December 10, 2012
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Consolidation analysis not conclusive
Members of the Kent County Community Collaboration Work Group got the bottom line regarding consolidations between metro areas from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research last week. Although the results weren’t conclusive, the findings didn’t offer overwhelming evidence for merging a county with a city, as the One Kent Coalition proposed last year for […]
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Government tries to catch up to today’s technology
People spend hours of their lives attached to technology: Cell phones, iPads and computers demand a significant amount of attention each day and store a huge amount of professional and personal information. Yet, the laws governing the privacy surrounding electronic communications date back to 1986. That’s the year the Electronic Communications Privacy Act was first […]
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Experience GR set to receive larger paycheck
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The destination marketer for tourism and convention business here is all but certain to get a bigger-than-expected payout for its work this year when Kent County commissioners meet on Thursday. Following the approval given by the county’s Finance Committee last week, commissioners are likely to appropriate another $160,406 from […]
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Is it a hidden and unpolished jewel?
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series looking at retail potential in downtown Grand Rapids. When Gibbs Planning Group Principal Robert Gibbs inspected three blocks of South Division Avenue last summer, he saw this small portion of the Heartside Business District as being economically challenged and with too many commercial buildings that were […]
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Grant helps pay for export growth
LANSING — Michigan has received the second-largest amount of federal funding through the State Trade and Export Promotion program to help small to medium-sized businesses increase exporting by promoting activities like trade shows and missions. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. will use its $2.1 million grant to help businesses focus on exporting by incorporating a […]
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Corridor receives green light
The North Quarter Corridor Improvement District can go ahead with its development and tax-increment financing plans. Grand Rapids city commissioners gave the CID the authority to proceed with both last week. However, City Economic Development Director Kara Wood cautioned commissioners that the new entity would likely only capture about $2,000 from the area’s property taxes […]
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State money encourages new high-tech startups
LANSING — With $8.5 million in grants to award, the state is encouraging local programs to support high-tech startup companies. The Michigan Strategic Fund and Michigan Economic Development Corp. offer the funding for outstanding programs around the state, with a focus on northwestern Michigan, Grand Rapids and suburban Detroit. The money will support three years […]
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App enhances warehousing
A new software application for managing warehouses is already revolutionizing how one global parts distributer is doing business. The team at Dematic, a material and logistics supplier for factories and warehouses, has developed the Dematic Mobile Monitor, which allows for mobile and tablet distribution operations. The application uses an operational, interactive, visual-mapping system that allows […]
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Inside Track: VanderKamp works to create his own future
Brett VanderKamp is perhaps one of the few former political candidates who doesn’t regret losing his bid for state senate. “It’s probably the best thing that happened for me,” said VanderKamp, who ran in the August 2010 primary as a “liberty-minded Republican” in the 30th District. “I’m glad I did it, but the experience I […]
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Holiday shoppers started before Thanksgiving
LANSING — Michigan retailers began the traditional Thanksgiving-to-Christmas holiday shopping season with a head of steam caused by shoppers starting their gift buying early, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The state’s retail industry boosted its performance in October, setting the […]
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Public Record
Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds 1144 P&P LLC, The Bank Of Holland, Koster Memorial Industrial Center No. 2, Lot 9, $469,939 MOSHER, Joseph M. et al, United Bank Mortgage Corp., Ada Twp., 34-7-10, $263,200 VISSCHER, Amy et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Troy Farms Site Condominiums, $280,600 THOMPSON-BUSCH, Angela K. et […]
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Stop cold calling and get a sales life: There’s a better way
“That’s all I can stands. I can’t stands no more!” When Popeye the Sailor says that, a can of spinach appears out of nowhere, he pops it open and downs it to gain amazing strength. From there he beats up Bluto and rescues Olive Oil. Well, I’m grabbing my can of spinach because I can’t […]
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Change Ups: Rising Star attorney to serve on First Tee board
Charlie Goode, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, has been elected to serve on the board of The First Tee of West Michigan, a nonprofit with a mission to impact the lives of young people with programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Goode […]
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No-contest clauses: leaving beneficiaries in terror
A no-contest, or "in terrorem," clause provides that a beneficiary under a will who contests the gift shall take either nothing or only a token amount instead of the provision made for him or her in the will. The concept appeals to the old adage that "a bird in the hand is worth two in […]
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Street Talk: Small business edges closer to the fiscal cliff
According to Matt Becker, partner at BDO USA LLC in Grand Rapids, “There’s never a dull moment in U.S. tax policy.” Last week BDO conducted its annual accounting and tax update seminar at Watermark Country Club for accounting professionals. Of course, the most prominent feature of the U.S. landscape these days is the so-called fiscal […]
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Jump start for 5-5-5
New, expanded research on smaller, cheaper and more powerful batteries for electric vehicles, funded with $120 million from the U.S. Department of Energy over the next five years, will be led by the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory and will include Johnson Controls in Holland, plus the University of Michigan and Dow Chemical Co. in Midland. […]
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City may offer car-sharing option to downtown residents
Car-sharing programs have become commonplace in larger cities across the United States, particularly cities that are more reliant on public transportation. As Grand Rapids grows and downtown parking becomes more of an issue, members of the Parking Commission think it is time to add car-sharing to the city’s growing list of transportation options. Commissioners are […]
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Work on Trade Center Building to begin soon
CWD Real Estate Investment is planning to begin its historic renovation of the Trade Center Building in the first quarter of next year. The landmark downtown building, which opened in 1896, will have its brick exterior improved and interior enhanced. Windows will also be added. If the city agrees, the project will include creating a […]
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County gets it right on collaboration analysis
When business leaders from the private sector challenged Kent County and Grand Rapids city leaders to consolidate services (on a very short timeframe), it was anticipated there could be great taxpayer savings, better coordination of services and a number of other benefits. As the year sets on the group established to determine such action, the […]
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The perfect use has been found for old downtown structure
If you wondered what the collective “hooray” was all about when it echoed through downtown recently, it was a loud and gratifying cheer for 616 Development. The urban development firm, headed by founder Derek Coppess, has begun its renovation effort to turn the unsightly, dilapidated Kendall Building at 16 Monroe Center NW into an attractive […]
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Franchisees need to understand lease options
As the economy continues to rebound in West Michigan, franchising is gaining steam once again – and that’s good news for commercial real estate. A recent national article underscored several franchising trends. As younger entrepreneurs enter the market, they are looking for lower-cost ventures that are environmentally friendly, health conscious and engaged with the community. […]
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To the moon and back — six times
“Nobody knows we’re here,” joked Christine Henisee, CEO of Ranir LLC on East Paris Avenue south of 44th Street in Kentwood. That’s because Ranir, one of the major contenders in the U.S. consumer oral-care products industry, keeps a low profile. But Henisee quickly clarified her statement, adding that some key people and organizations are, in […]
