February 18, 2020
Flu season warrants preparation among cleaning firms
The coronavirus has been snatching the headlines of global publications since December. According to the World Health Organization, over 43,000 people across the world (mostly in China) have been infected by the respiratory virus, including 12 in the U.S. The WHO also has confirmed over 1,000 deaths, including one U.S. citizen in China. Despite the […]
Street Talk: Just call in sick
While it is difficult for the CDC to predict flu severity, influenza in all its forms is expected to cost U.S. employers over $13 billion in lost productivity this season. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts 22 million people of all ages nationwide have tested positive for […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 20-00107 – VOORHEIS, Melissa G., 2554 Cherrywood Court SW, Wyoming, Rebecca L. Johnson-Ellis (Ch. 7) 20-00111 – POLHAMUS, James, 1351 Runer NW, pro se (Ch. 7) 20-00121 – SMITH, Hannah A., 3135 Woodward SW, Wyoming, David Stempfly (Ch. 7) 20-00126 – JONES, Ywanda, 816 Lafayette SE, Greg J. Ekdahl (Ch. 13) 20-00131 – KEENEY, […]
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Inside Track: A man of many skills
As an entrepreneur, Kris Mathis said the hardest thing he has ever done in his career was to believe. The Grand Rapids native has carved out a career wearing multiple hats. He is a public speaker, an author, a business coach, the owner of Raise A Glass Tours and he currently is in the process […]
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Change-Ups: Sutter joins state’s first environmental justice council
Alison Waske Sutter, the city of Grand Rapids’ sustainability and performance management officer, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the state’s first Michigan Advisory Council for Environmental Justice. She joins 21 Michigan residents also on the advisory council. The MAC EJ will provide public and impacted community input for the directors appointed […]
There is no such thing as being too prepared … for taxes and death
If Benjamin Franklin has taught us anything, there are two sure things in life: death and taxes. As tax season kicks into full gear, it’s a good time to also start planning for the inevitable. What will happen when we’re gone? The checklist of settling a person’s estate can be lengthy, not to mention overwhelming […]
Wheeler begins due diligence on ‘wedge’
Wheeler Development Group last week held its kickoff meeting with the city of Grand Rapids, marking the beginning of its due diligence period to redevelop the “wedge” portion of 22 Ottawa Ave. NW. The project, which WDG unofficially named City Tower, is a $55 million, 24-story, mixed-use building encompassing approximately 310,000 square feet. Features and […]
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KCAD downsizing degree programs, cutting staff
Citing decreased enrollment, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is cutting and consolidating some undergrad degree programs and cutting staff members. KCAD’s overall enrollment has dropped in the past five years from around 1,400 students to 823, according to Craig Clark, KCAD spokesperson. Art and design schools around the country have […]
Undertrained sales managers often make common mistakes
Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series. In most organizations, sales managers are the essential bridge between the company’s sales goals and the realization of those goals. The gritty day-to-day interactions between the salespeople and their customers are frequently filtered through the perspective of the sales manager on their way up the […]
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Furniture maker celebrates 75 years
Making office furniture is a family affair at Comstock Park-based Nucraft. The company — now headed up by President and CEO Matt Schad and his brother, Brandon Schad, marketing manager — is celebrating its 75th year as a family-owned and -led company in the Grand Rapids area. The brothers’ great-grandfather, George Schad, then superintendent at […]
Survey: State’s growth will trail nation’s
Michigan’s largest employers anticipate the state’s economic growth will continue to lag compared to the nation’s. However, they are generally more optimistic about both economies than this time last year. That is according to survey data collected in fourth quarter of 2019 by Business Leaders for Michigan, a business roundtable that includes top leadership responsible […]
Coronavirus affecting auto production
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The auto industry is in the crosshairs of the latest global health crisis that has claimed the lives of over a thousand people while leaving more than 43,000 people infected, per the World Health Organization. Some auto plants in China have been closed since the Chinese New Year because of […]
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John Ball Zoo takes holistic approach to sustainability
In addition to participating in field conservation projects and a cooperative species survival plan, the team at John Ball Zoo engages daily in caring for its environment and natural resources as part of its overall sustainability strategy. Allmon Forrester — director of facilities, planning and sustainability at the nonprofit zoo, which is a property of […]
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Nonprofits eye new campus
Grand Rapids city staff are mulling over the rehabilitation of a disused property into a consolidated campus for Samaritas and other local nonprofits. The Grand Rapids City Commission held a public hearing to consider the establishment of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for 650 Burton LLC — an entity affiliated with the Pinnacle Construction Group […]
