October 15, 2012
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DDA pursuing development of key parcels
(As seen on WZZM 13 TV) It’s no secret that private development in the sector soared after the Downtown Development Authority and Grand Action Committee built Van Andel Arena. As soon as the $75 million building opened almost 16 years ago at the corner of Fulton Street and Ottawa Avenue, it became an economic driver […]
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Do artists make money during ArtPrize?
In 2011, ArtPrize reportedly benefited the Grand Rapids/Kent County economy by $15.4 million. That figure included hotel stays, restaurant sales, retail purchases and other spending within the city. It seems everyone within the downtown community benefits from ArtPrize economically, but what about the artists’ whose work is on display? How much of the exposure translates […]
Metro, Spectrum subject to Medicare readmission penalties
Another aspect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act kicked in with the start of the new federal fiscal year on Oct. 1, when Medicare began penalizing hospitals that have certain types of Medicare patients who are discharged and then readmitted too soon, too often. Medicare looked at the frequency of heart failure, heart […]
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It’s ‘survival mode’ for many state dairy farmers
LANSING — Despite recent rains, the 2012 drought — the most destructive in 50 years — has driven many Michigan dairy farmers into “survival mode.” The dry weather reduced crop yields and tightened the feed supply, increasing the costs to farmers. “The low crop yields make this fall truly a change in seasons for Michigan’s […]
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Report paints bleak economic picture for Kent’s families
Growing up in Kent County is not as solidly middle-class as some believe, which has a profound impact on the region’s economic prosperity. The county is a far different experience for people depending on race, where they live and economic conditions concludes a study spearheaded by the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council and […]
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Industrial-strength fundraising
There are 100 years of history behind the Muskegon Museum of Art, and the organization is still making history as it prepares to spin off from Muskegon Public Schools as an independent entity. At a news conference in early September, the museum revealed details of INSPIRE: The Investment Campaign for the Future of the Muskegon […]
County auction process pays off bigtime
The Kent County Treasurer’s office recently completed its most successful auction of tax-foreclosed properties in recent memory and was able to collect more than enough revenue from the two public sales to cover the office’s expense of buying the delinquent properties from the cities and townships. “It certainly is the best one in the last […]
City approves six new business investments
Five manufacturers and one development firm got green lights from Grand Rapids city commissioners last week to go ahead with their planned investments. All six, which are spending a total of $10.4 million, will receive tax breaks in return for completing their projects. “It’s a sign of the recovery in the state of Michigan,” said […]
Metro Council supports emergency manager measure
With election day approaching, members of the Grand Valley Metro Council took unanimous stands on five of the six ballot measures voters will weigh in on in a few weeks. They also agreed that amending the state Constitution — as five of the six proposals would do if approved — should not replace legislative activity. […]
Exchange offers new option for avoiding the landfill
Ever think you could find just what you are looking for in the Dumpster or recycling bin down the street? During a roundtable discussion with members of The Employers’ Association of West Michigan last summer, two companies did just that. One company representative was lamenting the high cost of purchasing barrels the company needed, at […]
Ameritemp Staffing undergoes name change to reflect growth, new direction
Kim Fettig announced recently that his firm Ameritemp Staffing was undergoing a name change in response to its growth and evolution within the staffing industry. Now operating under Fettig, with the tagline “where the right person matters,” Fettig said his firm is better able to convey the diversity of its job placement offerings and can […]
City moves forward on stormwater plan
Grand Rapids city commissioners recently agreed to spend $450,000 to update the city’s Stormwater Management Plan, which was created in 1994. The bulk of those dollars, $348,000, will go to the project’s consultant: Tetra Tech PC. Tetra Tech is an environmental engineering firm based in Brighton and was one of four companies that submitted bids […]
Changing workplace diversity, inclusion a tall task
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are laudable benchmarks, but making it a standard that all employees embrace requires an effective plan all will buy into, said two speakers at a forum sponsored by the Partners for a Racism-Free Community at the Dominican Center at Marywood. Some of its success and the ease of implementing […]
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Grandville wins major state award from Municipal League
The city of Grandville captured a highly coveted award from the Michigan Municipal League at the organization’s annual convention earlier this month. The MML, which represents the state’s cities and villages, also gave Grandville’s longtime and popular mayor, Jim Buck, a prestigious honor. The league named Buck, who has served as the city’s top elected […]
VerDuin earns Lakeshore Athena Award
Patricia VerDuin, executive director of Ready for School, an initiative of the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation, is the 2012 Lakeshore Athena Award recipient. VerDuin, of Grand Haven, was honored Tuesday during an awards celebration at Trillium Events in Spring Lake. Holly Johnson, chair of the Lakeshore Athena program, said 16 nominees were considered for the award. […]
New generation of family philanthropists stepping up
