December 7, 2015
Syrian refugees no strangers to West Michigan support
Syrian refugees may be getting turned away from other communities around the world, but not in West Michigan. Since 2011, Syria’s civil war has led to what has been labeled the worst refugee crisis since World War II. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres called it the biggest refugee population from a single […]
Governor urges agricultural innovation
Since taking office in 2010, Gov. Rick Snyder said he is happy with how the state has come together. At the 96th annual Michigan Farm Bureau meeting last week at DeVos Place, Snyder spent time addressing the industry’s accomplishments and opportunities. “We were a broken state — we weren’t working together,” Snyder said. “We were […]
HQ forges connections to help homeless youths with jobs
There are more homeless teenagers in West Michigan than one might think, but the good news is, they don’t have to be homeless or unemployed any more. Local nonprofit HQ recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Its 6,300-square-foot facility is located at 320 State St. SE in Grand Rapids. HQ serves as a drop-in center for […]
Author and entrepreneur brings business value insight
Valuable businesses operate without their owners. That was the message delivered by John Warrillow as part of an event sponsored by The Alternative Board West Michigan, a business coaching services provider. The entrepreneur and author presented “Built to Sell: 8 Things That Drive Your Company Value” last Tuesday at Watermark Country Club. “We’re talking about […]
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Change Ups: Tadlock’s passion for arts recognized
DeVos Place Assistant General Manager Eddie Tadlock received WGVU’s Engage Arts Award for his dedication and experiential knowledge of the performing and visual arts. His qualifications for the award include being a prolific advocate for jazz, serving on Grand Rapids Art Museum’s board of directors, being involved with virtually all community arts events including the […]
Street Talk: The network factor
Next week, during the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, the strategic GR Forward plan will be considered for formal approval. The plan has six overarching goals: restoring the river corridor as an inclusive community asset; creating a true downtown neighborhood that is home to a diverse population; expanding job opportunities and ensuring continued vitality of […]
Overcoming the stall: ‘Call me after the holidays’
Humbug. Salespeople hate holidays. All holidays are an excuse for decision makers to put buying decisions on hold, but the worst of them are Christmas and New Year’s. “Call me back after the holidays” and “Call me after the first of the year” are two of the most hated phrases in sales. They do, however, […]
Ottawa’s health plan identifies top three priorities
The 2015 Ottawa County Community Health Improvement Plan, a comprehensive report released in late November, not only identified the top three health concerns in the region but also outlined new and existing strategies stakeholders could participate in to improve residents’ health. The plan, known as CHIP, is a result of the 2015 Ottawa County Community […]
Nonresidential construction spending maintains momentum in October
Nonresidential construction spending expanded in October for the third consecutive month (September's estimate was revised higher than August's), according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Nonresidential construction spending totaled $701.8 billion in October on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, a 1 percent increase on a monthly basis and an 11 percent increase on a […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds RANSOM-MORSE, Lorie et al, Quicken Loans, Jasonville Farms Sub. No. 4, Lot 102, $214,700 HOLLIDAY, Jovonana et al, Northpointe Bank, Koster South No. 6, Lot 106, $231,920 LECLAIRE, Adam et al, West Michigan Credit Union, Lowell Twp., 16-6-9, $285,000 MACKEY, Robert et al, Wells Fargo […]
Downtown arts organization considers options for change
As it concludes its 10th anniversary this month, a downtown arts organization that has helped revitalize South Division Avenue is thinking about how it will operate in the future. Avenue for the Arts, a program of Dwelling Place, has drafted seven possible scenarios for how best to continue its work and is asking for input […]
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Extra planning commission step creates better project
Orion Real Estate Development’s proposed River’s Edge development took a little extra time to get approval from the Grand Rapids Planning Commission. The mixed-use apartment project along the Grand River at 1001 Monroe Ave. NW garnered extra attention during its initial appearance at the planning commission meeting Oct. 22. Commissioners saw it as the first […]
Home builders group tries to rebuild its brand — and membership
At its height more than 10 years ago, the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids had more than 1,300 members. During the Great Recession, membership dropped to approximately 400, and HBAGGR lost brand awareness in the region. Now, the association is up to 600 members and continues to grow, said Andy Lofgren, executive officer. […]
Tradition, science ally to combat emerald ash borer
LANSING — What can happen when scientific research and traditional Native American cultural practices combine to combat an environmental threat? When the topic is the destructive emerald ash borer, the results of a collaboration may point the way to reducing the spread of the invasive insect that’s decimated hundreds of millions of ash trees in […]
What to do when you realize it’s time for a co-founder to go
Every start-up business begins with high hopes. You and your co-founders are “all in,” fully committed to the success of your company. You have big ambitions and everyone is bringing something to the table. But time brings changes. Maybe your co-founder flakes out and simply does not devote enough time to his or her specific […]
Near neighborhood businesses celebrate diversity
Grand Rapids Business Journal is reporting on several aspects of business startups and entrepreneurial efforts in the downtown and in near neighborhoods — all are an impetus to “shop local” this holiday season, and they provide ample examples of diversity in the business community. One particular new story comes from the Creston neighborhood and underscores […]
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Inside Track: McGuigan has a passion for tackling the big issues
Chris McGuigan, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, has been involved in the community ever since moving to West Michigan to practice law, after graduating from Indiana University Law School in Bloomington. “When I got here, I just became involved in civic and charitable activities,” said McGuigan. “One of […]
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Tallest Heritage Hill building returns to its mixed-use roots
Chip Bowling is really excited about the Oakwood Manor renovation project. The president of commercial real estate consultants X Ventures said it’s the most excited he’s been about a project in a long time because of a unique collaboration and the desire to make the building a community anchor. The project will restore Oakwood Manor […]
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Small is big business downtown
If you are or want to be a small business owner in the downtown Grand Rapids area, or if you just care about the city in general, the following numbers will interest you. About 27 new businesses opened in downtown in the 2014 fiscal year, according to Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. In 2015, that number […]
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Environmental factors in play
The positive economic climate and low interest rates are causing properties to change hands and be developed at a fast rate, and local environmental consultants are riding the coattails of that activity. Joe Berlin, president of BLDI Environmental Engineering, has fielded several offers on the company’s downtown building in the past several months, but he’s […]
Retailer returns from bankruptcy
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Bankruptcy is tough to come back from, especially for nonprofits, but the locally based Family Christian LLC is finding ways to do it. The nonprofit retailer, which has about 255 stores across 36 states, announced in February it would be restructuring its national chain under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Family […]
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Christmas lights business invades ‘Shark Tank’
It’s hard to imagine that Brad Boyink’s festive Grand Haven startup, which is about to air on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” started as a simple $5 bet at the office. Call it a Christmas miracle. Boyink is the creator of GeekMyTree, which he described as the “first product that breaches the gap of taking the fun […]
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A brewery to reach across many divides
Molly Bouwsma-Schultz wants people to dance at Creston Brewery when it opens next year. She hopes it will be a place where people will come to interact and be themselves. “People always ask, ‘Where do you go to dance?’” Bouwsma-Schultz said. “We want to provide a place to dance that isn’t a Top 40 dance […]
