November 19, 2012
Land bank proves valuable to communities
Last week the nonprofit LINC (Lighthouse Inc.) community revitalization group announced a major project in the Madison Square neighborhood, a place-making initiative that may, at long last, be a turning point for a neighborhood that has seen other such efforts slowly and painfully fail. The Business Journal notes that LINC is among the nonprofits working […]
State revamps grant, loan programs for environmental cleanup
New legislation making its way through the Michigan legislature could make it easier for developers to secure the funds to pay for environmental cleanup needed before building or renovating on contaminated property. Senate Bill 1328 proposes key modifications to the Department of Environmental Quality grant and loan program for remediation of contaminated sites. In the […]
The cream doesn’t always rise to the top these days
It’s hard to believe after years of high unemployment that when organizations are starting to hire — and yes, that is happening, even here in Michigan — they can’t find the talent they need. Now, that is not to say filling all jobs is difficult, but those that require advanced skills with some experience may […]
The choices ahead: borrow, raise taxes or cut expenses
The federal income tax may be the cause of the end of our culture as we have known it. It will not be due to its complexity or cost of compliance. It will be because the power to tax one person for the benefit of another is an irresistible tool of political power. What the […]
Street Talk: A surge-less summer for small business
Was small business in Michigan really sitting listlessly on the sidelines through the summer of 2012, worrying about the November election? SBAM thinks so. “We believe the small business economy, while growing, did not surge this summer partly because of uncertainty about the 2012 election,” said Michael Rogers, vice president of communications for the Small […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds WHEELER, Scott et al, Michigan Commerce Bank, Courtland Twp., 20-9-10, $265,080 REPLINK LLC, Grand River Bank, Pasadena Park, Lot 284, $298,000 VANDENBERG, Brent et al, Chemical Bank, Doorn Woods, Lot 1, $212,800 HAID, Scott et al, Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group Corp., Ada Twp., 13-7-10, […]
What makes referrals happen? It’s your actions, not your ask
I’m angry about the (mis)information offered by “experts” about referrals. I’m not angry that the majority of their information is totally off base and bogus; I’m angry that you might believe it, take it to heart, try it, fail miserably and lose both relationships and customers. My anger centers around the word “ask.” Some idiot […]
Change Ups: Erhardt Construction founder receives ICON
Larry Erhardt Sr., founder of Erhardt Construction, is the recipient of the inaugural ICON Award from the Western Michigan Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. The award recognizes an individual who has had a significant impact on the construction industry. It is conferred to Erhardt the same year his company celebrates its 50th anniversary. […]
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Inside Track: Colliers’ Hunderman is hardwired to serve
His faith is strong. He is a committed family man. And never once did he think he’d be in the commercial real estate field until he found himself in it. Today, Derek Hunderman is a prominent person with a bright future in the industry as one of the leading executives at one of the top […]
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For craft brewers, there is Hope
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) For a small, conservative school with a “dry” campus, Hope College has produced an unusual amount of brewery owners. More specifically, the fraternity Omicron Kappa Epsilon, or OKE, was the early ’90s collegiate home to four of West Michigan’s most prominent brewers: Dave Engbers and Mike Stevens from Founders […]
Land bank makes its case before key panel
Before members of the Kent County Land Bank Process Subcommittee decided to suspend future meetings until a pending legal case is settled, they listened to an update of the land bank’s activities from Executive Director Dave Allen. Allen began his presentation by asserting that the land bank’s mission is similar to the county’s in that […]
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Consultant sees lots more retail for downtown
A nationally known retail consultant hired by the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority last March has concluded that four areas in and around downtown can support another 120 to 150 new shops and restaurants over another 566,460 square feet of commercial space. The DDA revealed last week that Robert Gibbs, principal of the Gibbs Planning […]
City approves tool-and-die recovery applications
The local tool-and-die industry last week got the attention of Grand Rapids city commissioners, who approved applications to let six firms join the Tool and Die Renaissance Recovery Zone and collect the appropriate tax breaks. Five of the six are located on the city’s northeast side and all six are affiliated with the same tooling […]
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Hidden energy in Zeeland
Woodward Inc., a high-tech aerospace/energy components manufacturing business with a growing plant in Zeeland, is widely known for its precision parts used in jet engines and turbine generators at power plants. Its growing reputation for technological expertise also won it a NASA research contract and, more recently, helped a University of Michigan business/engineering team take […]
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Instant lab is available for life science startups
As it approaches its 10-year anniversary, the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center in Kalamazoo has marked the occasion with the unveiling of a new resource for life science startups in the region: Launch MI Lab. Launch MI Lab (pronounced “launch my lab”) is a fully equipped and staffed bioscience laboratory to help new startups get off […]
County to accept bids on riverfront site
Kent County Assistant Administrator Mary Swanson said the county will request proposals soon on a piece of riverfront property it owns just north of the Monroe Avenue and Michigan Street intersection, a key downtown location. County Administrator and Controller Daryl Delabbio said the county isn’t in a rush to sell the parcel, a position he […]
