Archives

Start Garden graduates make their mark

Start Garden has made its presence felt in this region’s business community ever since it was founded nine years ago by Rick DeVos.

Failure Lab launches SHE training program for women

An organization that was born from the idea of getting comfortable with failure is redesigning its training offerings at a time when the challenges for women in the workplace are at an unprecedented level.

Mel Trotter launches public phase of capital campaign

Mel Trotter Ministries is well on its way to improving how it addresses the city’s homelessness crisis.

GVSU joins national effort to refine learning

Grand Valley State University is partnering with five other universities and colleges nationally to give students the opportunity to find solutions to some of higher education’s most challenging problems through the launch of REP4, Rapid Education Prototyping for Change, Learners, Community, Equity.

Firm advises employers on return-to-office plans

While many employees are celebrating the impending return of in-person work, their employers’ focus is on ensuring a smooth transition.

Tech firm puts remote workers on better networks

As COVID-19-related shutdowns force businesses to pivot toward remote work, the kind of network they are running on becomes a critical — but often overlooked — component of the switch.

Inside Track: Colvin won’t back down from a challenge

If someone gave George Colvin a simple straightforward project, he would get bored very quickly. Now a senior project superintendent for Rockford Construction, Colvin worked his way up in the company for nearly two decades by never backing down from a challenge.

Solar company opens first showroom in Michigan

While The Green Panel has been engineering, furnishing and installing renewable energy systems for commercial and residential customers since 2007, the Brighton-based company only recently opened Michigan’s first solar showroom in Byron Center.

Vacation rentals: Before you invest, know the risks

The vacation-rental boom spawned by Airbnb and similar services is undeniable, and there is seemingly no end in sight.

Developing your salesperson

Which of these issues are worrying you these days?

Furniture leaders speak on pandemic impact

During a 15-month period with an unusual level of disruption, the West Michigan commercial furniture and design industry rebounded faster than expected, but according to three local CEOs, challenges remain.

Five essential economic development lessons

Oracle announced in April it is bringing 8,500 jobs at an average salary of $110,000 to central city Nashville.

Employers face challenges to pick up where they left off

As more and more employers reopen their workplaces after the pandemic forced them to make adjustments, they are missing one thing: employees.

State aligns hemp guidelines with federal standards

Updates to Michigan’s Industrial Hemp Growers Act are giving hemp farmers and growers more latitude to expand.

Citizens finds recovery continues in Q1

The Citizens Business Conditions Index for the first quarter of the year was in “upbeat territory,” the financial institution said.

Change-Ups: Flow-Rite marks 40th anniversary

Flow-Rite, a Byron Center-based manufacturer of injection-molded fluid controls components for boats, RVs, golf carts, hydroponics and industrial applications, has reached a milestone: its 40th anniversary.

Public Record

MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BODE, Gregory et al, Independent Bank, Cascade Twp., $427,500 DUQUETTE, Stephen et al, Consumers Credit Union, East...

Street Talk: Leaving home behind

Michigan’s business leaders see robust growth ahead in the state’s economy during the next six to 12 months and plan a return to in-person office work in the 3rd and 4th quarters of this year, according to a quarterly economic survey completed by Business Leaders for Michigan.