October 15, 2018
Change Ups: Newton receives CPOY Award
Joel Newton, detail manager at Windemuller, was named the 2018 Craft Professional of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan. The CPOY winner is a master of skills whose commitment to excellence makes him or her the decisive example of merit-shop success. Newton was presented with a trophy custom designed and handmade out of […]
Keep your cool: Anger is a choice in life, business
Anger is bad for your health. It is also bad for business. Tom Mooney, Ph.D., is a psychologist who gave me valuable insight many years ago. He explained that anger is a manifestation of judgment; you are angry because, in your judgment, someone has done something wrong. If you live with a person with Alzheimer's, […]
WMU partners to offer cybersecurity training
Cybersecurity attacks have evolved and multiplied over the years. Computer viruses have grown into hacking attacks, which include malware, phishing and cross-site scripting that affect Americans every day across the country. Businesses are among the most commonly attacked entities, according to Jameka Williams, director of member engagement at Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit member-owned organization […]
GR officials test voting equipment
As November draws near, election officials in the city of Grand Rapids are in the process of testing its voting equipment to ensure the accuracy and the security of the 2018 midterms. City officials are testing the voting equipment, which includes optical-scan ballot tabulators, accessible voting devices for voters with disabilities, as well as election-management […]
Michigan races toward vehicle electrification
More than 70 Michigan organizations convened over the past year to compile recommendations to help get Michigan first to the finish line in the race for vehicle electrification. Approximately 140 stakeholders — representing 74 state organizations — from a variety of sectors participated in a series of five sessions in Lansing from January through August. […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds VENABLE, Rebekka L. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Belmont Farms Sub, Lot 35, $233,910 DENKER, Russell L. III et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., 15-7-10, $926,000 LUDERS, Rebecca A. Trust et al, Fifth Third Mortgage, San-Lu-Rae, Lot 12, $850,000 HOCHSTETLER, Brian J. et al, […]
Street Talk: Giants among them
Three local businesses were named “Small Giants” by Forbes magazine and will open their businesses for public tours during the next few weeks. The third annual Small Giants list, comprised of “maverick companies focused on greatness,” for the second year includes the Grand Rapids-based companies Comfort Research, Atomic Object and Service Express. West Michigan’s Vistage […]
Data show more education equates to higher wages
Michigan’s and metro Grand Rapids’ biggest economic challenge is not enough good-paying jobs. It is the prime cause of the Michigan Association of United Ways’ finding that across the state, around 40 percent of Michigan households, even in a strong economy, cannot pay for basic necessities. A preponderance of those households has at least one […]
New international bridge helps ensure strong West Michigan
Grand Rapids is geographically divided east and west by the Grand River. Look at a map of our city and you’ll notice that a dozen crossings of various sizes connect our people and businesses — they enable effective commerce and daily life. This connectivity is important for everyone in Grand Rapids and West Michigan to […]
Economist: Recession likely late next year
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The next recession is on its way. Exactly when is yet to be seen, though Paul Isely, economist and professor at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, said he predicts change in late 2019 or early 2020. Isely said economists don’t determine when there will be a recession; rather, they […]
Kent DPW approves $500M trash reuse project
Kent County has taken another step toward reducing solid waste by 90 percent by 2020. The Kent County Board of Public Works unanimously approved the master plan to build a sustainable business park, estimated at $500 million, on 250 acres of land adjacent to the South Kent Landfill, 10300 S. Kent Drive SW in Byron […]
City OKs $64M plan for housing
The city of Grand Rapids has approved almost $64 million worth of affordable housing developments. The city commission recently supported a brownfield plan amendment for the proposed Garfield Park Lofts project to be developed by LINC Up Nonprofit Housing Corporation. The Business Journal reported in July 2017 that Garfield Park Lofts also was awarded $934,988 […]
-
Farmers express hope over milk pact
A new trade agreement between the U.S. and Canada might benefit dairy farmers in Michigan. Ken Nobis, president of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and a dairy farmer in St. Johns, said on the surface the deal looks positive for Michigan’s dairy farmers. The agreement, which has yet to be approved by Congress and signed […]
-
Inside Track: Competition breeds excellence for Hahn
Peter Hahn said he has always known he wanted to be a doctor. He followed in his father’s footsteps, who moved his family to the U.S. from Seoul, South Korea, to train as a lung specialist when Hahn was 1-year-old. He said seeing his father’s daily life as a “healer” inspired him to do the […]
-
Homegrown program seeks to develop young talent
Leaders on the lakeshore say first grade is not too young to learn career skills. Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS), in partnership with the Chamber of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, this month launched a program called Homegrown in which nine classrooms of students first grade and up will be paired with five […]
-
Innovation always at the forefront for R&A
Rutherford and Associates is making waves in the beer distribution network. Since moving to Holland with only three coders, it has grown to more than 70 staff members providing a wide range of services in the distribution software sector, and the company has run out of space. The company originally was founded by Michael Rutherford […]
-
Metered parking pops up in Wealthy, Cherry corridors
The city of Grand Rapids last week introduced hundreds of metered parking stations to Wealthy and Cherry streets, where previously, street parking was free. The meters went into effect Oct. 8. Mobile GR Director Josh Naramore said the move was the latest in the city’s three-year plan to further manage on-street parking, not just in […]
