July 13, 2015
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Stronger dollar, cyber attacks add to worries
Michigan’s manufacturing industry, fueled by a strengthening economy and increased product development, continues to accelerate. But as Isaac Newton pointed out, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The sector’s renewed momentum may be generating more competition across the state, which could cause Michigan manufacturers to more carefully consider the quality and […]
Fraud takes 5 percent bite out of business revenue
The world economy loses an estimated $3.5 trillion annually to fraud. Broken down based on gross domestic product, approximately 5 percent of annual revenue of U.S. businesses is lost to fraud, said Tim Bergsma, an accounting professor at Davenport University and an occupational fraud consultant. Davenport’s accounting programs include fraud examination and forensic accounting tracks. […]
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Change Ups: KDL receives leadership recognition
Kent District Library’s diligence to strengthen the quality of services it provides has paid off. The public library system, comprised of 18 branch libraries in Kent County, accepted the Quality Leadership Navigator Recognition from Michigan Performance Excellence, an assessment that recognized KDL’s sustained commitment to continuous improvement, the next step in a multi-year effort to […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BAAR, Nathan et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Little Crooked Lake, Lot 20, $247,000 HOLZGEN, Erin T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Barber Ridge Estates Site Condominium, $290,000 WILSON, Mark S. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Aberdeen Ridge Condominium, $253,600 VETTER, Ryan et al, […]
West Michigan economy remains on solid footing
Growth in West Michigan’s economy remains good, but the rate has moderated. That is the latest word on the local economy, according to data and comments collected in the last two weeks of June. New Orders, our index of business improvement, backtracked to +19 from +31. In a similar pattern, the June Production index remained […]
What CEOs want to talk about (it’s not your product)
Everyone tells you to meet with the decision maker. Everyone tells you to meet with the CEO. However, it seems no one offers any advice on what to say what to do or what to ask when you get to that meeting. Harsh reality: It’s more than likely the CEO doesn’t want to meet with […]
Street Talk: Food for thought
Grand Rapids is good at pulling off combos. We combine lots of things and make them better. The latest example is the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft, the professional golf tour stop visiting Blythefield Country Club July 21-26. It’s not enough just to have a professional sporting event call West Michigan home. We […]
Taxpayers guaranteed day in court
A law that required Michigan taxpayers disputing a tax assessment to pay the assessment — plus penalties and interest — before being allowed to go before the court has been repealed. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed the bill, which will go into effect in spring 2016. “It makes it possible for taxpayers to go […]
Steps toward removing someone from the management team
Anyone who has worked in human resources for any period knows staffing issues come in all sorts of shapes and forms. Getting people in the door is often a function of the economy, supply-and-demand of labor, pay scales, recruiting strategies, culture, etc. But frequently the bigger issue occurs when you have hired a person and […]
Letter: Focus on parking needs relative to businesses
Editor: Wow … your editorial (“City parking ‘study’ was no study and assumed a conclusion,” July 6) is even more “right on” than perhaps you know. There are a few realtors who do 90 percent of the leasing in the downtown area, and none of us were interviewed. Major building owners were not interviewed. Many […]
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New Kendall president is ready to contribute
The new president of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is looking to build on her knowledge of internal and creative community relationships to maintain focus on the school’s direction. Leslie Bellavance took over as president of the Grand Rapids-based school at the beginning of this month. Bellavance also will serve […]
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Beauty in the eye of the beholder
A West Michigan health care building has been acknowledged for its interior design by the Michigan Chapter of the International Interior Design Association. West Michigan Eye & Laser, 1450 E. Farr Road, Norton Shores, was recognized for its outstanding interior design at the biennial Michigan Interior Design Excellence Awards banquet held recently in Detroit. The […]
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Inside Track: Perspective makes ownership easier for Kirkwood-Hall
Ann Kirkwood-Hall and her company Bulman Products Inc. were honored in May with the West Michigan World Trade Association’s Trader of the Year award. Skytron, GNS, Steelcase, SoundOff Signal, Meijer, X-Rite and Amway have received the recognition in previous years, putting Bulman in good company. “It is a really nice honor,” Kirkwood-Hall said at the […]
Regional food hub advances
Muskegon soon could be a regional hub of food activity. An $85,000 study of how to grow the West Michigan food system recommended a food hub be created in Muskegon. Food hubs support local food systems by acting as aggregates for small to mid-size local growers, processing, packaging and distributing the food. The study was […]
‘Marry responsibly,’ attorney advises
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Same-sex couples are flocking to courthouses and churches across the nation to tie the knot now that same-sex marriage is recognized across all 50 states, and that’s great, according to one local attorney, but there is a less happy side to marriage these couples need to think about: divorce. […]
NorthStar shines on West Michigan market
When the legendary King Arthur created his Round Table, it was designed in a circular fashion so there would be no head seat, allowing all the knights to enjoy an equal status and voice. That’s what Steve Millman is creating in his Grand Rapids real estate version of Camelot. Millman is the president and founder […]
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The apple of their eyes
Head north on M-37 long enough and the road becomes a winding, up-and-down journey through apple, cherry and peach orchards in an area known as the Fruit Ridge. Take the round-about to the right at W. 136th Street, and there among the trees is Ridge Cider Co., newly opened in April by Bruce Rasch and […]
