June 22, 2015
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Miles is featured alum
The Grand Rapids Business Journal will host its annual 40 Under Forty event Oct. 27, and once again a past recipient of the honor will grace the stage to welcome and provide inspiration to the 2015 inductees. This year’s featured alum is Patrick Miles Jr., U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan. He was […]
State approves funding for two Grand Rapids projects
Two Grand Rapids real estate projects that will result in more than 30 jobs have been approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects were approved as part of a number of statewide redevelopment, business expansion and community improvement projects that are expected to generate about $146.3 million in investments and retain about 970 jobs […]
Northwood expands programming for corporate, executive sectors
Northwood University is launching an initiative to tailor existing programs and opportunities to better meet the needs of corporate partners and students. Northwood University, a nonprofit institution specializing in managerial and entrepreneurial education, announced June 9 it is establishing a strategic initiative that leverages and expands its current programming for the corporate and executive sector […]
Downtown parking spaces will come with higher price tag
Despite some lots filling up downtown, enough overall parking remains available to meet the current demand. How long that will be the case isn’t easy to predict. The good news is the Parking Commission is trying to stay ahead of any demand increases to ensure spaces are available for drivers who need them. The bad […]
Parking ideas supported by new mobility focus
In order for Parking Services to meet the needs of downtown Grand Rapids parkers, the organization needs to undergo a name change and broaden its focus beyond cars. That was one of the key recommendations laid out on recently by Mark de la Vergne, of Sam Schwartz Engineering, to Parking Services commissioners. The recommendations and […]
Hispanic Chamber launches MedioDía business workshops
A series of informative and motivating business workshops begins this week to connect Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs with development resources. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Empowerment Committee is launching a collaboratively developed business educational workshop series known as MedioDía — Infórmate y Actívate on June 25 to provide key information and resources to […]
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Change Ups: Thompson Remodeling earns Chrysalis Award
Thompson Remodeling of Grand Rapids is a regional winner in the Chrysalis Awards’ Kitchen Remodel $75,000 to $100,000 and Basement Remodel categories of the annual awards competition. President Ben Thompson said this is the first time the company entered the competition, which recognizes the nation’s best work in 15 categories of residential and commercial remodeling. […]
Construction materials prices up for May, down for year
Prices for inputs to construction industries expanded by 1.1 percent in May, the largest month-over-month increase in more than two years and only the third time in the past 10 months that construction input prices have grown on a monthly basis. Year-over-year prices fell by 3 percent in May and have now fallen by more […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds RIZOR, Derek et al, Amerifirst Financial Corp., Bailey's Grove No. 2, Lot 37, $205,704 HARRIS LOFTS LLC, Develop Michigan Real Estate Fund, Kent Plat Division Street, Lot 49, $276,000 CIARAMELLO, Louis J. III et al, Quicken Loans, Morris Add., Lot 31, $286,225 DSD LAND HOLDINGS […]
Want the sales masters’ touch? Study them and do what they did
The book titled “America’s Twelve Master Salesmen” was written and published by B.C. Forbes & Sons in 1953. It was based on the fact that each one of these master salesmen had one extremely powerful overriding principle or philosophy upon which his or her success was based. For the last two weeks I have presented […]
Street Talk: The two-minute warning
Thursday’s groundbreaking for the Grand Rapids Research Center (MSU nowhere in sight in that title) got the ball rolling on an $88.1 million development that is sure to change the makeup of downtown Grand Rapids in the years to come. The event also showcased unabashed MSU supporter Peter Secchia in all his glory. At an […]
Bipartisan beverage bill turns all-inclusive
An Oregon senator has rolled several beverage industry proposals into one and introduced a new bill to Congress. The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act put together by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., combines and builds on several legislative proposals, including the Small BREW Act, Fair BEER Act, Distillery Excise Tax Reform Act, the CIDER […]
City adopts $457M budget
After addressing a handful of concerns, the Grand Rapids City Commission passed a $457.6 million budget for fiscal year 2016 that was first presented in April by City Manager Greg Sundstrom. The concerns stemmed from conversations commissioners had when discussing the budget, and concerns brought up by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce at the […]
