Novi-based ITC Michigan’s rain garden project at its Wayland warehouse earned the Green Infrastructure Project Award from the Wildlife Habitat Council. The rain garden features absorbent plants, loose fill and a physical design that lessens the volume of untreated storm water runoff that can pollute rivers and streams. The warehouse falls under the company’s ISO 14001-based environmental management system, which focuses on environmental sustainability. ITC currently has a total of 14 Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certifications in Michigan and Iowa. 

ARTS

Kent District Library board of trustees member Shirley Bruursema is the recipient of an award during the Michigan Library Association 2016 Annual Conference in Lansing for her enthusiasm for public libraries and dedication in educating and coaching libraries. Bruursema has been a KDL trustee for more than 20 years and a Lakeland Library Cooperative board member for over 30 years.

BANKING

Alex Merz joined Holland-based Macatawa Bank’s mortgage team as mortgage loan officer in its Wyoming market.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Allegra Marketing Print Mail announced the additions of JoAnna Gonzales as an account executive and Brittany Schmeltzer as a graphic designer.

EDUCATION

A grand opening was held for the T2C Studio: Grand Rapids Center for College Success, a community-based response to increase postsecondary degree achievement for all persons, particularly first-generation students and persons of color. It was launched by the To College, Through College Initiative, a community collaboration funded by the Lumina Foundation and facilitated by Our Community’s Children, a partnership of the city of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology is the recipient of a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by First Lady Michelle Obama.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Blackford Capital announced founder and managing director Martin Stein was named Private Equity Professional of the Year at the 15th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. The firm was named a finalist in nine other categories, including National Private Equity Firm of the Year.

FOUNDATIONS

Christopher Riker joined the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation as its vice president of advancement and donor services. Riker will steward existing donors and constituents, as well as introduce Community Foundation services and expertise to individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and professional advisors. Riker also will work on actively engaging the next generation in philanthropic conversations.

GOVERNMENT

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in New Buffalo and its Four Winds Casinos have donated 1,000 baskets of food to those in need across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Employees at Four Winds Casinos, in cooperation with several local organizations, delivered the baskets Nov. 18-22. Each basket included a turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn and pumpkin bread.

GRANTS

Ferris State University, in Big Rapids, assistant professor Michael Reger received a Faculty Research Grant through the university’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, with the goal of exposing senior Danielle Winkler of Belmont to a large database to examine statistically significant results on prostate cancer mortality. The end goal is to draft a manuscript of their results early in the spring 2017 semester and finalize their work around March, prior to Winkler’s graduation with a bachelor of science in public health at the end of the 2017 spring semester.

HEALTH

Wendy’s of Michigan, owned and operated by Grand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group, launched its Change a Child’s Life campaign that runs through Dec. 31 in all 46 West Michigan locations. Customers are asked to “round up” their bill by 50 cents, or buy a pin up for $1 to help improve children’s patient care at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

HUMAN SERVICES

The city of Wyoming hired Chad Boprie as director of the Wyoming Senior Center.

LEGAL

Bert Irwin joined Plachta, Murphy & Associates as a business attorney. Irwin’s areas of expertise include business and corporate law, litigation and real estate law.

Smith Haughey Rice and Roegge announced attorney Patricia A. Sheltrown joined the firm’s family and divorce law and estate planning practice groups in its Grand Rapids office.

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP announced the addition of five attorneys to its law firm: DeAndre’ Harris; Warda Ashraf Kalim; John C. Muhs; Ryan Richter; and Clint W. Westbrook. Harris, Kalim, Richter and Westbrook will practice in the firm’s Grand Rapids office; Muhs will practice in the firm’s Southfield office.

MANUFACTURING

Haviland Products Co. hired Ramon Hernandez as its environmental health and safety specialist.

Twenty-thousand-square feet of Porous Pave XL was used to install a new half-mile long Wellesley Office Park Walking Path in Wellesley, Mass. Porous Pave Inc. in Grant manufactures Porous Pave XL, a highly porous, durable and flexible surfacing material consisting of recycled rubber, aggregate and a liquid binding agent that provides a safe path through the woods without compacting the underlying soil or increasing runoff to the river.

MILITARY

West Michigan troops and veterans were welcomed home Nov. 23 during the Thanksgiving season at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport thanks to therapy dog teams and the Patriot Guard Riders that participated in “Operation Handshake” to thank them for their service. 

NONPROFITS

Byron Center-based Habitat for Humanity of Michigan announced it will continue to be the official beneficiary of the Aug. 12 Mighty Mac Swim, an annual race across Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac. Funds raised through the Mighty Mac Swim are targeted to building a home for the family of a “deserving American hero” and funding other home improvement projects for veterans and first responders. The fundraising minimum for swimmers was lowered from $5,000 to $3,000, with the expectation of drawing more participants.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Gov. Rick Snyder announced reappointment of Mark Meijer, of Grand Rapids, to the Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors.

RESTAURANTS

Ada Pour House owners Robert Aldridge and Jason Starr announced they will open this winter a farm-to-table sports bar named Blue Moose at the Cascade Center, 6250 28th St. SE. It will accommodate up to 175 patrons and will feature a food menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Significant renovations are planned, which was formerly the Cascade Sports Bar and Grill.

RETAIL

Posh Petals owner Elizabeth Schenk announced she has relocated her floral design and event planning company to a 3,000-square-foot building at 806 Bridge St. NW.

SPORTS

The following were selected as the 2016 Meijer State Games of Michigan Athlete and Volunteer of the Year: Adult Male, Marc LaForest – Archery – Allegan; and Volunteer: John Schowalter – Pickleball – Grand Rapids.

TECHNOLOGY

Blue Medora announced its new True Visibility Suite for New Relic. By extending New Relic's cloud-based monitoring capabilities to the entire heterogeneous stack, DevOps and IT operations teams easily can share information, collaborate and quickly resolve issues.