June 4, 2018
Business census nears deadline
The deadline is approaching for businesses to file responses for the national economic census. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Census Bureau, businesses are required to contribute to the economic census by June 12. Statistics from the census present an overview of a range of industries, including construction, wholesale, manufacturing, utilities, finance, mining, retail […]
Street Talk: Future in good hands
The Muskegon lakeshore business community is recognizing fifteen of the area’s up and coming young professionals. They all are under 40 years of age (by Dec. 31) and are business, nonprofit, government or service-oriented professionals who live or work in Muskegon County, according to Jodi Kittle, communications manager for the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. […]
Business leaders’ confidence slipping
Michigan business leaders’ confidence levels in the state’s economic growth have dropped from earlier this year, according to a second-quarter survey by Business Leaders for Michigan. BLM members attribute this to uncertainty about the outcome of the state’s elections in November. Still, 57 percent of respondents believe Michigan’s economic growth will improve over the next […]
RPC’s minority inclusion goal a welcomed sight
The Business Journal is reporting on the creation of a venture capital group seeking certification as a U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution. It would be only the second in Grand Rapids. The significance is remarkable as it offers another tool specifically focused on minority inclusion and access to capital. The racial gap […]
Tips on spotting incompetent or unethical attorneys
The legal community is getting a lot of negative publicity from the mess in Washington, television shows and street talk. If you watch the reports from D.C., you could conclude truth and integrity have no place in law as practiced in politics. What moved me to write this column was an event last week. I was […]
Change Ups: Mind Meets Music taps Swan to guide fundraising, marketing strategies
Mind Meets Music hired local entrepreneur Justin Swan to lead its regional and national fundraising strategy. MMM is an academic achievement program that uses music to enhance literacy, math skills and brain development of underserved students in West Michigan and beyond. Swan, 37, will serve as MMM’s director of advancement and oversee fund development and […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds MATEUS, Erik et al, Macatawa Bank, Cascade Twp., 8-6-10, $223,250 BISSELL, Mark J. et al, Fifth Third Bank, East Grand Rapids, 34-7-11, $260,000 DEVRIES, David R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Nelson Twp., 3-10-10, $453,100 JENKINS, Jerry et al, Quicken Loans, Byron Twp., 31-5-12, […]
Raise the Age to raise kids’ potential
As part of Youth Justice Sunday on April 29, I had the honor of speaking to congregants and community members at Fountain Street Church. The church has long been a pillar of justice in the community and is highly regarded for its commitment to advocating for people who are facing economic, social and political injustices. […]
Clean fuel pumps $18.8B into state’s economy
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) A statewide report on clean fuel technology in automobiles said the “clean mobility” sector contributes $18.8 billion to the Michigan economy each year, generating over $700 million in state and local taxes. Clean Fuels Michigan, a group of local companies focused on clean fuel alternatives, recently released a report, […]
Payroll providers keep up with changes through software upgrades
Payroll services providers make changes to their software every year, small tweaks to keep up with minor modifications in policies and procedures. This year, however, was different. Payroll services firms had to scramble to adjust to the unexpected federal tax overhaul signed into law in December by President Donald Trump. The expansive tax reform legislation […]
Final sale marks end of 25-year relationship
The relationship between Colliers International West Michigan and Elston-Richards marks a long one for the real estate industry. Spanning a quarter of a century, the West Michigan real estate firm has helped the third-party logistics group facilitate nearly 3 million square feet in transactions, and Duke Suwyn, CEO of Colliers International West Michigan, said he […]
Former Kellogg fellows launch racial equity lending firm
There likely will be a new community development financial institution on the block. Eric Foster, a Grand Rapids native, and Cuong “CQ” Huynh, a Vietnamese immigrant who lives in Alexandria, Virginia, met while they were W.K. Kellogg Foundation fellows from 2014-17. They quickly discovered they shared a passion for economic equity. The pair partnered to […]
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State Games’ impact expected to hit $4M
In less than three weeks, the cauldron will be lit, signifying the start of one of the largest sporting events in the state of Michigan. The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style event that will bring athletes of all ages to compete in 39 sports at 50 venues in West Michigan. The games […]
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Phoenix Society ranks as ‘the gold standard’ of peer support groups
Andy Hemker was driving a skid loader three years ago with his 4-year-old son, Wyatt Hemker, when they became victims of an accident. As they were driving, the gas tank became over pressurized. That blew the gas valve off the top of the tank and soaked them with gasoline. Once gasoline hit the muffler, it […]
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Inside Track: Award-winning pedigree
With a “right-brain” style of leadership and an employee-centric approach to business, Elzinga & Volkers President and CEO Mike Novakoski is on a mission to make the Holland-based construction firm “unmistakable.” Novakoski is about to celebrate 30 years in the construction business, all of which have been spent at E&V, but even before he joined […]
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Privacy to headline 2018 NeoCon
Visitors to the 50th NeoCon will see West Michigan furniture makers unveil products designed to meet an increasing need for spaces that offer both privacy and collaboration. The annual NeoCon design show for companies in the built environment runs June 11-13 at Merchandise Mart in Chicago. All the major West Michigan furniture manufacturers will be […]
