January 20, 2015
Economist sees interest rates rising in June
Most executives in West Michigan business would probably agree the state and national economies have definitely come back to life, but it is already a mid-cycle economy in the U.S. now, according to Comerica Bank’s chief economist Robert A. Dye. Going into 2015, he predicts a continuing decline in unemployment and the likelihood of a […]
Expect increased expenditures
West Michigan employers will continue to face challenges when it comes to health care. Grand Valley State University researchers discussed with the Business Journal the 2015 Health Check: Analyzing Trends in West Michigan report. The annual report identified a number of health-related trends and regional issues, such as: an increase in health care expenditures and […]
Kent County leads U.S. employment recovery
According to a study by the National Association of Counties, Kent County is the first “large economy” county in America — counties with more than 500,000 residents — to reach its pre-downturn unemployment rate. The 2014 County Economic Tracker: Progress through Adversity released by NACo on Jan. 14 states that Kent County’s unemployment rate right […]
Neuroscientific research, national study show print is not dead
Despite rumors to the contrary, print is not dead. The American Marketing Association of West Michigan last week welcomed print evangelist Daniel Dejan, print and creative manager for Sappi Fine Paper, to Calvin College’s Prince Conference Center to present his workshop “Print and Everything Else.” Dejan is adamant that print is not only alive but […]
Metro area ranks best in the Midwest
2014 was a year of economic performance so excellent for Grand Rapids and Wyoming that the area was recently named the top-performing city in the Midwest. Grand Rapids/Wyoming ranked 25th on the list of the “25 Best Performing Cities” produced annually by The Milken Institute, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based independent economic think tank and nonprofit. […]
Street Talk: A view of Grand Rapids from above
Grand Rapids’ reputation is reaching new heights. This month’s digital edition of Delta Airlines’ traveler magazine, Sky, contains a lengthy feature on “Beer City USA” or “Best Beer Town in America,” whichever title strikes your fancy. Regardless of the moniker, the city’s craft beer explosion is nice exposure for a heretofore staple of the country’s […]
Energy Savings Performance Contract leads to award for Battle Creek
Energy-efficiency improvements at Battle Creek city facilities earned the Cereal City a 2014 Michigan Economic Development Corp. Energy Services Coalition Award, according to Ameresco Inc., a nationwide firm with an office in Grand Rapids. In recognition of significant investment into energy-efficiency systems and demonstrable energy cost savings at public buildings throughout the state, the Energy […]
Mills honored by Association of Energy Engineers
Diane Mills of Ameresco’s Grand Rapids office was presented with a national award this fall from the Association of Energy Engineers. A certified energy manager, she was named Energy Manager of the Year for the AEE’s Region III, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The award was presented in late September […]
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Change Ups: People Fund awards nearly $170,000 grants
Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund awarded $168,457 in grants last year to charitable and community organizations. The fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members who allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. The grants were awarded to 63 charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes […]
2015 forecast: a new age of wealth and poverty
It seems like a betrayal of the “dismal science” to give a relatively optimistic current economic analysis and forecast. However, it is what it is. Or, possibly, there is more than what the economist sees and, lying behind this new age of prosperity, is a mix of wealth and poverty. The last quarter GDP grew […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BRASURE, Neal G. et al, Quicken Loans, Cannon Twp., 25-8-10, $270,400 KNEPPER, David G. et al, Citibank, Gaines Twp., 19-5-11, $256,360 MARTORANO, Scott et al, Bank Of America, Apple Hills East, Lot 4, $247,180 SUTTON, Benjamin et al, Quicken Loans, Vergennes Twp., 18-7-9, $208,998 AGRILLO, […]
To make a difference, we must view things differently
We often receive an unexpected boost from motivational quotes. Many inspirational thoughts originate within the world of sports, but life is more than playing games. It is about dreaming what might be our reality, if only that which is could become what we wish it to be. It is about reaching beyond our wildest expectations […]
Low wages are major impediment to labor supply
Gov. Rick Snyder has made clear that one of his top priorities is career technical education for the skilled trades, particularly in construction, manufacturing and agriculture. He created a new super agency — the Department of Talent and Economic Development — to deal with the problem. And he is pushing for a re-emphasis on vocation […]
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Watching your Gardens grow
Today, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is a one-of-a-kind attraction, not just in West Michigan but the world. This year marks the 20th anniversary since Meijer Gardens opened its doors, and its staff has planned a year of special events and exhibits. Annually, Meijer Gardens attracts more than 600,000 visitors and is ranked in […]
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A bigger company requires bigger logistics
When Michigan’s Spartan Stores Inc. merged with Nash Finch Co. of Edina, Minn., in 2013, it created one of the nation’s largest combined retailer/wholesalers of groceries, with a logistics network serving stores in more than 40 states plus the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores, Bahrain and Egypt. At least 250 of […]
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DDA approves funds for Olds Manor project
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority has approved funding for the recently announced Olds Manor redevelopment project, also known as the Rowe Hotel building. The redevelopment project was announced in December by CWD Real Estate, working on behalf of property owner OMH, which plans to turn the building, located on the corner of Michigan and […]
Whitewater project keeps flowing
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Grand Rapids Whitewater is taking another step forward in its efforts to restore the rapids of the Grand River. When the organization’s founders, Chip Richards and Chris Muller, announced the potential economic impact of changing the river in September — between $15 million and $20 million per year — […]
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Inside Track: Boileau foresees dynamic growth ahead
A couple of key words that come up repeatedly when Randy Boileau speaks about his past and future are “storytelling” and “interesting,” both of which are also good words to describe Boileau. A natural storyteller whose career trajectory has followed a path of interesting opportunities, Boileau amassed more than 20 years of experience in journalism, […]
Brewer clears first hurdle for new site, reviews issues
New Holland Brewing Co.’s plan for a new development on the west side of Grand Rapids has cleared its first hurdle, but not without plenty of discussion. The Grand Rapids Planning Commission recently hosted a public hearing to discuss the $10 million project slated for Bridge Street NW. While most people who made comments during […]
Mayor touts ‘bright future’ in final address
Mayor George Heartwell focused on three key areas Saturday morning during his last state of the city speech: equity, talent attraction and sustainability. He noted while the impulse is to look backward — “listing off accomplishments” and “savoring the successes” — he would continue to look forward. In an interview with the Business Journal based […]
Heartwell’s call for additional climate action by private sector sets new bar
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell outlined his priorities for the city in his annual — and last — address, once again challenging both the private and public sectors to accomplish new objectives related to environmental preservation issues. Eleven years ago, as the mayor noted, he evoked some amount of ridicule from community business leaders. In […]
