February 12, 2018
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New study highlights impact of immigrants
Amid contentious congressional debate about immigration policy, including the future of the Dreamers program, a new report sheds light on one important aspect of the controversy surrounding immigration — its impact on the U.S. economy. The Dreamer program — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — under review in Washington has 12,418 eligible participants in Michigan […]
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More money sought to clean up brownfield sites
A new $79-million-per-year proposal from Gov. Rick Snyder would increase funding to protect Michigan’s environment, including $45 million to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites. Snyder plans to generate the money by increasing landfill dumping fees from 36 cents to $4.75 per ton, also known as “tipping fees.” Jeff Hukill, the brownfield coordinator at the […]
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Drug testing may hinder hiring, manufacturing experts say
Worker shortages are threatening to curb growth in Michigan’s manufacturing sector, and drug testing could be contributing to the problem by impeding both hiring and retention, industry experts said. The staffing shortage is exacerbated by the fact many potential workers can’t pass drug tests to be able to operate machinery, according to Chuck Hadden, president […]
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Estate planning: better done sooner rather than later
The new year is off and running at full speed. I often comment about taxes in some fashion. This month, I am going to take a break from being in the weeds on taxes and spend some time on a topic that probably has application to many, if not all of us. In recent weeks, […]
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Change Ups: Jonker, Mulder new owners of Wolverine Building Group
Aaron Jonker and Curt Mulder are Wolverine Building Group’s new owners. Jonker joined Wolverine in 2007 as a project manager, became vice president in 2010 and was promoted to co-president in 2016. Mulder has been with Wolverine for 20 years, starting out as an intern while attending Calvin College. In 2000, Mulder joined the company […]
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Street Talk: Casino scratches its seven-year itch
The Gun Lake Tribe is a patient bunch. Dating back to hundreds of years of land disputes and, more recently, to sovereign-nation status and, very recently, a lengthy lawsuit involving the creation of the Gun Lake Casino, the tribe has shown a willingness to play the long game. So, seven years probably seems like a […]
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Education funding targeting vulnerable students rather than whole districts deserves discussion
Gov. Rick Snyder released details of his budget spending plan for the next fiscal year, targeting June approval by the Michigan legislature. The plan advocates shifting $325 million of general funds to road and bridge repairs, addresses contaminated site cleanup, water and sewer infrastructure improvements, unintended federal tax consequences and the largest increase in per-pupil […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds GRAVES, Matt et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Hidden Hills No. 5, Lot 122, $216,800 BRILL, Robert L. et al, Independent Bank, Condo-Big Pine Island Lake Preserve, $300,000 CLULEY, David S. et al, Huntington National Bank, Ridgemoor Country Club Estates No. 1, Lot 112, $264,000 MACKENZIE, […]
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Study finds Michigan schools underfunded
It is time to have a conversation about school funding. That’s the consensus from members of the School Finance Research Collaborative, a group of 22 business leaders and education experts focused on changing the way Michigan schools are funded. The collaborative recently conducted a study that identified key issues concerning public funding for Michigan K-12 […]
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Strategist: region’s economy still ‘healthy and growing’
According to Huntington Bank analysts, West Michigan will continue benefiting this year from a synchronized global expansion that doesn’t appear to be slowing down. On Feb. 7, the Columbus, Ohio-based bank held its 2018 Economic Outlook and Market Overview breakfast at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids to discuss its global, national and regional […]
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Inside Track: Problem-solver pedigree
Jack Johnson’s work has earned him the reputation of a problem-solver. The co-founder and director of operations for Holland-based Volta Power Systems takes his experience as an engineer to the market of lithium-ion energy. Before founding Volta, Johnson started one of his most challenging engineering projects at Johnson Controls when the company moved to Holland […]
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A green kind of clean
It appears antibacterial products aren’t as beneficial as advertised. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently started prohibiting manufacturers from marketing over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products with one or more of 19 ingredients. The ban, which took effect in September, includes two of the most common ingredients, triclosan and triclocarban, which are found in antibacterial […]
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Productivity lost to flu locally hits $1 million
As many people unfortunately know firsthand, it’s flu season. Sick workers mean time off work, which leads to lost productivity businesses must absorb. As of Feb. 3, that amount of lost productivity in Kent County is $1,019,474. This year’s aggressive strain of flu — influenza A, H3N2, according to Brenda Fitzgerald, who recently resigned as director […]
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Michigan sees housing permit increase
The percentage of housing permits issued in the state of Michigan in 2017 is strong compared to the year before, but homebuilders still are concerned current strains on the construction industry could hinder future growth. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows housing permits in Michigan for single-family home construction were up 10.3 percent, with […]
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Former moulding executive pays it forward
Steve Johandes has witnessed plenty of change in the business world over the years, and now he wants to pass on the insights he has learned. Johandes wrapped up 27 years in executive leadership at the former Zeeland-based Empire Moulding & Millwork after the company went through a couple of ownership transitions and became part […]
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Open Systems Technologies launches digital consulting division
OST recently launched a new division centered on digital consulting for businesses to successfully implement new technology. The division, named OpenDigital, was seeded by VisualHero, a design studio OST acquired in 2016. OpenDigital was conceived to address the human element of digital transformation in business by asking what a company’s needs are before implementing new […]
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Does XFL have a future in Grand Rapids?
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Could a professional football team re-emerge in Grand Rapids? Only time will tell, but the question is beginning to float around after Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports — a nonprofit organization that supports the development of at-risk youth through sports education — received a reply to an email inquiring about the […]
