January 22, 2018
New Year’s resolutions: Will you be a winner?
The new year has arrived. But the question becomes where are we going? For many, they will make this new year an opportunity to change for the better, like more exercise, better eating habits, improved relationships; a burst of positive energy. Many, of course, will make no formal plans or resolutions and just keep doing […]
Economic concerns must be prioritized
The Business Journal finds reason for continued caution in the reporting of greater Grand Rapids economic forecasts for 2018 and year-end statements summarizing 2017. General perceptions of overall well-being are interwoven with warnings of weakness. City and county officials, on the eve of making major leadership decisions in hiring a new city manager and new […]
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Change Ups: Sofranko appointed artistic director
James Sofranko was appointed Grand Rapids Ballet’s new artistic director. Sofranko will be responsible for all artistic direction and artistic planning, including programming and hiring of dancers and choreographers, production staff, touring and outreach efforts. He plans to choreograph new works for GRB, as well as hire outside choreographers. He intends to build upon outgoing […]
It may be a bit, but it’s not a coin
If you’re like me, over the past few months you’ve probably been inundated with emails, texts, news reports and speculation about bitcoin. Or, maybe it’s just me because I worked on Wall Street managing “real” money and was recently an adjunct professor of economics at Grand Valley State University for two years. I have to […]
Street Talk: Local idea gets national exposure
Delegates from Michigan Farm Bureau were successful in their efforts to advance several Michigan policy recommendations during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, including revisions to AFBF dairy and farm program policy. Approximately 350 state delegates, including 11 MFB board members, concluded national policy debate and voting Jan. 9 on more […]
Cost of Cyber Crime study concludes cyberattacks on the rise nationally
Whether it is Equifax, Uber or Wells Fargo, the threat to cybersecurity is more prevalent than ever. Therefore, it has prompted an increased interest in risk management insurance. According to a 2017 Cost of Cyber Crime study conducted by Accenture, a global digital consulting company, cybersecurity breaches per company in a year rose more than […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BURLEY, Raymond et al, Mortgage Research Center, Bailey's Grove No. 15, Lot 422, $215,536 WILLICK, Ross et al, Northern Mortgage Services, Carrington Ridge No. 1, Lot 2, $275,233 SULLIVAN, Mary R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Waterford Woods No. 2, Lot 34, $256,000 ANDERSON, […]
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Iconic spot receives inclusive contributions
The Grand Haven Imagination Station is getting a makeover later this year. The nearly 28-year-old, 20,000-square-foot wooden playground structure is getting a $500,000 rebuild this fall, and there are a lot of people and businesses contributing to its success. During the community meetings last year, it was decided there is a need for an all-inclusive, […]
Security flaws reside in Intel processors
Google early in January discovered nearly every Intel processor could be vulnerable to a security breach. Engineers from Google, along with researchers from the Graz University of Technology in Austria and the Germany-based private tech company Cyberus Technology, discovered two primary security flaws inherent in nearly every Intel central processing unit built since 1995. The […]
Labor woes top survey concerns
Results from the annual Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs survey confirm talent and workforce development, as well as parking and mobility, remain the top concerns of the West Michigan business community. Nearly 650 members contributed to this year’s survey, with two-thirds of respondents representing small- and mid-sized business. For the second year […]
Growth expected among real estate sectors
Lack of skilled labor and a high demand for inventory continue to be key players in the real estate industry in 2018. The real estate professionals at Colliers International West Michigan and Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business predicted the new year will feature continued growth across the industrial, office, residential and retail […]
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Inside Track: Ambition drives Jbara
He was never the tallest, most elusive or the strongest, but he was always ambitious. “Basketball was my favorite sport, I wasn't super talented at it, but it was always my favorite sport,” said Steve Jbara, the owner/president of the Grand Rapids Drive. “I was better at baseball, though. I was awful at football, it […]
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Comprehensive farm law changes on deck this week
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The clock is ticking. In a matter of hours, farmers across the United States will be obligated to adhere to the largest federal overhaul in agriculture policy in 70 years. On Jan. 26, the Food Safety Modernization Act will be implemented, requiring farmers who earn $500,000 or more in […]
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City says project pipeline tightens
The city of Grand Rapids has released a report showing the number of projects in its approval pipeline dipped in 2017. Grand Rapids’ Economic Development Office on Jan. 9 reported to the city’s Economic Development Project Team the commitments from businesses that received approval for various city incentive programs during calendar year 2017. The commitments […]
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Entrepreneur invests $3M into Spring Lake
A major redevelopment of downtown Spring Lake is underway, with a member of the VanKampen family at the helm. Kim VanKampen, who is related to the VanKampens who run Harvest Bible Chapel, has plans to turn the Village of Spring Lake into an “epicurean” travel destination. “She had a vision of, instead of being a […]
