalamazoo County. Many of the area’s small cities and sprawling townships are experiencing rapid residential development, taking advantage of the availability of lush, wooded land and rural beauty. Recreational opportunities are first-rate and diverse, from local lakes, parks, golf courses, and community facilities to regional preserves that encourage hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and camping. World-class water sports are available within a reasonable drive from all points in the county.
Support for the arts is active in close-knit communities within Kalamazoo County, although metropolitan Grand Rapids fills the year’s calendar with outstanding events and performances. Most of the towns have developed wonderful festivals and celebrations that mark the passage of the seasons or special holidays. Some have historic value or focus on antiques, while others showcase musical or artistic talent. Throughout the county, an impressive selection of attractive homes, well-respected schools, and a warm community spirit combine to offer an exceptional quality of life.
Services
Newcomers to Kalamazoo County can look forward to all the pleasures and comfort of a more suburban and rural lifestyle without sacrificing state-of-the-art health care and excellent opportunities for education on all levels. Several Hospitals and medical centers anchor the local health-care network with an ever-expanding array of specialties, services, and facilities. Local medical specialists include allergy and asthma, cardiopulmonary, occupational health, oncology, prenatal and obstetrical.
Education is a lifelong activity in Kalamazoo County, where excellent public and private schools from preschool through kindergarten combine with vocational and training programs. Adult students of all ages can choose from higher education opportunities in a wide variety of colleges and universities within minutes from home.
City of Kalamazoo
City Offices
269-337-8047
https://www.kalamazoocity.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
Kalamazoo is located on Interstate 94 between Detroit and Chicago and is served by the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport which is a short drive from downtown Kalamazoo. Five major routes carry traffic into downtown, along with train and bus service from downtown. The City of Kalamazoo was founded in 1831, when Titus Bronson recorded the original plat for the Village of Bronson at the County Office.
Kalamazoo is split in to twenty-one neighborhoods, each with its own character. Seven of these neighborhoods are adjacent to Kalamazoo’s vibrant downtown, which is home to local events and activities. Many neighborhoods are represented by a neighborhood association that supports the needs of their residents and acts as a liaison with the City Commission. The downtown area is home to the restaurants, businesses and local art venues that bring the locals and visitors together. In addition, the downtown is the home of festivals, parades, and many other community events. One of Kalamazoo’s most notable features is the Kalamazoo Mall, an outdoor pedestrian shopping mall. The city created the mall in 1959 by closing part of Burdick Street to auto traffic. Downtown Kalamazoo is also home to five theatres, as well as the Epic Center, a performing arts center in the heart of downtown.
Kalamazoo is home to Western Michigan University, a large public university, Kalamazoo College, a private liberal arts college, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, a two-year community college. The City offers residents and visitors a pleasant lifestyle that has everything they need close to home. From historic homes and downtown apartments to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes, Kalamazoo has something for everyone.
Galesburg
City Offices
269-665-7000
https://www.galesburgcity.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
Galesburg is located along the north side of the Kalamazoo River. The city is situated on M-96 and is just north of I-94. It is home to a little more than 2000 residents. Kalamazoo is about ten miles west and Battle Creek is about ten miles east. This very rural community offers its residents a quiet pace of life where neighbors know each other. Outdoor recreation is available close to home with parks and forests in the area. Residents only have a short drive to shopping and entertainment options of Kalamazoo and other nearby larger communities.
Parchment
City Offices
269-349-3785
https://www.parchment.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
The Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company was founded in 1909. The founder, Jacob Kindleberger built his mill along the Kalamazoo river. The name of the community is derived from this parchment paper company. It is home to more than 1800 residents. The city borders the Kalamazoo River for approximately 1.4 miles. This ideal location makes this riverfront community an excellent place to call home. The river provides recreational opportunities, natural beauty and wildlife habitat that residents and visitors alike can enjoy. Parchment is a quiet suburb located just a few miles northeast of the city of Kalamazoo. It is home to safe neighborhoods, a high quality of life and a school district known for its high educational standards. The city is also home to the beautiful Kindleberger Park. The park was donated to the City by the Jacob Kindleberger family for citizens of the community. The park is approximately forty acres and is located at the intersection of Park and Maple Streets. Residents enjoy a sense of community and closeness that can only be found in a small city, all while having the convenience of being close to the many options of nearby Kalamazoo.
Portage
City Offices
269-329-4400
https://www.portagemi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
Portage is home to a little more than 46,000 residents. It is the smaller of the two main cities included in the Kalamazoo county metropolitan area. Portage is located at the southern boundary of the City of Kalamazoo. Portage is well known for its wonderful network of historical parks and recreational trails used for cycling, walking, and other activities. The City is home to five lakes, fourteen parks, two nature preserves and the Celery Flats Historical Area. The Portage Bikeway system, has over 50 miles of trails for residents to enjoy. Portage is also home to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. The City is also largest retail center in southwest Michigan. Shoppers have a large selection of local and national retailers to choose from. Portage is also the location of the Crossroads Mall – the only shopping mall in the region. The city has something to offer everyone, with varied housing choices, quiet neighborhoods, a sense of community and more recreation than anyone could want.
Schoolcraft
Town Offices
50 East VW Avenue
Vicksburg 269-649-1276
http://www.schoolcrafttownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
The Village of Schoolcraft was the first community formed in Kalamazoo County. The original Village was created in 1831, six years before Michigan became a state. The Village offers quick and easy access from both US 131 and Interstate I-94, and is a frequent destination for those who are shopping for antiques. The community is home to many historic homes. The Village is also the site of the Historical Underground Railroad House and Museum. Schoolcraft residents enjoy an admirable quality of life in a quiet community that is focused on maintaining its historic charm. There are several well attended annual events that bring the community together, including the annual 4th of July Celebration and Annual Christmas Walk. Residents can also enjoy the many other opportunities for the arts and entertainment in nearby Portage or Kalamazoo.
Vicksburg
Village Offices
269-649-1919
https://vicksburgmi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com
Vicksburg is located approximately 13 miles south of Kalamazoo – bounded by Brady, Pavilion, Schoolcraft and Wakeshma Townships in south Kalamazoo County. It is home to nearly 2500 residents. The Village is surrounded primarily with farm fields of corn, soy, potatoes and different grains. This rural community is also home to deep woodlands, animal farms and several lakes and streams. This environment sets the tone for life in this quaint community. Residents enjoy good schools, bountiful natural resources and a friendly small-town atmosphere. Vicksburg prides itself on keeping its residents active with several annual festivals and community events. Outdoor recreation abounds with historical sites, golf courses, sandy beaches, lakes, parks and forested recreational areas. In addition, residents have a choice of entertainment and shopping options, both close to home or in some of the nearby communities.
