Muskegon Rising

09/28/2026

When was the last time you flew out of Muskegon instead of making the drive to Grand Rapids?

If it's been a while, you might be surprised. Muskegon County Airport is seeing record passenger growth, dependable service, and a new regional aircraft maintenance hub that's bringing skilled jobs right here to our community.

Host Aaron Maike sat down with James Perry, Regional Manager for Denver Air Connection, to talk about what's driving the turnaround. James shares why more travelers are choosing to fly local, how aviation partnerships are opening career doors for students, and why a strong airport matters for every business that wants to grow in West Michigan.

It's a good reminder that some of Muskegon's biggest wins are happening right under our flight path.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19876336

Watch: https://youtu.be/wII7H6LlHwI?si=quNbKCPNAS9aBPdf

Discover how reliable air service is helping fuel Muskegon's econom...

09/14/2026

What do the Hackley and Hume houses, a museum built on Muskegon's industrial past, and free field trips for local kids all have in common? They're all part of the story Melissa Horton is telling on this week's episode.

Melissa is the Executive Director of the Lakeshore Museum Center, and she sat down with host DJ Hilson to talk about why this place matters so much to Muskegon County. It's not just a building full of old photos. It's free educational programs for students, hands-on exhibits families can explore together, and a real record of the people and industries that built this community.

If you've ever walked through the Hackley and Hume Historic Site or wondered about the story behind the Heritage Museum of Business & Industry, this conversation gives you the backstory. Whether you grew up here or just moved to town, it's a good reminder of why knowing where we came from matters for where we're headed.

Watch: https://youtu.be/_nrDJKSBEpw?si=ZGIBfRuMySs9hLbq

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19803746-melissa-horton-lakeshore-museum-center

08/17/2026

How much safer would your neighborhood feel if you knew you could report a crime without anyone finding out it was you?

That is the idea behind Silent Observer, the anonymous tip program Emily Morgenstern joins DJ Hilson to talk about on this episode of Muskegon Rising. Emily walks through real cases where a single tip helped police close a serious investigation, and why residents trust the program enough to keep using it. She also gets into something people do not always connect: a county where people feel safe is a county where businesses want to invest.

Whether you have information to share or just want to understand how the program works, this episode covers it.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2269729/episodes/19657452-emily-morgenstern-silent-observer

Watch: https://youtu.be/yEazJlNNnFQ?si=qAZw-fQuLTChsIEC

In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with E...

08/05/2026

In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with Emily Morgenstern to explore how Silent Observer is strengthening public safety and supporting economic development across Muskegon County.

Learn how this anonymous crime tip program empowers residents to share critical information without fear, helps law enforcement solve serious crimes, and builds a safer, more attractive environment for businesses and investors.

From real-world success stories to how you can submit tips or support the program, this conversation highlights why community-driven safety initiatives are essential to Muskegon’s continued growth.

08/01/2026

From precision engineering to patented processes, Scott Wilbur of MOTIV Bowling is transforming the manufacturing landscape right here in Muskegon County!

In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host Aaron Maike dives deep into MOTIV’s major expansion in Roosevelt Park, their commitment to local workforce development, and why it chooses to keep its innovation rooted in West Michigan. Discover how community collaboration and a drive for excellence are building world-class products.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19584202-scott-wilbur-motiv-bowling

Watch: https://youtu.be/dQtX2chTw_I?si=ZFDRniWBnZvXcIHP

On this episode of Muskegon Rising, host Aaron Maike sits down with...

07/21/2026

What does it actually take to turn a downtown "desert" into a statewide craft b**r success story?

Joel Kamp went from CPA to craft b**r entrepreneur, and in this episode he takes us inside the real economics behind Pigeon Hill Brewing Company's rise: bold timing, local banking relationships, and the disciplined financial strategy that helped spark momentum in downtown Muskegon. We're talking capital investment, supply chain volatility, workforce structure, regulatory pressures, and what it takes to scale distribution across Michigan and into northern Indiana.

It's a candid look at risk, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in a maturing market.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19520943-joel-kamp-pigeon-hill-brewing-company

Watch: https://youtu.be/GNG9v7RBAI4?si=V-xsRe38_3nGV3N

What does it take to turn a downtown “desert” into a statewide craf...

07/03/2026

What actually happens to your grocery bill when tariffs go up? Or your mortgage payment when the Fed moves rates? On this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with Matt Farrar, Muskegon County's Deputy County Administrator, to break down the economic terms you hear on the news but rarely see explained in plain English.

Matt brings a unique perspective, decades in public works and local government, paired with a PhD focused on economics, to connect the dots between global trade policy and what's happening right here in Muskegon County. They dig into tariffs, interest rates, the ongoing housing demand, and why the slowdown some are feeling isn't cause for panic. It's a grounded, no-spin look at why smart economic development benefits everybody, not just a select few.

Watch: https://youtu.be/6xpJi1S1xLc?si=vXj2VIIi0XeY7rXx

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19440851-matt-farrar-muskegon-county

Muskegon Rising (a service of the Muskegon Rotary Club) takes on “e...

06/23/2026

Muskegon Rising (a service of the Muskegon Rotary Club) takes on “economics you can actually use” as host DJ Hilson welcomes Matt Farrar, Muskegon County’s Deputy County Administrator, for a plain-spoken conversation about how the economy works—globally and right here at home. From tariffs and “economic indicators” to housing demand, interest rates, and why uncertainty can slow investment, this episode connects the headlines to real life in Muskegon County and explains why smart, steady economic development can be good for everybody.

06/11/2026

What would it take for you to pack your bags at 16 and spend a year living in Denmark? For Muskegon High School sophomore Neve McGinn, the answer is courage, curiosity, and a little help from Rotary.

In this episode, host DJ Hilson talks with Neve about her path into the Rotary Youth Exchange program and the year abroad that's about to change her life. From a rigorous selection process to learning the art of cultural flexibility, Neve opens up about how this opportunity is shaping her future, including her passion for culinary arts and her dream of becoming a confident global citizen.

She'll be representing Muskegon County on the world stage, and after hearing her story, we think Denmark is lucky to have her.

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19330373-neve-mcginn-muskegon-high-school

Watch: https://youtu.be/oOwMP_8NDxU?si=KcBDxQpJ2mQAWdyh

In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with M...