April 29, 2019
Economy marks a decade of slow and steady recovery
West Michigan’s recovery from the Great Recession officially began exactly 10 years ago this month, and recovery still is proceeding at the same slow pace we have been observing since 2009. According to the data collected in mid-March, New Orders, our index of business improvement, remained virtually unchanged at a modest 17, up from 16. […]
Michigan launches industrial hemp pilot program
The state of Michigan is not waiting on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to experiment on its newest crop. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently announced the launch of the Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program, which will allow farmers, processors and institutions of higher education to grow, cultivate and […]
Bill under consideration encourages energy resilience
A bipartisan push to inspire private solar usage currently is under consideration by the Michigan House of Representatives. Reps. Steve Johnson, R-Wayland, and Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, recently introduced legislation to promote energy resilience by allowing the use of microgrids, which enable energy users with renewable energy systems to disconnect from the main electric grid […]
Street Talk: Task force eyes projects
Community leaders are taking the next step toward determining whether to build a new convention hotel and/or an amphitheater. The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority launched a Proof of Concept Task Force to help staff gather more information on the two projects. The CAA board will consider this information in its vote to further pursue […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-00808 – BACON, Joshua A. & Elizabeth J., 8419 Eldora SW, Byron Center, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. 7) 19-00809 – KING, Joseph R., 4120 Sandpiper Drive, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. 7) 19-00818 – PIERCE, James S. Sr. & Ingrid G., 3933 Oakcrest Court, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. 7) 19-00829 – PERRY, Allen J. & […]
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Change Ups: Workforce board receives recognition
The West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board was presented with the 2019 Trailblazer Award in a ceremony held in Washington D.C. The award, which is an initiative of the National Association of Workforce Boards, recognizes innovation and leadership in developing and delivering workforce solutions in the community. The West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board was […]
Varnum pumps more funds into program for startups
Varnum’s MiSpringboard program has reached a milestone. The program has provided free legal services to over 500 startups and second-stage businesses across the state. With its growing client base, the Grand Rapids-based law firm has invested $1 million into the program for the third time since it was founded eight years ago. “When we started […]
Long VC shortage continues
An annual analysis of venture investment activity in Michigan shows the growing number of Mitten State startups will need far more capital than the state’s VC firms can offer in the next two years. The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) — a nonprofit trade association focused on increasing the amount of capital and talent for […]
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Inside Track: Continuing the family legacy
Elizabeth Christopherson is a third-generation dental care provider. Her grandfather was a dentist in Kalamazoo, and her father owned Caldwell Orthodontics in Grand Rapids. Christopherson bought her father’s business in 2011, renamed it Christopherson Orthodontics and has been continuing the legacy ever since. Christopherson knew she wanted to do something in science, so she pursued […]
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Pine Rest aims to ease strain on ERs
Kent County’s first urgent care center for mental health is now open. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services opened the Psychiatric Urgent Care Center on April 15 at its main campus in Cutlerville, at 300 68th St. SE. The 14,000-square-foot center is inside the $12.4-million expansion completed in 2017 that included a 26-bed adolescent and […]
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Employers develop common job app
A local employee support organization and four employers have teamed to help job seekers save one of their most precious commodities: time. Four West Michigan employers — Butterball Farms and Wolverine Coil Spring in Grand Rapids, Cascade Engineering in Cascade Township and Zeeland Lumber & Supply based in Zeeland — have created a common employment […]
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Study shows $85M Downtown Market impact
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) A new study shows the Grand Rapids Downtown Market has an overall economic impact of $85 million and produces and supports 764 jobs. Completed by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business, the number comes from factoring “casual visitors” — those in Grand Rapids for other reasons who also […]
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Sparta eyes small business incubator
A new small business incubator may be coming to downtown Sparta. The Sparta Downtown Development Authority is in early planning and fundraising stages to create small shops that would temporarily house and incubate new small retail businesses. The conceptual plan, called “The Orchard” for now, would better underutilize a 200-space parking lot along Nash Creek […]
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Health system earns distinction for electronic records
A health system in the area has earned a top designation for its use of electronic medical record technology to improve patient care. Metro Health-University of Michigan Health is the first in West Michigan to attain Level 7 status from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, or HIMSS, for its use of electronic medical […]
