February 24, 2014
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Higher education giving reaches record levels
The record high in charitable giving to colleges and universities is proving that people and organizations do, in fact, value education — but maybe not as many of them. According to the Voluntary Support of Education survey conducted by the Council for Aid to Education, charitable donations to universities and colleges in the United States […]
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Grow Michigan loans $20M in first year
Grow Michigan LLC approved a dozen loans its first year worth $20.1 million, and small business borrowers include a Grand Rapids brewpub business that has opened a new pub in East Lansing. Based in Plymouth, the Grow MI firm was formed in 2012 by a collaboration of Michigan banks, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and […]
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Snyder lays out ambitious immigration plan
Congress might not be in a hurry to take up immigration reform, but that isn’t stopping Gov. Rick Snyder from pushing ahead with plans to attract international talent and investors to Michigan. Snyder announced plans during his State of the State address to do three things on Michigan’s immigration front this year: create the Michigan […]
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Market’s positive outlook should prompt scrutiny
The stock market hit all time highs recently and the outlook is promising, but in the constant gamble of investing, no one can be sure what is going to happen next. Despite a slight 5 percent drop in January, Greg Flick, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, expects the market to continue to grow this […]
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Change Ups: Credit union issues promotions, new hire
Meijer Credit Union announced the promotion of David Eyke to vice president of commercial and consumer lending; he has worked for Meijer CU since April 2013. Lisa Posthumus was promoted to vice president of member services and retail operations; she joined the credit union in September 2013 to manage the Rockford branch after a 16-year […]
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Survey shows single-payer health care system has support
In December I wrote an article about a movie presented by The Alliance for Health at its First Friday Forum regarding the state of U.S. health care. In the discussion that followed, there were suggestions on what could be done to improve our system, but no clear consensus was presented. So I conducted a survey […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds PRESCOTT, Todd et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Condo-Settlers Grove Condominium, $277,450 HAVEMAN, Lori J. et al, Founders Bank & Trust, Cascade Twp., 13-6-10, $603,000 PACHULSKI, Paul et al, Northpointe Bank, Grattan Twp., 13-8-9, $206,196 MAMMEN, Leena Trust et al, USAA Federal Savings Bank, Vinkemulder's Sub., […]
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Are you ‘good,’ or maybe slightly below?
Jim Collins’ immortal business bestseller “Good to Great” created a revolution in many businesses and an explosion in book sales. The book was adopted, adapted, taught and implemented. In many instances, companies did go from good to great — or at least from good to very good. The key is these companies sought improvement — […]
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Street Talk: MRA chief sees wage hike as recipe for unemployment
For Michigan’s restaurant owners and employees, 2014 is getting more ominous by the day. Just when new costs of doing business couldn’t get any higher, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and other new government regulations, the Raise Michigan coalition is targeting restaurants and small businesses with its initiative to spike Michigan’s minimum wage from […]
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Inside Track: Dégagé executive director feels called to work with homeless
“I just want you to know that I’m going to commit suicide tonight.” The homeless man’s words got Marge Palmerlee’s attention. It was a Sunday night and the executive director of Dégagé Ministries wanted nothing more than to go home and rest after a long week of ministering to Heartside’s neediest residents. “I just wanted […]
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1,700 GR businesses fail to file for tax exemption
The city of Grand Rapids Assessor’s Office said last week it estimates 1,700 eligible businesses located within the city failed to file for the personal property tax exemption by the state-mandated Feb. 10 deadline. Now those businesses have until March 20 to file for a personal property appeal to the city’s Board of Review. If […]
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West Michigan’s elderly are falling victim to financial abuse
Each year, according to the Alliance for Health, about 80,000 Michigan elders fall victim to some form of criminal abuse — and one of the most common types is financial, in the form of fraud and embezzlement. Last year, the Adult Protective Services staff at the Kent County Department of Human Services received 19,000 calls […]
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Do volunteers count as employees under the Affordable Care Act?
There has been growing concern in recent months that proposed regulations under the Affordable Care Act could drive volunteer fire departments all over the country out of existence, or dramatically change the delivery of these services. These regulations could require local governments to either provide health care coverage to some firefighters, or pay huge penalties […]
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Girls Who Code founder touts women helping women
Reshma Saujani wants to see more women elevating other women into leadership roles, and she is leading by example. In 2012, Saujani founded Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit organization focused on preparing young women for the jobs of the future and closing the gender gap in technology fields by providing them with an education […]
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Education and culture critical to a successful community
My college education was Jesuit at the University of Detroit. There are those who claim a Jesuit education is too cerebral, but I liked it. The Jesuits within Catholicism were the great thinkers and innovators, so it was refreshing. The current pope is a Jesuit and already he is shaking things up. My point is […]
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Executives forecast positive economic growth
In the race for economic development and recovery, Michigan might have a head start. Business Leaders for Michigan last week unveiled an economic forecast for both the state and the country that forecasts growth for the next six to 18 months. The projection also anticipates Michigan’s economic development to outpace the growth of the U.S. […]
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Grand Haven tasting room features lakeshore-produced wine
A new tasting room is bringing lakeshore-grown grapes to the table in the form of wine. Located in downtown Grand Haven in the Harborfront building, 12 Corners Vineyard’s new tasting room is one of three locations along West Michigan’s lakeshore, which also include South Haven and Benton Harbor. Recognizing the uniqueness of the area’s productive […]
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‘Climate of collaboration’ is making GRPS a national model
Various reports and projections on the West Michigan and Michigan economy are showing notable upticks, providing at least short-term confidence to further fuel growth. While business leaders project revenue growth and new hiring, the issue of greatest concern — and a sure killer to such growth — is continued education issues. State Board of Education […]
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Americans save well below what’s needed for retirement
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Americans are not saving nearly enough for retirement. In fact, nearly half of U.S. workers have saved less than $10,000 for retirement, according to an Employee Benefit Research Institute report from 2013. In a ranking of the top 20 best retirement systems by The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index, […]
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$8 million apartment complex proposed in northeast Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids City Commission this week will consider a rezoning request in the Belknap Lookout neighborhood to allow a new apartment complex kitty-corner from Grand Valley State University’s planned 11-acre health campus expansion on the north side of the Ford Freeway near the Medical Mile. Joe Modderman of RJM Properties is requesting the change […]
