April 13, 2015
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Street Talk: Their crowning achievements
With all the talk recently centered on the disconnect between the training workers have and the skills employers need, it’s nice to see some in the business community are actually doing something about it. Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, which matches business leaders with students in a mentoring/networking/hands-on style, is marking the achievements […]
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West Michigan economy enjoys unexpected surge
The growth rate improves! That’s the latest word on the West Michigan economy, according to data collected in the last two weeks of March. Our closely watched index of business improvement, which we call New Orders, bounced to +29, up from +13. The Production index posted a respectable gain, rising from +18 to +35. The […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds SEURYNCK, John P. et al, Talmer Bank & Trust, Cascade Twp., 5-6-10, $367,000 CASCADE HOSPITALITY INC., First National Bank Of Michigan, Cascade Twp., 7-6-10, $581,000 CAREY, Scott et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Underhill Add. No. 1, Lot 34, $220,000 BENNETT, Dianne E. et al, […]
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Survey finds business owners are optimistic
A national survey by PNC Bank indicates that small and mid-sized business owners are more optimistic this year about their company’s prospects and the U.S. economy. Surveys completed in Michigan show the sales optimism is even higher than the national level, although only 15 percent in Michigan are planning to add full-time employees this year. […]
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Change Ups: O-A-K to erect school project
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. of Kalamazoo has been hired to complete a $14 million bond project for Paw Paw Public Schools. O-A-K has been selected as construction manager for the project, with architectural partner, Kingscott Associates. The project will include district-wide remodeling, secure entry vestibules, instructional technology, additional technology infrastructure and instructional equipment. Construction will begin this […]
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The missing piece: the family wealth counselor
Family business is one of life’s most exciting, challenging and rewarding endeavors. When you decided to start or become involved in a family business, you probably had certain objectives in mind. Your list may have included any number of unique goals, but two are common for many family business owners: 1. Providing for the financial, […]
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Education needs to become a top priority
I read with dismay a recent Business Journal article entitled “Shrinking number of teachers signals end of a dream career.” The article cites a lack of societal respect for the profession, reduced job security, reduced salaries and benefits, increasing class sizes and increased emphasis on standardized tests as some of the main reasons for the […]
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Safehaus expands with West Michigan center
Safehaus Inc., which provides therapeutic intervention services for children, is establishing a new home in Grand Rapids. Safehaus, based in Warren, is expanding its services to West Michigan as it gets ready to open a facility in a house at 1820 Eastern Ave. SE to address a need for hospital care services in a homelike […]
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Lift the gates off policies and practices creating hurdles to employment
Business Leaders for Michigan senior executives focused on an “emergency” in educational skill sets during a CEO panel discussion in Grand Rapids, and after all the presentations and discussions, the result seemed to be a foregone conclusion: A disconnect between educators and business owners and a mismatch of needed skill sets is to blame for […]
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Drive meets goals for first season
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) With the first Grand Rapids Drive season in the books, Steve Jbara joked the office’s focus now is on a summer softball team. Jbara and his management team aren’t too concerned the Drive didn’t make the NBA Development League playoffs in its first year with a 23-27 win-loss record, […]
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Inside Track: A proven leader in destination sales
Over the years, Tom Bennett has watched Grand Rapids develop from afar. Prior to becoming the new vice president of sales and services at Experience Grand Rapids a little more than a year ago, Bennett was accustomed to flying back and forth between California and Michigan. Bennett grew up in Lansing, the eldest of five […]
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Business leaders sound alarm
The disconnect between workers’ skills and what employers need is reaching “emergency” proportions. The first in a series of three events hosted by Business Leaders for Michigan focusing on issues critical to the state’s success addressed opportunities in working with educational partners to strengthen the workforce pipeline. Business Leaders for Michigan held a CEO Roundtable […]
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Fellows step up to learn more in Grand Rapids
An advanced subspecialty training program in Grand Rapids is educating orthopedic surgeons in the foot and ankle field. The Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Foot & Ankle Center, an independent practice at 1111 Leffingwell Ave. NE, has been providing a 12-month didactic and practical subspecialty fellowship for board-eligible or board-certified osteopathic and allopathic orthopedic surgeons since […]
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Steel 21 is ‘burning’ into the future
The “21” in Steel 21 stands for the 21st century, and if its first two months in business have been any indication, it’s going to be a very busy century for the people at Steel 21. Steel 21 is an Algoma Township company supplying steel plate to industry. The 30,000-square-foot plant opened its doors in […]
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Connecting encore entrepreneurs
A workshop intended to improve older entrepreneurs’ success at an encore performance in business is coming to Grand Rapids this week. AARP and the U.S. Small Business Administration are sponsoring a workshop to connect older entrepreneurs with resources, business owners and experts. The workshop runs 8:30 a.m.-noon, April 17, at 50 Front St. SW in […]
