August 19, 2013
-
Change Ups: GR CityFlats Hotel achieves LEED Gold
The CityFlats Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification. The Grand Rapids hotel and its sister hotel in Holland are the only LEED Gold Certified hotels in Michigan. The five-story CityFlats at 83 Monroe Center inhabits what was once the Fox Jewelers building. LEED buildings are designed […]
-
Public Record
Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds LOTT, William E. et al, Fifth Third Bank, Cascade Twp., 3-6-10, $288,900 CURRIE, Michael B. et al, Huntington National Bank, Cascade Twp., 4-6-10, $410,000 PLAZA 28 LLC, Mercantile Bank Of Michigan, Condo-Plaza 28 Condominium, $700,000 KANITZ, Mark G. et al, Macatawa Bank, Grattan Twp., 14-8-9, $306,500 […]
-
Street Talk: Countdown to the Affordable Care Act
A major transition period for the Affordable Care Act — aka Obamacare — starts Oct. 1, with the beginning of open enrollment in the new health insurance exchanges for all who do not have health care insurance. All types of businesses and organizations are starting the drum roll. The Michigan Business and Professional Association bills […]
-
Road commission and townships work together
In a time of declining state revenues and increasing costs for materials and fuel, Steve Warren sees a bright spot in his job as managing director for the Kent County Road Commission. And it’s one that may only shine here. “I dare say we do have the best relationship with townships in the state,” said […]
-
Senior Meals cuts back on program
A polarizing perfect storm of need and funding hit Senior Meals Program Inc. this year. The senior-citizen-serving nonprofit at 2900 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, was forced to cut back last week on its Senior Meals on Wheels program due to the double-barrel impacts of needing to increase its efforts to serve an ominous “silver tsunami” […]
-
Establishing sustainable diversity, inclusion and cultural competency
Paul Doyle thinks Grand Rapids has the potential to create some of the best practice models in the country around the issues of diversity, cultural competency and inclusion, but he said it’s up to the community to take the necessary steps to develop those models and become a leader. “For Grand Rapids and West Michigan, […]
-
The size of the DID board will grow
As part of its transition into Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., the Downtown Improvement District is likely to increase its board membership this fall. At the same time, the longstanding Downtown Alliance, which has marketed the district and been the catalyst behind many of the sector’s events, will be phased out. And the only executive director […]
-
County looking at more funds for veterans
In addition to creating a new general operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the Kent County Finance Committee is trying to decide how to properly fund the Veterans’ Affairs Department. The county has about 35,000 veterans — the fourth highest in Michigan — and is expecting that number to grow. A recent county subcommittee […]
-
‘Like me!’ Why should I like you? I have no idea!
If you can remember that far back in Facebook history (2007), it started as a “fan” page. Then one day (way back in 2010), out of the blue, Facebook decided to change it to a “like” page. Why did they change it? Here’s their reason: “To improve your experience and promote consistency across the site, […]
-
Two manufacturers invest $1M
Two Grand Rapids manufacturers are investing in their companies and are seeking tax exemptions from the city. The combined investments exceed $1 million. Grand Rapids Label at 2351 Oak Industrial Drive NE wants to buy a new press for $920,199, a piece of equipment that will allow the company to expand its product range, reestablish […]
-
Market value of West Michigan’s agricultural production estimated at $1.8 billion
The total market value of West Michigan’s agricultural production is estimated to be $1.8 billion across all 13 counties. That’s a fact that Tim Mroz, vice president of marketing and communications at The Right Place Inc., wishes more people knew. “Since the recession, from 2009 to 2013, the food-processing job growth in West Michigan has […]
-
New IRS regulations may have farmers visiting their CPAs
When it comes to business expenses, farmers “would expense everything if they were given the chance,” according to CPA Claude Titche at Beene Garter in Grand Rapids. The IRS, on the other hand, has never seen an expenditure it doesn’t want depreciated over five years, he added. Those opposing viewpoints will collide on a lot […]
-
Tax-foreclosure auction set for Aug. 21
The tax-foreclosure auction taking place Wednesday will be significantly different than more recent sales, as fewer properties will be available. The Kent County Treasurer’s office had 309 properties up for auction last year and all but nine sold at the August and October sales. This Wednesday, bidders will choose from only 70 properties. What will […]
-
Industry ranks arena near the top again
After having a very good fiscal year, Van Andel Arena is also having a very good calendar year. Two trade publications, Billboard Magazine and Pollstar Magazine, have again placed the arena in their rankings of top-performing entertainment venues in the nation and across the globe for the year’s first half. Billboard ranked Van Andel Arena […]
-
Inside Track: A lifelong passion for acting, directing and teaching
This summer, the American Association of Community Theater honored Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Associate Director/Education Director Penelope (Penny) Notter with its Fellow Award. The Fellow Award is considered the highest honor within the national organization and is bestowed upon members of the AACT who, over a period of years, have contributed significantly to the idea […]
-
East Hills residential projects can go forward
Shayne Malone and Cherry Street Apartments LLC can begin renovating two vacant buildings in the East Hills neighborhood into residential units now that Grand Rapids city commissioners approved obsolete property tax exemptions for both structures last week. “There is significant investment that needs to be made,” said City Economic Development Director Kara Wood. The firm […]
-
MSU Extension program moves into Downtown Market
Members of the Michigan State University Extension program are preparing to move into their new office within the Indoor Market Hall when it opens at Grand Rapids’ Downtown Market Labor Day weekend. The program will offer services and classes for both vendors and shoppers. Kendra Wills, extension educator/commercial food systems, said that she expects to […]
-
Gordon Food Service to celebrate one year in new headquarters
It’s been nearly a year since Gordon Food Service opened its new headquarters at 1300 Gezon Parkway SW in Wyoming, and Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt said the company is impacting the city daily with its investments and its employment of residents. “We are glad they are here,” Holt said. Gordon Food Service has been […]
-
Advertising turns to $20 billion video game industry
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) You might be surprised to learn who is logging in hours on the newest video games each month. Then again, odds are you may be among the growing demographic of adults sidelining as a gamer. According to the Entertainment Software Alliance, 58 percent of Americans play videogames and the […]
-
West Michigan college attainment gap is worrisome
The most prosperous places in the country –– without a lot of oil and natural gas –– are mainly larger metropolitan areas with a high concentration in knowledge-based services and a high proportion of adults with a four-year degree or more. West Michigan is not one of them — largely because it is a laggard […]
-
Amash shows leadership in pursuit of transparency
In the first week of the Congressional summer recess, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade, has given most of his time to constituents and town hall meetings. His constituents have been most focused on the Affordable Care Act and while that, too, has been top of the Amash agenda, he has honed in on what he […]
-
Urban farming start-up grows deeper roots
A local urban farming initiative is growing. After only a year, Uptown Farm is blossoming into City Farmers, described on its website as a “collective of urban growers, entrepreneurs and food lovers.” Andy Dragt and his crew started Uptown Farm in July last year when they leased a 6,000-square-foot lot on Wealthy Street near Diamond […]
