January 13, 2020
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Minority council seeking foothold
In the past few years, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council has invested its time and resources to help corporations and minority business enterprises to become more engaged in West Michigan. The organization has been meeting with companies in Grand Rapids and West Michigan to raise awareness but, so far, hasn’t generated much visibility for […]
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Seasonal flu slows productivity: seven tips to keep your office healthy
Getting the flu is probably not accounted for in your project schedule. Yet, each year, more than 100 million workdays, or the equivalent of over $7 billion per year in productivity, are lost because of the flu. Flu activity typically peaks between December and February, so now is a critical time to take a few […]
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Group purchases farmland for provision center
Michigan has become an enticing market for marijuana businesses. A group of investors and partners, including Chris Guerrin, collaborated to purchase a tract of West Michigan farmland and opened a small startup medical marijuana provision center in Paw Paw. Canna 43 opened Jan. 2 and Guerrin is the general manager of the center. Although it […]
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Inside Track: A life of service
When Tami VandenBerg moved back home, she had the drive to turn Grand Rapids into a great place to live for everybody. Twenty years later, the owner of two clubs and former executive director of Well House has left a serious mark on the community, but she’s still not done. VandenBerg said she always had […]
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Street Talk: Group seeks to stall sex trafficking
A human trafficking workgroup is inviting Grand Rapids residents to join the movement to end sex trafficking in Grand Rapids. The event, titled “Understanding Sex Trafficking in Grand Rapids,” will take place from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 14 at the KROC Center, 2500 S. Division Ave. Grand Rapids Third Ward Commissioner Senita Lenear is leading the […]
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Panel eyes farm market land use
The location of farm markets has become a topic of debate for the Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices for Farm Markets review committee. A draft of the 2020 Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices for Farm Markets has many proposed revisions by the GAAMP review committee, but one that is of concern is the […]
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Networking company launches local chapter
(As seen on WZZM-TV 13) An entrepreneur launched a local chapter of a national company that supports startups. Corey Hart recently launched a Grand Rapids chapter of Palo Alto, California-based Startup Grind. More than 3 million entrepreneurs attend networking meetings each month at the company’s more than 600 chapters in more than 125 countries. In […]
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Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-05042 – FARRIS, Joseph R., 1713 Wendler SW, Wyoming, Ralph M. Reisinger (Ch. 7) 19-05046 – MOSLEY, Elijah C. Sr. & Shana N., 6539 Prairie Pointe Drive SE, Caledonia, Greg J. Ekdahl (Ch. 13) 19-05049 – SCHUTTE Mark A., 121 Church SE, Mary S. Cohn (Ch. 7) 19-05057 – MUJIC, Ejub & Minka, 6996 […]
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Financial industry aims to stay on top of emerging tech
Technology in the financial services industry is continually changing, and accountants across the country are taking notice. Avani Desai, president of Florida-based Schellman & Co., said in an Accounting Today story that more and more firms are investing in automation, artificial intelligence and blockchain so auditors can work more efficiently. “From an industry standpoint, these […]
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Change-Ups: Broaddus named to Top Lawyers list
Secrest Wardle partner Drew W. Broaddus was named to Grand Rapids Magazine’s 2019 Top Lawyers list in the Insurance Law category. Inclusion in the list is based solely upon an attorney’s standing within their peer group. Broaddus serves as chair of Secrest Wardle’s Appellate Practice Group and is chair of the Insurance Coverage Practice Group. […]
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Survey bemoans lack of talent
Results of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 government affairs survey are in. A talented workforce, quality infrastructure and regional housing supply are the top three issues for West Michigan businesses entering 2020. More than 400 chamber members completed the survey, 65% of them representing small or mid-sized businesses. The chamber said this annual […]
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Nonprofit raising children’s global awareness
A married couple launched a nonprofit in Holland dedicated to expanding students’ cultural and global awareness. Launched by Allison Hoving Baraza and Gerald Baraza, Empowering Youth Global Connection seeks to bring a global perspective to underprivileged children in Michigan, as well as support children at the Children of Africa Hope Mission School in Kenya. Locally, […]
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100-day challenge identifies issues
A 100-day challenge to address overall livability issues in Muskegon is coming to a close. The goal of the challenge is to create plans to ensure residents have the opportunity to achieve economic self-sufficiency, allowing not only the community to thrive but also all individual residents and families. In doing so, the group said it […]
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Michigan is having the wrong conversation about improving education
The think tank I lead, Michigan Future Inc., recently co-sponsored “Outsmarting the Robots: Redesigning education from the classroom to the halls of Lansing” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The co-sponsors shared a belief that, by and large, Michigan is having the wrong conversation about how to improve education in Michigan. One that is focused […]
