Thriving, Together

Last Day of Operation will be June 19, 2025 This month, the Coleman Community Market will celebrate its final days of operations at the Greater Midland Coleman Family Center. The Market's last day open will be Thursday, June 19, marking the conclusion of four years of impact in the local community. The Market opened in spring of 2021 as the result of a collaborative partnership between Greater Midland and United Way of Midland County. At the time, Coleman was considered a food desert, with the nearest grocery store located over 11 miles away and no consistent means of public transportation to help those without a reliable vehicle. The Market provided a sustainable solution to an area lacking healthy food accessibility, enabling community members to shop conveniently close to home. In addition to pantry staples and shelf stable items, the Market offered a wide selection of fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen items, and even hygiene and cleaning supplies. All items were sold at a single dime above wholesale cost, ensuring that nutritious food and household essentials were affordable for all. “The Market benefited the community in many ways: providing accessibility to healthy ingredients so people could have more nutrient-dense meals; reducing transportation barriers; and connecting those shopping with the local community center and resource hub for other resources they may need,” said Holly Miller, President and CEO of United Way of Midland County. Over time, other grocery stores opened in the Coleman area, expanding access to the items provided by the Market. In response to the evolving needs of the community, Greater Coleman Family Center and United Way agreed that the space and funding currently devoted to the Market could create greater impact through other initiatives. “The Market was developed with the focus of bringing healthy options to the community. As the Market closes, the use of the space will continue to focus on the health of the community, through physical, mental, and social wellbeing,” said Andrea Conquest, Executive Director of Greater Midland Coleman Family Center. “We are honored to have worked alongside Great Midland to bring the Market to the Coleman community,” reflected Holly Miller. “It served the community so well and is a beautiful demonstration that when we come together to launch innovative solutions, we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.” Greater Midland Coleman Family Center continues to help individuals access healthy options through a food pantry, mobile food distributions, and grocery donations. For more information on these resources, please call 989-465-2079 or visit www.greatermidland.org/cfc To learn more about United Way of Midland County, please visit https://unitedwaymidland.org

Today, the Greater Midland Tennis Center (GMTC) announces additional facility advancements through generous investments from community foundations, private donors, members, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The enhancements will propel future economic growth, organizational sustainability, and deliver a better player and spectator experience. These key improvements, which focus on player development and facility renovations, go along with the facility project announced at GMTC’s 50th Anniversary in July. Players will experience cutting-edge smart court technology called Zenniz that delivers new levels of performance analytics and Electronic Line Calling to training and competitive play. Zenniz harnesses technology to help players elevate their game and improve overall experience. This technology enables GMTC to attract the highest-level USTA tournaments and remain a leader in the industry. Zenniz installation was made possible in part by a donation from Jen and Rod Coleman, the parents of Ellie Coleman, the Midland native and tennis pro who recently won the women’s doubles title at the Antalya W35 ITF Tennis Tournament in Turkey. This awards Coleman her first professional championship. "Rod and I have been genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to help bring this technology to the Greater Midland Tennis Center,” stated Jen Coleman. “We believe this represents the future of tennis, offering a significant step forward, ensuring accuracy during matches. It is fitting that a world-class facility like the Center would be among the first to adopt this innovative technology, further enhancing its impact.” Additionally, Ellie shared, “The Tennis Center has been instrumental in my career from the time I first picked up a racquet to winning my first professional tournament. The addition of Zenniz will provide performance-enhancing analytics and data that will give me an added edge to my training.” With a focus on all tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, GMTC is thrilled to refresh its public spaces to bring greater comfort and enjoyment, whether a visitor is watching a match or simply relaxing with players and friends. In addition, GMTC employees will benefit from upgrades to business and office areas. “These upgrades, to be complete by the end of January 2026, reflect our commitment to keeping GMTC as a premier tennis and pickleball destination for another 50 years,” commented Jeff Rekeweg, Executive Director of GMTC. “By leading the way in technology and focusing on what matters most – our members, guests, players, and the ability to host first-class events like the Dow Tennis Classic (February 15-22, 2026) - we’re setting a new standard for excellence. We're grateful for our community's continued support.” For those who want a small piece of GMTC’s past as it prepares for the future, a public auction is underway now through January 7, 2026. The auction is available at: Greater Midland Tennis Center Online Renovation Auction. To keep current on all GMTC news, follow us on our website, or sign up to receive SLICE, our monthly newsletter.

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