August 13, 2018
MDARD offers aid to ag businesses
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is helping agricultural businesses become more knowledgeable about their trading partners. In June, MDARD entered into a contract with the Van Andel Global Trade Center at Grand Valley State University to financially assist farmers and agricultural businesses in getting up to two worldwide credit reports per company […]
Bureau warns of ICO risks
Reports show initial coin offerings — the IPOs of the cryptocurrency world — have more than doubled in volume during the past year, raising $12 billion so far in 2018. The Better Business Bureau Institute and the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA) recently authored a blog post describing how ICOs work and spelling out the […]
Wayfair decision makes waves in Michigan
Supporters of the Supreme Court’s South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. state sales tax decision are hailing it as a victory for mom and pops — but a Michigan consultant said that proof remains to be seen. The decision handed down June 21 allows states to charge sales tax on purchases made from out-of-state sellers, even […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds JONES, Marcus R. et al, Northpointe Bank, Condo-Clark Place Residential Condominiums, $253,300 GALBRAITH, William John S. Jr. et al, Macatawa Bank, Forest Hills No. 4, Lot 150, $356,250 STEVENSON, Shamica M. et al, Guaranteed Rate, The Fairways, Lot 28, $278,100 RYAN, Gary C. et al, […]
Balancing the cost and value of employee remuneration
Last month, we wrote about a number of practices to attract, keep and motivate employees. The article had some terms currently used to describe practices that employers use to manage their hiring and retention objectives. These were generally focused on processes. The term remuneration is not one that is frequently used, as it is a […]
Change Ups: Kimball named to High Net Worth guide
Mika Meyers attorney Neil L. Kimball recently was included in the global legal ranking firm Chambers’ guide of professionals who service High Net Worth individuals called “Chambers HNW 2018.” Kimball was listed as one of 24 attorneys in Michigan. The HNW guide includes client comments it received about Kimball, who specializes in business, estate and […]
Kent County board should be encouraged to find agreement on committing to sustainable business park instead of landfills
In September, the Kent County Board of Commissioners will begin work sessions on the sustainable business park master plan and hopes to attract companies that can convert recovered material into new products — including combined heat and power plants. The master plan also focuses on a trash sorting and reuse facility, reducing landfill waste by […]
The future begins with our children
Let me tell you about a young man named Jason. Like many other teenagers growing up in an inner-city environment, he struggled in school and didn’t think he was going to make it. Jason was fortunate. He had adults to support him, motivate him and make sure he stayed on the right track. This past […]
Letter: The voice of reason
Editor: I just wanted to send a quick note thanking Lou Glazer for his ongoing editorial in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, especially his most recent, “Economic well-being starts with education” (Aug. 6, 2018). It has been very disconcerting for me to hear consistently over the last year that “way too many of our children […]
Street Talk: Safe at home
Not every question on last Tuesday’s ballots involved two or more candidates seeking public office. Wyoming residents overwhelmingly showed their support for the city’s Public Safety Department by approving a permanent renewal of the dedicated public safety millage of 1.25 mills by a vote of 7,306 to 2,223. Results show that 11,432 people voted in […]
Ford futurist gazes into crystal ball
Sheryl Connelly has some ideas about “future-proofing” businesses for the coming decades. Connelly, in-house futurist for Ford Motor Co., shared her insights as keynote speaker for SalesPad’s “Back to the Future” PANELS tech conference. She distilled planning for the future into three “legs:” where one is currently, where one wants to go and how to […]
SafetyNet enters MI market
A startup insurance company is now offering coverage to unemployed individuals in Michigan. SafetyNet, which is headquartered in Wisconsin, is part of a large organization called Cuna Mutual. It recently entered the Michigan market with the intent to provide insurance coverage to individuals who are laid off, as well as those who are sick or […]
Furniture industry eyes threats
Michael A. Dunlap & Associates’ latest report shows commercial furniture executives are starting to worry. The Holland-based firm released the results of its July 2018 quarterly MADA/OFI (Office Furniture Industry) Trends Survey on Aug. 7, which measures the current business activity of the office, education, health care and hospitality furniture industry and its suppliers. The […]
Funding fuels GRABB’s accelerator program
Grand Rapids’ Economic Development Corporation continued its $80,000 contract with Grand Rapids Area Black Business, and the funds will help the organization as it continues to accelerate African-American-owned businesses in Grand Rapids. The Business Journal previously covered the use of EDC funds to boost the GRABB 5 Business Accelerator program, a six-month process by which […]
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Inside Track: Cohen becomes the self-care superhero
Shannon Cohen said a genuine “How are you really doing?” is a question that often goes by the wayside in business circles. Cohen launched her Tough Skin, Soft Heart project in 2016 in response to what she saw as a “dearth” of affirmation and self-care for people who are considered “pillars” in the community. A […]
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New E. coli test could change food production
The threat of E. coli has prompted a Grand Valley State University researcher to find the bacteria in food before it hits the market for consumption. Kevin Strychar, an ecological researcher at the university’s Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon, was awarded a $96,007 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to […]
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Holland strives to keep parking free
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) As the region’s population continues to grow and multiple cities respond with downtown development, each city has its own parking issues and ways of dealing with them. The goal for downtown Holland, at least for now, is to keep parking free, said Jenna Elswick, senior planner for the city […]
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Kent trash reuse project worth $500M
Kent County’s plans for a trash sorting and reuse facility will produce a significant economic impact. The 106-page draft of the Department of Public Works “sustainable business park” master plan estimated a $500-million direct private capital investment, with waste sorting and processing alone creating 150 jobs and an annual economic impact of $130 million. The […]
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Calder Plaza redesign includes pavilion, café
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority approved the initial design phase to make permanent improvements to Calder Plaza. Phase 1 of improvements encompass the southeastern edge of the plaza and include edge planting improvements, a great pavilion with a stage and a café building. Stephanie Wong, project specialist for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., said the […]
