January 4, 2016
Street Talk: Holland hopes energy reduction pays off
The city of Holland is competing to win $5 million, and its chances of scoring the prize are good. Holland is one of 50 cities nationwide competing for the Georgetown University Energy Prize, or GUEP, a two-year contest that challenges communities to rethink their energy use. Holland found out last month it is currently in […]
HR trends reveal a struggle for long-term employees
Local sources working in human resources say they are seeing a shift, and it seems to be across industry lines: It’s becoming trickier not only to get talent through the door but also to keep them from walking out. “I’ve noticed that the human resources field has been forced to change because the way that […]
Technology is changing the way business is done
Technology is an industry, a science and an art that is changing so rapidly that staying on top of it sometimes feels like trying to race a lightning bolt across the sky: You lost the second you saw the flash. Looking forward to 2016, technology stands out as something that seems to already be there, […]
Brewers applaud council revamp
The state’s brewers and distillers could soon have a louder voice in the government. Early last month, Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, introduced a bill that would expand the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council to include representatives from the state’s various beverage industries and the farmers that serve them. The bill requests a name change […]
Small business IRS fine goes up to $1 million
The IRS can now fine a small business up to $1 million for failure to file correct tax information. This summer, the IRS increased penalties for failure to file correct information returns and failure to provide correct payee statements for information returns on 1099, W-2 and 1095 filings filed after Dec. 31, 2015. The maximum […]
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The Factory’s coLearning courses adding nonprofit factor
The hands-on-learning philosophy of The Factory’s coLearning classes now will have a dose of philanthropic impact. The Factory, a startup hub in downtown Grand Rapids at 38 W. Fulton St., will be adding a nonprofit aspect to its coLearning courses, said Aaron Schaap, founder of Elevator Up and The Factory. CoLearning is The Factory’s educational […]
Vital Signs: Partnerships create thriving sector for biomedical research
Grand Rapids is a thriving city filled with small businesses, entrepreneurs, world-class educational institutions and a vibrant biomedical research community. In many ways, our city is a success story — we regularly top a variety of ratings, from being named one of the top 25 Best Performing Cities to taking the title for Best Beer […]
Medical professional liability company enters market
A medical professional liability company founded in Pennsylvania has expanded into Michigan. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services approved Professional Casualty Association, or PCA, for operations as a licensed and admitted carrier. PCA began operating in Michigan in November. Jonathan Lanesky, vice president of marketing/claims, will lead the Michigan office, which is located […]
Residents to pay more for trash disposal
With environmental concerns rising, the cost to send trash to landfills will, as well. Kent County commissioners approved the Kent County Solid Waste Surcharge last year, and as of Jan. 1, county residents will pay haulers a surcharge of $1.68 annually for the one ton of trash an average household is expected to dispose of. […]
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Change Ups: WMU alumnus to direct flight operations
Capt. Russell Kavalhuna has been named executive director of flight operations for the Western Michigan University College of Aviation at W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek. Kavalhuna is an alumnus who is an established aviation and legal professional. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and is a former airline captain and flight instructor. He […]
Construction employment continues year-end surge
Construction employment expanded by 46,000 net new jobs in November after adding 34,000 jobs in October (revised upward by 3,000), according to an analysis of the recent employment report from the U.S. Department of Labor. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 9,300 jobs in November after adding 19,400 jobs during the prior month (revised downward from […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds VANLIER, Tijs By POA et al, Chemical Bank, Creekside Estates No. 2, Lot 51, $281,600 RUTHVEN, Robert et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Duncan Cove Site Condominium, $273,614 KOLL, Randall et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., 10-8-11, $320,000 WAY, Michael B. et al, […]
This is not a resolution — it’s an all-out resolve!
Whatever your age, you’ve made resolutions, you’ve made goals, and often you fall short of the stated desire and/or objective. Drop resolutions — they’re always painful. Drop goals — they’re often unmet. Refer to whatever it is that you want as: “my intended and expected achievement,” and add a few lines about your intentions and […]
ABLE Act provides savings tool for people with special needs
The state of Michigan has just made it easier for families caring for loved ones with special needs to set money aside without penalty. Starting in 2016, the Achieving Better Life Experience Act will allow people receiving public means-tested benefits, who are currently restricted in how much money they can save, the ability to save […]
Is human resources a sort of social barometer?
Recently, I received a video clip from a friend of a radio program produced by Paul Harvey, a well-known commentator in the ’70s and ’80s. The gist of it was about all the trends back then that seemed to indicate society was going down the “tube.” Shortly thereafter, I received a shared e-mail from another […]
Wellness firm measures effectiveness of businesses, leaders
The key to solving a business’s challenges is to solve the holistic health of both its leadership and employees. This is what Joel Robertson, CEO and founder of Nevada-based Robertson Wellness, has discovered in his more than 30 years of studying a behavior model he uses to help a business improve on its talent. Robertson […]
Switch will test region, state’s abilities — especially in educational attainment
Brian Long takes a decidedly conservative view of the regional economy as director of supply management research at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. His reports on the local economy in the Business Journal throughout 2015 indicated “slow but very steady growth.” In West Michigan, such statements generally are regarded as good economic […]
Beer industry matures
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The beer industry is still in an age of discovery, and 2016 will be no different, especially in Grand Rapids. In 2012, the city saw a flurry of breweries open, creating a buzz around the craft beer industry as Grand Rapids was named BeerCity USA. The rate of openings lulled, […]
Still facing health care, diversity challenges
Jon Snead sees two main challenges facing human resources professionals in Grand Rapids. Snead, who has lived in West Michigan his whole life, is the senior vice president at Aon Risk Solutions, a globally recognized insurance agency where he has worked for 19 years. With an insider’s view of the community, he’s seen how the […]
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Inside Track: Navigating transportation and supply chain management
Les Brand, chief executive officer at Supply Chain Solutions, considers his biggest career break walking away from a chance to sail around the world with Wally Stenhouse during the Whitbread Round the World race after finishing school in 1974. “Wally Stenhouse had a boat called Aura out of Chicago, and he was going to do […]
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Group focuses on marijuana entrepreneurs
A new networking group focused on entrepreneurs in the marijuana industry is launching this week in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids chapter of Women Grow will hold its inaugural Signature Networking Event 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Thursday, at Peppino’s, 130 Ionia Ave SW, in downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets for the event can be purchased at eventbrite.com. […]
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Health care organizations predict healthy 2016
The past year was filled with announcements from the area’s health care leaders. It seemed as soon as a ribbon-cutting occurred, a new multi-million-dollar project was announced. In addition, several health care organizations announced new training programs, partnerships and community outreach efforts, welcomed new clinicians and staff, and highlighted other improvements to the services they […]
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Market rate rent: ‘a problem that needs to be solved’
With thousands of new apartment units coming on line in downtown Grand Rapids in the next year, the “market rate” rent attached to them has created much discussion, and not just among renters. Apartment rents in downtown generally are well over $1,000 a month these days, but seeing rent prices on the increase is not […]
