August 27, 2018
Dear, Bill: Thank you for your sage advice, knowledge
For those of you who follow the Grand Rapids Business Journal Matters column, you know William (Bill) F. Roth III. Bill has been a contributing writer to the column for the majority of his career and has masterfully written many articles covering a wide range of technical tax and accounting matters in such a way […]
Neighborhood coalition offers city commissioners important directives on affordable housing, inventory plans
Residents and members of varied Grand Rapids neighborhood associations took the initiative to spend several early spring and August days in meetings and study Housing Now! proposals the city commission has been eager to adopt, proposals the elected city officials think would address affordable housing availability. The various association members, gathered as the Neighborhood Association […]
Street Talk: Kent pay hikes on tap
Kent County police officers will see nearly $1 million in total wage increases over the next five years. The county board of commissioners approved a five-year labor agreement for Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2023, with the Police Officers Labor Council Captains/Lieutenants, which represents 21 members. The current three-year agreement expires at the end […]
Taking Michigan from good to great
Next month, the West Michigan Policy Forum (WMPF) will celebrate 10 years since our first conference. As we look back, it’s clear Michigan’s economy is far better than it was 10 years ago. Dramatic policy changes have been achieved in Michigan — from Right to Work to the elimination of the job-killing Michigan Business Tax […]
Kent hiring six officers at $705K cost
Three Kent County school districts each will get a new resource officer, and Byron Township will get three new road patrol officers. The county board of commissioners approved the additions at its Aug. 23 board meeting. School resource officers Comstock Park Public Schools, Sparta Area Schools and the Kent Area Intermediate School District headquarters each […]
Kent considers 27 new positions worth $2.1M
Kent County is considering the addition of 27 new positions in several departments. The county board of commissioners will vote Sept. 27 on whether to add the new positions, purchase another police vehicle and convert one part-time position into a full-time position. All positions would go into effect Oct. 1, with funding included in the […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds SINGH, Rajinder et al, Fifth Third Bank, The Orchards No. 3, Lot 99, $207,000 DICE, Kip et al, Huntington National Bank, South Creek East, Lot 24, $270,750 NELSON, Casey R. et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Condo-Blossom Trail Estates, $216,600 JOZWIAK, Paul et al, Northern Mortgage […]
-
Change Ups: RedWater reaches agreement to acquire Boatwerks
The RedWater Restaurant Group executed a definitive agreement to acquire Boatwerks, a waterfront-dining restaurant at 216 Van Raalte Ave. in Holland on Lake Macatawa. Joe Walsh opened Boatwerks in 2006 and additions started in 2008 when an outdoor patio bar was added. A year later, glass walls along the boardwalk were added to create waterfront […]
Boxed Water aims to clean up beaches
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Boxed Water expanded its environmental action beyond reforestation and now is aiming to clean up beaches. The Grand Rapids-based paper-packaged water company launched an initiative in mid-August to equip customers with the means to assist in the effort. “We have a huge plastic pollution problem that is damaging our […]
Housing changes rankle residents
Members of several Grand Rapids neighborhood associations are pressing the city for a more thorough community engagement process before possible zoning changes are made in the interest of affordable housing. West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology’s Public Agency hosted a series of community engagement meetings in mid-August to gather feedback from residents and neighborhood […]
-
Inside Track: Opportunist rises to the top
Despite being vice president of operations for SalesPad, Dan Hodgson entered the rapidly growing software company with no college education or any technical experience. “That’s kind of a weird thing for my position, to be where I’m at,” Hodgson said. “I didn’t take the ‘normal’ route.” He does, however, possess experience in management and customer […]
-
Agency is facing tall task
Michigan is starting to reinstate federal work requirements for able-bodied adults in 69 counties, but a local organization with little funding must take on the huge task. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it informed 67,000 able-bodied adults across the 69 counties, including Muskegon County, they must fulfill the federal work […]
-
Baker rethinks marketing approach
One local bookstore is taking a page out of an online retailer’s playbook. Baker Book House is remodeling its business approach as it attempts to keep up with Amazon. According to DMR Business Statistics, 300 million buyers and sellers use Amazon, roughly 30 million people use the Amazon mobile app each month. About 80 percent […]
-
Manufacturer gives innovation a prime spot
GHSP has been shifting toward advanced manufacturing over the past decade, and it now has a hub where technology is king. The manufacturer this month opened an innovation center at 6 Sherman Ave. in downtown Grand Haven — a stone’s throw from the beach and about 2.5 miles from its headquarters at 1250 S. Beechtree […]
-
Nonprofit completing $4.2M project little by little
When the opportunity came to lead a nonprofit dedicated to caring for adults with special needs, Casey Kuperus decided to leave his for-profit job in May to take the role. Having grown up with an older brother who was developmentally disabled, Kuperus said he wanted to help special needs people and their families with the […]
-
Recruiting firm brings survivor ‘full circle’
When Ashley Ward meets with prospective clients, she cuts to the chase about her mission. Several years ago, she experienced an abusive relationship while she was a stay-at-home mom raising her daughter. Despite feeling trapped, Ward’s fear that her daughter might one day repeat the cycle gave her the courage to flee to Safe Haven […]
