December 18, 2017
Bad doesn’t even begin to describe parking plan
Grand Rapids city commissioners again last week gave limited discussion to this business community’s No. 1 issue with the city: downtown parking. The Business Journal has reported since the beginning of this year that existing parking was at 95 percent capacity, even before the city shut down lots behind the Van Andel Arena for tentative […]
Data show four-year degree is most reliable path to prosperity
Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a table showing the national unemployment rate and median earnings from work by education attainment. Every year, it shows the higher your educational attainment, the more you work and the more you earn at work, particularly for those with a four-year degree or more. It’s worth noting […]
Economist: Rate hike aims to spur expansion
Following better-than-expected job growth in November, the Federal Reserve on Dec. 13 voted to raise the federal funds interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point. The Fed also plans to raise rates three more times in 2018, according to most analysts. Kurt Rankin is vice president and economist for The PNC Financial Services […]
Title companies: Residential market to remain stable in 2018
Two of the top title companies in West Michigan agree on one thing: The residential market will remain stable. Lighthouse Group, 877 E. 16th St. in Holland, employs 72 title officers across 13 locations. The company offers a broad range of title services, including insurance and settlement closing, as well as benefits and business, personal […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds PRESTON, Daniel et al, PNC Bank, Condo-Trent Henry Meadows, $223,500 PREIHS, Stephen R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Castlewood Estates, $238,500 RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Julie A. et al, Dart Bank, Masonic Home 2nd Add., Lot 12, $271,000 BYRNE, Christopher P. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, […]
Telecommuting: things to consider before implementing
When computers started to appear in the workplace, people were enthralled with how such equipment would change how we work. Many expected an overnight revolution. There is no doubt technology has changed our lives, but it didn’t happen quite as fast as some people thought. It seems people and organizations address change in multiple ways. […]
Street Talk: Underutilized? You are not alone
A local staffing firm polled readers on its blog and found almost half feel their skills are “underutilized” at work. Express Employment Professionals’ Refresh Leadership, a workplace-focused blog, wrote an article last month titled, “The Results Are In: 48% of Workers Believe their Skills Are Underutilized.” It revealed the results of a survey it conducted […]
Tech sector wage hikes stagnant
The rate of hiring in West Michigan’s technology sector is going up for 2018, but pay rates are remaining relatively stagnant, according to a recent technology employment forecast. Paragon Recruiting, which is based in Holland, polled approximately 110 West Michigan tech companies. About 60 percent of respondents said they were hiring new staff, and nobody […]
Agency awards $30 million in training grants
Michigan has increased the amount of Skilled Trades Training Fund grants going to the region’s employers in the upcoming year by 64 percent over last year. Michigan’s Talent Investment Agency, the state’s workforce development entity, announced the recipients of its fiscal year 2018 Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) grants Dec. 6. West Michigan Works!, a […]
City stalls parking resolution
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Saying it already is working to add to the parking supply downtown, the Grand Rapids City Commission defeated a parking resolution by one of its members on a split vote last week. The walk-on resolution, introduced by Commissioner Dave Shaffer in the commission’s Dec. 12 meeting, was defeated by […]
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Inside Track: Leading by example
At the 2017 Excellence in Construction Awards, the Associated Builders and Contractors West Michigan Chapter (ABC/WMC) honored Van Dyken Mechanical’s Jeff Dickman with the Craft Professional of the Year (CPOY) award for outstanding craftsmanship and leadership. Having served at Van Dyken for over 20 years, Dickman said his rise to his current role with the […]
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Pepper sauce startup looks to begin next phase
A Grand Rapids resident is hoping indigenous peppers from South America will help his pepper sauce stand out from the crowd of hot sauces. Perry Alburg, founder of Eransean Inc., created Madame J’s Gourmet Pepper Sauce, which contains Madame Jeanette peppers, water mango purée, distilled vinegar, salt granulated garlic, xanthan gum and spices. Madame Jeanette […]
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Former FBI agent detects to protect
As a former FBI investigator who used wiretaps to catch criminals, Marty Vander Vliet is now applying his skills for the private sector. Vander Vliet founded Northport Security in 2016 after retiring from his 26-year career as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, working in Detroit for 15 years and Grand Rapids […]
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New waterfront stadium underway
Lynne Sherwood is a name that has a lot of meaning in Grand Haven. The late philanthropist has had a hand in every significant fundraising initiative in the area for the past 15-20 years. During her final days, she played a key role in the plan to upgrade Grand Haven’s waterfront stadium, at 1 N. […]
