May 15, 2017
Change Ups: Allen named Catholic Charities CEO
Kathleen M. Allen, an attorney with a long history of working with the disadvantaged and in family law, was named chief executive officer of Catholic Charities West Michigan. Allen previously served as vice chair of the nonprofit human service agency’s board of directors and formerly was a staff attorney for Legal Aid of Western Michigan […]
Local economy remains strong, but red flags are on horizon
Good news is always welcome, and according to the latest survey conducted during the last two weeks of April, the West Michigan economy is surprisingly strong. New Orders, our index of business improvement, bounced to 35, up nicely from 21. However, the Production index remained very strong but eased to 29 from 31. Activity in […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds HESLING, Donald M. III et al, Chemical Bank, Forest Ridge Estates, Lot 177, $300,000 NOLAN, Ryan P. et al, Chemical Bank, The Orchards No. 2, Lot 58, $272,000 MALINZAK, Christopher et al, Fifth Third Mortgage, Alpine Twp., 34-8-12, $400,000 DHANDAPANI, Sathish Kumar et al, Homestead […]
Street Talk: Trash is information treasure trove
As far as economic indicators go, this one may not be at the top of the heap, but it does offer a glimpse into daily life in West Michigan. Darwin Baas, director of Kent County Public Works, said he knows things are going well in Grand Rapids and surrounding cities by the truckloads of trash […]
Well House opens first youth home, plans for a second
Since 2013, when Tami VandenBerg took over as executive director of Well House, the organization has moved 153 people off the street and into housing. These are individuals denied housing previously by other organizations or government programs, many of which have stringent requirements related to addiction and misdemeanor or felony charges. Well House follows the […]
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Intergenerational care center launches in Heartside
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Studies have shown that as individuals age, they often become more isolated, which can lead to increasingly poor health. To combat this, a Grand Rapids church is opening a new day center to help frail adults socialize more and, hopefully, remain healthier longer. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 250 Commerce Ave. […]
Cornerstone, GVSU partner on engineering program
Cornerstone University will offer a four-strand engineering degree beginning this fall, thanks to a partnership with Grand Valley State University. The two institutions began talks about a year-and-a-half ago regarding leveraging their complementary assets to offer the first-ever engineering degree program for Cornerstone and an expanded set of offerings in the existing engineering program at […]
It’s a long time coming for US tax code changes
Spring is in the air, as is tax reform. Just as many of us filed our individual income tax returns April 18, the hype began on an upcoming announcement by the Trump administration on tax reform. The press conference April 26 announced a high-level outline without any significant discussion of details. Changes in the United […]
On the chopping block: Tax deductions on retirement funds
The new administration is considering tax reform that would exclude tax deductibility for 401(k) and other retirement vehicles. These reforms would involve crafting a more simplistic tax code that would likely lead to fewer options available to consumers. We understand why this benefit is on the chopping block: according to the U.S. government’s 2017 budget, […]
Employer initiatives assist mental health
Mental health issues, ranging from depression to suicide and bipolar disorder among others, are estimated to cost businesses — especially small business owners — millions each year. The month of May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, focusing on the many nonprofit services available in communities to assist those with diseases and illnesses […]
Banks adapt to changing consumer behavior
On the heels of the announcement Chemical Bank will close 16 more branches by year’s end, two local executives say relationship banking is more important than ever. Joel Rahn, regional president at Chemical Bank, said the bank has seen growth in its West Michigan commercial loan portfolio over the past seven or eight years, with […]
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Gardens’ tourists power area businesses
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has become a destination for visitors across the U.S., and it’s showing up in the local economy. A study released recently by Grand Valley State University researchers and economists Paul Isely and Christian Glupker shows Meijer Gardens sustains 804 Kent County jobs annually and has a $75.2 million economic […]
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Perpetual growth fuels Switch
More than 1,000 contractors have had a hand in the Switch Pyramid campus in Gaines Township since legislation passed in December 2015 to bring the data center company to West Michigan. In the first 12 months of occupancy of the former Steelcase Pyramid, the company has spent more than $50 million to renovate the building […]
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Startup sees GR as future molecular imaging hub
Anthony Chang doesn’t see Rethink Imaging as a startup — he envisions it as a company that could kick-start Grand Rapids as a destination for specialized medical care. When Chang was recruited to build the molecular imaging program at the Van Andel Research Institute in 2010, he was blown away by Grand Rapids’ advances in […]
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Inside Track: Dentist seizes business opportunity
John Bruinsma never would have guessed the artificial taste of a sugar-free lollipop would one day lead to the taste of a $2,000 bottle of scotch. But more than 20 years after launching Dr. John’s Sugar Free Candies, on a visit to China with potential clients, Bruinsma was presented a bottle of 30-year Macallan; he […]
Clothing line founders get creative
Last year, Jack VanGessel and three of his friends launched Southern Hound, a clothing line inspired by popular styles and culture originating from the South. But a couple of months after the start of their new venture, the four business partners were beginning to feel dissatisfied with the amount of money they were paying for […]
