December 14, 2015
Household models to be more resident friendly
Porter Hills held an open house Thursday to show off plans to turn its Meadowlark Retirement Community in Sparta into a “household environment” with a $1.2 million renovation project slated to start in the spring. “If my mom lived in this memory care, I’d have the ability to go in and open the fridge and […]
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Winter wheels
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Michigan is about to experience what “Game of Thrones” has warned about over and over again: Winter is coming. But there is at least one group that is undeterred by the change in seasons, and it’s not the mail carriers. Come snow, sleet, black ice, or even the possible […]
Changing preferences challenge transportation agencies
LANSING — Increased fuel efficiency, an insufficient gas tax and younger generations’ disinterest in owning cars have created a complicated combination of financial concerns for Michigan transportation agencies. Experts predict it’s not likely to change soon. Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle said younger generations increasingly depend on other forms of transportation as they put […]
Arrival of Uber means fewer cabs, cab drivers
LANSING — Uber may be a household name, but the entrepreneurial ridesharing company reached Michigan only two years ago, tacking Detroit and Ann Arbor onto its momentum for global popularity. Since then, the service has expanded to Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint and Kalamazoo. Meanwhile, many taxi companies, including some in Michigan, have struggled to keep […]
State will test more high-speed rails
LANSING — Part of Michigan’s passenger rail service goes 110 miles an hour — but not all of it. Next year the state will test additional tracks to support that speed along the Amtrak route between Detroit and Chicago. “We have three Amtrak trains that run from Michigan to Chicago and the rider shift numbers […]
State updating 20-year transportation plan
The long-range transportation plan for Michigan is ready for public opinion. As required by federal law, the Michigan Department of Transportation is requesting public feedback to help revise its long-range transportation plan, or SLRP. The SLRP is a 20-year plan that is updated regularly as a framework for transportation investment in the state, and is […]
Michigan lags in charging stations for electric vehicles
LANSING — Michigan has only 2 percent of the nation’s public charging stations for electric vehicles. Lansing has the most — 27 — followed by Detroit with 25. There are 11,254 alternative fueling stations, which can charge electric vehicles, and 31,265 charging outlets in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, while […]
Video system maker for vehicles zooms in on growth
A local company that equips police cruisers, transit buses and commercial and industrial vehicles across the globe with mobile camera systems is gearing up for growth as it sees increasing opportunities across all three of its market segments. Husband-and-wife team Liz and Steve Peacock founded Pro Vision Video Systems out of their basement in 2003. […]
Economic problems don’t always have economic solutions
In a recent New York Times article, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics Paul Krugman stated that “darkness is spreading over our society as evidenced in increased mortality rates resulting from suicide and excessive drinking, particularly among middle-aged white Americans.” He goes on to say that social programs, including Obamacare, are not enough to cure existential […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds LEON, Leon et al, Flagstar Bank, Wyoming, 31-6-12, $240,000 CONRAD, Erick L. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Hills Of Evergreen Lake, $372,000 MULLER ACQUISITIONS LLC, First National Bank Of Michigan, Kentwood, 14-6-11, $782,000 GRACE, David et al, Flagstar Bank, Lowell Twp., 31-6-9, $275,742 BRENNER, […]
Out of touch or out of their minds — or maybe both?
