April 10, 2017
Forum to address municipal funding
Municipal funding can be a confusing issue — which is why the Urban Metro Mayors and Managers are hosting a public forum to educate community members on the state’s current funding system. On April 12, Mayors from Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker and Wyoming will take part in the Community Financial Health […]
WMU launches Collegiate Pathways program
Western Michigan University is tweaking the concept of dual enrollment through a new program called Collegiate Pathways. The university announced last month that it has signed a partnership agreement with Forest Hills Public Schools to allow the district’s high school students to take WMU faculty-taught classes in Mandarin Chinese at Forest Hills Northern High School […]
I’d rather have no sales advice than bad sales advice
I can’t help it. I recently read some bad sales advice, and I gotta say something. I’ll try to keep it positive, but my tongue is already bleeding from biting it. The title of the article was: “When sales calls stall.” Every salesperson has experienced that barrier in one form or another, so I wondered […]
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Change Ups: Downtown GR home to new bridal boutique
A new bridal boutique recently opened in downtown Grand Rapids at 52 Monroe Center. Ali Nicole Bridal features bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and accessories. A variety of trunk shows are scheduled. Owner Ali Powell said she wanted to create a modern bridal shop that offers dresses by up-and-coming designers who strive for high quality, freshness […]
Contractors expect a few dips, but remain confident of growth
Expectations for 2017 have become less optimistic, but the majority of industrial and commercial construction contractors still expect growth this year, according to the latest Construction Confidence Index from Associated Builders and Contractors. Although all three diffusion indices in the survey — profit margins, sales and staffing levels — fell by more than five points, […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds PORTER, Paul A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Kempf-Young Highland No. 2, Lot 56, $208,125 ELING, Katelyn et al, Old National Bank, Byron Twp., 18-5-12, $210,000 DANIEL, Larry R. Jr. Trust et al, Independent Bank, Dunton's Sub., Lot 1, $205,650 EZEKIEL PROPERTIES LLC, Huntington […]
West Michigan works to lower lung cancer rates
While Michigan is building a strong national reputation as the comeback state, it also is a leader in a more regrettable area — lung cancer incidence rates. More than 7,800 Michiganders are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and the state’s incidence rate of 67.5 cases per 100,000 is five points higher than the national […]
Street Talk: DeVoses toast new venture
The DeVos family officially owns a West Michigan hard cider company. The Business Journal reported in January that RC Investors, made up of Dick DeVos, Rick DeVos, Ryan DeVos and Nathan Lowery, were buying a majority of Ridge Cider Co. in Grant. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission approved the purchase, and Windquest Group sent a […]
Politicians’ loyalty should be to country, not party
We are staying in a condo on Hutchinson Island on Florida's Atlantic coast. Early in the morning, I watched a storm coming in over the water — on my right was a crescent moon surrounded by stars, and on the left were black billowing clouds and flashes of lightning. I thought it looked like Washington […]
Economic policy’s main goal: boosting household income
In the seventh year of a national economic expansion — and an even stronger rebound from near bankruptcy of the domestic auto industry — too many Michigan households are struggling. Michigan’s substantial economic challenges clearly are structural. The Michigan Association of United Ways recently found 40 percent of Michigan households do not have sufficient income […]
M&A firm stresses preparation before purchase
Before he started Rua Associates, Randy Rua was on the brink of quitting the mergers and acquisitions business. He had worked for five years at various M&A firms, and while he loved helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams, he noticed a persistent problem. The long-term success rates after a merger or acquisition hovered around […]
Region’s health ranks high
West Michigan remains one of the healthiest regions in the state, according to an annual report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Ottawa County is the top-ranked county in the state for health outcomes, joined by Kent County at No. 17 and Allegan County at No. 13, […]
Health advances must see continued improvement
The West Michigan community has been provided with several sets of new information giving an important overview of the “wellness” of the metro area. None of these statistical comparisons offer reason to coast into complacency but, rather, continue to build on long-time efforts that have moved the needle — especially in regard to health equity […]
Events to discuss talent shortage in city
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will address the challenges in attracting and retaining talent in the region, including the racial disparity in the engineering field, at the first in a series of events designed to engage the community in critical business issues. The Chamber’s “Summit Up!” series […]
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Inside Track: Hair stylist follows her dream
Josephine White said many African-American women face a familiar inconvenience: you go to a salon on the weekend and wait for hours in line for a hairstyle that takes several more hours to finish. Then sometimes, you get home and you don’t like the hairstyle, so you redo it. Growing up in Detroit, this was […]
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Marrying child care and the Secret Service
Child care center owner Kelly Squires met her husband Jason Russell at the gym when he was her personal trainer in 2006. She said he dropped the worst pick-up line she ever heard: “I work for the Secret Service.” “There’s no Secret Service in Grand Rapids!” she said with a laugh. In fact, four local […]
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Studio Wise has sights on national market
As it celebrates its 10-year anniversary, Studio Wise is eyeing the national market for more product rollouts. Troy Bosworth, Studio Wise founder, launched the business in 2007 with a focus on helping Grand Rapids restaurants and bars attract young adults by creating attractive and unique spaces where they’d want to hang out. “Grand Rapids was […]
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Consolidation paves path to success
Three years ago, Proos Manufacturing & Fabrication faced a tough decision. The company had to decide how to operate successfully as a third-generation, family-owned business. In 2010, Amy Proos took over ownership of the business started in 1919 by her grandfather, Neal Proos. Amy Proos said she has a desire to see the business diversify […]
