April 6, 2015
Law expands second chance for those convicted of crimes
In January, updates to Michigan’s expungement requirements went into effect, giving individuals convicted of certain crimes an increased chance to clear their record. “In Michigan, it used to be you were eligible for expungment if you only had one conviction, for the most part,” explained Daniel Broxup, an attorney with Mika Meyers. “Now you can […]
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Deepening the talent pool
Representatives from academic institutions and workforce agencies met employees of Mercy Health halfway during a recent conference. Mercy Health hosted the inaugural Building Talent Bridges: Education to Employment conference on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. The event invited representatives from educational institutions and workforce solutions agencies to participate in exploring solutions that address the […]
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New rule, broad outreach could increase vaccinations
LANSING — The percentage of parents in Michigan who opt out of vaccinations for their children is more than three times the national average, but the numbers vary greatly depending on where you’re looking. Waiver rates range from less than 1 percent in Branch County to nearly 20 percent in Cheboygan County. Michigan parents have […]
Statewide effort launches bioscience planning process
Organizations representing the bioscience sector across Michigan are participating in an initiative to develop a strategic plan to guide the industry’s growth. MichBio, the Michigan bioscience industry trade association based in Ann Arbor, announced at the end of January the launch of a collaborative statewide effort to develop a five-year strategic plan for the growing […]
WMU professor receives $416K grant for heart disease research
A chemical engineering professor has been awarded more than $416,800 in funding from the nation’s medical research agency. Western Michigan University announced James Springstead, a professor in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, received the grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue his research in examining the underlying biological mechanisms in the […]
Transplant surgeon joins Spectrum
A renowned cardiothoracic surgeon has joined Spectrum Health’s Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center. Martin Strueber, M.D., joins Spectrum Health to spearhead the continued growth and development of the Richard DeVos Heart and Lung Transplant Program. Strueber is a cardiothoracic transplant surgeon and an expert in transplant surgery and mechanical assist devices for the heart. […]
New state law regulates retirement communities
A new state law went into effect last week to address the changing environment in the retirement community industry in terms of life leases or continuing care agreements. The Continuing Care Community Disclosure Act, Public Act 448 of 2014, went into effect April 2 and is intended to regulate the offer and sale of life […]
Institute is building a national footprint through technology
Visit Van Andel Institute on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile and you’ll see plenty of evidence of our sense of history. That is especially true for me and my wife, Carol, when we view the in-lobby portraits of my parents, Jay and Betty, who founded the Institute in 1996. Alongside these portraits are quotes — personal […]
Street Talk: Inventors swim with the sharks
Inventors’ networks in Grand Rapids and Muskegon are going off the deep end — sort of. The Muskegon Inventors Network and Grand Rapids Inventors Network will be conducting “Shark Tank”-type competitions in the coming weeks with the winner of each earning up to $2,500 in ITEX Trade Exchange dollars to support their new business ideas. […]
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Change Ups: New building ensures efficiency
First Companies recently completed construction of a 22,000-square-foot building for Retina Specialists of Michigan on Cascade Road in Grand Rapids. The project design incorporates Lean Doctor principles to remove wasted movement, time and resources, ensuring maximum efficiency. The floor plan uses a “hub and spokes” design with a central work area for the doctors and […]
Sell like you did as a kid: 100 percent closing ratio
Think back to your selling ability when you were a kid. That statement no doubt brought a big smile to your face. The toy you wanted. The place you wanted to go. The candy bar you wanted in the checkout aisle of the grocery store. The TV show you wanted to watch. The movie you […]
European slowdown catches up with Michigan exporters
The economic stagnation in Europe and the slowdown in emerging economies have become a drag on worldwide trade. Recently released statistics by the World Trade Organization show that global exports plunged 10.4 percent to $1.24 trillion in the first month of 2015 from a year ago, which was the lowest monthly trade reading since February […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds PORTER, Seth E. et al, Huntington National Bank, Northwest Hilltop Add., Lot 24, $258,800 MULDER, Stephen et al, Nationstar Mortgage, Condo-Cascade Lakes Condominiums, $417,000 KENT, Wesley et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Catamount, $535,000 ROYCE, Jeffrey W. et al, Founders Bank & Trust, Masonic Home […]
Property value recovery has minimal impact on city coffers
While Grand Rapids property values are continuing to recover, the increases won’t produce a groundswell in property taxes for the city. That’s because taxable values are capped at 1.6 percent this year. This year the State Equalized Value, which represents an estimate of 50 percent of the fair market value of the properties assessed on […]
‘What interest rate?’
