December 15, 2014
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Change Ups: Dentler receives Golden Pelvis Award
Jennifer Dentler, coordinator of the Allegan Pelvic Wellness Center and Allegan General Hospital’s Spirit of Women program, recently earned the Golden Pelvis Award during the Improving Outcomes in Pelvic Health conference in Chicago. Dentler received the award for exemplifying excellence in the advancement of women’s pelvic health awareness and action, and because of her dedication […]
Trillium sparks conversation on how to live, die and grieve well
A new organization is taking a different approach to the end-of-life journey by emphasizing honest communication between patient and physician and serving as a resource for those navigating complex medical and emotional decisions. Trillium Institute is intended to help the general public and medical community prepare for serious illness, navigate the health care delivery system, […]
Median household income is best in six years
Economic growth in West Michigan eased to a slower pace in November, according to data collected during the last two weeks of the month. Our index of New Orders remained positive at +16, but the rate of expansion was well below the +26 and +27 for the previous two months. In a similar move, the […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds KRAUSS, Jeffery R. et al, Independent Bank, Woodruff Estates No. 4, Lot 68, $234,000 DEYOUNG, Wesley R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Oneida Hills, Lot 59, $200,800 HOWELL, Abraham J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Bluegrass Meadows No. 2, Lot 41, $203,000 PLAKMEYER, […]
The risk of 9 to 5 and the reality of before and after
Ninety-five percent of all salespeople try to fit their sales day into a normal workday. They want their day to be from 9 to 5, or maybe from 8 to 5, or maybe even from 8 to 6, but very little before that or after that. The reality is that 9 to 5 is the […]
Street Talk: Spreading the faith from all perspectives
“I happen to be a Christian myself, but I appreciate the various perspectives,” said David Bulkowski, who represents the city of Grand Rapids as a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. The 19 members of the commission take turns inviting a different religious leader to give the invocation at the start of every […]
State board supports Kent parkland purchase
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board is recommending the Michigan Legislature fund 69 recreation development projects and land acquisitions in 2015, one of which is the purchase of 170 acres in Caledonia Township by Kent County for addition to an undeveloped park. The state board has endorsed Kent County’s application filed in April for […]
Kent County prepares for expanded services for veterans
Hiring of additional staff is underway in Kent County, as is the search for a new home for the county’s office of veterans services, the result of the successful millage vote in November. The proposal tacks an additional 0.050 mills on the county tax rate, which will raise slightly over $1 million in additional funds […]
Have you formed a personal mission statement?
Every organization must have a mission — a vision, a reason for “being.” Unless an organization exists to fulfill a specific and necessary purpose — to produce a product or provide a service — it will not survive. Without a mission, an organization cannot focus its resources toward the accomplishment of an identified purpose, choose […]
High-quality child care is good for business
Business managers know this to be true: To prevent absenteeism and turnover among employees with children, it’s vital that workers know their kids are in safe, stable and high-quality child care when they’re away from home. Though child care isn’t talked about nearly as much as it should be as a factor for business success, […]
Talent 2025 report pegs strengths, weaknesses
An extensive labor market analysis showcases the region’s strengths and the need to bridge potential gaps among education, training and industry demands. Talent 2025, a collective CEO-led effort to raise the standards of talent development throughout West Michigan, released a comprehensive report this month evaluating the current and future needs of employers with a goal […]
‘Tis the season for … gift cards?
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Do gift cards suck? That’s the assumption behind a new campaign from CafePress Inc. aptly titled “Gift Cards Suck.” CafePress, a Louisville, Ky.-based digital retailer of stock and user-customized products, recently launched the campaign calling for consumers to “stop the madness” by not spending money on purchasing gift cards, […]
2025 goal: Educated and trained workforce
As winter graduates cross public stages this month, Talent 2025 released its most comprehensive report on current and future needs of employers in the 13-county West Michigan region, providing a map from that public stage to careers and jobs. The report aligns with current economic projections for hiring and job growth, underscoring positive trends noted […]
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Autocam Medical expands its presence
A Grand Rapids-based medical device company is looking to expand into the contract/manufacturing market by adding to its customer base with the acquisition of a Tennessee-based manufacturer. Autocam Medical Devices LLC, a contract manufacturer of high-performance parts for medical device applications, announced this month the completion of the cash transaction acquisition of Tennessee-based Southeastern Technology […]
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Holland Museum makes cuts, faces closure
To keep the Holland Museum’s doors from closing permanently, the organization is hoping to gain community support as it enters a restructuring phase. The Holland Historical Trust, the nonprofit organization operating the Holland Museum located in the heart of the downtown area, 31 W. 10th St., proposed an all-or-nothing 0.2 millage on the Nov. 4 […]
Spectrum Health faces parking crunch
The Parking Commission isn’t the only group mulling over downtown parking. Spectrum Health is also considering its parking future. One of the largest downtown employers, Spectrum Health already is feeling a parking crunch as some of the lots it owns near capacity, according to Rick Redetzke, vice president of facilities and real estate. “We have […]
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Inside Track: His vision for the theater is to be part of the change
In November, Kyle Los joined Actors’ Theatre as managing director. He brings with him three years of business development experience, several years of hospitality experience, and a passion for performance and theater he has been cultivating since childhood. Los is eager to bring those three areas together to help the nearly 35-year-old community theater regain […]
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Parking rates won’t chase businesses
The Grand Rapids Parking Commission is considering whether to recommend monthly parking rate changes for its ramps and surface lots, which has some people wondering if higher pricing in high-capacity lots will chase some downtown businesses to the suburbs. That’s not likely, said David W. Wiener, West Michigan office broker for Colliers International. “The idea […]
