May 20, 2013
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People don’t know what they have: It’s better than money
I'm sure you've heard the expression, “Count your blessings.” I wonder how you interpret that. I wonder how you count them. I wonder how you take advantage of them. My biggest wonder is how grateful are you for your blessings? Here’s an idea: Re-look at your blessings from a different perspective. Are they blessings or […]
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JPMorgan Chase economist encouraged by global economy
The global economy ultimately affects individuals — especially high-net-worth individuals whose personal wealth and business capital is subject to constant economic changes on the other side of the globe, as well as the other side of Michigan. The good news is that the global economy is going through a healing process, in the opinion of […]
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Change Ups: Visbeen wins retail design award
The Association for Retail Environments Design Awards recently recognized Visbeen Architects for Outstanding Merit in the Specialty Store Over 25,000 Square Feet category for its design of A.K. Rikk’s. Visbeen was one of 72 winners awarded for excellence in retail design from 51 projects worldwide. Winners beat out 2,000 entries in 23 award categories. Visbeen […]
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Public Record
May 17 — MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds EAVENSON, J. Steven et al, Cartus Home Loans, Ada, $345,000 COURY, Paul C. et al, Amerisave Mortgage Corp., Condo-Woodsview Hills Condominiums, $243,500 RUSHLOW, Brian et al, United Bank Mortgage Corp., Gaines Twp., 36-5-11, $417,000 PILKENTON, Kristin et al, […]
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Street Talk: West Michigan: lower unemployment, higher growth
The growing number of consumers in China is a good thing for manufacturing centers like West Michigan, according to Brad Haverkamp. “Among our clients, the manufacturing sector is the strongest,” said Haverkamp, senior vice president of business banking at Chase in Grand Rapids. “Manufacturing capacity in China is increasingly being used to produce products for […]
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MAREC gets grant to study solar energy in Michigan
The Michigan Energy Office has been awarded a $44,000 grant to the GVSU Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center to study solar energy system costs and improvements for more efficient use in Michigan’s climate. Kim Walton, program director for MAREC, said some large solar energy systems installed in West Michigan are based on design criteria […]
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City ready to listen to tax talk
Grand Rapids city commissioners will give taxpayers a chance to chime in on the proposed city budget and new property tax millage rate. Taxpayers will have that opportunity on the evening of June 11 when the commission meets at the Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church at 514 Eastern Ave. SE. As it now stands, the […]
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Made in Michigan product line offers companies sustainable gifts
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Companies focused on developing zero waste streams are looking for recognition products that fit their sustainability mission, and Grand Rapids company Promotional Impact’s Green Giftz line is creating products to fill that need. “Seven or eight years ago we started to be aware of doing things more sustainably, mainly […]
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Inside Track: Still looking ahead and embracing the future
One challenging aspect of interviewing business leaders is they often prefer talking about their team rather than themselves. Mark Tanis, president of The Image Group, is no exception. Tanis regularly mentions his team as he talks about his communication company’s achievements and his personal highlights of the past 26 years. In fact, it was an […]
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Amount of tax information on Internet of concern to businesses
The advent of technology and the Internet has changed the way we live our daily lives and conduct business transactions. Many of us can’t imagine not conducting business activity without the benefit of computers, smartphones and the Internet. All of the advances have impacted not only business, but also how the results of the business […]
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KCLBA views local banks as vital to its operation
Kent County Land Bank Authority Executive Director Dave Allen said the response his fledgling agency has received so far from the local banking community has been extremely positive. “The presence of a countywide land bank gives them a one-stop shop to deal with real estate in Kent County, especially for the large national banks. I […]
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Health care: Let’s get on with the Affordable Care Act
As we get closer to the start of 2014, the emphasis on educating people about decisions and responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act seems to be cranking up. There is a general reality to the fact that ACA is going to be implemented. The administrative actions are getting clarified and many of the necessary systems […]
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Construction on city commission’s agenda again
Construction projects filled the Grand Rapids City Commission agenda last week, as commissioners scheduled four public hearings and extended the completion date for a development in the city’s Renaissance Zone. Hearings to amend a pair of brownfield projects will be held next week. One has Rockford Construction putting up four new multi-story residential buildings at […]
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The mayors agree: It’s Beer Region USA
Although Grand Rapids has many identities, its love affair with craft beer recently made it the most visible. Last week, Grand Rapids captured Examiner.com’s Beer City USA poll with more than 50 percent of the vote, and more than 11,000 votes ahead of second-place finisher Kalamazoo. Last year, Grand Rapids shared the title with four-time […]
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GR building permit volume soars in April
The monetary value of the building permits that were applied for and granted just in Grand Rapids, and only in April, totaled a nearly unbelievable $77 million — a figure that breaks out to a daily average of $3.5 million for each of the month’s 22 business days. The $77 million was almost four times […]
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Cooking up new business
Jeff Grogg, a Battle Creek consultant to the food industry across the U.S., sees potential trouble ahead for the sugar industry but lots of new opportunities for the growers and processors of fruits and vegetables. When the focus is on food innovation, “It helps if you can position your company to take advantage of some […]
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West Michigan companies face software audits
An increasing number of businesses in West Michigan are being hit with software audits — and if they’re not handled properly, companies can find themselves on the hook for millions of dollars in fees and penalties. With the slower economy, businesses aren’t purchasing or maintaining their software, so software providers are looking at alternative revenue […]
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Chase Bank expands in Michigan
Chase Bank recently announced the opening of 19 additional Chase Private Client offices throughout Michigan this year, which provide affluent families and individuals with banking and J.P. Morgan investments. “Chase Private Client is a recognition and response to the evolving needs of our affluent Chase customers. As our customers’ lives get more complex, we aim […]
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Taking measure of revenue gains
Recovery. The regional economy is showing fundamental recovery, with a capital R. How that translates to the nonprofit sector is likely to be a story with a Grand Rapids dateline, given the city’s continued top rank for charitable giving, but it will be marked by the lessons and evolution that has occurred as a result […]
