BELMONT, Mich.--The West Michigan Battle of the Buildings is about to begin.

The U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter is organizing the event in which businesses compete with one another to reduce their energy consumption throughout the year.  Participants will have access to educational workshops, help with financing energy related projects and assistance in attaining utility rebates.

Cheri Holman, energy reduction manager at Hurst Mechanical, says several local businesses and corporations plan to take part in the competition, but the USGBC is looking for more participants. The West Michigan Battle of the Buildings begins Jan. 1, 2014, but businesses can sign up to participate through March 31. For more information or to register your business, visit the competition website here.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—A new bike path will soon take shape in Grand Rapids.

The city is getting a $618,514 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to create the Seward Avenue Bikeway.  The 3.5 mile bike route will cut through the heart of Grand Rapids and connect nearly 190 miles of regional trails, including the White Pine Trail, Oxford Street Trail and Kent Trails. The path will run along Seward Avenue from Wealthy Street to the Riverside Park trailhead and include a bike shelter, bike lockers, bike signs and signals and an upgraded pedestrian bridge over Indian Mill Creek at Broadway Avenue.

The project is expected to cost just over $1 million.  Additional funding will come from the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Bikes Belong and Freewheeler Bike Shop.  The city commission will recognize all financial supporters during its meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.    

Some West Michigan restaurants are honoring miliatry members  this Veterans Day by serving up free meals.

Lakeshore Partnership is also offering a free meal to veterans at 19 of its local McDonald’s restaurants.  Military identification is preferred, but not required.  Participating locations include: