January 28, 2013
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Downtown Market earns Newsmaker award
Members of the team that came together a few years ago to collaborate on the Downtown Market project joined the Grand Rapids Business Journal this week at the project site to accept their award for Newsmaker of the Year. “Our motto has always been (to) think boldly, plan collegially and act in a sense of […]
It’s not just a new year; it’s a better, smarter, easier way
In case no one has told you, the old way of selling is dead. Problem is, people are still using the old way and, even worse, “experts” are still teaching the old way. Of course, I realize all of you are the most innovative and creative salespeople on the planet. None of you ever resort […]
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Change Ups: Competition tests students’ business mettle
Some 400 students representing 20 West Michigan high schools put their entrepreneurial skills to the test Jan. 12 at the Davenport University-hosted Business Professionals of America’s regional competition, held at Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga campus. Events included individual and team competitions in accounting, business skills, technology, public speaking and presentation skills. Top qualifiers will advance to […]
The business of education: It’s time for new ideas
Each January we have high hopes that the coming year will be better than the past year, even if last year wasn’t so bad. I believe we have turned the corner on a particularly bad period. This is not to say we won’t have numerous challenges in the next 12 months. There are likely to […]
Public Record
Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds CHALLENGE MANUFACTURING CO., PNC Bank, Walker, 4-7-12, $750,000 CMC EAST LLC, PNC Bank, Walker, 4-7-12, $750,000 FRUIT RIDGE ASSEMBLY LLC, PNC Bank, Walker, 5-7-12, $750,000 DODGSON-KRAFT ASSOCIATES LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., 18-6-10, $219,871 JADE PIG VENTURES-RIVERTOWN LLC, Mercantile Bank Of Michigan, Grandville, 29-6-12, […]
County panel hoping to hear from real estate professionals
At its first meeting since the lawsuit was filed, Kent County Commissioner Michael Wawee suggested a few area real estate professionals be invited to a future meeting of the county’s Land Bank Process Subcommittee. Wawee, who chairs the subcommittee, said he wants to hear their views on the county’s Land Bank Authority. “I’d really like […]
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For Michigan Blood, logistics really is life or death
A pint comes out, a pint goes in. That’s likely how many people feel blood donation works. In reality, the blood business is a whole lot more complicated. The logistics involved in the Michigan Blood network can make heads spin with the amount of work that goes into distributing blood donations to more than 40 […]
Inside or outside — whom to hire?
Do you promote a known employee in your business or shake things up and go outside to hire for a key position? In today’s competitive job market it may be tempting to select from an array of qualified candidates from the outside. But experts warn this can be risky and expensive. At the Small Business […]
County to issue property RFP soon
Kent County Assistant Administrator Mary Swanson said a request-for-proposals for a trio of adjacent riverfront parcels the county owns will be going out soon. The three properties total 1.28 acres and are located in the 500 block of Monroe Avenue NW on the east bank of the Grand River. The county bought the parcels for […]
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Crystal Flash enters propane market for bus and commercial fleets
Crystal Flash Energy, a Grand Rapids-based vehicle and home heating fuel distributor that operates throughout much of the Lower Peninsula, has signed on to be the exclusive Michigan dealer for Alliance AutoGas, which is active throughout North America and based in Asheville, N.C. Alliance markets liquefied petroleum gas, also known as liquid propane, for vehicles. […]
Small business success enriches the lives of all of us
I listened to an interview with a woman on the radio recently stating that we need to get rid of the rich people in this country. When asked what she thought should be done with the rich people, she said, “Put them in jail.” When the interviewer asked her why they should go to jail, […]
Hundreds of West Michigan docs now in an ACO
Federal health authorities have announced a new accountable care organization approved by Medicare in January that represents 1,800 doctors across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — including perhaps a thousand or more working in or near Grand Rapids, Muskegon and surrounding counties. The new Physician Organization of Michigan ACO includes: Advantage Health/Saint Mary’s Care Network in Grand […]
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Inside Track: Move to organic milk was a good idea
It’s not too unusual for a cow in David Vander Zanden’s barn to have garlic on her breath. It may help keep her healthy, but don’t worry: It doesn’t flavor the milk. Vander Zanden is a “niche” dairy farmer near Casnovia, a small community northwest of Grand Rapids. In January, he was one of 51 […]
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Kendall students win Startup Weekend competition
Students led and won the race to create the best business at Grand Rapids’ fourth annual Startup Weekend, hosted at The Factory space at 38 W. Fulton St. Of 130 participants, many of whom were veteran competitors and experienced entrepreneurs, Kendall College of Art and Design assistant professor Jon Moroney’s industrial design class students Kris […]
City and CWD agree on property option
Grand Rapids city commissioners unanimously agreed last week to enter into a property-option contract with CWD Real Estate Investment. The commercial development firm is interested in building on a city-owned site at the northeast corner of Fulton Street and Ionia Avenue NW, across Fulton from the Van Andel Arena. The triangular piece of property is […]
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Rose Technologies expands its capabilities
Medical device manufacturer Rose Technologies has completed the rigorous process for ISO certification that will now allow the Grand Rapids company to add sterilization and packaging to its manufacturing capability. “Expanding our ISO certification will put us in a position to potentially double sales in the next three to five years as the market recognizes […]
Mayor cites business involvement in annual address
The plight of the city’s young people topped Mayor George Heartwell’s 10th State of the City address Saturday at DeVos Place, and he credited a lengthy list of local businesses for making his Mayor’s 50 program a success last year. Heartwell cited Cascade Engineering, Express Employment Professionals, SMG, Mindscape, Terryberry, Vi-Chem, Warner Norcross and Judd, […]
Street Talk: Lansing casino battle being fought in GR court
The U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids heard arguments last week in the state’s attempt to block the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians from asking the federal government to take its newly purchased Lansing property into trust so it can build a casino there. Some other Michigan tribes with casinos don’t like the […]
Grand Rapids is a state, federal model of efficiency
Mayor George Heartwell on Saturday provided his annual State of the City speech, outlining progress on key initiatives, which, in fact, could be seen in headlines across the country in publications from Forbes, the Brookings Institution and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The city’s top rank in almost a dozen “top” lists from BeerCity USA […]
Retail real estate market improved last year
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) According to the Commercial Alliance of Realtors, the retail real estate market improved significantly last year: The sales volume of retail properties rose by 68 percent in 2012 from the previous year. The market’s biggest gains were recorded in the usual areas: 28th Street SE, Knapp’s Corner sector on […]
