January 11, 2016

  • Year-end reports show mixed signals for 2016 economy

    Flat or slightly negative. That’s the latest word on the West Michigan economy, according to data and comments collected in the last two weeks of December. New Orders, our index of business improvement, edged lower to -1 from +7. The Production index softened to -4 from +3. Activity in the purchasing offices eased to -4 […]

  • Public Record

    MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds KLUTE, Daniel et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Bailey's Grove No. 19, Lot 531, $208,800 DRAIGH, Peter et al, Top Flite Financial, Bowne Twp., 15-5-9, $204,000 POST, Gregory et al, Quicken Loans, Meadows West No. 2, Lot 28, $236,017 PLUMMER, Scott D. et al, Quicken Loans, […]

  • Windshield time: Before and after opportunities

    All outside salespeople have “windshield time” — the time you spend behind the wheel, or in some form of transportation, going to and from appointments. Windshield time is a critical time both for the anticipation of the sales call and for the aftermath of the sales call. Reality check: How are you taking advantage of […]

  • Insurer now covers holistic care

    More and more people are turning to holistic health care options such as acupuncture treatments and massage as part of their regular health care routine, and a local insurer is now offering plans that cover these alternative medicines. Priority Health began offering MyPriority Holistic at the end of 2015 to individual and small business health […]

  • Lakeshore Advantage spurs investment

    Lakeshore Advantage, the economic development organization located in Zeeland, released its 2015 year-end review last week and highlighted a number of accomplishments that have contributed to Ottawa County as an economically robust region. The nonprofit worked with 22 companies throughout the year to facilitate growth projects in West Michigan, resulting in nearly 780 new jobs […]

  • Law firm adds privacy protection via email encryption

    Law firms have commonly relied on confidentiality statements at the end of emails to ensure privacy, but firms are starting to move in the direction of data encryption to secure sensitive information. Foster Swift said it has implemented Zix Email Encryption software, which was developed by ZixCorp of Dallas, Texas, as an added step in […]

  • Saalfeld promises hard work, fiscal common sense

    The new year has brought changes to Kent County boards, commissions and committees. A new chair and two vice chairs were elected to the county Board of Commissioners at Tuesday’s commission meeting; the board also voted to approve 43 appointments to various county boards, commissions and committees, including the City/County Building Authority, Kent District Library […]

  • IRS extends filing date for employers’ ACA forms

    The holiday season is a notoriously hectic time of year. So when the IRS extended its deadline to submit some Affordable Care Act forms in the last week of December, it seemed the government agency had gifted employers the one thing no one has enough of — time. But that generous offering comes at a […]

  • Letter: Moral compass drives economics

    I couldn’t disagree more with Dan Clark in the letter to the editor in the Dec. 28 issue (“Religion and economics don’t mix”). Is it possible Dan misinterpreted “religion” with morality? A high moral compass drives economics in every way. In fact, any hint of ethic misbehavior and everybody cries foul, penalties, retribution, jail time, […]

  • Change Ups: Bailey, Kirk earn top customer service award

    Joe Bailey, executive vice president of Kalamazoo-based construction management company CSM Group, and Kevin Kirk, its vice president of environmental, health and safety, have received the company’s Walt East Excellence in Customer Service Award. Walt East was known for his ability to build lasting relationships with clients and co-workers and was a key reason people […]

  • Street Talk: Trumped-up charges?

    With the Iowa Caucus just three weeks away, concerns about the presidential candidates are starting to surface in the West Michigan business community. Is it possible that Donald Trump could actually become president of the United States? A local professional with ties to the global political world forwarded the Business Journal an editorial from Turkey […]

  • Letter: Community needs ‘doers’

    Editor: I found your opinion piece from Dec. 21 on the engaging of more doers refreshing (“Assure a seat at the table for the community ‘doers,’ not just the donors”). Some might call it “bold,” but I would call it a reality-check piece. As someone who enjoys being active in the community, I am of […]

  • How to mess up buying or selling your company

    Buying or selling a company is exciting. Maybe you are growing your business by acquiring a competitor. Maybe you are selling a company in which you invested your life savings and decades of effort. This may be the most significant transaction you have ever done. So … what follows are some ways you can really […]

  • Gym work is more than just a New Year’s resolution

    Lots of people made New Year’s resolutions to hit the gym more often this year, but a person would need to be really dedicated to keep up with Sabrina Provoast and Elizabeth Carpenter. They are the co-owners of Catalyst Training Center, a 1,900-square-foot gym at 6791 Old 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. Catalyst is a […]

  • Beer inventory system helps bars save time, money

    As beer consumers become savvier, bars and restaurants are finding it important to manage their beer inventory more intelligently. The Score, 5301 Northland Drive NE, recently became the first bar in Michigan to install and use SteadyServ, a management system for draft beer. The system is now used by nine retailers in Michigan, according to […]

  • Market rate rents far exceed market pay levels in region

    Grand Rapids Business Journal’s reporting on the problems associated with market-rate rent prices and affordability provides additional information as the Grand Rapids City Commission reviews and revises its Great Housing Strategies plan, adopted in mid-December as a work in progress. What the city can’t address, however, is the pay scale in the Greater Grand Rapids […]

  • Office design as talent attractor

    With low unemployment rates and the necessity to attract talent at the top of many organizations’ lists, something as simple as an office redesign could make the difference. At least that’s what Jan McCollum thinks. When McCollum started her interior design firm in Detroit in 1999, she aspired to be a residential designer but soon […]

  • Academy connects mentors with future leaders

    For nearly a decade, the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy has connected student fellows with members of the local community to provide mentorship as students learn how to become ethical and effective leaders for the 21st century. The Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy, which is part of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand […]

  • Inside Track: Shoveling snow uncovers a thirst for business

    Last week Bob Johnson celebrated three years as owner of The Apartment Lounge, one of only two LGBT bars remaining in downtown Grand Rapids. The bar has a long history in the community and is said to be the oldest continually operating LGBT-owned establishment in Michigan. Ed Ladner and Milton Lenox opened The Apartment Lounge […]

  • Grand Rapids ahead of the game for transit

    (As seen on WZZM TV 13) As 2016 gets underway, there are several projects to watch in Grand Rapids that could influence national transportation infrastructure ideals. In December, CityLab, an urban-planning offshoot of The Atlantic magazine, published an article highlighting several major transportation projects to watch this year, including some that are reminiscent of those […]

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