Kent County government and the county’s local governments earned approximately $1.4 million in interest on the $323 million in cash the county had invested during 2014, according to the annual report from Kent County Treasurer Ken Parrish to the Board of Commissioners in March. When asked later what that interest rate amounted to, Parrish replied […]
Road plan increases state spending and is filled with pork
On May 5, Michigan voters will be called upon to consider a change in the Michigan sales tax law, raising it from 6 to 7 percent. To change the sales tax requires a constitutional amendment, thus requiring a citizen referendum. The legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder are recommending this change in connection with the need […]
Butterworth among top hospitals for high-risk surgeries
The survival rate for high-risk surgeries continues to vary in hospitals across the country, with only two hospitals in Michigan fully meeting national standards for all procedures examined. The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization, released its “Predicting Patient Survival of High-Risk Surgeries” report March 12, which indicated Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand […]
Making your mark: how to obtain and protect a trademark
A key component of the strategy of almost any business is branding: building a name or logo that consumers associate with your business. The law recognizes that words or symbols that demonstrate a business's commercial identity are valuable components of a company's goodwill and are often relied on by consumers in making their purchasing decisions. […]
Statewide collaborative plan makes sense for bioscience industry
At long last the Michigan bioscience industry trade association, MichBio, is focused on development of a collaborative statewide strategic plan, and the Ann Arbor-based group is doing so in partnership with Business Leaders for Michigan and the University Research Corridor. That focus and the plan that results will undoubtedly impact West Michigan’s numerous contributors as […]
Blackford Capital keeps pushing acquisitions
Blackford Capital, a private equity firm that relocated to Grand Rapids in 2010, is busy acquiring more companies even as it continues to rack up awards and honors in the business world. Blackford will be among nearly 60 companies from across the state to be honored at the 11th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business on […]
Michigan has its own RFRA bill
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) While Indiana Gov. Mike Pence faces intense backlash from the business community and others across the country following his signing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, many businesses and individuals in Michigan hope Mitten state legislators are paying attention. “I just hope our lawmakers in Lansing are watching what […]
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Inside Track: Young finds wrestling with city government enjoyable
Michael Young must have been cut out for city management. At age 22, he was an intern under Eric DeLong, who was then village manager in Spring Lake. By age 28, he was the city manager of Rockford. That was 20 years ago — and he’s still there today. In January, Young was selected by […]
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Wege Prize awards $30K for circular economy proposals
As the “wicked” problem-solving competition called Wege Prize 2015 came to a close March 28, the three team finalists were awarded a collective $30,000 for their solutions to help create a circular economy. The winning transdisciplinary intercollegiate team from Western Michigan University — Western Sustainers — was announced during the final presentation and awards event […]
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JetCo provides link to government contracts
JetCo Solutions, an eight-year-old Grand Rapids consulting firm that helps companies win government contracts, has been named by the Michigan Defense Center as one of just two firms in the U.S. pre-qualified to be involved with its bid writing grants. The other consulting company is based in Utah. As explained by JetCo Vice President Sue […]
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Are brewers ready for the next step?
As more drinkers put down their Bud Lights and pick up craft beer made in Michigan, the next step is to see those Michigan beers made with Michigan ingredients. In the future, the state’s 150-plus microbreweries could be fueled by a network of hop and barley farmers, said Ashley McFarland, director at Michigan State University […]
