February 11, 2019

  • Inside Track: Staying ahead of the curve

    Mark Johnson still carries his old Blockbuster Video card. The co-founder and managing partner of Ada-based Michigan Software Labs uses it as an illustration for how disruption in the technology sphere can either make or break companies. Johnson said he was always interested in technology. When he was in fifth grade, he ran his own […]

  • Don’t be fooled by the insurance industry’s shiny objects

    Wool pulled over your eyes. The golden goose. Smoke and mirrors. These are the kinds of catchy metaphors the insurance industry and its chief lobbying group, the Insurance Alliance of Michigan (IAM), are now using in the debate over Michigan’s auto insurance system. The industry loves the shiny object effect — the ability to use […]

  • Getting engaged this Valentine’s Day? Don’t forget the prenup

    You’ve got roses, a romantic dinner and the diamond ready to go, but if you’re getting engaged this Valentine’s Day, you may want to include a prenuptial agreement in your planning. How do you broach the subject when you’re in the moment of love, joy and wedding planning? When you’re looking forward to planning your […]

  • Public Record

    BANKRUPTCY 19-00030 – HOUGHTON, Deana J., 4072 Miramar NE, Greg J. Ekdahl (Ch. 13) 19-00050 – GRANT, Tammy M., 35 Morning Glory SW, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. 7) 19-00052 – WOLBERT, Stacy R., 3069 Pinedale, Grandville, Steven M. Bylenga (Ch. 13) 19-00059 – WALLACE, Craig S., 7488 Winsfield SE, Timothy F. Johnson (Ch. 13) 19-00062 […]

  • Street Talk: Need some help paying your bills?

    Customers of ChoiceOne Bank can now say, “Hey, Alexa. Pay my bills.” The Sparta-based bank is continuing its expansion into digital financial services with the rollout of voice bill pay with Amazon Alexa. Using Alexa with the voice bill pay service feature is a secure digital solution to paying bills. Consumers create a unique PIN […]

  • Change Ups: Welding instructor earns $500 award

    Rich Currie, welding instructor for Allegan County Area Technical and Education Center, received the 2019 Lakeshore Advantage Visionary Award at the recent Lakeshore Advantage annual meeting. Currie received $500 and his school received $1,000 for connecting students to in-demand careers. Fifth Third Bank sponsors the award. Currie’s recruitment of students into the welding program and […]

  • Whitewater hires new president

    Steve Heacock has been a vocal supporter of the Grand Rapids Whitewater project, and now he’s taking the lead role in seeing it through. A former board member of the nonprofit, Heacock left his role as senior vice president of community relations at Spectrum Health to likely spend the rest of his career, he said, […]

  • Consumer insights analyst warns of nitrogen-infused products

    Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. of Grand Rapids made headlines when it introduced its Nitro Cold Brew Coffee early in 2018. The coffee, which promises to deliver a “smooth and creamy” profile with the addition of liquid nitrogen, rides a growing trend among food and beverage makers. While nitrogen-infused food continues to be a growing […]

  • Hotels earn record revenue

    Kent County hotels hosted a record-breaking number of people for the ninth consecutive year. From 2017 to 2018, hotel room revenue increased by 2.1 percent to $216 million, according to Experience Grand Rapids, Kent County’s tourism marketing arm. The organization attributes this to multiple factors: leisure travel, convention and sports group attendance, a healthy local business […]

  • DavenFund offers extra educational resources

    Some employees at Davenport University are eligible to receive funds to assist in getting the educational resources they need this year. The university has invested $10,000 in a program called DavenFund for its employees to use. Its full-time employees, which does not include adjunct faculty, student workers, temporary staff and contracted staff, can apply for […]

  • Real estate experts expect more steady growth

    West Michigan may experience a short recession later on down the road. But local real estate experts are asserting 2019 is all clear, and the slow, steady growth witnessed across all sectors in 2018 indicates more of the same for the new year. Duke Suwyn, CEO of Colliers International West Michigan, said the regional economy, […]

  • Polar vortex drains much of nonprofits’ resources

    Nonprofit leaders try to ensure they are prepared for emergencies, but few expected winter weather conditions that closed most of West Michigan for nearly a week. Amid deadly weather conditions caused by the recent polar vortex, nonprofit workers, the city and other community members banded together to protect those most affected. Nonprofits that provide crucial […]

  • WMSC knocks it out of park

    Last year was one for the record books for the West Michigan Sports Commission. The organization hosted the most youth and amateur sporting events in a single year, orchestrating a bid for 88 separate sports competitions to be played in West Michigan for 2018. Its effect was felt throughout the region as 225,808 athletes and […]

  • Medical companies tap new markets at Arab Health

    Three West Michigan businesses had the chance to make inroads with global buyers and distributors at a health care congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, last month. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) brought eight Michigan companies — three of which are West Michigan-based — to be part of its pavilion at the 2019 Arab […]

  • Investor-startup platform expands scope

    In response to a continued venture capital shortage in Michigan and a growing Midwest tech ecosystem, one of the state’s leading investor-startup matchmakers is broadening its guest list. In 1980, David Brophy founded and is director of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he also directs the […]

  • Brewery battle ends with settlement

    (As seen on WZZM TV 13) Railtown Brewing Company recently announced it has reached a settlement with Byron Station LLC, owner of the formerly named “Railbird Taphouse and Brewery.” Byron Station LLC agreed to change its brewpub’s name to “Alebird Taphouse and Brewery,” cease using “Railbird Taphouse and Brewery” as its name, withdraw any trademarks […]

  • Polar vortex eats into revenue

    The extreme cold, snow and ice that swallowed the Midwest from Jan. 28-31 also took a bite out of local small businesses’ bottom lines. The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce was flooded with feedback the last week of January from restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and retailers that had to close during Winter Storm Jayden for […]

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