Public hearing Thursday on Kent trash surcharge
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) A public hearing is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Thursday on a proposed surcharge on all trash pickup in Kent County, plus creation of licensing fees to be paid by the trash hauling companies. The proposed ordinance is aimed at raising approximately $1,450,000 a year for dealing with old closed […]
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Summer Games kick off with eye toward 2017
As the 2017 State Games of America draw closer, the West Michigan Sports Commission continues to ready itself to host, starting with some changes to this week’s Meijer State Games of Michigan – Summer Games. Some of the changes to the Summer Games occurred recently with the addition of several major sports to the lineup. […]
Credit union growth — plan and prepare
As a legal advisor to credit union leadership on a variety of matters, I am often contacted by clients when a perceived crisis of some kind has developed, or there is a high likelihood that one is on the horizon. Counseling clients through crises — perceived or real — underscores the importance of good planning, […]
Industrial equipment distributor focuses on 3D printing
The possibilities are endless when it comes to 3D metal printing, according to James Scarlett, co-owner of Scarlett Inc. The Grand Rapids firm recently signed a distribution agreement with 3D Systems, of Rock Hill, S.C., to represent the company’s 3D printing products, also known as additive manufacturing, in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. As a result […]
Best practices for separating business and personal finances
In family-owned businesses, the line dividing your business and your personal life is already blurred. For many generational family businesses, the lines are more blurred today than ever before, as technology keeps us connected and “on the job” even when we’re on vacation. But while you may find yourself working 24-7, it’s still important to […]
Michigan’s General Fund: another example of government unable to manage itself
In the June 15 issue of GRBJ, a quote from a news release attributed to Business Leaders for Michigan and its President and CEO Doug Rothwell was noteworthy. BLM is a respected business group that has influenced the leadership of our state. Rothwell opposed cutting MEDC funding as a partial solution to funding repairs for […]
Irwin Seating scores big with professional sports venues
A variety of factors earned Irwin Seating Co. the right to replace the seating in the Palace of Auburn Hills as part of a $40 million renovation project. Palace Sports & Entertainment put out an RFP and then selected Irwin Seating because of its previous work: Irwin had installed the Palace’s original seats when it […]
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Inside Track: A compassion for animals
Unlike her classmates with New Kids on the Block posters, Lynn Happel’s bedroom when she was little was plastered with dog, cat and horse posters. That was the best she could do, since her mother wouldn’t let her have pets in the house. In middle school, however, Happel began showing horses, which helped her get […]
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Running a small business — literally
Grand Rapids Running Tours is not a unique concept for a small business: Caroline Cook says her research has turned up others in other large cities. But hers is the first of its kind here — and the idea is so good, it’s bound to have occurred to other serious runners around the nation. Her […]
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These entrepreneurs are a couple of smart cookies
A pair of entrepreneurs in a crowded and competitive market — cookies — are off to a viable start, with the help of the Michigan Cottage Foods Law of 2010. Cookie Chicks is a small business in Ada launched in June by Holly del Rosario of Ada and Tami Pelham of Lake Odessa, and it’s […]
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Radio jock is jock of a different sort, too
Six years ago, Shelley Irwin developed plantar fasciitis in her foot. The avid runner and host of “The WGVU Morning Show” knew she needed to train differently. Her answer was cross training. Now Irwin is headed to Motala, Sweden, on June 22 as part of Team USA to compete in the International Triathlon Union World […]
‘Extra’ wort chiller spurs a hot new business
In 2004, Boyd Culver was trying to take his homebrewing to the next level. He wanted to run his homebrew wort — pre-fermented beer — through a chiller to help improve the quality by increasing clarity and reducing the chance of off-flavors. Seeking a cheaper version than the wort chillers on the market, Culver went […]
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Bringing back coast-to-coast passenger rail
It’s been more than 40 years since someone was able to hop a passenger train from one side of Michigan to the other, but the wheels are in motion to once again fill train platforms with those traveling from one coast to the other via intercity train transit. Michigan By Rail launched a study in […]
