March 19, 2018
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds DYKSTRA, Corey J. et al, DFCU Financial, Alpine Twp., 34-8-12, $520,000 MARKS, Joseph S. et al, Guaranteed Rate, Condo-Big Pine Island Lake Preserve, $234,500 WRIGHT, Michael P. et al, Chemical Bank, Condo-Bear Creek Condominiums, $364,000 GILMORE, Gregory S. et al, Chemical Bank, Cannon Twp., 23-8-10, […]
Tax reform offers savings opportunities for businesses
We live in an age of instant news and information. The availability of 24-hour cable news, social media, the internet, in addition to traditional information sources, has allowed more access to information than at any other time in history. My high school-aged children look at me with blank faces when I describe my childhood that […]
Tariff plan needs amendment to allow for advance planning
Business Journal reporting on the impact of President Donald Trump’s proposed steel and aluminum tariffs shows even the suggestion of such a policy shift already had pushed prices by 8 percent. Michigan’s vast investment in manufacturing vehicles — and West Michigan’s dominance of automotive manufacturing suppliers — create a unique vulnerability. Add to that the […]
A checklist for subdividing real estate
Purchasing only part of an existing tract of real estate or subdividing an existing tract of real estate into two or more parcels makes a typical real estate transaction much more complex. The act of subdividing brings into play many legal issues you might otherwise ignore in a routine real estate transaction. It also raises […]
What do aluminum tariffs mean for breweries?
Beer City’s craft beverage industry may be an unlikely stakeholder in President Donald Trump’s tariff negotiations, and a couple of breweries in Grand Rapids already are preparing for what the recently imposed tariffs will mean for its canned beverage division. Brad Stevenson, chief production officer at Founders Brewing Co., said about 50 percent of the […]
Street Talk: Passing the baton
A statewide small business development leader is re-entering the private sector this month. Keith Brophy, Michigan Small Business Development Center state director since March 2015, left the MI-SBDC on March 8. He described his departure as “a planned passing of the leadership baton.” “It has been my honor to lead this team through our rapid […]
Online class enrollment increases
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Online courses from postsecondary institutions offer flexibility, and people are taking advantage of it. Central Michigan offers 47 various undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, and concentrations, and more than 100 online classes, according to Lindsay Karmanowski, assistant director of enrollment at the Grand Rapids campus. “Central Michigan University started […]
Michigan puts export information in one place online
Farmers now might find it easier to export their commodities to other countries. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collaborated with Euromonitor International — a research organization that shares data and analysis on the agricultural industry globally — and last month launched MIAgExport.com. The free website allows Michigan companies to explore export opportunities, […]
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Change Ups: Jones receives honorary doctorate for improving cancer treatment
Van Andel Research Institute Chief Scientific Officer Peter Jones received an honorary doctorate from South Africa’s Stellenbosch University for his scientific achievement in improving cancer treatment. The university said Jones’s trailblazing work has advanced medical sciences and technology by pioneering epigenetics and expertly translating his discoveries into clinical treatments that offers new hope for millions of […]
Internet provider partners with Third Coast on new development
Spartan Net, a relative newcomer to the Grand Rapids internet market, partnered with Third Coast Development to provide up to one gigabit of internet speed to property residents. Third Coast’s new mixed-use property, Diamond Place, located along Medical Mile, broke ground early in 2017 and is close to its target completion date of September. Recently, […]
Steel tariffs prompt uncertainty
With President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, uncertainty surrounds how the policy shift will affect the cost of construction. According to The Washington Post, the most recent terms subject foreign steel to a 25 percent tax. Mexico and Canada have temporary exemptions from the tariffs, as the Trump […]
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Inside Track: A passion for sports
For Mike Guswiler, the 2018 Winter Olympics brought back memories. “It was so much fun to watch,” Guswiler said. “I loved the alpine skiing and slalom skiing. Slalom is probably my favorite, but the newer races they have in the Olympics, like ski cross, where five or six different people all go down the hill […]
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New partners spur advertising agency’s makeover
Thinkbox Creative is not what it used to be. After more than 20 years of service to West Michigan, the advertising agency overhauled its image and name. Longtime owner Benjamin Eggers handed over the reins to his employees. Five of his employees, Brian Dokter, Nathan Messelink, Travis Fahlen, Michael Probst and Bruce Pobocik, formed a […]
Prefab is future of construction
Construction industry leaders are turning to prefabrication for most of their building components. By building large parts in-house and with the aid of emerging technologies, firms are able to cut the time and cost of construction while operating in a controlled environment. In traditional builds, foremen and crews will enter the job site, take a […]
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Manufacturer has a spring in his step
Jay Dunwell’s enthusiasm for things made using his company’s products is effusive. Whether it’s today’s car door latches, dishwasher hinges, rearview mirror spring clips and file cabinet locking systems — or antique products such as wire cake and cheese slicers, spring-rimmed ashtrays and lawn chairs with spring cup holders — Dunwell is animated as he […]
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Medical marijuana clinic rolls with changes
With the possibility of Michiganders voting on legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in November, a Grand Rapids-based clinic is keeping an eye on how that change could affect its bottom line. The Society of Healing Arts Institute (SOHAI) — at 1505 Lake Drive SE in Grand Rapids, with a second site in Roosevelt Park […]
