November 28, 2016
A penny saved is a penny earned — or is it?
Ben Franklin sought to cultivate his character with a plan of 13 virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his 13 virtues as: 1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. Silence. Speak not […]
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Change Ups: ITC earns green award
Novi-based ITC Michigan’s rain garden project at its Wayland warehouse earned the Green Infrastructure Project Award from the Wildlife Habitat Council. The rain garden features absorbent plants, loose fill and a physical design that lessens the volume of untreated storm water runoff that can pollute rivers and streams. The warehouse falls under the company’s ISO […]
Inflation and interest rate environment changing
Construction input prices remained unchanged in October and are just 0.5 percent above where they were a year ago, according to analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index released recently. Despite the modest increase in the aggregate input price level, the October report represents the largest year-over-year price increase since November […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds LUURTSEMA, Jon et al, Wells Fargo Bank, Condo-Shannon Ranch Condominiums, $320,000 CHALIFOUX, Laurie et al, Chemical Bank, Condo-Canyon River, $535,000 SMITH, Ryan D. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Copperwood North, $315,500 WILLIAMS, Gregory V. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Rockridge East I, $225,500 […]
Street Talk: Agents of change
Leaders along the lakeshore are driving change in Muskegon. The business community gathered earlier this month to celebrate eight community leaders and initiatives that were recognized as the 2016 Agents of Change. Those recognized range from business reinventions to unique festivals and events, education initiatives and art installations. “The Muskegon lakeshore is quickly evolving,” said […]
Are legislative changes afoot for cleanup care?
A proposed change to a law on environmental cleanup regulations aims to bolster the “due care” responsibilities property owners face when developing land. The current law, Part 201 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, “requires that owners and operators take measures to ensure that existing contamination on a property does […]
Proposed business discount eliminations will not be finalized in 2016
Sprinkled among the political thunder and lightning we’ve tried to escape this year is a proposal to change tax rules affecting transfers of ownership of family businesses. There’s a lot of hype, panic, outrage and confusion over proposed changes to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 2704. If your family owns a business and has been […]
Letter: Legislation lays out blueprint for Michigan’s energy future
Editor: A recent editorial from the Grand Rapids Business Journal about the state legislature’s work to update Michigan’s energy law (“State energy ‘choice’ legislation designed to deceive,” Nov. 7, Grand Rapids Business Journal) did not address some important issues. In contrast to the editorial’s claims, current legislation supported by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce will […]
Advanced energy sector sees opportunities
The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council wants to ensure Michigan remains “open for business” in the advanced energy sector. The business trade organization represents approximately 100 companies active in Michigan’s advanced energy sector, from small businesses like solar installers to large businesses like Rockford Construction and Granger. It has a mission of growing the state’s […]
It’s time for West Michigan to fix itself
This cannot be overstated. West Michigan companies are in dire need of skilled workers. West Michigan, as a whole, lags the country — and the Great Lakes states in particular — in percentage of population with college degrees. See the correlation here? The Great Recession “officially” ended in late 2009 and early 2010. While many […]
Foundation’s third wave in charge of legacy
Every year, the Frey Foundation can be counted on to donate approximately $6 million to programs and projects in West and Northern Michigan communities, including to some of the region’s most transformational projects, such as Van Andel Arena and Grand Rapids Downtown Market. That won’t change, according to members of the Frey Foundation, who discussed […]
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Hunger relief agencies looking for support
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Nearly three-fourths of the way into its annual Fall Food Drive, Mel Trotter Ministries announced it was 40,000 pounds short of its 50,000-pound collection goal. Abbey Sladick, director of communication for Mel Trotter, said possible factors for the shortage might have to do with warmer fall weather. She said […]
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Partnership provides pipeline to college
Area education and municipal leaders said they are concerned not enough Grand Rapids Public Schools students make it to and through college — which means the region’s talent pool is not as strong as it could be. That’s why the city of Grand Rapids, GRPS and nine area colleges and universities have teamed to create […]
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Inside Track: ‘Leading with compassion’
As a child, Norman J. Beauchamp Jr. always came to the dinner table prepared to answer three questions posed by his mother: How was your day? What was your highlight? And did you achieve your goals? Beauchamp, who recently was appointed as dean of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, said those three simple […]
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On the cutting edge of something new
Victor Sultana was quick to buy an Apple Watch when it was released, but the technology no longer finds a place on his wrist. As he wore it, he realized the watch replaced one of the last tools consumers still buy and can keep for years and possibly pass down to children. To Sultana, the […]
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Patience pays off for Greenleaf
For William D. Johnston, chairman of Greenleaf Trust, patience is a virtue. It’s a virtue Greenleaf Trust exercised for 18 years, as it waited for the right opportunity to gain foothold into the Grand Rapids market, a region the executive team had eyed for expansion since the privately owned, trust-only bank was founded in Kalamazoo […]
