June 30, 2014
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Change Ups: Heslinga joins land trust nonprofit
Justin Heslinga has joined the Land Conservancy of West Michigan as its stewardship coordinator. Heslinga will manage the organization’s 16 nature preserves, including the related environmental care and maintenance programs, events, outreach and volunteers. His background includes the development of ecological assessments and management plans, botanical inventories, endangered species surveys, educational conservation workshops and outreach […]
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Lethargic global economy leaves its mark on Michigan
Robust economic growth around the world translates to strong foreign demand for American goods, which via exports contributes significantly to Michigan's economic development and job creation. State exports also act as a cushion to anemic and fragile domestic demand for goods made by state companies. So far this year, global economic growth is below expectations. […]
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Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds APKARIAN, Mary et al, Huntington National Bank, Kentwood, 24-6-11, $377,673 CAMELOT NORTH LLC, Chemical Bank, Kentwood, 12-6-11, $250,000 BRYAN, Grant et al, Chemical Bank, Condo-Arrowcrest, $440,000 BASCOM, Justin et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Saddle Ridge, $220,000 MF GRAND RAPIDS LLC, USAmeribank, Walker, 2-7-12, $276,000 […]
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Street Talk: A positive senior moment
In his June 2 Special Message to the Legislature on Aging, Gov. Rick Snyder warned that Michigan “has more work to do to prepare for its aging population. It’s time to reinvent the way we think about aging, in a positive way.” By 2030, he said, almost one in four Michigan residents will be 60 […]
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The old way or the new way? It’s really not a choice anymore
My sales perspective flies in the face of traditional selling. And it’s not just a disruption — it’s the new way of sales. What’s your perspective? Last week (in part one), I discussed the worthlessness of the old way of selling — everything from cold calling and finding the pain to overcoming objections and closing […]
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Supporters trying to educate voters on Proposal 1
It’s hard to find any organization firmly opposed to Proposal 1 on the Michigan Aug. 5 primary election ballot, but that does not mean it’s a shoo-in. If it wins, the phase-out of the personal property tax on most industries will begin in 2016, and replacement revenue from other existing taxes will be assured for […]
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Program helps build careers in advanced manufacturing
While many people are lamenting the skills gap facing the advanced manufacturing industry, one local company is working to close that gap. Expert Tech, 5352 Rusche Drive NW, Comstock Park, offers free training to prospective advanced manufacturing employees and then helps them score jobs with local companies. “We call it the Entry to Expert program,” […]
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New law regarding industrial byproducts
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a series of bills last week regarding the storage and use of industrial byproducts such as coal ash, gypsum, foundry sand, and pulp and paper mill ash. In addition to defining industrial byproducts for beneficial use, the law also outlines what those substances may be used for. “There are basically […]
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Grand Haven borrows $5M for public improvement
The City Council of Grand Haven has approved pursuing the issuance of $5.19 million in bonds to fund three public improvement projects. The three proposed capital projects include: replacing the current water meter system and converting to a monthly billing cycle; renovations on the Washington Avenue campus, which includes city hall, the public safety and […]
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CGI firm tells product stories through animation
Even West Michigan’s office furniture is getting a digital makeover these days. Enter Externa CGI, a Wyoming-based company known for specializing in computer-generated animation marketing. Externa CGI, 2675 44th St. SW, creates computer-generated images, or CGI, and animated clips for companies to use for marketing means. The process of creating entirely CGI-constructed shorts can be […]
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Family medical leave likely for Michigan’s LGBT employees
President Barack Obama has directed the U.S. Labor Department to extend the Family and Medical Leave Act to include legally married same-sex couples, regardless of what state they reside in. The FMLA allows a person to take an unpaid leave of absence from a job to care for an ailing spouse, child or parent. Under […]
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Inside Track: In the minority: not the usual computer science nerd
Susan Cotts likes to stay absorbed in the task at hand without worrying about what the rest of the herd is doing. That would explain why she was caught by surprise when she learned she was in the top 10 in academic standing in her high school graduating class. “I had no idea I was […]
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Area retirement communities nearing full occupancy
When looking into retirement communities, most people likely are looking at the last move they’ll ever make. Because of this, it’s hard to put a number on the average length of stay for a resident, according to several senior home community officials. The Business Journal found that while downtown apartments have an average tenant stay […]
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FATCA: What you don’t know can be expensive
On July 1, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act will go into effect — and West Michigan businesses had better be ready. Although an extension has been granted for companies making a good-faith effort, FATCA becomes the law of the land tomorrow. The new regulations require foreign financial institutions to report financial information to the […]
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GVSU introduces philanthropy and nonprofit leadership degree
West Michigan is good at philanthropy. Grand Valley State University will try to make it better. Responding to increased interest and continued market growth, GVSU is introducing a new graduate program for working professionals in the nonprofit sector — a master’s degree of philanthropy and nonprofit leadership — beginning this fall at the university’s downtown […]
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Ionia-based Independent Bank celebrating its 150th year
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Independent Bank, founded in Ionia in 1864, is marking its 150th anniversary this summer with a series of volunteer service projects across the state. Independent, with $2.3 billion in total assets and 75 branch offices across the Lower Peninsula, is the fifth largest bank headquartered in Michigan. The bank […]
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Beacon Hill at Eastgate announces $30M expansion
One of Grand Rapids’ premier continuing care retirement communities is preparing to launch a $30 million expansion of its facilities. Beacon Hill at Eastgate, 1919 Boston St. SE, Grand Rapids, recently announced plans to break ground next summer on a major expansion plan that could add up to 150,000 square feet of new development, said […]
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An American football team, by any other name …
At Kentwood’s Meadowlawn Elementary School in the 1960s, my friends and I would boast about things we thought made us "better" than each other. I would, for instance, boast that I was "part Indian." Evidently, I had a great-great-grandmother on my father's side whom the 8-year-old me described as "either all or one-half" Native American. […]
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Chop and Hue sets up cinematic shop in Grand Rapids
“Corporate film does not have to be boring,” said Dustin Foster. Foster, along with business partner Daniel Wiltshire, launched creative broadcasting and media production boutique Chop & Hue in Grand Rapids May 1. The startup specializes in post-production work, and offers services including direction, creative editorial, motion design, illustration and animation, production facilitation and color […]
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Legacy Trust moves to new downtown location
Fueled by growth demands, Legacy Trust has signed a long-term lease for new office space at 99 Monroe Ave. NW that will double its footprint in downtown Grand Rapids, compared to its current headquarters at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW. A Michigan-chartered bank that specializes in investment and wealth management for individuals, families, foundations and nonprofits […]
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The power of two generations is felt and measured with significant impact
During the past few weeks, the Business Journal’s reporting efforts have covered the vast spectrum of the residential building boom and the entrepreneurial efforts driven by two specific groups: baby boomers and millennials. The connectedness between the two generations is certainly missed by some, but the business community increasingly has recognized what is occurring with […]
