August 8, 2016

  • $8.6M available to help crime victims

    The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has an open call to all West Michigan groups that serve crime victims: a sizable amount of money is available for the asking. About $8.6 million in Victim of Crime Act grants are being made available for Michigan businesses, nonprofits and other organizations that service crime victims through […]

  • Banks face growing need for leaders, lenders

    There is a talent drought at commercial lenders and a leakage of top-level bank executives across the nation, according to a recent study by the financial information resource Bank Director. According to Bank Director’s 2016 Compensation Survey, released in May, 43 percent of those responding say there aren’t enough talented commercial lenders in their markets, […]

  • Get up from that desk, says dance proponent

    Few business owners, or teachers for that matter, need to be as physically fit for their job as entrepreneur and Grand Valley State University adjunct faculty Laura Armenta.  On a daily basis, Armenta must be able to perform multiple dance styles, teach yoga and lead fitness regimens. Don’t try all that at home.  Armenta, a […]

  • Change Ups: Signature represents mixed-use development

    Commercial real estate firm Signature Associates has been awarded representation of a 17,808-square-foot mixed-use development, 1059 Wealthy St. First-floor retail and second-floor office suites are available, and 44 residential rental units are being built on the site. Jeffrey Tucker of Signature Associates represents the owner, Green Cane LLC. Freyling Mendels was selected as the development’s […]

  • Public Record

    Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds ELLIS, Patrick B. et al, Evolve Bank & Trust, Riverside Gardens Add. No. 10, Lot 353, $224,000 HARTOG, Nicholas et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Saddle Ridge, $377,500 HAMMER, Benjamin et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., 4-7-10, $323,000 WHYTE, Anthony et al, Dart Bank, […]

  • Street Talk: Banking on bright shining buildings

    Sam Cummings made sure to mention convenient parking in his discussion with the Business Journal last week about the CWD Real Estate Investment renovations of the Calder Plaza Building, which currently has lots of room for tenants. The extensive renovation of the 1980 building is just the most recent in a slew of downtown renovations […]

  • DASH consolidates routes to step up frequency of runs

    Beginning Sept. 1, downtown’s four DASH routes will consolidate into two lines, which will operate on an extended schedule and utilize the Silver Line north of Wealthy Street as a de facto third DASH line. The current DASH routes — Hill, North, South and West — will consolidate into DASH West and North. Elements of […]

  • ‘Gray divorces’ and ‘silver separations’ present special challenges

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    Once again, baby boomers have come up with something new and all about us. It’s called the “gray divorce.” Used to reference the series of noteworthy legal events occurring when couples end marriages after age 50, gray divorce denotes not only changes in marital status occurring later in life, but also the myriad issues faced […]

  • Successful on paper: Growing printer celebrates 70 years

    Print isn’t dead. Just ask Tim and Mary Jane Schreur. The Schreurs are the happily married owners of Schreur Printing and Mailing, a Holland-based printing company that has been running strong since 1946. This year it celebrates its 70-year anniversary in a world that’s growing ever more digital. “People said print was going away, but […]

  • Grand Rapids location is a recruiting tool for businesses

    It is not a surprise that Grand Rapids has experienced impressive growth over the past five years. This resurgence has been so visible that professionals from across the country are choosing to move to Grand Rapids to work, live, and play — and we are taking full advantage of this movement at TowerPinkster. TowerPinkster is […]

  • Middle-age spread? Advance Packaging grows at 50

    As it celebrates its 50thanniversary this year, Advance Packaging Corp. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new 75,000-square-foot addition at its 4459 40thStreet facility, which now totals 500,000 square feet. The expansion is part of a two-year, $16-million investment the Grand Rapids-headquartered corrugated board manufacturer and converter is making, with $8 million being invested […]

  • Setting course to Windward takes all hands on deck

    Another big step in Muskegon development has been announced, this time with some promise of community unity and muscle — and that could start the economic domino effect that has long escaped this potential jewel of the West Michigan lakeshore. The Pure Muskegon investment group provided a long-awaited development plan for the former Sappi Paper […]

  • Before making the proposal, you’d better make the sale

    “Sounds good. Send me a proposal.” How many times have you heard that? Too many. So you run back to your office, put together a proposal, send it to the prospect and start the follow-up process (and the prayer vigil). Or do you? Reality: Make the sale before the proposal is written. Your proposal should […]

  • Wealthy Street entrepreneur earns an encore

    She’s an entrepreneur, a pioneer of the Wealthy Street neighborhood business district — and purveyor of some of the classiest fare in town.  And now Amy Ruis, founder of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, has been named as this year’s distinguished alumnus for the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s annual 40 Under 40 recognition of […]

  • Airport continues renovations, eyes new revenue sources

    (As seen on WZZM TV 13) Gerald R. Ford International Airport is in the midst of its $45-million Gateway Transformation renovation, with completion expected in 2018. The GFIA Airport Authority Board also is considering diversifying revenue sources, including “shovel-ready” tracts of land for development. The project promises to modernize the airport and embed it West […]

  • BoA plans major West Michigan expansion

    In an exclusive meeting with the Business Journal, Bank of America CEO and President Brian Moynihan outlined the company’s plan to expand on its 11 locations in the Grand Rapids area, noting the region’s quick growth, strong economy and longstanding business relationships with BoA made it an attractive location for expansion. “It’s a large market, […]

  • Inside Track: More than just a copier

    When John Lowery speaks about Applied Imaging, the company he founded in 1987, he brims with pride. That’s because it took several major leaps of faith to build the fledgling office equipment dealer into the $62-million organization it is today. As far back as he can remember, Lowery wanted to be his own boss. At […]

  • Wine smarts, sans snobbery

    Detroit-area native Peter Marantette ventured to DePaul University in Chicago, where he worked in the thriving restaurant industry and made his way up from server to bartending and into management. During his time at the now-closed Bistro 110, two mentors pushed Marantette to learn more about wine. In spring 2010, Marantette was asked to move […]

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