In a survey conducted by a big benefits management company (a management and human resource consulting firm), they asked 365 CEOs and sales management executives: “What are the three key factors that separate high-performing sales professionals from moderate- to low-performing sales professionals?” Both CEOs and C-level sales executives — all people who don’t sell but […]
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Change Ups: Clay shoot raises $25,000 for charity
The Associated Builders and Contractors/Western Michigan Chapter and Clays For Kids Foundation worked in tandem to raise $25,000 to support the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan. The funds were raised through the foundation’s annual charity sporting clay shoot, held this year at Kent County Conservation League. This is the third year in a row […]
City adopts revised Great Housing Strategies
Based on feedback and recommendations submitted during the public comment period ending Nov. 20, the Grand Rapids City Commission approved the adoption of an expanded and revised Great Housing Strategies: Addressing Current and Future Housing Needs during the Dec. 8 Committee of the Whole meeting. Connie Bohatch, managing director of community services for the city […]
Michigan reaches for 60 percent postsecondary attainment
Bipartisan legislators, business representatives and higher education leaders have released Reaching for Opportunity: An Action Plan to Increase Michigan’s Credential Attainment. The report outlines challenges and recommendations to reach the goal of having 60 percent of the state’s population achieve a postsecondary degree or credential by 2025. The report indicates its goal is both “ambitious […]
Website offers IT security help for small businesses
No business wants to deal with a cyber hacker, but small businesses especially don’t want to have to deal with one. The experience could be economically fatal. That’s why the Small Business Development Center of Michigan recently announced it has developed a new — and free — risk assessment tool for small businesses. The initiative, […]
Street Talk: A competitive game
Michigan lawmakers plan to scale back tax break legislation designed to land a mega-Internet data center in the state. The House's Tax Policy Committee chairman said Thursday the chamber will not pass a Senate-approved bill that would fully exempt data centers from Michigan's personal property tax on business equipment. Legislators and Gov. Rick Snyder continue […]
Paul Ryan: What kind of leader is he?
At the tender age of 45, new U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is one of the youngest men to hold the position of the 54th Speaker of the House (elected Oct. 29 after weeks of discussion), and he is third in line for the presidency behind Joe Biden. For several weeks now, all eyes have […]
Keeping the ‘family’ in family-owned business succession
Family-owned businesses are a driving force in the United States’ economy, contributing more than 50 percent of the gross domestic product. It’s easy to name some of the prominent family-owned businesses founded in West Michigan. These businesses provide the founding families with opportunities for gainful employment, leadership, and a sense of pride and freedom. Studies […]
New energy fuels Hispanic Chamber’s growth
It doesn’t make good business sense to ignore the impact of West Michigan’s Hispanic community, now and in the future. That is the message the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is promoting to the community as it starts the New Year with a new executive staff. The chamber, located at 1167 Madison Ave. SE, […]
Getting out of the ‘minority’ box
Grand Rapids Business Journal is reporting on the changes planned by the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, based on expanding membership and the number of business members attaining successful expansions and business growth as large business entities, not just startups and small businesses. It’s good news for the West Michigan business community as vendors, […]
Economic outlook remains positive
West Michigan’s economic leaders like what they see in 2016’s crystal ball. During the 19th annual West Michigan Economic Outlook event hosted last week by The Right Place Inc. at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids, approximately 400 local business and community leaders gathered to hear an update on the region’s current economic development […]
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Drug startup ready for human testing phase
Grand Rapids is the kind of city where a drug development startup can be formed and have a drug ready for human testing in less than four years. That’s exactly what Grand Rapids-based Tetra Discovery Partners has done. Tetra recently announced it has taken the first step of a three-phase initiative to deliver to market […]
Inside Track: Gardner puts down roots for a social enterprise nonprofit
Levi Gardner is trying to raise $1 million to make his dream for his urban agriculture venture, Urban Roots, a reality. Gardner started Urban Roots in 2013 as a for-profit business, but during its first two years he realized it is better suited as a nonprofit. He is currently going through the 501(c)3 approval process […]
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Mistletoe, bonuses and booze: recipe for a holiday lawsuit?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — unless you are in charge of planning your office holiday party. Not only will you face a hundred little questions: Lunch or dinner? Appetizers or plated meal? Relaxed formal or smart casual? You must also contend with that age-old question: What would the lawyers say? If […]
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Navigating the path to success
If you can imagine it, Kenneth Bornert will carve it onto a stick of wood and then sell it to you. And if you’re a Dr. Who fan, you’re in luck because that’s his new specialty. About six months ago, Bornert took his hobby of whittling walking sticks and turned it into a side business […]