The winds of change are sending a generational transfer across the family philanthropies of West Michigan. The effects of this shift can be seen in the new faces sitting on the board of trustees at the Frey Foundation, said Steve Wilson, foundation president. Since February, three women from the third generation of the Frey family […]
Reducing risk factors in trusts and estates planning
Planning for your family’s future is one of the most important jobs you have. Unfortunately, the average person doesn’t know all the intricacies and options for trusts and estates planning, which can leave individuals or their families in a vulnerable position. James Steffel, a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, said there are ways […]
Trivalent Group launches CompassionIT initiative
Michigan nonprofits will be receiving a technological makeover this holiday season, thanks to jolly old Saint Trivalent Group. The technology firm recently announced the birth of CompassionIT (pronounced “compassionate”), a philanthropic initiative that will give away thousands of dollars in technology and services to nonprofits. The initiative is open only to Michigan-based, 501(c)3 nonprofits. Eligible […]
Axios travels ESOP route
Axios Inc. announced its employees have purchased the company through a 100 percent Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The process began earlier this year, after several years of discussion by company CEO and owner Daniel Barcheski, President Kellie Haines and Anne Hayes, vice president of operations. The three decided that, rather than sell off the human […]
Aquinas gets more than money from endowment scholarships
The money and the tears are running freely into the scholarship cup at Aquinas College. When Aquinas announced the launch of the Aquinas College Family Scholarship Endowment Program in honor of its 125th anniversary, the staff behind it discussed their dream to honor the multiple generations of families associated with the college. “We’ve already had […]
Small actions now beget big rewards later
Brian Long’s short-range economic forecast based on a monthly survey of purchasing managers (page 26) shows the regional economy is registering at the increasingly common “flat” level, but far more troubling is the report from Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council, which has both immediate and long-term consequences — grave consequences. The coordinating council, […]
Transit system helps Walker’s citizens move freely
Walker residents are facing an important decision about bus service for the city this November. It is important to our citizens’ and community’s future for several reasons: Value: Everyone has learned to expect great value for the money they spend. Four years of a sluggish economy have convinced all of us to spend wisely and […]
Support politicians based on voting records, not rhetoric
The election next month will be a turning point for small business. The fact that the president is overtly anti-small-business is not the issue. If it were not for the fact that half or more Americans may vote for him, he would simply be another Ivy League college professor. The president is not the problem. […]
The Eiffel Tower: iconic monument and critical lesson
We went to visit the Eiffel Tower again — our fourth visit in five years. What do you know about the Eiffel Tower? When it was built, it was, to say the least, the most controversial structure of all time. Hundreds protested it, criticized it, campaigned against it, said it was a disgrace to architecture […]
Health care not immune to free market principles
Editor: I read with particular interest the article in the Oct. 9 Business Journal about the choice young doctors will face in whether to join a private practice or the large hospital systems (“Are independent docs an endangered species?”). My daughter is a third-year resident in Grand Rapids and is currently confronted with making those […]
Mysteries of the pyramid are revealed
The news of the $19.5 million price tag on the Steelcase pyramid in Gaines Township wasn’t on the street very long before the Business Journal received a cryptic message from a reader, apparently predicting the future use of the huge office/R&D building that cost the office furniture company $111 million to build 23 years ago. […]
Local economy barely escapes negative territory
Flat again. Two months ago, we saw the Greater Grand Rapids economy slide into the minus column for the first time in three years. Although our local economy has turned flat, the downward trend did not continue. According to the data collected in the month ending Sept. 30, New Orders, our index of business improvement, […]
Public Record
Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds SCHUTTE DAIRY FARM LLC, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Bowne Twp., 17-5-9, $935,000 YAGER, Marcey et al, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp., Condo-Indigo Ridge, $247,000 GREGORY, David C. et al, Union National Mortgage Co., Condo-Egypt Creek Estates, $341,050 LOMINCHAR, Fidel et al, Wells Fargo Bank, Bailey's Grove No. […]
Kuyper College appoints VP of enrollment management
Kuyper College announced Dale D. Kuiper has been appointed to the post of vice president for enrollment management. Kuiper will direct the college’s student recruitment marketing, admissions, retention and financial aid programs. Prior to coming to Kuyper, and for the past 30 years, Kuiper served in various positions at Calvin College, most recently as chief […]
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Le Roy follows the call to travel a certain path
While attending a conference at Calvin College in the mid-1990s, Michael Le Roy paid a visit to downtown Grand Rapids — and was less than impressed. “I remember in the ’90s going downtown and thinking, ‘I never want to live here,’” said Le Roy, recalling a time before the commercial and business area experienced a […]
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Business Journal’s enhanced online presence is live
The best of both worlds arrives today. We begin a new era, and for our subscribers and staff, this is truly historic and exciting. Today marks the re-launch of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s enhanced grbj.com website. It is now up and delivering timely and pertinent business news with all of our trusted accuracy and […]
