December 4, 2017

  • What does tax reform mean? Depends on who you are

    There is an old story from the Cold War about a journalist who asked a Soviet politician what the difference was between communism and socialism. The Russian explained in a capitalist society, one man takes advantage of another. In a communist society, it is vice versa. And so it is with the tax system. One person's […]

  • The Achilles’ heel: talent attraction and retention

    It is imperative for politicians and economic development officers who crow about “bringing jobs” to West Michigan to cease the false bravado and address the enormous elephant in the room: talent attraction and retention. This oft-cited Business Journal analysis is given new perspective by example of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who last week began twisting […]

  • Trust us: Construction contracts eliminate surprises

    Thinking about renovating a building? Expanding your facilities? Improving infrastructure? Be sure to button up a solid construction contract before you start, or you may wind up with an $8-million surprise. That’s what happened to one industrial manufacturer in Michigan who was in such a hurry to construct its new facility to meet customer demand […]

  • Construction’s contribution to U.S. economy highest in seven years

    According to a report released by Associated Builders and Contractors, the private construction industry’s value added as a percentage of the nation’s real gross domestic product rose to 4 percent in 2016, the highest level since 2009. The report also shows annual growth in real construction spending, which rose 3.5 percent in 2016. Thirty-seven states […]

  • Reserving space on the Capitol lawn? Let’s hope it is for pension reform

    Recent stories coming out of Lansing indicate lobbying groups are planning to camp out in Lansing to rally against potential solutions to fund local government’s retirement promises. As we head into the holiday season, it’s a good time for us to reflect on the promises that we make — and how they must be kept. […]

  • Street Talk: The spice of life

    Grand Rapids is no stranger to eclectic food options, and residents now have the option to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine in their homes. Café Spice, a family-owned global foods brand, has launched its line of take-home meals in all Meijer supermarkets. Café Spice President and co-founder Sameer Malhotra said his company chose to partner with […]

  • Public Record

    MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds FISCHER, William Scott et al, Bank Of America, Bayberry Farms III, Lot 84, $207,214 MITCHELL, David et al, Lakeview Loan Servicing, Grand Rapids, 4-6-11, $210,000 650 PLYMOUTH LLC, MacDougal, Benjamin Blvd. Plat, Lot 5, $220,000 PAYNE, Gretchen et al, Macatawa Bank, Kent Country Club, Lot […]

  • Change Ups: Wolverine Building project earns awards

    Wolverine Building Group’s multimillion-dollar rehabilitation project, Gateway Village in Sturgis, won the Governor’s Energy Excellence Award and The Michigan Battle of the Buildings Award. The 1970s-era affordable housing complex received needed cosmetic and convenience updates; a holistic approach to energy and water conservation; a before-and-after Home Energy Rating System analysis; full conversion to LED lighting; […]

  • WMU law school teaches storytelling techniques

    Students who were enrolled in Associate Dean Nelson Miller’s summer workshop writing series at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School finished the workshop with more than just a credit toward graduation. They left as authors. The workshop had students write short stories and submit them at the end of the summer, Matthew Levin, a third-year […]

  • GRCC’s economic impact tops $447M

    A recent economic impact study found Grand Rapids Community College had a total impact of $447.7 million on Kent and Ottawa counties in the 2015-16 fiscal year. The study was done by EMSI, a provider of economic impact studies and labor market data, using GRCC financial and academic data and reports from the U.S. Census […]

  • Partnership helps refugees find construction jobs

    The construction industry in West Michigan is experiencing a skilled worker shortage, leaving some companies unable to adequately staff projects. To help provide employers with new, qualified employees, Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter (ABC/WMC) partnered with the Literacy Center of West Michigan to provide training for refugees through a Michigan Office of New […]

  • Company lets employees share PTO

    In this season of gratitude and giving, some companies are offering their personnel a way to make those virtues tangible. One such company is New York-based Business Intelligence Associates (BIA), an e-discovery firm that has an office in Portage with 20 employees. About seven or eight years ago, one of the firm’s staff members had […]

  • Airport adds productivity, leisure spaces

    Editor's note: The version of this article in the Dec. 4 print edition incorrectly features a photo of furniture by another manufacturer. The correct photo is below. As part of its ongoing Gateway Transformation Project, Gerald R. Ford International Airport this fall added places for business travelers to keep working while waiting to board their […]

  • Inside Track: Social entrepreneur wears many hats

    If wealth were measured by intellectual capacity, Dr. Mira Krishnan would be Queen Midas. Krishnan, principal of psychology consultancy Mira Krishnan LLC, has followed many passions in four decades. The range of interests she has pursued might be confounding to some, but she sees a through line. “I solve problems that bring people together with […]

  • Fertilizer startup wins ‘prestigious’ award at GIC

    A local fertilizer manufacturer startup could be on investors’ radar after winning an international competition. Cocoa Corporation was named the “most disruptive” startup business at the Global Innovator Competition recently in San Francisco. The Holland-based company won the award given by the Global Technology Symposium out of 100 companies from around the world because of […]

  • Corner Bar preps to make a comeback

    (As seen on WZZM TV 13) The Rockford community lost an iconic site in August when a fire, fueled by a gas line, tore through the Corner Bar on 31 N. Main St., damaging most of the structure. “First of all, we want to give thanks that even though the fire is severe, that no […]

  • Ada envisions new downtown

    Ron Cook lived in Italy for 15 years while working as the president of La Marzocco, an espresso machine manufacturing company. Now, he owns two restaurants in downtown Ada. Cook and his wife moved to her hometown in 2010 during the economy’s downturn. At 62 years old, he said he “didn’t bother” interviewing for a […]

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