November 3, 2014
Change Ups: Kyle Los named Actors’ Theatre managing director
Kyle Los has been hired as managing director of Actors’ Theatre. He has worked at the theater as an actor, board member, sound designer, and producer and assistant director, and currently serves on its board of directors as treasurer. For the last three years, Los has managed GRid70, a collaborative design hub that hosts creators […]
State’s export plunge wipes out earlier gains
In the first eight months of 2014, the value of world merchandise exports rose 2.6 percent to $11.3 trillion dollars from the same period in 2013, according to the latest numbers released by the World Trade Organization. WTO’s trade figures on exports from January-August show the United States moved down to third place after years […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BRECKON, Kieron A. et al, Quicken Loans, Cascade Terrace, Lot 1, $297,000 SMITH, Brent A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Stonebridge, Lot 13, $229,000 BENDER, Sally M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Carrington Ridge No. 2, Lot 40, $223,200 KELLOGG, Corie et al, […]
There are lots of excuses for no success, but very few reasons
The piece below was written in 1937 by Napoleon Hill in his immortal book “Think and Grow Rich.” It could have been written yesterday and been almost as current. The word “alibi” can be replaced by the word “excuse,” but the meaning remains the same. What’s your excuse for not achieving more, and how can […]
Street Talk: 13 might be a lucky number
In its annual report on the state business tax climate across the U.S., the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C., has declared that Michigan has the 13th best tax climate and recognized Gov. Rick Snyder as one of the leading advocates for a “smarter tax policy.” In the latest edition of the non-partisan foundation’s State Business […]
Alliance charts new course
Maintaining its mission to bring high-quality health care services at the lowest cost, the nonprofit Alliance for Health has introduced two new employer initiatives and a nutritional awareness effort. The broad-based community coalition announced last week an invitation to current and former members of the board of directors to discuss the mission and strategic direction […]
Airport board approves improvements worth $95M
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has approved $95 million in funding for improvement projects to take place between 2015 and 2020. The GFIA board approved the 2015 amended capital budget at $36,273,585, the 2016 capital budget of $18,838,500, and the five-year capital plan for years 2016-2020 of $59,728,400. […]
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Free ‘safety-net’ clinics reap grants
A grant program designed to increase access to quality health care for the uninsured is reinforcing the safety net by providing financial support to medical clinics across the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announced recently it is providing more than 50 free medical clinics across the state with $15,000 through the 10th annual […]
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Online job portal offers employers a twofer
WorkingCouples.com, a micro-niche job search portal, has been connecting job-seeking couples, partners or friends with employers specifically hiring two-member teams since 2006. Owned and operated by a Grand Rapids couple, the job search platform seeks to provide employment opportunities for couples by narrowing search results. As an online employment search engine, WorkingCouples.com allows both potential […]
GR gets $56,800 rebate from Consumers
An investment in monitoring equipment at the Grand Rapids wastewater treatment plant has reduced its electricity use and also gotten an incentive check for the city of Grand Rapids from Consumers Energy. Last week Mayor George Heartwell and city administrators received a $56,724 rebate check from Consumers Energy representatives during a presentation at City Hall. […]
Better economy spurs real estate transactions
Real estate transactions have returned to the Michigan marketplace. For those involved in the process, there are steps that can be followed to simplify the purchasing and leasing of properties. Step 1: Finding properties and entering real estate agency relationships. Sellers and buyers benefit from two types of ready-made networks to discover real estate opportunities: […]
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Two Grand Rapids projects earn awards
Next month at one of the state’s most prestigious real estate awards events, two major Grand Rapids projects will receive their well-earned moment in the spotlight. Two Michigan Real Estate Excellence Awards, part of the University of Michigan and Urban Land Institute’s 28th annual Real Estate Forum, will be presented to Grand Rapids projects Nov. […]
Universal Forest Products enjoys successful third quarter
