April 4, 2016
5.5 keys to naming your product’s price with confidence
The price of whatever you sell carries with it a discomfort for most salespeople. They’re hesitant to bring up the price because it’s the final element in completing any transaction — or so they think. Actually, price or fee or rate is a logical progression of a presentation. If the rest of the elements of […]
Street Talk: The downtown dilemma
Is Grand Rapids frothing its way toward a downtown development bubble? There’s so much going on in terms of development and real estate activity downtown, it’s hard to tell, according to Third Coast Development Principal David Levitt. He’s certainly not giving up on the city — far from it. Third Coast will embark on several […]
Letter: Don’t overlook other NOCHS issues
Editor: Lody Zwarensteyn’s letter to the editor (“Township has fiduciary responsibility to NOCHS,” March 21) primarily addresses the financial aspect of Health Pointe’s impact on Grand Haven/NOCHS. However, it overlooks several critical issues: 1) The current number of Tri-Cities area residents who travel daily to Holland for health care. 2) Some years ago, the Urology […]
Cities eye land transfer as part of $15M project
Collaboration between two cities could result in a major industrial park. The Grand Rapids City Commission has scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m., April 12, to discuss whether the city will enter into an agreement with the city of Walker for a proposed Act 425 boundary transfer of approximately 200 acres of land to […]
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Donation connects welding program and national supplier
A North American supplier is investing in the future of its industry by relieving some of the cost burden of students in the welding engineering program at Ferris State University. Airgas Inc., a national supplier of welding and cutting automation equipment, specialty gases and safety products, donated nearly $50,000 worth of personal protective equipment to […]
WMSC prepares to strut its stuff as host of national symposium
As a relatively young organization, the West Michigan Sports Commission will get a nice feather in its cap this week when 1,000 peers — and potential clients — visit downtown. The 24th annual National Association of Sports Commissions Symposium is at DeVos Place April 4-7, and will offer the 10-year-old WMSC access to national sports […]
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Official holds out little hope for trade with Cuba
According to Charles Shapiro, Cuba is atop a high dive with a decision to make. The island nation can either climb back down the ladder to the inefficient economy it has had since 1959, or jump in and follow China’s capitalist economy, said Shapiro, former coordinator for Cuban Affairs for the U.S. Department of State, […]
The Project tackles chronic disease prevention in children
A West Michigan-based project management competition returns for the fifth year with an eye toward preventing chronic diseases in children. Collegiate teams of junior, senior and graduate-level students from eight academic institutions will gather April 11 at The Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Drive, Hudsonville, to participate in The Project 2016 competition, hosted by the Western […]
Scientific collaborations drive discovery: revolutionizing the paradigm
Two decades ago, mapping the human genome was a dream — rooted in the possibility of progress and the hope of discovery. The effort took years, but the persistence of an international network of scientists resulted in one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history. This endeavor wasn’t a one-person job — it took teamwork, […]
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Change Ups: Culinary team wins top state title
Baker College of Muskegon’s Culinary Institute of Michigan took the top spot in the American Culinary Federation Michigan State Hot Food Competition in Farmington Hills, and went on to the ACF Central Regional Culinary Salon Competition in St. Louis. The team competed against a team from host Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute to win […]
Construction employment recovery is slow but steady
The U.S. construction industry added 19,000 net new jobs in February according to an analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly report. Year-over-year, the industry has added 253,000 net new jobs, an increase of 4 percent. The nonresidential sector added only 2,800 net new jobs in February after adding 3,600 jobs in January […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds DANIELS, Kord L. et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Courtland Twp., 17-9-10, $284,000 KLINZING, Elizabeth J. et al, Old National Bank, Campau's 2nd Add., Lot 5, $222,832 KELTING, Scott E. et al, Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., 29-8-10, $386,500 HANS, Timothy L. et al, Independent Bank, Cannon Twp., […]
Beyond owning a small business: finding what feeds your soul
I just learned that a man I have had a long relationship with, Phil Biggs, is still playing in the local band Mid-Life Crisis. Playing in the band has been a long-term commitment of Phil's, but he also has had a successful business career. So the question becomes: Is Phil a business person or a […]
‘Chicks in charge’ are major contributors to Grand Rapids
When my business partner and I put our toes in the water in Grand Rapids nearly five years ago, we discovered an amazing attribute that many seem to take for granted: Women leaders permeate the landscape. These “chicks in charge” — a descriptive phrase I use with great respect and admiration — are everywhere: from […]
The reality of virtual learning in Michigan
Michigan has been a pioneer in the field of virtual or online learning for the last two decades. The state has offered online educational and training opportunities on a digital platform for at least 20 years. Institutions such as the Michigan Virtual Automotive College began providing professional development and training online in 1996; the state-supported […]
Walker, GR boundary transfer is a ‘win-win’ for regional economy
The cities of Grand Rapids and Walker will hold public hearings next week on a “boundary transfer” from Walker to Grand Rapids to accommodate a developer eyeing a multi-million dollar mixed use industrial park. The proposed agreements include what the Business Journal believes to be an almost unprecedented revenue sharing proposal, the only similar example […]
Start Garden Ecosystem takes on leadership role
The startup ecosystem in West Michigan has a new captain at the helm to help entrepreneurs navigate the myriad resources, funding and services while increasing access to all industry sectors. The Grand Rapids SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority has contracted with a newly formed nonprofit previously affiliated with the $15 million venture capital fund Start […]
Developers see census numbers as validation
With so much development and positive branding coming from Grand Rapidians, the recent U.S. Census Bureau numbers brought a sigh of relief. Near the end of March, the Census Bureau reported the Grand Rapids metropolitan statistical area — Barry, Kent, Montcalm and Ottawa counties — grew nearly 1 percent from July 2014 to July 2015. […]
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Inside Track: Entrepreneur finds satisfaction in working for others
Spencer Blanchard is a business owner who became so popular with his clients, he ended up working for them. Blanchard is a Grand Rapids native and entrepreneur. Specifically, he’s what you’d call a digital marketing expert in the field of “startup, venture capital based, community and growth-hacking.” He is the founder of The Tillery, a […]
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Kendall has designs on medical illustration
More than 500 years after Leonardo da Vinci drew his seminal “Vitruvian Man,” the intimate relationship between science and art continues to be a point of emphasis for students at Kendall College of Art and Design. And as of 2012, students have had the opportunity to obtain a degree that blends the two fields even […]
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Technology creates a more comfortable bike
In a city where biking is becoming all the rage, a startup is looking to create the most comfortable bike for everyone. Alter Cycles is a Grand Rapids-based company that’s bringing a technology-savvy bicycle to the marketplace. The company, which was founded in January 2015, makes bicycles that have a special flexible frame with a […]
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Perrin partnership paying dividends
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Year-to-date, Perrin Brewing Co.’s revenue is up 94 percent against last year. Perrin’s growth last year was no slouch either, finishing 40 percent up and brewing 14,000 barrels, according to owner Keith Klopcic. Klopcic is roughly a year into his partnership with Oskar Blues Holding Co., which acquired Perrin […]
