December 9, 2019
Doing business with a state-legal cannabis company: What could go wrong?
Cannabis businesses licensed under Michigan law are like other businesses in many ways; they require goods and services, locations in which to operate and other support and assistance. These businesses are becoming more and more common in our communities throughout Michigan. But in one important respect, cannabis businesses are unique — their activity violates the […]
Association: Business outlook slips for 2020
The Employer Associations of America (EAA) just released its 2020 National Business Trends Survey, and it shows executives are feeling a little less confident about next year’s economy. The EAA consists of 32 regional employer associations serving 35,000 companies and more than 6 million employees. The associations surveyed their membership and sent their responses to […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-04482 – BRASHERS, Floyd L. & Gilda D., 227 Burton SW, Rebecca L. Johnson-Ellis (Ch. 7) 19-04494 – REYES-VILLEGAS, Ramon L., 1063 Cass SE, Jeffrey D. Mapes (Ch. 7) 19-04516 – PHIPPS, Samantha J., 3840 Mayfield, Nicholas A. Reyna (Ch. 7) 19-04518 – DYE, Kasey L., 9333 Vinton NW, Sparta, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. […]
Street Talk: More than just money
Guiding Light has partnered with Chemical Bank to offer the men in its Back to Work program a finance class to help them tackle their debt. In addition to making a donation to the Back to Work program, members of the Grand Rapids team of Chemical Bank, a division of TCF, took an extra step […]
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Change-Ups: Donated semitrailer filled with 900 pounds of ham
The Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund donated a refrigerated semitrailer to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The trailer was delivered to the Battle Creek-based South Michigan Food Bank. Michigan Pork Producers and Clemens Food Group partnered with ACF by donating 900 pounds of ham to fill the trailer. South Michigan Food Bank […]
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch opens on-site wellness clinic
Employees will not have to travel far for medical attention at a local poultry ranch. Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch opened the Herbruck’s Employee Wellness Clinic last week. The clinic is on-site at 6683 S. State Road, Ionia. “We’re proud to open a new wellness clinic that will help (employees) conveniently access health care services close to […]
City adopts vision for Southtown
The Southtown Business Area Specific Plan now is incorporated into the master plan for Grand Rapids, following city commission approval. Efforts related to the Southtown BASP have been underway since December 2017 and were initiated by the Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority. The goal of the planning process was to create a roadmap that would lead […]
Planners looking to ‘reimagine’ downtown
The city of Grand Rapids is hosting several community engagement opportunities this week in advance of reimagining downtown streets. Those who walk, bike, drive, use transit and rideshare along Ottawa and Ionia avenues and Fulton Street are invited to attend one or more of the city’s three “Reimagine – Linking Downtown” open houses to provide […]
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Inside Track: Jill of all trades
Starting life in a small town of about 13,000 people, Sonja Johnson now helps businesses make connections all over the world. As executive director of Grand Valley State University’s Van Andel Global Trade Center, Johnson leads the consulting and training work meant to help area companies increase their international business and become more competitive in […]
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DNR opts out of waterway project
The Grand River Waterway project has lost crucial support in its effort to dredge the Grand River and make it navigable for powerboats. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced it will not pursue the controversial project, which would have dredged an approximately 23-mile stretch of river to make it more navigable for recreational […]
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Kent recycling center no longer will accept plastic bags
Recycling has taken another turn in Kent County. The Kent County Department of Public Works announced its Recycling & Education Center will no longer accept plastic shopping bags and shredded paper starting on Jan. 1. The DPW is asking residents to take bags back to retail shopping centers that offer a clean, dry collection system […]
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WMU redefining business education
The Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business launched an undergraduate and graduate program meant to blur the line between education and professional business experience. The Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy, led by Doug Lepisto and Derrick McIver, is designed to integrate WMU and the West Michigan business community in a way that […]
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Sparta DDA seeks bids for incubator space construction
The Sparta Downtown Development Authority is taking the next steps toward establishing a retail incubator space. The DDA is accepting bid proposals for construction on the newly formed Town Square in downtown Sparta. The Town Square program includes construction and installation of six incubator retail structures in the core of downtown Sparta. The developer will […]
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Local event planners join forces to acquire firm
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Special Occasions was founded 16 years ago to provide linen, chair and décor rentals to corporate, bridal and social event planners. Now, a pair of industry veterans has taken the reins and kicked off an expanded vision for the firm. Sisters Lorrie Sage and Penny Waltman originally founded Special […]
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Vogt Industries seeks a successor
As Jim and Marcia Vogt prepare to retire and transition out of their longtime business, they are reflecting on five decades of hard work in an industry with many ups and downs. Jim Vogt’s grandfather, Englebert Vogt, co-founded Knape & Vogt in Grand Rapids in 1898 with his brother-in-law, John Knape. The company, still going […]