Universal Forest Products Inc. had a good third quarter — it’s as simple as that. The Grand Rapids-based holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to wood-product subsidiaries recently announced its third-quarter earnings results for 2014. The company, which was founded in 1955 and is headquartered at 2801 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand […]
Engineers overcome ‘Phantom’ challenges
“The Phantom of the Opera” is finally coming to Grand Rapids. The big question is: Will the production fit the space? Although many are excited that Broadway’s longest-running musical of all time will be here May 18-29 for a 16-show run, it could be one of the most structurally challenging productions ever held at DeVos […]
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Renovated Sanford House offers a new life to women
An old house that is a Heritage Hill architectural icon is giving women a chance at a new life. Located at 540 Cherry St. SE, the recently restored Sanford House opened its doors last week as a private, 10-resident treatment center for women dealing with alcohol and drug dependence. Incorporating a holistic and comprehensive treatment […]
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Inside Track: ‘Commitment is the foundation of a good life’
Men like John Wolohan are, simply put, the best physical evidence for why Guiding Light Mission matters for Grand Rapids. In a city that is becoming widely known for its craft beer scene, Wolohan is one of the few 20-somethings who won’t taste a drop. Wolohan, the program administrator for the Grand Rapids-based nonprofit’s substance […]
Here’s to keeping your holiday party DUI free
The holiday office party season is just around the corner, and one thing the party planning committee needs to think about is how to make sure everyone who imbibes gets home safely at the end of the night. Jackson Lewis attorney Tim Ryan said employers should make sure they are taking action to prevent drunk […]
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Software company visualizes offices of the future
What is the most underused space in your office? That would be the hallways. During the seventh annual CET Designer User Conference held in Grand Rapids last week, keynote speaker Primo Orpilla, a San Francisco-based designer and principal of Studio O+A, talked about activating hallways, among other trends in the office workspace arena. The conference […]
Electronics represent challenges for society
Electronic devices have improved our lives and, as a society, we have only just begun to realize these benefits. However, electronics must be manufactured and used responsibly. Electronics represents the fastest-growing environmental challenge our society faces because of the harmful chemicals they contain. These chemicals, mainly lead and mercury, should never be placed in a […]
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Oak Crest sells four senior campuses
A Bloomfield Hills-based senior living community has acquired four more facilities in West Michigan. American House Senior Living Communities recently announced it has acquired Oak Crest Communities. With this new acquisition, American House, which previously had only one West Michigan community in Grand Rapids, will now take over all four of the Oak Crest campuses […]
Making taxes competitive and enhancing to economic growth
I was on an international flight returning home to Grand Rapids recently when I pondered our U.S. history and how some items have changed and others have not. The experiences, insight and values of our forefathers can often assist us in dealing with issues that confront us. Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “In this […]
Outlook: Economic growth may be masking concerns
Is there cause for concern amid the national economy’s continued growth? A new report from Northwood University that evaluated the declining purchasing power of the U.S. dollar and increasing inflation would seem to suggest that is the case, especially when it comes to low labor force participation. Timothy Nash, vice president for strategic and corporate […]
Vote and then remember: Government is a facilitator, business is a creator
The order of business this week is to first cast a vote; it’s an act that may provide a lever for venting and a sigh of relief that ends the abominable cacophony of minute-after-minute ads of distortion. Vote, so we can get back to business, back to work. The regional and national economic numbers certainly […]
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Solar energy investment tax credit still available
With two years left to take advantage of a 30 percent investment tax credit for businesses installing a solar energy system, business owners in West Michigan are being urged by one growing electrical contracting company to consider sun power. But HighPoint Electric doesn’t just talk solar energy — it has installed its own 10 kilowatt […]
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YMCA breaks ground on new $30M facility in Cascade
When all is said and done, next fall West Michigan will be home to a new YMCA unlike any other in the country. Ground broke in September to begin work on what will be known as Mary Free Bed YMCA, a new $30 million facility and campus coming to 5500 Burton St. SE in Cascade […]
