January 2, 2018
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Business caution signs for the new year
Forecasters are bullish regarding the national economy and the only word to add regarding West Michigan’s economy is “cautiously” bullish. Year-end Business Journal reporting in most business sectors shows confidence in the local economy. The Business Journal notes, too, that Q4 brought some significant changes to local and regional businesses which will, as a result, […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds COOPER, Robert E. et al, Quicken Loans, Providence Lake, Lot 10, $361,147 KLINGENBERG, Karter J. et al, NOIC, Paris Park No. 3, Lot 648, $221,500 JENKS, Matthew E. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Planters Ridge, Lot 9, $332,694 CRIDER, Broc et al, Pennymac Loan […]
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Medical Mile: a vision for change in Grand Rapids
Thirty years ago, Grand Rapids stood at a crossroads — after more than a century as a manufacturing hub for the furniture and the auto industries, the city’s job sectors were changing. Thousands of manufacturing jobs were in decline or moving elsewhere, taking a once vibrant and dynamic economy with them. Our lively, postwar downtown […]
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Construction input prices expand as inflation creeps higher
Construction input prices expanded 0.7 percent in November and rose 5.6 percent on a yearly basis, the largest increase since November 2011, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Nonresidential construction materials prices also expanded 0.7 percent for the month and 5.4 percent for the year. Crude petroleum prices rose 11 percent […]
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Hiking through the 65-day trust distribution rule
So much can happen in 65 days. The pilgrims sailed to America on the Mayflower in 65 days, you could briskly hike the Appalachian Trail in that time (the record is currently 45 days and 12 hours) and it takes about that long for a house cat or wolf to be born. Trust and estate […]
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Change Ups: Manns appointed to health council
Bill Manns, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Grand Rapids president, was appointed to Gov. Rick Snyder’s recently established Public Health Advisory Council. He is one of the 18 named appointees. The council was recommended by the Public Health Advisory Commission and initially will develop an action plan for implementing the commission’s recommendations and also will provide […]
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Street Talk: Manufacturing makes a comeback
The U.S. manufacturing sector continues to rebound as a result of pent-up demand for goods and, perhaps, the effect of the Trump administration’s “pro-America” rhetoric. Seth Martindale, managing director with CBRE, attributed the growth in manufacturing to two factors. First, the U.S. has seen limited manufacturing capacity increases since the end of the recession. Businesses […]
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City plans busy year
The mayor and city manager of Grand Rapids are looking at 2018 with optimism, hoping to clinch an affordable housing plan and launch or continue several other projects. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said the city’s top priority in the first two months of the new year will be replacing retiring City Manager Greg Sundstrom. “It’s front […]
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Local companies see domino effect from wellness services
Peaches McCahill, owner and president of The McCahill Group — a corporate wellness company based in East Grand Rapids — said throughout the 30 years her organization has been operating, she has seen an increase in the number of people seeking its services. According to Statista, a market research company, 184 million visits were made […]
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Comcast gambles on downtown build-out
Comcast currently is working on an extension of its fiber network for downtown Grand Rapids, which is scheduled for completion in early 2018. The cable giant is hoping more customers will follow. The new network, which began in January 2017, will consist of 25.12 miles of Ethernet Grade fiber that will run through all main […]
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Smaller businesses find suburban locations
A flurry of fourth-quarter activity will result in some new faces and expanded spaces for clients of a West Michigan commercial real estate firm. Bradley Company recently released its completed commercial real estate deals for the fourth quarter of 2017, which include the arrival of new businesses to West Michigan, as well as the expansion […]
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Tax reform generates uncertainty
Many analysts are saying the 495-page tax bill signed into law Dec. 22, the first significant tax reform passed since 1986, is so complex it’s hard to predict what will happen next. But a local tax professional, wealth manager and nonprofit director are saying some impacts of the law are clear enough — whether one […]
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Inside Track: Bringing a ‘welcoming spirit’ to tough issues
As in the business world, one of the main barriers to diversity and inclusion in higher education circles is ignorance, Alicia Lloyd said. The recently appointed director of the rebranded Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at Aquinas College said her greatest asset in her new role is her comfort level with communicating uncomfortable truths […]
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Trending toward zero carbon
The city of Grand Rapids is participating in a three-year project to develop a policy roadmap toward a zero net carbon building sector by 2050. Twelve U.S. cities were selected to take part in the Zero Cities Project, a policy process informed by technical analysis that will include community collaboration and a focus on equity. […]
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Economic growth expected for Grand Rapids
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) After a year of surpassed expectations, another economically successful year is expected for West Michigan, though growth may be limited compared to last year. There are a few reasons 2018 employment is not expected to grow as much in 2017, according to Jim Robey, director of regional economic planning services […]
