April 27, 2015
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Change Ups: Schaafsma earns Tier 2 award
Schaafsma Heating & Cooling Inc. has earned the Tier 2 Medal of Excellence Award, and will go on to compete as one of the top 15 dealers in the nation in May. The award recognizes Bryant dealers that do “whatever it takes” to improve their business and is based on customer satisfaction, sales growth and […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds DANGL, William R. et al, First United Credit Union, Smith's Plat Of Brower Lake No. 1, Lot 55, $286,000 ABBOTT, James et al, United Bank Mortgage Corp., Gaines Twp., 33-5-11, $417,000 TROUT, James et al, Citibank, Jupiter Estates No 4 Lot 71, $245,471 FOX, John […]
‘I can’t find the buyer anymore!’ Here’s why …
Recently, I received the following letter: Jeffrey, I have some sales situations I can’t get past, and maybe you can help. I’m an insurance agent. I read your stuff — OK, I’m a fan. I’ve been getting blown off or stalled from accounts and managers who don’t make the final decision. I’ve given people the […]
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Migrant workers’ housing still unsafe, civil rights official says
LANSING — Five years after a report called migrant working conditions “intolerable,” Michigan is far from addressing the problems, the state’s civil rights director says. “The migrant farm worker situation in this state, in my opinion, is not as good as it should be,” said Matt Wesaw, executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil […]
More rent help for homeless veterans
Michigan’s two Democratic U.S. Senators have announced a federal allocation of $235,635 in West Michigan to provide assistance to help end veteran homelessness. The assistance is through a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. “Our men and women in uniform […]
Michigan Work Share offers alternative to layoffs
To avoid layoffs during a slowdown, Michigan employers can now reduce hours employees work during the week through a work sharing, unemployment insurance program. The Talent Investment Agency, a new state workforce agency within the Department of Talent and Economic Development, is providing employers a creative strategy to avoid layoffs during a business decline through […]
Is mass transit the answer to road woes?
LANSING — The May 5 ballot proposal to raise sales taxes for road improvements might be just a start toward fixing the state’s transportation needs. For many years, officials haven’t been fixing roads but patching them, said Denise Donohue, director of the County Road Association of Michigan. “Currently, we are simply patching potholes, which just […]
Public-private team seeks to bring EV Airway Innovation to market
A West Michigan graduate student has designed a medical device in collaboration with Spectrum Health Innovations and clinical staff to reduce risk to patients during hospital stays. A team of representatives from Spectrum Health Innovations, Spectrum Health clinical staff and a graduate engineering student from Grand Valley State University created a patent-pending endotracheal tube holder […]
Chemical Financial reorganizes executive structure
Chemical Bank, through its Midland parent company, Chemical Financial Corp., has unveiled a leadership reorganization that reflects in part the bank’s significant expansion over the last two years. Thomas Kohn, who was executive vice president of Community Banking, was named vice chairman and a member of the Chemical Bank board. Len Amat and Robert Rathbun […]
Job opportunities for disabled workers
LANSING — Workers with disabilities are often overlooked, even if they have the right skills for a job, state officials say. “There is tremendous talent out there in that segment of our community, and the opportunities to showcase that talent aren’t always there,” said Matt Wesaw, executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. […]
More loans, more members for Michigan Credit Unions
Michigan credit unions, according to the Michigan Credit Union League, enjoyed double-digit increases in business loans and auto loans through 2014, plus a healthy jump in membership. Loan growth grew 10.5 percent through the year, the fastest growing calendar-year increase since 1994, according to the Credit Union National Association. The 2014 key loan growth by […]
Street Talk: Kent County investing half of what the roads need
So says the acting head of the Kent County Road Commission. But he is proud of Kent County roads, so when asked what the roads will be like in the future if Proposal 1 fails May 5, Steve Warren says just take a look at the roads elsewhere in Michigan. And, if voters do turn […]
Supreme Court hears same-sex marriage cases
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) On April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional right and should be extended to couples in all 50 states. Four cases from the country’s Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals are at the heart of the hearing. Those cases — from […]
New bills aim to close the gender-wage gap
LANSING — Employers could be required to release gender-based wage information and the state could be required to report unequal wage data under a package of bills aiming to close the wage gap between men and women in Michigan. The Progressive Women’s Caucus laid out a plan for a 12-bill package April 14 saying they […]
State groups strengthen police, community ties
LANSING — As communities across the country confront mistrust between police and citizens, organizations across Michigan are working to build relationships officials hope can avoid unrest. For two decades, parts of the state have formed trust-building initiatives to ensure lines of communication are open to address incidents such as police shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, or […]
Legislation would shift power to D.C.
