December 17, 2018
Energy subsidies stifle renewable revolution
New and more efficient resources are increasingly producing the energy that powers our homes and businesses. A growing segment of this transformation is private rooftop solar, whose growth has benefited from subsidies and policies funded by taxpayers and nonsolar consumers. These subsidies and policies, however, were developed when private solar panels cost 100 times what […]
Financial preparation for year-end
While it’s hard to believe, 2018 will be over almost as quickly as it began. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it is not too late to make final decisions regarding 2018 finances. Businesses, as well as individuals, should make sure they are prepared to enter 2019 on their best footing by capitalizing […]
The good, the bad and the ugly of year-end tax planning
With the end of 2018 just around the corner, it’s time for both individuals and businesses taxed as pass-through entities to assess performance, to budget and, of course, our favorite topic, to plan tax opportunities. While it’s been nearly a year since the passage of the tax law overhaul, it remains a hot topic, and […]
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Change Ups: Nichols joins economic development nonprofit
The Right Place Inc., a regional nonprofit economic development organization, hired Jodi Nichols to serve as the business development coordinator for Lake and Oceana counties. Nichols will provide business support services to prospective and existing companies, and will work to improve the overall economic state of Lake and Oceana counties through business retention, expansion and attraction. […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 18-04638 – BAILEY, Kristina E., 3314 Sandcrest Court, Grandville, Jacob T. Tighe (Ch. 7) 18-04644 – COLLAZO-CARTEGNA, Soreymy, 1014 Four Mile NW, Michael M. Malinowski (Ch. 7) 18-04650 – AHLAN INDUSTRIES INC., 4358 S. Division, James R. Oppenhuizen (Ch. 7) 18-04651 – MITTEN VAPORS INC., 4358 S. Division, James R. Oppenhuizen (Ch. 7) 18-04652 […]
Street Talk: The brain drain
A number of CEOs continue to pour out of the top jobs in the country, according to a recent report by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. A total of 147 CEOs left their posts in November — two fewer than the 149 recorded in October. Last month’s total is 56.4 percent higher than […]
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Region is ‘right place’ for growth
A year ahead of its three-year plan, The Right Place has met its goal for completed projects and exceeded goals for new payroll and capital investment. The Grand Rapids-based economic development organization has completed 50 projects since 2017 — 28 of those this year — which is nearly double what it has done in previous […]
Startup to test alert system in GR
Grand Rapids will be ground zero for a Chicago tech startup’s plan to deploy the first digital emergency vehicle alert system of its kind, connecting police, fire and EMS alerts on one platform. HAAS Alert plans to deploy a complete citywide digital alert solution in partnership with the Grand Rapids Police Department, Fire Department and […]
County wage hikes push $25M
Four associations representing 1,000 employees in multiple Kent County departments have proposed wage increases totaling more than $24.3 million over the next five years. The Kent County Board of Commissioners will vote Dec. 20 on whether to approve agreements between associations for 242 deputy sheriffs, 51 health department nurses, 339 court and clerk employees, and […]
Mayor hears condo owners’ parking complaints
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has joined the discussion while City View Condo residents battle with the city over the parking places they claim are rightfully theirs. The City View Condo Association invited Bliss to a meet and greet to discuss the topic of parking at a residents meeting this past week at the First […]
GR-based OST earns distinguished IoT designation
Open Systems Technologies became one of only a handful of companies in the world to achieve Amazon Web Services’ Internet of Things Competency status. Amazon’s computing subsidiary, AWS, announced the Grand Rapids-based information technology firm successfully completed an almost yearlong approval process to become one of only 32 companies — and only 14 consulting firms […]
Wolverine halts water settlement talks
After nine months, Wolverine Worldwide has ended settlement negotiations with two local townships over paying costs associated with PFAS contamination from Wolverine’s alleged waste disposal practices. Municipal attorney Douglas Van Essen — who is representing Plainfield and Algoma townships in the federal court proceeding initiated in January by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality — […]
Talent crunch boosts benefits
Data from a national survey of 4,200-plus employers show historically low unemployment is forcing organizations to spend more on benefit packages to retain and attract top talent. According to the 2018 Gallagher Benefits Strategy and Benchmarking Survey conducted by Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., attracting and retaining talent remains the No. 1 […]
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Inside Track: The people’s commissioner
Emily Bridson, 1st Ward Kentwood city commissioner, came into the public sector in November 2017 and shortly made a name for herself as a disruptor. “I think it’s very important to follow the wishes of constituents and also think more broadly and have a long-term strategy of how that impacts the city, and our neighborhoods […]
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Experts: 2019 residential market should mirror 2018
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Experts forecast the residential market in West Michigan next year will resemble that of this year’s housing market. Chad Haverdink, sales manager at Chicago Title of Michigan, said there was a slight decline in the number of transactions in home purchases in West Michigan compared to 2017. However, he […]
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Meijer caters to more vegan requests
When the consumers spoke, Meijer listened. When Meijer’s Bridge Street Market opened during the summer, its shoppers requested more vegan products. Becky Kwasteniet, a bakery and deli lead at Bridge Street Market, said when the store first opened, consumers were asked to share what they thought Bridge Street Market doesn’t have that it needs to […]
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Orchard’s sale is ‘enormous loss’
Families in Greenville posed for photos in the pumpkin patch and picked their last apples at Klackle Orchards this fall. Steve Klackle and Rosemary Klackle said this month that they are selling their 450-acre farm at 11466 W. Carson City Road in Greenville. The operation, which has about 100 employees at peak season, includes a […]
