November 12, 2019
There’s nothing useless about liberal arts degrees
We are constantly besieged with messaging that a liberal arts degree is useless. Maybe even worse than useless: a path to being a pauper or something close. Stuck in low-paying work that leaves you unable to pay off the loans and earn enough to buy a house and raise a family. Think again! In a […]
Consumers Energy to run battery storage pilot
Jackson-based Consumers Energy has announced a collaboration with California-based Sunverge to leverage the company’s energy storage technology for a Consumers Energy residential battery storage pilot. Consumers will take advantage of Sunverge's distributed energy resources management platform, which will provide the company with real-time grid-edge visibility and management capabilities, helping to identify grid locations with the […]
State’s population is aging faster and with greater debt
Michiganders are getting older, and they’re likely to owe more money than ever. “The area is graying,” said Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, whose district encompasses northwest Michigan, where many retirees flock. “We’ve got a lot of retirees moving in.” Indeed, the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan projects that by 2022, seniors will […]
Report: Economic optimism is strong
Despite pricing pressures, ongoing tariff concerns and cooling job creation, a new report shows optimism among Michigan’s small and midsize business owners remains strong. Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group conducted phone interviews between July 1 and Aug. 23 — 150 of them with business owners and executives at small and midsize Michigan businesses — and […]
Local doctor testing cancer-screening AI software
A local doctor is testing a new artificial intelligence product that he said significantly improves breast cancer detection. Dr. Mark Traill, a radiologist at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, is one of the first in the state to use FDA-approved ProFound AI, which uses technology he said will be “massively disruptive” in the […]
Report: Benefits costs projected to rise 6.5%
U.S. employers soon could pay more for the medical benefits they provide their employees. According to the 2020 Global Medical Trend Rates Report released by Aon plc, the U.S. employer-provided medical benefit costs are forecasted to rise 6.5% in 2020. Robert Hughes is the president and founder of Advantage Benefits Group, an independent employer benefits […]
Michigan feels brunt of tariffs
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Michigan taxpayers are feeling the impact of tariffs. According to Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, a bipartisan campaign group against tariffs, Michigan taxpayers have paid $1.6 billion so far in additional tariffs that were placed on imported products such as soybeans, dairy, wheat and pork between May 2018 and August […]
Priority Health unveils special needs plan
Priority Health is launching a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan in all 68 counties of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The plan, named PriorityMedicare D-SNP, goes into effect Jan. 1 and will be available to the 300,000 people ages 21 or older who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Priority Health serves more than 1 million […]
Street Talk: College has new plans for your weekend
Starting next semester, Grand Rapids Community College is offering Saturday classes to make college more accessible, especially for learners trying to work around jobs and home responsibilities. GRCC will offer Saturday classes in algebra, English and sociology in Grand Rapids, with some sections also available at the Lakeshore Campus. GRCC leaders said enrollment for the […]
What makes a company attractive for acquisition?
Imagine an investment banking professional like me meeting a company owner for the first time, whether it be at a conference, cocktail party or owner’s office. At some point early in the conversation, the owner often asks: How much is my company worth? With a few data points and some qualifications, a broad range usually […]
Here’s why you should care about CON Commission’s efforts
For more than eight years, I have had the privilege of serving Michigan citizens as a commissioner representing the business community on the Certificate of Need (CON) Commission. The purpose of CON is to review the most complex health care services and technology to balance cost, quality and access for Michigan residents. There is an […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-03991 – JARNEGAN, Ruby L, 420 Storrs SE, John D. Dodson (Ch. 7) 19-03998 – WALKER, Shateda M., 209 Nora SE, Kentwood, Rebecca L. Johnson-Ellis (Ch. 13) 19-03999 – BELANGER, Linda K., 5912 English NE, Comstock Park, Jeremy Shephard (Ch. 7) 19-04006 – SICKELS, Patrick G., 6240 Bechalla SE, Greg J. Ekdahl (Ch. 7) […]
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Change Ups: Wightman’s rain garden receives KMB award
Wightman, an architecture, engineering, environmental and surveying company with locations in Allegan, Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo, received a Michigan Award for its rain garden beautification project from Keep Michigan Beautiful Inc. The firm won the award for selecting a section of its asphalt parking lot at its Benton Harbor office, removed parking spaces and replaced […]
Switch, school districts reach agreement on tax dispute
A tentative agreement was reached between Switch and two West Michigan school districts regarding a tax break dispute. The agreement between Switch, a data center in Gaines Township, Kent ISD and Caledonia Community Schools was reached due to legislation that was introduced by a Michigan lawmaker earlier this year in an effort to clarify the […]
Summit examines ROI of diversity, equity and inclusion
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit to share best practices for building a better workplace from some of the top organizations in West Michigan. The 2019 summit took place Nov. 1 at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids in downtown Grand Rapids, drawing nearly 400 attendees seeking […]
Judge orders Muskegon County to pay $3.25M
After a 3½-year legal battle, Muskegon County was court ordered to pay $3.25 million in damages, plus another 12% in annual interest and attorney fees, for breaching a contract with Ryan Leestma and his now-closed IT firm. The payment could top $4.5 million when everything is tallied. Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk entered […]
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Inside Track: Landing on an aviation career
Torrance Richardson said he always knew he wanted to work in an industry related to airplanes. His father worked on avionics equipment while in the U.S. Navy, and Richardson grew up attending airshows. His initial goal was to become a pilot, and he started training early. After high school classes were over for the day, […]
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Insurer brings Rx drug safety course to high schools
Farmers Insurance announced last month a new local initiative in keeping with its “commitment to communities and education.” The Woodland Hills, California-based insurer with a dozen-plus local offices is working with Washington, D.C.-based e-learning provider EVERFI, to help bring an interactive prescription drug safety course to area schools. Jennifer Edgerly, senior director of communications for […]
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Feyen Zylstra aims to stay ahead of Industry 4.0 curve
Feyen Zylstra’s industrial tech team is taking the guesswork out of Industry 4.0 technology while many of its manufacturing clients still are getting their feet wet. The Grand Rapids-based industrial technology and electrical firm is implementing new technology in robotics, internet of things and other sectors to increase safety, predict maintenance and improve overall efficiency […]
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Psychiatric urgent care serves 3,000 in six months
The psychiatric urgent care center opened by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has provided services for nearly 3,000 patients in its first six months of operation. The psychiatric urgent care center, which opened April 15, was designed to provide same-day assessment and treatment for adults experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms who cannot wait for routine […]
