January 13, 2014
Demand rising for middle-skilled jobs
LANSING — Not everyone needs a bachelor’s degree. A recent national survey shows that employers have trouble filling middle-skilled jobs, and it said state-run programs could do more to help. The Michigan Manufacturers Association and local agencies say the same void exists around the state and they are working to fill it. There are more […]
How to survive an OSHA audit
Even with the 7 million workplaces it covers each year, OSHA will likely find its way to your location. Plan for an inspection by making sure you have three key items in place prior to the arrival of the OSHA compliance officer: a determination if you will ask for a warrant; a form to document […]
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Corporate minutes offer peace of mind for tax purposes
Keeping well-documented meeting minutes is more important than one might think. Although minutes are obviously important for company records, they might also serve a less well-known purpose: fewer hassles from the Internal Revenue Service. Corporations are generally required to have at least one meeting a year — to determine and ensure status as a separate […]
Street Talk: The price of doing business with the polar vortex
While everybody else was heroically fighting the snow and ice — or staring horrified out the window at the “Great Polar Vortex,” guys like Tim Walsh were seeing lots of dollar signs flying through the air. Walsh is a risk management expert, executive vice president of Aon Risk Solutions’ construction services group, and he has […]
This year’s economy should improve at steady pace
Continued modest growth. That’s the word on the West Michigan economy, according to data collected for the month of December. New Orders, our index of business improvement, eased to +5 from +16. There are no surprises here as the retrenchment is partially seasonal, given that December is a holiday month. The Production index also retreated, […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BURT, Robert W. Jr. et al, Bank Of America, Wyoming Ranches No. 1, Lot 81, $244,950 DEMEY, Chan Alan et al, Green Tree Servicing, LLC, Spencer Twp., 14-10-9, $228,700 PIERCE, Steven T. et al, Roundpoint Mortgage Co., Condo-Meadows Of Cannon Farms, $260,000 HADLEY, Henry et […]
Four improvement words that will ‘shape’ my 2014
Last year I posted four words on my bathroom mirror: “Finish,” “Write,” “Shape” and “Yes.” Based on last year’s success, this year I decided to create two four-word categories, one for achievement and one for improvement. Not “goals” in the sense that you may be thinking about, but rather intentions I consciously and subconsciously work […]
Change Ups: ACT hires Steele as executive director
Artists Creating Together, a local nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities from West and Northern Michigan with artistic and cultural interactive experiences, has hired Angela Steele as its executive director. Steele will oversee ACT’s programs, staff, fundraising, public relations and other administrative duties. She plans to lead ACT into a new era of sustainability and […]
City assigns property exemption to law firm
Grand Rapids city commissioners recently transferred an obsolete property tax exemption to the new owner of the Pike House, a historic downtown office building at 230 E. Fulton St. Keller & Almassian PLC, a law firm that specializes in bankruptcy and business litigation, bought the foreclosed building in a bankruptcy sale from First Financial Bank […]
Marketing agency veteran opens Authenticity Marketing Group
This past fall Bill Danhof fulfilled a lifelong dream by launching his own marketing firm: Authenticity Marketing Group. Danhof said he’d always considered it as something he might do, but there were always reasons why the timing wasn’t right: Basically, the bills needed to be paid. Then he got a nudge from his son, Matt. […]
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Collaboration is a biomedical research imperative
When my parents considered building a research institute in Grand Rapids in the late 1990s, many people thought it a foolish endeavor. No significant medical or scientific infrastructure existed at that time to support the kind of research they wanted to undertake. Grand Rapids’ economy was in the process of redefining itself, and the state […]
‘Urgent’ need for Asian carp strategy
The head of the Great Lakes Commission and key Michiganders in Congress say it’s time to stop debating how to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan at Chicago — and do something. “We’ve got to have action on this problem. It’s urgent,” said Tim Eder, executive director of the commission, which represents eight Great […]
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City agency pushes building project forward
A key mixed-use project planned for the city’s near northeast side took another step toward reality last week when the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a development and reimbursement pact with the developer of Lofts on Michigan. The developer, 616 Development, proposes to spend $16.1 million to build a new four-story structure at 740 Michigan St. […]
Accounting landscape changing in 2014
In the somewhat subdued world of accounting, 2014 is shaping up to be charged with change and potential change. A Grand Valley State University professor says the changes will matter to many businesses — especially banks, she predicts — while a manager in the audit practice at Crowe Horwath in Grand Rapids notes three changes […]
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Costs heading north, south of the border
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Changes to Mexican tax law that went into effect Jan. 1 will affect West Michigan auto suppliers and other manufacturers with operations south of the border. Joel Mitchell, a partner at Plante Moran in Grand Rapids, said the 2014 Mexican Tax Reform covers a broad range of issues, from […]
2013 changes to environmental regulations proved significant
Although there were not many changes to environmental regulations in 2013, they were significant — and 2014 could bring more meaningful changes in key areas. Important changes in 2013 include: Wetlands legislation: The legislature passed long-anticipated revisions to Michigan’s wetlands program that had been a product of considerable negotiation over many months. Key changes included […]
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Whitecaps begin rebuilding process after fire
Neither a blazing inferno nor a polar vortex can stop the West Michigan Whitecaps. Officials of the minor league team, the Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, say they will be ready for the home opener April 8, despite a Jan. 3 fire that gutted a portion of Fifth Third Ballpark and last week’s […]
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Inside Track: World traveler is firmly planted in city’s neighborhoods
The journey he took to become executive director of Neighborhood Ventures wasn’t a direct path. In fact, there were a few twists and turns along the way — which he thoroughly enjoyed. Mark C. Lewis replaced Kimberly Van Dyke at the organization’s top spot in 2009. Before he arrived at Neighborhood Ventures’ Wealthy Street office, […]
Considering employment in the family business
Are members of the next generation of the family business considering working for the family firm? Perhaps they live and work elsewhere and are thinking about returning to West Michigan because they see the incredible growth, excitement and opportunity taking place here. Perhaps they are still in school and are considering all of their options […]
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Market momentum is expected to continue across the region
When two companies merge, both firms acknowledge the risk involved in such a transaction and then hope for the best. In this case, the risk was worth it as the outcome has turned out to be better than best. It’s been more than two years since NAI West Michigan and The Wisinski Group merged to […]
Company snow days face legal hurdles
Schools weren’t the only ones making snow day calls last week, thanks to the polar vortex’s assault on the Midwest. Several companies decided to close, as well. For companies that already have a policy in place detailing whether employees will or will not be paid if there is a closure due to inclement weather or […]
State’s budget surplus makes for hard questions — and opportunities
Gov. Rick Snyder has scheduled the annual State of the State message for 7 p.m. Thursday, and there is no shortage of attentive constituents, particularly in light of the reported House Fiscal Agency estimate last week showing improved economic conditions will provide $327 million more in revenue than projected for the fiscal year. Associated Press […]
