Grants, Getting Around & Good Things Growing

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we're talking about how some of the behind-the-scenes work at City Hall eventually turns into real improvements you can see around town. Our guest is Megan Eppley, grant writer for the City of Big Rapids—and Chris' former co-host from the Live Big Rapids days. Megan explains what a grant writer actually does (after Chris attempts the kindergarten version), how new walking and biking audits could shape future improvements, and how residents can get involved right now. Plus: football, car washes, Chipotle windows, Chalk the Walk, Save the Ponds, the upcoming Jim Crow Museum opening, and Dom finds us two mice boxing in a subway. Journalism. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – Why Chris still loves working in real estate 🏡 5:27 – Lions football & Pat's happy place 🏈 6:35 – Thanks to Rick Hatkowski & Save the Ponds 7:00 – Featured Creature: Albino Gator Gar 🐟 9:19 – Welcome Megan Eppley from the City of Big Rapids 10:00 – The Live Big Rapids reunion! 11:30 – English + fundraising + Big Rapids = grant writer 12:30 – Chris attempts to explain grant writing like a kindergartner 17:00 – AARP grants & walking/biking audits 🚶🚲 18:00 – What has Chris learned scootering around town? 19:45 – How do walking audits actually work? 23:00 – Spot a bad or missing sidewalk? Here's your chance to speak up 25:00 – How today's feedback could shape future city projects 26:30 – Big Rapids Walking Passport challenge 28:34 – Following city projects & updates 29:30 – Want to participate? Megan will even hook you up with BR swag 30:30 – Thanks, Megan! 30:48 – Former Bulldog Zach Sieler continues making Big Rapids proud 🏈 31:15 – New community fitness programs 33:00 – Tommy's test washes, Chipotle has WINDOWS & Voter Registration Day 🌯 34:21 – Business After Hours at Schuberg's 34:55 – A very busy Saturday: Res Life 5K, Rotary cleanup & Chalk the Walk 36:50 – Recycle Fish dedication at Hemlock Park 🐟 37:40 – Save the Ponds groundbreaking 37:57 – Brothers Blue Jean Ball benefiting OBK 38:45 – Winter boat & RV storage at the fairgrounds 39:14 – Should The Banded Raccoon become a cartoon? 🦝 40:40 – New Jim Crow Museum grand opening 44:15 – A folding iPhone?! 📱 46:50 – Taco Bell Girl, subway mouse boxing & man vs. robot — Dom's internet strikes again 51:25 – Thanks & outro #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #DowntownBigRapids