July 20, 2015
State’s film incentives fade to black
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” could be the last major film made in Michigan for the foreseeable future. The state government isn’t interested in investing in Michigan’s film industry any more. On Friday, July 10, Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4122, which “prohibits (the Michigan Film Office) and the Michigan Strategic Fund from […]
Landlords and condo associations can’t deny certain animals
It’s not uncommon for an apartment building or condominium association to have a “no pets” policy in place, but not all animals can be turned away under these policies. Attorney Daniel Parmeter, of Mika Meyers, said there are two categories of animals that are covered under laws related to housing accommodations. Service animals are the […]
Change Ups: Laackman appointed to contractors’ board
Custer’s director of interior construction services, Brad Laackman, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to serve on the state of Michigan’s Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board. The nine-member board assists the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with licensing and regulating the construction, alteration or improvement of residential structures. Laackman […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds KENNEDY, Drew et al, Chemical Bank, Condo-Harmony Cove, $635,000 BYLSMA, Kendra L. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Walker, 29-7-12, $268,453 HENSLEY, Kimberly et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Condo-Saddle Ridge, $269,500 UELAND, Steven et al, Northpointe Bank, Condo-Arbor Hills Site Condominiums, $283,000 FORMSMA, Steven et al, […]
Value is the king of sales and the queen of service
Value is perhaps the most illusive word in sales. Everyone will tell you how important it is, but very few can tell you what it is. I’ve already gone on ad nauseam about my distaste for the words “added value.” I recommend you leave these words out of your sales lexicon forever. “Added value” has […]
Nonresidential construction spending continues torrid pace
Through the first five months of 2015, nonresidential construction spending is having its second-best year since the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking the metric in 2002. According to a July 1 report from the Census Bureau, nonresidential construction spending increased 1.1 percent on a month-over-month basis and 8.1 percent on a year-over-year basis, and totals […]
Street Talk: A little bit of research
Everybody is pretty excited about the end product, but the beginning has some pretty good numbers, too. When totally completed in 2029, the Grand Rapids Research Center will pump millions of dollars into West Michigan’s economy, significantly bump the area’s intelligence quotient and spawn a host of jobs in everything from medical research to retail. […]
Several train transportation plans under consideration
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) LANSING — Michigan’s transportation organizations are studying planes, trains and automobiles. More options for public transit could play a huge role in the state’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining people, young and old, transportation experts say. They’ve recently launched four studies to assess the feasibility of new Michigan rail […]
Developer eyes land for office, industrial
An industrial and office development on Bristol Avenue NW is under consideration in Walker. The Walker Planning Commission heard a request earlier this month to convert approximately 40 acres of land from residential to industrial/office use. The change would add the land to the city master plan’s Subplan No. 1, an approximately 700-acre parcel of […]
Michigan’s no-fault insurance law and the out-of-state traveler
It is a Friday in mid-July, the type of summer day we dream about in February: sunshine, a cloudless sky, high-70 degree temperatures and no humidity. I am heading north on U.S. 131 at 5:30 p.m., ready to start my weekend. Because it is summer in Michigan, traffic is slowly merging to one lane through […]
Michigan needs to focus on high value, not low cost
I’m not a big fan of state business rankings. Everyone seems to assume they are a good measure of a state’s economic well-being. They aren’t. There hardly ever is a correlation between what matters — whether residents have a job and earn a good income to pay the bills and save for their retirement and […]
Report finds lakeshore businesses are in good shape
A West Michigan business report provides a snapshot of continued strength of Ottawa County and northern Allegan County businesses despite talent development concerns. Lakeshore Advantage, a West Michigan-based economic development organization, last week released its fifth Business Intelligence Report, which highlighted regional businesses’ continued investment in research and development, projected growth and the challenge of […]
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Inside Track: Focused beyond the tragedy
Dr. Stephen D. Cohle’s work day often entails things people don’t want to contemplate. As chief medical examiner of Kent County, he has performed several thousand autopsies and has overall responsibility for the investigation of all deaths that are sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious or unnatural. He has appeared in court to testify several hundred times. […]
Orion nears completion of Phase II of GVSU construction
Grand Valley State University students got a chance to tour their new Greek homes this month. Orion Construction, a Grand Rapids-based contractor and developer, recently hosted a progress tour of its new Grand Villages Greek fraternity and sorority housing project in Allendale. Orion is close to finishing Phase II of the project, which will eventually […]
Economic incentive programs should include talent acquisition
Michigan and regional economic development teams have seized upon the late June news of Grand Rapids’ (metro area) No. 3 rank in the nation for economic growth by Area Development magazine, an authoritative compilation of measures of job growth and economic development for U.S. regions. The Business Journal is full of reports on the individuals […]
West Michigan real estate market remains healthy
Demand is rising while available space becomes limited. Rising rental rates, longer lease terms and fewer concessions are trends that should continue until at least fall in both the office and retail markets, according to a recent report issued by Colliers International|West Michigan. As inventory for both specialty groups continues to decrease, construction of mixed-use […]
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Parade reveals home-building surge
Thousands may have attended the 2015 Spring Parade of Homes, but in Nelson Van Elderen’s mind, there were generally only three kinds of visitors. It’s the third kind of person who can be used to gauge how strong West Michigan’s new-build home market might be in the upcoming year, said Van Elderen, the interim executive […]
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GR Forward diversity plan prompts questions
After an overview of the GR Forward draft plan was presented earlier this month to Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority board members, questions were raised as to whether the plan addresses diversity and inclusion goals in enough depth to turn downtown into a neighborhood where everyone feels welcome. DDA board member Jim Talen, who is […]
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Third Coast starts Medical Mile development
Third Coast Development’s work on Michigan Street’s Medical Mile corridor never seems to cease. On July 6, the Grand Rapids-based developer hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new mixed-use development at 555 Michigan St. NE, in front of the Women’s Health Center and Hampton Inn and Suites properties. The development includes a pair of buildings […]
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A real confidence builder
The Great Recession shook consumer confidence, and maybe no industry suffered more from that confidence crash than home builders. A look at Eastbrook Homes over the last 10 years is indicative of the industry’s crisis times. According to Business Journal surveys, Eastbrook built 250 units and brought in $64 million in revenue in 2005. In […]