When people talk about the energy that powers their lives, they usually say they want it to be safe and affordable, and to be there when they need it. They also expect basic fairness — everyone pays their share to keep our Michigan communities and businesses running. The company I work for, Consumers Energy, hears […]
‘Human capital’: The critical issue is who has the power
I was recently sent an article from The New York Times that discussed “human capital” and whether this was the proper term to describe employees and the implications for society. It discussed issues of birth rates, skill levels and the evolution of workers, and raised the issues of slave ownership. It was interesting on a […]
Choice of business entity requires customized approach
Looking at a business, one can’t necessarily determine its tax-reporting status. The legal status determination is often easier, as business names typically include “Inc.,” “Corp.” or “LLC.” A corporation is generally either an S corporation or C corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes. The business name does not necessarily provide any clear insight into the […]
All aspects of Proposal 1 deserve voter support
Grand Rapids Business Journal has reported in more than 600 stories since late 2012 proposals to fund road repairs: from toll roads and corporate highway ownership to gas tax increases. The Business Journal has opined dozens of times since Gov. Engler’s administration that legislators had once again escaped or abdicated responsibility to assure Michigan roads […]
It could be worse
If you think health care is expensive, just know that it could be worse. Michigan’s Certificate of Need process and market conditions may play a role in its lower overall health care spending and hospital costs in comparison to Wisconsin and Indiana, based on a new study released this month. The Center for Healthcare Research […]
Davenport University launches Master of Accountancy
A new graduate level program beginning this fall will embrace the diversity of the accounting field while preparing students for competency exams using a curriculum tailored to specific areas of study. Davenport University announced earlier this month the launch of a new Master of Accountancy program for the 2015 fall semester offered through the Donald […]
A perfect storm in mental health services
The Kent County Board of Commissioners heard details of the “perfect storm” funding crisis in community mental health services, with the disparity between what the state government does for Southeast Michigan versus West Michigan once again an issue. Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180 — who used the phrase “perfect storm” — said the state […]
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Inside Track: Cultivating STEM excitement in young students
Keli Christopher is sparking students’ interest in science and math through recreational STEM programming to better prepare them for college and beyond. Christopher launched Mind Boggle in 2011 with a mission of providing a fun, hands-on experience for students in kindergarten through high school in the areas of math, science and engineering. Although she now […]
Marketing firm adds employees, square feet
A local marketing firm that started the year with six employees said it expects to grow to 15 employees by the end of 2015. Lead Marketing has already hired four new employees and will add the other five over the next several months. The firm is looking for digital specialists, digital coordinators and account managers. […]
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Fast on their feet
Most attorneys will never set foot in front of the Michigan Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court; those who do are likely to find themselves less prepared than they expected. That’s because arguing a case in front of one of these two courts is a completely different experience than presenting a case in a […]
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Muskegon creates business resource group
Four lakeshore-based agencies have launched an outreach program to coordinate the delivery of services offered by resource partners in the state providing opportunities and tools for Muskegon businesses. Muskegon Area First Economic Development Corp., Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Works! Muskegon-Oceana and Muskegon Community College jointly announced earlier this month the development of a […]
