May 22, 2017
Street Talk: Rapid transformation
During Josh Naramore’s presentation to the Grand Rapids City Commission during the FY2018 Preliminary Fiscal Plan hearings, the Mobile GR director said the department will be rebranding the Downtown Area Shuttle service line in 2018. Exactly what a redesign of the DASH might entail remains to be seen, as Naramore said there will be a […]
Switch draws tech summit next month
Editor's note: The details of the CIO Summit in Grand Rapids on June 15 were inadvertently shared by the primary source, Collaborative Communications Consulting, and have been removed in light of that fact.
Change Ups: Cimitile tapped as GVSU provost, executive VP
Starting July 1, with the opportunity for an extension, Maria Cimitile will be Grand Valley State University’s new provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs. Cimitile currently is GVSU’s associate vice president for academic affairs. Previous administrative positions include associate dean for students and curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and […]
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Inside Track: Paying it forward
Tony Johnson often spends his lunch hour at Mel Trotter Ministries interviewing possible job applicants to come work for him at Smashburger, where he is the general manager. Johnson said his mission is to help men struggling to overcome addiction and get out of homelessness, because he was once in their shoes. “I want to […]
When it comes to dealmaking, lack of confidence will cost you
You want the deal badly. You need the business. You suspect that your price is too high to begin with. So what do you do? You lower your price. Most salespeople are afraid to stand by their price structure because of a single mistaken assumption: “If I refuse to negotiate my price, I’ll lose the […]
Residential construction job growth remains tepid
National construction employment remained largely unchanged for the second consecutive month, adding 5,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, according to analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The nonresidential construction sector added 3,200 net new jobs in April after adding 8,500 net jobs in March (revised down from 13,300), […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds ROST, David C. et al, Guaranteed Rate, Rivertown Valley III, Lot 120, $273,455 HALSTEAD, Alan et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Tyrone Twp., 29-10-12, $236,060 AUSTIN, Troy R. et al, Independent Bank, Condo-Arrowcrest, $231,200 NELSON, Nichole et al, Independent Bank, Bedaki Shores No. 2, Lot 49, […]
Appealing property tax assessments when you miss the deadline
Appealing real property tax assessments on business property requires careful attention to the details, including filing the appeal by the relevant deadlines. But, what happens if you miss those deadlines? The short answer is you still have a few options, but they apply in only very limited circumstances. Your first option is to determine if […]
What does future hold for parking?
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The Grand Rapids City Commission recently got a preview into what parking and mobility in the city will look like in the coming years. As part of the city’s ongoing preliminary fiscal year 2018 budget review, last week the commission heard presentations on the vital street fund, the sidewalk […]
Another ‘crazy’ idea from Secchia; another win for the power of partnerships
To say that Kent County’s Millennium Park is connected to Lake Michigan might be considered a stretch of imagination or fantasy, or require proofs of the Grand River’s meandering path to the mouth of the Big Lake. But to say one can bike or walk a pathway along the Grand to get to one of […]
Franchise opportunities expand in city
As the Grand Rapids population rises, so do the opportunities for residents to own a franchise. This month, personal finance website WalletHub named Grand Rapids the No. 5 best large city to start a business, and out-of-market franchises have noticed the healthy entrepreneurial spirit Grand Rapidians possess, said Brigitte Betser, a Grand Rapids consultant with […]
Distillery pushes into food market
Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery recently opened a full-service restaurant, with intentions to push the lakeshore residents beyond spirits. Since a contingent of the DeVos family — led by Dick DeVos and Rick DeVos — purchased the distillery last year, they remodeled the interior and added an emphasis on food and how cocktails mesh with culinary creations. […]
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‘Perfect storm’ helps nonprofit buy race
MyTeam Triumph has returned to its roots. Since the nonprofit’s founding in Grand Rapids, the West Michigan chapter has helped countless disabled athletes to complete road races and triathlons, from Iron Man competitions to the most recent Fifth Third River Bank Run. But it’s the Tri del Sol, an annual triathlon held on the grounds […]
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Case Equipment undergoes rebranding effort
James Maioho is setting up a bulkhead to help resuscitate Case Construction Equipment’s market share and reputation in Michigan. Following nearly 10 years of sinking sales and the spread of rumors that the 175-year-old equipment manufacturer might be going out of business, Maioho hopes to breathe new life into the brand and triple the market […]
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Furniture dealers navigate ‘blending’ trend
A recent poll by Refresh Leadership revealed that only 8 percent of employees like working in open concept offices without walls, cubicles or privacy. Area furniture designers are listening. Fifty-five percent of workers who responded to the poll question, “What is your ideal office layout?” in March said they prefer to work in an office […]
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30-mile trail project nears completion
In a few short years, West Michigan residents and visitors will be able to bike from Grand Haven to Grand Rapids making pit stops at parks and swim spots along the way. The Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission is entering the final stage of a $41-million project it started decades ago. Approximately $20 million […]
