July 23, 2018
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Street Talk: Education is good policy
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Michigan might have something to learn from Florida. The West Michigan Policy Forum sure hopes so. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (commonly known as the nation’s “report card”), Florida is one of the few states that has shown real student improvement in K-12 […]
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Change Ups: RWGR offers new ‘Chef’s Choice’
The Aug. 8-19 Restaurant Week Grand Rapids will feature a third “Chef’s Choice” option that will be available during the 12-day culinary event. RWGR offers three options and price points: two courses for $15 per person (available lunch and dinner); two courses for $25 per person (dinner); and Chef’s Choice for over $25 per person […]
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Income inequality continues to burden Michigan
The nonprofit think tank Economic Policy Institute last week released an updated report on income equality levels across the country, in all states, all counties and 916 metropolitan areas. The findings should prompt more immediate policy action, especially regarding such concerns as affordable housing. Income inequity has risen in every state and has grown even […]
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Cannabis industry coming to Michigan faster than a freight train
With Michigan revamping its 10-year-old medical program and legalization on the ballot in November, the cannabis industry has become the topic of many conversations in Michigan. In 2016, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a set of bills creating a commercial licensing system for cannabis cultivations, processors, provisioning centers, secure transporters and testing laboratories. Last December, the […]
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Things to consider when funding a family business transfer
All business ownership transfers are complicated and emotional, and when ownership is transferred within a family, these issues are magnified. According to Forbes, less than one-third of family-owned businesses survive the transfer from the founding generation to the second generation (G2) and 50 percent of those don’t survive a transfer to G3. So, what is […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds HARTSON, Gilbert S. Jr. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, North Brownville Village of Alaska, Lot 2, $265,905 SOVERINSKY, Gerald et al, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., Condo-Clements Mill, $368,959 MASSA, Kara L. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Grand Rapids Twp., 35-7-11, $292,000 CLEMENT, Karin […]
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BBB teams up with FTC to stop small-business scams
A recent report shows the risk of monetary loss for small businesses due to fraud is growing — and a group of partners is acting to arrest that trend. The Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and law enforcement recently launched Operation Main Street: Stopping Small Business Scams. The initiative targets operations […]
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Bigger cities challenge Grand Rapids’ convention market
Conventions have contributed to the Grand Rapids economy year-round, but competition from nearby cities continues to be a challenge. According to Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids, the organization bid for and assisted on 343 groups convening in Kent County in 2017, compared to 332 in 2016. Through the first six months […]
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Decision affects online retailers
“In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Those words written over two centuries ago by Benjamin Franklin still ring true today, as the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in June that online businesses must pay sales tax in the decision of South Dakota v. Wayfair. The […]
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Inside Track: Compassionate educator comes ‘full circle’
Mary Ruth Scholz feels like she has come “full circle” in her role as the first executive director of Noorthoek Academy. Noorthoek is a 30-year-old nonprofit that partners with Grand Rapids Community College to give a nondegree-seeking “college experience” to adults with learning challenges and other intellectual disabilities. Each semester, the organization’s 80 students can […]
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Muskegon scrutinizes downtown parking
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) As downtown Muskegon continues to grow, city planners are working to ensure they strategically plan parking changes along with it. Because of so much free space downtown that is only recently being developed, planners are able to cultivate their vision of how downtown parking and parking culture should look […]
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Concert venues ramp up green practices
Grand Rapids concert venues are getting in a groove with sustainability this summer. SMG-owned Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall, 20 Monroe Live and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Amphitheater all have made steps toward recycling and reducing waste this season in their local concert and event venues. 20 Monroe Live […]
