November 25, 2019
Street Talk: GR rates as LGBTQ all-star
A national report released last week lists six Michigan cities, including Grand Rapids, as examples of leading the way on LGBTQ inclusion. At a time when many states have failed to pass LGBTQ-inclusive laws and policies, cities are stepping up to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, according to a report issued by the […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-04243 – PARNELL, Amber D., 472 Karel Jean Court SW, Wyoming, Jacob T. Tighe (Ch. 7) 19-04248 – REIGNS, Devin L., 5769 E. Fulton, Ada, Ryan F. Beach (Ch. 13) 19-04252 – ALEMAN, Ricardo A., 830 Burton SW, Wyoming, Michael M. Malinowski (Ch. 7) 19-04254 – WILKINS, Brian K., 5661 Bristol, Comstock Park, pro […]
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Change Ups: Allen recognized with MACP award
Mark Allen, director of business services for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, was recognized with the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals’ 2019 Michigan Chamber Professional Award. The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals is the industry association for almost 300 chambers in Michigan representing over 500 chamber professionals. Allen is a dedicated volunteer leader for […]
City commission approves bonds for retirement facility
The Grand Rapids City Commission last week approved the city’s economic development corporation’s request to issue bonds not to exceed $80 million to improve two local retirement communities. According to city documents, Clark Retirement Community Inc. submitted an application for financing assistance to the Grand Rapids Economic Development Corporation in September 2019. Clark requested the […]
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Robotics key to Michigan’s economy
Engineering students at Northwestern Michigan College program autonomous rovers to inspect environments underwater and in the air in real time. The rovers aren’t the only things on the move in a burgeoning robotics industry that experts say is a key to Michigan’s economy. “We’re always going to be trying to move to some new technology, […]
Farming photons: increased opportunities for solar farms in Michigan
Recent changes to Michigan regulations have increased the tax incentives available to property owners seeking to locate commercial solar operations on their land. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, revised the rules governing the state’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program in June. Farmers enrolled in the […]
Growth of community is threatened with elimination of Pure Michigan
Last year, 670,000 guests experienced Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. People visit Meijer Gardens representing all walks of life and all geographic areas. Walk through our parking lot, and you will see license plates from many states. Our guests learn about us and the great state of Michigan through many means, including the Pure […]
The flip side to customer relationships
n the B2B world, the relationship between the customer and the vendor and, more specifically, the vendor’s salesperson, can be of utmost importance. It doesn’t take long in the business to understand that if the customer dislikes you, he is rarely going to see you. And if he knows you and trusts you, he is […]
GVSU launches entrepreneur program
Grand Valley State University is about to launch its first semester of a coaching program for student entrepreneurs. The Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is accepting student applications for the first cohort of 77 IdeaLab. The “startup bootcamp” will show 10 teams how to grow an idea into a business, […]
Expert sees no recessionary signs for next 12 months
The United States is in the midst of the longest period without a recession in history, and there is no sign of the economy yielding in the near future, according to a financial expert. Nicholas Juhle, vice president and director of research at Greenleaf Trust, said a recession, by definition, is when there are two […]
Residential rental rates level off
While peak rental season is at an end for 2019, Allendale still is the most expensive place in Michigan to rent an apartment, according to a national survey. A sluggish fall rental season has the average national rent at $1,476, representing a 3.2% or $46 annual increase. RENTCafé found fewer people are moving into new […]
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USDA issues second tranche of farmer payments
Some farmers are now receiving financial assistance just in time for Thanksgiving. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the process of releasing its second tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program payments to farmers who have been affected by tariff disputes between the U.S. and other countries. “The tariff disputes have led to price/revenue declines […]
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Inside Track: Captivated by the written word
From an early age, Dave Yonkman was an ambitious entrepreneur, and he has continued to demonstrate success throughout his business endeavors. Yonkman is the founder of DYS Media, a public relations firm in Holland. His firm works with companies in investor relations, manufacturing, energy, health care, technology and construction industries. He started his firm in […]
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Aquinas plans business and STEM schools
As part of its next 10-year strategic plan, Aquinas College is planning to launch a school of business and a school for STEM and health sciences. Kevin Quinn, Aquinas president, said the plans are part of a focus on how Aquinas can meet the needs of students to be prepared in a continuously changing business […]
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Jewelry designer forges business of encouragement
Elsa Vos’ 4-year-old business got a huge bump this month when the “Today” show featured her custom-designed jewelry line on Hoda and Jenna’s holiday gift guide segment. Vos, a Holland native, founded Pieces of Me as an outgrowth of her senior graphic design project at Bowling Green State University in 2015. For the project, she […]
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Improv pro starts funny business
Amy Gascon wants to help grownups set aside their fear of embarrassment long enough to experience the link between silliness and creativity. Gascon is a native of Grand Rapids and a 2018 graduate of the conservatory program at Second City Training Center in Chicago, whose long list of celebrity alumni include Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, […]
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Doctors develop online ADHD diagnosis tool
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) A local company has developed a tool to formally diagnose ADHD patients online. ADHD Diagnosis Online has collaborated with psychologists and physicians from throughout the country to create the “first tool of its kind available online,” which can be completed for $149. “The reason it was created was because […]
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Granger eyes $55M project next year
Granger Group in Wyoming expects to pour over $2 billion into Metro Health Village over the next several years, but for 2020, the local developer has announced approximately $55 million in new developments for Village Life Marketplace. The company already has turned over the first component of Village Life Marketplace on the corner of Health […]
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‘Uber for lawn care’ lands $10.5M to expand in GR
An app and web platform that provides an easy way to order, manage and pay for lawn care is about to grow its capabilities in Grand Rapids. Austin, Texas-based LawnStarter said on Nov. 12 that it secured a $10.5 million growth investment from Princeton, New Jersey-based growth equity investor Edison Partners and individual investor Lerer […]
