Students recognized at State of City address

A group of Grand Valley students was recognized by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell during his 2015 State of the City address for their ideas on how to attract and retain talent. The event was held January 17 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Heartwell said he plans to implement three of the 10 recommendations the students presented to the city commission in December. The students spent the fall 2014 semester researching cities across the country and hearing from area neighborhood and community groups.

One of the ideas is for the development of a smartphone app that will include information about city restaurants, stores, attractions, guides and transportation. Grand Valley students will help develop the app.

The mayor said he will also form a Millennial Advisory Board, made up of representatives from area colleges and universities and from young professional organizations. Heartwell said his initiative, the Mayor’s 50, which offers work experience to area teens and young adults, will be expanded to the Mayor’s 100, to offer more internship opportunities with local businesses.

Grand Valley student Hannah Fernando was asked to make remarks during the mayor’s State of the City address.