Swimmingly Smart: Grand Haven State Park installed a $570,000 SwimSmart electronic beach safety system to monitor rapidly-changing conditions along its Lake Michigan beachfront. With 12 web-enabled towers, it provides real-time warnings to beachgoers. Eight orange towers on the beach feature an electronic light display that mimics the familiar double-red, red, yellow, and green flag system. Four blue light towers are equipped with an emergency response button and more. michigan.gov/beachsafety
Sensory Certification: As part of a greater Traverse City-area initiative involving more than 20 partners, Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is the first four-season resort in Michigan to become a Certified Autism Center. Its staff completed specialized autism-specific training and the designation was awarded based on its amenities for and commitment to accommodating autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. autismtravel.com
Growing Impact: Figures reported by the Michigan DNR show the state’s forest products industry hit a new peak and added $26.5 billion to the state’s economy, up $4 billion from 2019 figures. While employment declined 3.6 percent, the average wage ($80,000), labor income, output, and industry productivity increased significantly. The industry includes forestry and logging, wood furniture, pulp, paper, paperboard products, and woody biomass power generation. Visit the forest products page at michigan.gov/dnr.
Have news about Michigan travel and exploration? Send a note to MSwoyer@HourMedia.com.
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