May 9, 2016
Nonresidential construction spending slips a bit
Nonresidential construction spending fell 0.4 percent on a monthly basis in March, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, but it was up 8.3 percent on a year-over-year basis to $695.7 billion. Eight of 16 nonresidential construction subsectors experienced monthly spending growth in March and 12 are up on a year-ago basis. March […]
The relationship edge: Are you on it, in it, or over it?
Beginning a relationship is easy, whether it’s a social relationship or a business relationship. Exploration is predominantly on the surface. Nothing too revealing. In the beginning, all is well. Friendships blossom. Feelings emerge. And life is good. It’s like fast dancing at a bar. You kind of get to know the other person without getting […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds WILLINK, Brett et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-West Hampton, $213,500 5366 PLAINFIELD LLC, Huntington National Bank, Plainfield Twp., 26-8-11, $733,600 ARAPAHOE LAND TRUST LLC, Huntington National Bank, Plainfield Twp., 34-8-11, $733,600 VANPROYEN, Aaron W. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Woodruff Estates No. 4, […]
Bill enhances small business connections
New legislation is expected to help Michigan’s small businesses connect more efficiently with the federal government. The SEC Small Business Advocate Act was introduced in Washington, D.C., last month by U.S. senators Gary Peters, D-Michigan, Heidi Heitkamp, D-North Dakota, and Dean Heller, R-Nevada. The act’s broad aim is to create established lines of communication between […]
Economist preaches patience
The United States can expect an economic boom — in about five to 10 years. Until then, however, the U.S. will sputter like a car running on three cylinders, through muddled growth and possibly a small recession, according to Jeff Korzenik, senior vice president and chief investment strategist at Fifth Third Investment Management Group. He […]
Holland SmartZone gains final approval
The Holland SmartZone has taken a major step in its mission to continue cultivating West Michigan’s economic environment well into the future. The initial conversations for the Holland SmartZone began in August 2014. Now, nearly two years later, the plans are official. The satellite of the Grand Rapids SmartZone received final state approval from the […]
Street Talk: The long blue thread
The former executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council is running for political office — not because she wants to but because that’s the way the system works. Rachel Hood will announce Monday her candidacy for Kent County drain commissioner. It’s an elected position, as opposed to an appointed one, so Hood will […]
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Montgomerie looks forward to Benton Harbor and defending PGA crown
Mike Todman believes the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor is a big deal for the community. A few weeks ago, a Benton Harbor resident told the tournament chairman St. Joseph-Benton Harbor is the place to be — something that wouldn’t have been said two decades ago. “The championship serves […]
Employee benefits industry experiences growth surge
Employee benefits consultants in West Michigan are making more money — and for firms like Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., that means getting bigger. Gallagher Benefit Services’ acquisition of Grand Rapids-based Fox Insurance Co. last year helped the Grand Rapids office of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. more than double its West Michigan benefits revenue from […]
Cities face lead challenges
LANSING — While the lead in Flint’s water captures plenty of attention, another source of the deadly element also threatens Michigan cities and neighborhoods. The demolition of older homes and buildings releases lead into the air, threatening the health of those who live and work near the demolition sites, said Tina Reynolds, health policy director […]
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Change Ups: Lockwood honored as Emeritus Faculty
Professor Walter Lockwood was recently honored as Grand Rapids Community College's 2016 Emeritus Faculty. Lockwood taught writing, film and literature from 1965 to 2001. In that span of time, his teaching helped shape generations of writers and analytical thinkers. Lockwood is the author of novels, stories, newspaper features, screenplays, musicals, documentaries and poetry, including his […]
Keeping the scavengers at bay: protecting your assets
My wife and I watched a “60 Minutes” segment on how life insurance companies sometimes keep the cash or face value of a life insurance policy if, when the insured dies, the proper paperwork isn't filed. Some life insurance companies may keep the benefit money even though they know the insured has died. They do […]
Report finds $368M value in garbage diversion
The phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is an idea two organizations in West Michigan are hoping to convey across the state, after a recent study found Michigan residents and businesses are throwing away garbage valued at millions of dollars every year. The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Grand Valley State University […]
Private road or private nightmare?
Our country has thousands of miles of private roads. By “private,” I mean roads not owned or maintained by government that serve two or more parcels of land. Landowners build private roads for many reasons, such as the prospect of better privacy, security and maintenance than local government will provide. Or perhaps because local government […]
Investment industry still struggling with commissions vs. fees
Ben VerWys said there was no Jerry Maguire-type memo when he decided to leave his place in the traditional investment advisor world. Still, the general behavior in the financial industry was wearing heavily on VerWys until he decided to break out on his own and left Oppenheimer & Co. in October 2014 to start Action […]
Small business issues require more than federal advocacy; they require real change
Grand Rapids is home base for a large community of small businesses and entrepreneurial efforts, all well-versed in the complexities, ambiguous terms, technical language and overwhelming array of federal regulations. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, has introduced the SEC Small Business Advocate Act to establish lines of communication between small businesses and the federal government, but […]
Housing values are on the rise in GR metro area
The increase in home values in Greater Grand Rapids has pulled ahead of the national average, while rental prices stayed on par with the national increase, according to two reports released last week. Housing values in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming metro area increased by 7.7 percent in March 2016 compared to March 2015, according to the […]
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GVSU’s annual economic impact: $780M
The value of an education cannot always be measured in dollars — but the value of an educational institution can. Grand Valley State University, for example, has an annual economic impact of about $780 million on the tri-county region, according to a report released during the university’s board of trustees meeting last week. The report […]
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Barbecue joint hits the open road this summer
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The two Scotts at Two Scotts Barbecue have rewarded themselves for saving money. Scott Hartmann and Scott Luecht put aside the money they saved by doing much of the demolition and construction early in 2015 for their restaurant at 536 Leonard St. NW. This winter, the pair discussed the […]
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Inside Track: Garberson helps connect refugees with job opportunities
Kyle Garberson is only two months into a job he said already makes him proud to be an American. That job is serving as the refugee employment program supervisor for Bethany Christian Services. Garberson took over the position from Corrie Sjoblom in March. “Coming into the program was great. Bethany is committed to serving the […]
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Keeping up with the Joneses
Part of the west side of Grand Rapids for more than 100 years, The Holiday Bar is getting a makeover. Sitting at 801 Fifth St. NW since 1959, and established at 585 Stocking Ave. NW in the Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuaries building in 1905, Holiday Bar’s owner, Todd Wawee, determined all the recent investments in the […]
