March 12, 2018
Criminal justice reform is the right thing to do, for all of us
More than a decade ago, law enforcement leaders supported smart criminal justice reform because they recognized that overincarceration would not make Michigan safer. Despite these improvements, Michigan still incarcerates more people, keeps inmates longer and spends significantly more money on corrections than our neighboring Midwest states. One out of every five taxpayer dollars goes toward […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds O’CALLAGHAN, Lindsey et al, Quicken Loans, Alpine Twp., 1-8-12, $217,487 DEYOUNG, Galen L. et al, Northpointe Bank, Grandview Development, Lot 6, $330,000 DEVISSER, Kevin & Susan Trust et al, Fifth Third Bank, Condo-Serenity Ridge, $385,000 3787 PATTERSON LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, Kentwood, 24-6-11, $517,500 YORK […]
Remember to put your business mistakes into perspective
On Feb. 14, Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson made a mistake. Peterson resigned about a week later after an investigation found he failed to enter Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as a gunman killed 17 students and staff members at the Florida high school. Peterson did not follow protocol. He made a mistake. Many people made […]
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Change Ups: Engineer earns design award
TowerPinkster mechanical engineer Jonathan Rumohr earned the highest award achievable by the international engineering society, ASHRAE, for his engineering design of Western Michigan University’s Heritage Hall. The hall now operates at a 50 percent reduction over the LEED energy model estimate and more than an 80 percent reduction over the ASHRAE energy standard. The project […]
Michigan looks to manage milk supply
Construction on a $57.9-million dairy processing plant is slated to begin as the state tries to manage its plethora of milk. Foremost Farms USA, a Wisconsin-based farmer-owned milk processing and marketing cooperative, will begin a multiyear project on a 96-acre site in Greenville in the next few weeks. The plant will include a 55,000-square-foot milk […]
Street Talk: West Side Meijer taking shape
Meijer’s Bridge Street Market has been a hot topic of discussion among the many developments on Grand Rapids’ West Side. During the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 15th annual West Michigan P3 Retail Program, Meijer Vice President Mike Kinstle revealed some further details about the project. Bridge Street Market was announced early in 2017 as […]
2018 report: Michigan third-graders are now the ‘lowest-performing students in the U.S.’
The Business Journal is reporting on no fewer than three significant announcements from Gov. Rick Snyder, from Business Leaders for Michigan and an analysis by The Right Place Inc. regarding its failed proposal vying for the Amazon HQ2 project. Each has for a decade advocated for improvements in Michigan’s educational attainment — and each now […]
Charitable giving strategies for 2018
The annual process that we all face as taxpayers is now underway — pulling together documents to file your federal, state and local tax paperwork. One aspect of the federal tax code that will change significantly in 2018 involves charitable giving. The changes are raising questions for tax specialists, taxpayers and charitable organizations that receive […]
BLM reveals economic action plan
Business Leaders for Michigan recently unveiled a strategic plan and public awareness campaign, highlighting what members believe is the best approach toward a healthy economy. The goal of the group, made up of leaders of businesses that account for nearly one-third of the state’s economy, is to become a “top 10 state” for jobs, personal […]
City doles out brownfield loans
The Grand Rapids Economic Development department completed work on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Revolving Loan Fund Grant of $1.76 million. The city distributed the brownfield redevelopment grant as loans toward five local construction projects to assist with the costs of environmental remediation of contaminated property. “A lot of these urban revitalization projects uncover some […]
Lakeshore leaders call for regulating health care costs
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Business leaders from along the Lakeshore came together earlier this month for the 2018 Health Check, a report conducted by economists from Tulane University and the GVSU Seidman College of Business, which analyzed health trends and costs in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Allegan counties. Lody Zwarensteyn, who moderated the […]
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Gov. Snyder talks talent development
During a recent stop in Grand Rapids, Gov. Rick Snyder discussed elements of his recently announced “Marshall Plan,” aimed at preparing students to enter a technology-driven workforce. Snyder spoke at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids during the Rotary Club’s March 1 meeting. His talk echoed themes in his State of the State address […]
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PR firms adapt to today’s social media platforms
The social media platform is changing, and organizations are tasked with finding ways to keep pace. That includes public relations firms that are charged with portraying the image of its clients in an optimistic light to its targeted audience. However, the diversity of the industries represented makes it a challenge for PR companies. Tim Dye, […]
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ArtPrize travels west
One of Grand Rapids’ signature events is heading to the Grand Canyon State. Phoenix was chosen as one of the cities that will host ArtPrize Pitch Night. Dan Packard, who is a Grand Rapids native and a current resident of Phoenix, is one of the organizers of the event. “It is wonderful for me to […]
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Inside Track: Crafting a better cocktail scene
After eight years of exploring and gaining critical acclaim from Seattle’s bartending scene, Adam Fortuna returned to his native Grand Rapids. The certified sommelier and assistant general manager of Reserve Wine & Food has his sights set on raising the bar for the area’s craft cocktail scene. For Fortuna, the service industry initially seemed like […]
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Metal fabricators forge dual focus
Mark Schentzel and Alex Kallio have fused their respective metalworking backgrounds to create a business they call “a unique beast.” EA-Craftworks, 957 Leonard St. NW in Grand Rapids, is a custom design and metal fabrication company that makes limited-run industrial products, signage, fine stainless-steel work and sculptures. One of their steel-and-wood sculptures, Era-Alter, was an […]
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Amazon bid reveals area’s weaknesses
West Michigan has some work to do if it wants to attract a major employer to the region. The Right Place Inc. last week revealed details regarding its attempt to lure Amazon’s second U.S. headquarters to Grand Rapids and speculated financial incentives had very little to do with the retail giant’s decision to leave this […]
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Roosevelt Park receives significant investment
For a city with a total taxable value of $99 million, more than $5 million in development is significant. The 1-square-mile city of Roosevelt Park, nestled within the Mona Shores school district in Muskegon County, has less than 4,000 residents but is seeing a considerable amount of private investment for its size, according to Jared […]
