November 4, 2019
Counting homeless is key to fed funds
Michigan is gearing up to count the youth and homeless populations that are key to its federal funding and representation. “Kids often get missed, especially in households with lower income,” said Parker James, a policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy. “If we miss kids, then we miss out on really important dollars […]
Proposed amendment would let judges serve after age 70
A newly proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate the age ceiling for Michigan judges, a move that would align the state’s judiciary with the federal system. Currently, the state constitution prohibits anyone from being elected or appointed to a judgeship for a term that begins after they turn 70. Judges elected or appointed before 70 can […]
Chamber opens racism institute to GRCC staff
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is giving all staff at Grand Rapids Community College access to its Institute for Healing Racism. The institute program fits well with the goals of the GRCC Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion, which houses the office of diversity, equity and inclusion, said B. Afeni McNeely […]
Mentorship: Don’t wait; do the right thing for you and others
I am at a new stage in my career. I have recently transitioned from a mentee to a mentor. It was surprising when I got my first request a few years ago to be a mentor. First, I felt unworthy. I still rely heavily on my team of mentors to help me through sticky situations. […]
Economic development cuts threaten state’s momentum in attracting and retaining talent
In recent years, we have seen Michigan’s economic momentum build, creating more and better-paying jobs for Michigan workers, more vibrant communities for residents across the state and establishing Michigan as a world-class business location and travel destination. That is why the $26 million reduction to the programs that are directly responsible for driving this momentum […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-03909 – BHOGAL ENTERPRISES LLC, 23415 Pleasant Meadow Road, Diamond Bar, Calif., Robert Bassell (Ch. 11) 19-03918 – LAZARSKI, Lisa M., 57 Maplebrook, pro se (Ch. 7) 19-03925 – CLARK, Tiffany A., 4091 Forest Creek SE, Tiffany A. Eisenga (Ch. 7) 19-03926 – GOHL, Thomas P. & Casey J., 2951 Dean Lake NE, Michael […]
Street Talk: The leaders and best
During his days at the University of Michigan, Wayman Britt was known for his defensive wizardry and leadership on the basketball court. When the former Wolverine forward found his way to West Michigan, he eventually applied those leadership skills to Kent County government, currently serving as the county’s administrator/controller, overseeing a budget of $444 million. […]
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Change Ups: Haven Innovation shuffles top management roles
Haven Innovation founder Don Wisner named Rick Grasman the company’s president. Wisner moves into the position of chairman and chief innovation officer, and his son, Jake Wisner, remains managing director. Grasman has a long history as an investor, developer and management expert as part of Welstand Capital, G.V.K. Development and Grasman Real Estate Investments. The […]
Attorney: Stay out of the penalty box
As the Business Journal reported last month, the U.S. Department of Labor will implement a new overtime exemption salary threshold this coming January, and a local attorney is sharing additional guidance on how to comply. On Sept. 24, the DOL announced its rule updating the minimum salary level required to exempt executive, administrative or professional […]
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Keen Studio partner launches new firm
James Mikrut, a former partner and web developer at Keen Studio, has spun out a new firm. The Business Journal previously featured Keen Studio in March 2018. A small design and branding firm on Grand Rapids’ West Side, the company uses web technology inspired by international companies to interact with businesses all around the world […]
Colliers report sees uptick in sale-leasebacks
Sale-leasebacks emerged as a popular option for sellers with an abundance of capital, according to Colliers International West Michigan’s 2019 Q3 Market Reports. “Despite signs of a global economic slowdown, West Michigan continues to be on a path of slow and steady growth. It’s still too early to tell when the next recession will happen,” […]
Experts ask: ‘Will Michigan bridge the pay gap?’
On average, women in the U.S. had to work until April 2, 2019, to make the same amount of money made by men as of Dec. 31, 2018. A recent gathering of experts explored that gap and what it will take to bridge it. Fifth Third Bank, Rhoades McKee and West Michigan Woman magazine hosted […]
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GR leaders educate themselves on sister city
Area community leaders took a trip last month to strengthen ties with the Grand Rapids sister city of Zapopan, Mexico. Led by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, City Manager Mark Washington and other business leaders representing the local sister cities committee visited to renew the agreement between the cities, according to […]
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Kent County, GRPS get $450K to improve recycling efforts
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Foodservice Packaging Institute recently doled out more than $450,000 in grants to improve recycling infrastructure and education in Kent County and Grand Rapids Public Schools. Almost $258,000 of the EGLE funding was allocated for GRPS and more than $175,000 will go to Kent County […]
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Hispanic chamber kicks off college and career initiative
The local Hispanic chamber has launched a long-term program to improve education outcomes for Latino students and increase their inclusion in the state’s workforce. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WMHCC) kicked off Building Bridges Through Education (BBTE) via a daylong event, “Get Focused: The Summit,” held Oct. 18 at Grand Valley State University’s […]
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Inside Track: Helping people’s dreams come true
Attah Obande spent a decade as a banker before losing his job forced him to find his true dream. Embracing the opportunity to shift careers in 2013, he started a consulting firm, AGO Design Group. During its first year, he began to find his voice through speaking engagements to students and one-on-one coaching of entrepreneurs. […]
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Cascade looks into relocating office
Cascade Township officials are exploring the use of a vacant manufacturing headquarters as a potential site for a consolidated township office. The township board signed an agreement with an option to purchase the property at 5920 Tahoe Drive SE from Tahoe Associates LLC after the successful completion of a due-diligence period ending Dec. 12. If […]
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Architectural firm adopts carbon-neutral challenge
Climate change has become a hot topic in recent years, and the architectural industry has not shied away from it. Architecture 2030, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization, issued a 2030 Challenge, which was adopted by the American Institute of Architects. According to Architecture 2030, the challenge is for all new buildings, developments and renovated buildings […]
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Creston takes its employees back to school
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) To make sure its staff is well-trained in a competitive market, supplier company Creston Industrial Sales provided special customized courses through Grand Rapids Community College. Last August, Creston leaders approached GRCC’s workforce training program to discuss a customized, hands-on class for Creston staff. The result is a 32-hour, four-week […]
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Sales pro pivots to ‘home technology handyman’
Smart Home Solutions was born when a local salesman discovered he had a knack for helping people. Chris DeYoung, a former software sales consultant with Tooling Software Technology in Wyoming, and his wife, Melanie DeYoung, an attorney, about two years ago began “tinkering” with smart home technology for their place in Cascade Township. They set […]
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Tech startup wants to ‘deliver your weed’
Dalilah Cann, a women-owned tech startup, is cutting through the legal and administrative hurdles of connecting cannabis businesses to consumers. The group launched the Dalilah Cann website and mobile application for the Android Store in August. The platform offers not only products but cannabis news and education material, as well. The idea took off after […]
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MSU medical innovation building to house Spectrum
Plans for the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building downtown are solidifying. Besides housing space for MSU health sciences, the 211,000-square-foot building planned for the northeast corner of Michigan Street NW and Monroe Avenue NW will house operations for Spectrum Health and BAMF Health, according to Dr. Norman Beauchamp Jr., EVP of health sciences for MSU. Spectrum […]
