June 20, 2016
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Hispanic Chamber business contest rewards five pitches
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s first Latino Business Pitch Competition split $5,750 among five winners. The inaugural event, May 26 at Rockford Construction’s headquarters at 601 First St. NW, Grand Rapids, featured entrepreneurs and small-business owners of West Michigan’s Latino community bringing their A-game to pitch business ideas and win prize money. Eighteen […]
Radio station’s new brand, format play to urban market
Some say a city is only as diverse as its music scene. If so, Grand Rapids just took a solid step in becoming a more diverse and exciting place. WNWZ (1410 AM) launched an FM signal, a new brand and a new 24-hour music format June 13. The new Magic 94.1 plays R&B and high-testing […]
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Inside Track: Andrew Haig specializes in building programs to rebuild patients’ lives
Dr. Andrew Haig’s passion for rehabilitation has taken him around the globe, where he helps build physical rehab programs in impoverished countries and mentors young doctors. “I work a lot in Africa and Asia helping rehab doctors and health systems build programs for people with disabilities,” he said. “I just returned from Kuala Lumpur, where […]
Education degree is Cornerstone University’s first doctoral program
For the first time in its 75 years, Cornerstone University is offering a doctoral program. The university launched its first-ever doctorate degree program in May. The Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development will be run by Jeff Savage, associate dean of business, and Peter Osborn, vice president for adult learning. The degree is […]
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Change Ups: KDL first recipient of Champion Award
Kent District Library is the first recipient of Disability Advocates of Kent County’s Community Champion Award. KDL was recognized for acknowledging the value of accessible spaces by creating inclusive environments for all individuals. KDL completed accessibility audits at all 18 branches plus the KDL Service Center. Staff members also were trained in disability decorum. KDL […]
Nonresidential spending struggles to gain momentum
Nonresidential construction spending fell 2.1 percent in April, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released this month. Nonresidential spending totaled $688.2 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate. Much like last month, upward revisions to the previous two months of data mitigated the sting of a disappointing headline number. March’s estimate was revised […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds MCCREADY, Keegan et al, Northern Mortgage Services, Rivertown Valley III, Lot 104, $239,400 WHEELER, Mark et al, Mortgage 1, Boulder View Estates, Lot 28, $347,450 CRIPE, Rodney et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Clements Mill, $223,500 BLAKE-DREHER, Anne et al, Huntington National Bank, Sunfish Shores, […]
Street Talk: Defining downtown
As Meijer Inc. and Rockford Construction announced plans to bring a small Meijer grocery store concept to the West Side of Grand Rapids, a discussion erupted online. The Business Journal ran an online story regarding the news and included the word “downtown” in the headline, which some people apparently took great offense to. They insisted […]
The big secrets of enthusiastic emotional engagement
What is engagement? Better stated, how can you engage other people to become interested in you and your product or service? Dale Carnegie (“How to Win Friends and Influence People”) says the answer is by becoming interested in them. And he’s partially right. The reality — and the secret of engagement — is that both […]
Program boosts 2nd stage for rising minority firms
A new business growth program hosted by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is off and running. Elevate Minority Business, a program designed to grow minority-owned second-stage businesses in Grand Rapids, was announced at the beginning of the year and introduced its inaugural class of five local entrepreneurs in May. Chamber Vice President of […]
DTE Energy Foundation grant funds summer jobs
This may be a life-changing summer for approximately 120 of West Michigan’s at-risk teenagers. The 15- to 18-year-olds from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds will work with local nonprofits, build their resumes, get mentored, learn workforce skills and take the first steps toward careers some may have never dreamed of. The cost: a $150,000 grant. The DTE […]
Chemical pollution forces out nonprofits
An environmental threat has pushed two nonprofits from their buildings, and that could be just the beginning. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality found high levels of a chemical called tetrachloroethylene, or PERC, at 401 Hall SE, 1168 Madison SE and 1170 Madison SE Apt. 2. In a May 19 letter, the Kent County Health […]
Logically, a statement is only as good as its sources
Sometimes a stupid joke can start you thinking. A woman sees her neighbor looking around on the street. She asks him if he has lost something. He replies that he has lost his keys. She asks where he lost them and he says in the house. She asks him why, if he lost them in […]
Senate bills plug Michigan into a secure energy future
As someone who works in energy and whose company has successfully installed or helped reduce emissions on over 6,000 megawatts of Michigan’s electrical generation, I can say with confidence that Senate Bills 437 and 438 are business-friendly, customer-friendly and environmentally friendly solutions that secure Michigan’s energy future. Today, my company is building a new power […]
Business community reacts to Orlando attack
The mass shooting June 12 at a gay nightclub in Orlando is rippling all the way to the Grand Rapids business community. Owners and staff of gay establishments in Grand Rapids are confronting what it may mean to become a target for violence simply for who they welcome through the doors. Beyond the LGBTQ community, […]
Eschewing discrimination is good business
Funerals for the victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre are only beginning, and while the national mourning might be expected to fade as it did for victims in Aurora, Sandy Hook and San Bernardino, the several issues brought to bear in this chapter of American violence and discrimination are more likely to offer a historic […]
The purpose-driven office
Herman Miller Inc. says its Living Office concept isn’t about furniture, it’s about people. Joseph White, Herman Miller’s director of workplace strategy, design and management, was on hand in Chicago last week during the NeoCon commercial interiors trade show to talk about how Living Office is playing out across the country. The Living Office approach […]
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Express finds new home on 20th anniversary
For its 20th year in business, Express Employment Professionals decided to give itself a special anniversary present: a new home. The West Michigan-based staffing company moved into 1760 44th St. SW, Suite 10, in the Chateau Centre Plaza, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 19. “The people and businesses of Grand Rapids have made these last 20 […]
Brothers Leather gets new leadership
With new products set to launch by fall, Brothers Leather Supply Co. is changing its leadership. Founder Adam Kail will step back from the leather goods company to manage the growth of his recruiting company, Harrison Gray Search & Consulting. He has hired Will Payne as director of growth and operations for Brothers Leather Supply. […]
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After year of growth, Encore plans a repeat performance
It’s still the first act for Encore Business Group. The startup contracts with manufacturers and other companies to do work such as assembly, inspection and packaging. The business was started in 2015 in Byron Center by three friends: Josh Crumback and husband and wife Jonathan and Rachel Start. Rachel Start is the majority owner, making […]
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Invested workers are the cornerstone
When Frank Stanek, president of Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., thinks about the company’s 125 years, he knows he didn’t have much to do with it. Stanek has been with the company 20 years, less than a sixth of its history. When asked what kind of legacy he wants to leave, he simply replies, “We just don’t want […]
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New hire helps build up community
As he enters his third month in a newly created position at Rockford Construction, Brad Mathis knows his community and family values can help the company. Mathis, who was with Mercy Health for nearly 20 years, grew up in Grand Rapids. He has seen and even helped the city develop. Now, through the friendship he’s […]
