June 2, 2014
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Change Ups: Baker students demonstrate leadership
Four Baker College of Muskegon students garnered awards at the Business Professionals of American National Leadership Conference in Indianapolis. Chad Bazzett won first place in computer network technology and third in IT concepts and placed in the top 10 in systems administration; Ryan Poindexter won first place in systems administration; Joshua Hooker won second place […]
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State manufacturers enjoy 10 percent annual hike in exports
In the first three months of 2014, the value of world merchandise exports rose 1.8 percent to $4.1 trillion from the same period in 2013, according to the latest snapshot of global trade flows released by the World Trade Organization. WTO's export statistics from the first quarter of 2014 show that the United States ranked […]
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Employee stock ownership plans offer many advantages
Employee Stock Ownership Plans, or ESOPs, have been used as succession planning tools for family-owned businesses for 40 years. However, not all business owners or their attorneys, accountants or other advisors are familiar with the advantages an ESOP offers to a family-owned corporation and its shareholders. To test your ESOP IQ, let's take a little […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds MANN, Glen H. By POA et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., 19-8-10, $399,000 ZIETZ, Patrick M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Country Brook Estates, Lot 24, $253,500 AMBROSE, Russell et al, Macatawa Bank, Oakfield Twp., 24-9-9, $300,000 JOLMAN, Jacob A. et al, […]
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Old way or new way? Only one way works — my way
The old way of selling is dead. The only people who don’t know that are other sales trainers, recently released Old-World sales tactics books that are still trying to convey old messages, and several million salespeople still trying to cold call, pitch the product, overcome objections, and close the sale. Don’t forget their managers who […]
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Firms should weigh benefits of 401(k) changes
Companies looking for cost savings could find them by switching to an annual 401(k) matching contribution versus the more common per payroll contribution, but there are a few downsides to consider. Attorney Heidi Lyon, of Warner Norcross and Judd, said the main reason a business might want to consider making its 401(k) contributions annually is […]
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MSU med students gain insight
Michigan State University medical students were encouraged recently to consider another option upon graduation: practicing medicine in a rural environment. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine last month hosted an event at its Secchia Center in which Dr. Glenn Geelhoed, surgeon and chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization Mission to Heal, discussed globally […]
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City Hall lauds proposal for higher gas tax
An increase in the gas tax as proposed in the Michigan Senate could mean an additional $7.5 million of state funding per year for road repair in Grand Rapids, according to a statement issued by Grand Rapids City Hall. On a statewide basis, it could represent at least $1.5 billion annually in new revenue for […]
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Street Talk: Make room for the next generation of women leaders
Save the date: Oct. 1, 2015. If all goes according to plan, West Michigan will accept a new batch of women leaders hungry to make their contributions to the community, after a year of mentoring led by Doreen Bolhuis, president and CEO of Gymco. Bolhuis is in the planning stage of launching “Secrets of Dynamic […]
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Two new laws expected to spur growth for ‘the little guy’
Mom-and-pop shops stand to benefit the most from two new laws passed in Michigan this spring in an effort to spur entrepreneurial investment in local Michigan communities. First, Michigan legislators passed the Michigan Invest Locally Exemption, which opens the door for non-accredited investors within the state to invest in Michigan business ventures. Prior to the […]
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Candies satisfy a sweet craving — and dentists
A local sugar-free candy company has redefined how to appease the sweet tooth and is now looking to expand its market base nationally. In 2010, Dr. John’s Candies introduced a line of sugar-free candies sweetened with the natural ingredient Xylitol, which offers dental health benefits for the consumer. Founded in 1995, the company has been […]
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Dodging ACA reform carries a hefty price tag
The consequences for employers continuing to allocate funds on a pre-tax basis for employees to buy health insurance are getting pretty serious. The IRS, a bureau of the Department of Treasury, issued a bulletin in May outlining specific repercussions for employers that reimburse employees for premiums paid on individual health insurance coverage, which is not […]
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Making sure wellness programs comply with the law
Interest in wellness programs is on the rise around the country and in West Michigan as employers and employees face rising health insurance and medical care costs. But before a company jumps on the calorie-counting and smoking-cessation wagon, there are a few things that should be considered in anticipation of rolling out an office wellness […]
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Inside Track: A simple goal: doing it right and getting better every day
Five winning seasons and two championships isn’t a bad way to start a head coaching career. Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland has made it known he desires to keep Jeff Blashill within the organization. That’s because Blashill has proven results on the ice. In his two seasons at the helm of the Grand […]
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Legislature accelerates road funding package
Transportation in Michigan is at a momentous — but potholed — crossroads. Michigan roads have been pounded by nearly two decades of underfunding, capped by an epic winter. Deteriorating roads and an unusually deep frost led to an enormous crop of potholes. In too many cases that frosty block of ice was holding the road […]
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Taking a ride on the Silver Line
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The new bus rapid transit line, known as the Silver Line, will be rolling into downtown Grand Rapids before summer’s end. Construction is coming to an end on the 34 stations this month, and 10 buses are being purchased to serve the route. Training will begin in July for […]
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The Rapid looks down the road to Laker Line
With one bus rapid transit line almost complete, The Rapid is setting its sights on the Laker Line. “It’s in the public process and listening phase,” said Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid. “We are getting input and having listening sessions. Once we have the study completed and have that analysis done, then that will […]
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Silver Line’s potential economic impact is unprecedented
The long-awaited, challenging construction of the bus rapid transit line is reaching completion this month and deserves community-wide plaudits even before its official first runs in August. The Business Journal notes the Silver Line is a “first” in the state of Michigan, and the project is a “first” in several other important regards: — It […]
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Brewers calling GR home for conference
In two weeks, thousands of homebrewers will descend upon Grand Rapids. City residents are well aware of the growing craft beer scene, and the homebrew sector has gained national attention, as well — enough for the American Homebrewers Association to locate its National Homebrewers Conference in Grand Rapids June 12-14. Recent estimates from the association […]
