October 19, 2015
When it comes to stress, blame technology
If you feel like you must be available 24/7 to anyone and everyone, you are not alone. American workers are experiencing stress like never before, and a lot of that is due to an inability to unplug from technology. “More than 40 percent of Americans say their jobs are very stressful, and 25 percent say […]
Street Talk: The great housing strategy
While Grand Rapids receives recognition as a great place to live, work and play, the demand for housing and affordable solutions has become an important topic of conversation. “It is a big hairy problem, but it is one we need to work on,” said Second Ward Commissioner Ruth Kelly, who helped launch an in-depth look at […]
Automotive, furniture industries carry West Michigan economy
Growing, but still slowing. That’s the latest word on the West Michigan economy, according to the data and comments collected in the last two weeks of September. New Orders edged up to +13 from +5. In a similar move, the Production index rose to +12 from +3. Activity in the purchasing offices dropped to +0 […]
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Business Journal publishes ’40 Under Forty’
The Business Journal’s October 19th issue features a special insert — “40 Under Forty” — which can also be viewed online.
State joins online higher education consortium
LANSING — Michigan has joined a consortium of other states designed to improve online education and increase access while saving money for colleges and universities. According to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, before gaining acceptance into the reciprocity agreement, Michigan was one of several states that did not regulate distance education providers. Those […]
Competition gives students glimpse into world of commercial lending
Teams of local undergraduate students competed for $3,500 in prize money during a commercial lending analysis competition Saturday in Grand Rapids. The West Michigan Chapter of the Risk Management Association sponsored the Commercial Analysis Challenge Oct. 17 in which 10 teams competed for a top prize of $2,000. Steve Weber, director at O’Keefe LLC and […]
Community colleges, four-year schools do battle over nurses
LANSING — A disputed education bill would allow Michigan’s community colleges to compete for the same nursing students who would otherwise enroll at a traditional four-year program in the state. The bill, stalled in the Senate for more than three months, would allow the state’s 28 community colleges to award four-year Bachelor of Science degrees […]
Community colleges can diversify skill sets
LANSING — Community colleges serve as educational stepping-stones to higher learning institutions and trade schools, creating a gateway for students who want to advance their education, enter the workforce or enrich their skills. The trade aspect of a job training program creates an opportunity for students to efficiently become part of the workforce, said Wayne […]
Colleges eye higher tuition for honors, high-cost programs
LANSING — To cover the costs of honors and higher-priced degree programs, public universities across the state are moving toward differential tuition, charging more for programs that are more expensive to deliver and have a high demand or high job placement, according to a report by the Presidents Council. Undergraduate programs such as engineering, health […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds HARSTON, Jason N. et al, Wells Fargo Bank, Van Singel Farms No. 2, Lot 42, $203,000 OTTO, Andrew T. et al, Huntington National Bank, Chalet Estates East, Lot 8, $206,800 PLOOSTER, Sara et al, Ross Mortgage Corp., Algoma Twp., 29-9-11, $216,015 THROOP, Clinton et al, […]
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Change Ups: Newborn screening performance recognized
Holland Hospital’s Boven Birth Center has been recognized for its excellence in newborn screening performance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Health & Hospital Association. Holland Hospital is one of 10 in Michigan that meets or exceeds the criteria in six performance metrics including screening for critical congenital heart disease. […]
A time of uncertainty, including renewal of expiring tax provisions
This is the time of year when Washington considers last-minute tax legislation. Other realities in Washington and the world often distract from this activity and this year is no different. The conflicts in the Middle East, the 2016 political campaign and the leadership changes in Congress all weigh on the ability to approve legislation the […]
Why hire an athlete? Because they know how to score!
Everyone wants to hire the best person for the job. I do, too. Here’s a concept: Hire an athlete. It may help you as an employer to make the right choice, or at least a better choice. And it’s a reality check if you’re an individual striving for a career win. If you’re a salesperson […]
Businesses voice DID concerns
The Grand Rapids City Commission held a public hearing regarding the necessity of a five-year special assessment for enhanced services in an expanded Downtown Improvement District during its regular meeting Oct. 13. Bob Herr, board chair for the DID, said the board was established to fund special assessments for enhanced services for the district above […]
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Films make headway at ArtPrize Seven
Even without the backing of state money, local film continues to be a grassroots arts industry that won’t give up. Michigan’s film incentives may have been cut this summer, but that didn’t stop ArtPrize from giving special attention to film artists this year. For the 7th annual celebration of the world’s biggest art competition, the […]
City puts brakes on spending for parks
City officials are struggling with a case of too much, too soon for parks renovation projects. Commissioners decided last week to postpone voting on a recommendation to obtain a $2 million, five-year loan from the general fund — with a 1 percent interest rate — to address a Parks Millage Fund deficit of $800,000 for […]
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Grand Strategy gathers momentum in application process
The Grand Strategy was on the agenda for both the city of Grand Rapids Committee of the Whole and the Downtown Development Authority board meetings last week. Organizers of the collaborative resiliency project centered on the Grand River are moving forward in a competitive grant application process seeking about $200 million from the U.S. Department […]
Letter: Students need reading tools
Editor: As a Michigan business leader, I see the direct effect of illiteracy in the workplace and our talent pool, and it is a roadblock to Michigan becoming a leading state economy. I was a member of the governor’s bi-partisan third-grade reading workgroup this spring. The workgroup proposed a series of recommendations to improve literacy, […]
The promise of biotech in West Michigan
John Winthrop said we must be “as a city upon a hill — the eyes of all people are upon us.” America has had many great scientists like Dr. Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Today, we have truly selfless, determined and hard-working people just like them who are giving hope to the world, and they […]
City eyes housing strategy
After six months of investigation, Grand Rapids has a strategic plan ready to target housing issues in the city. City officials last week discussed what Mayor George Heartwell called “the eagerly awaited” report, Great Housing Strategies: Addressing Current and Future Housing Needs, which includes the collaborative process, goals and action items. The initiative launched in […]
Harsh winters taking toll on wineries
For a young Michigan wine industry, the past two winters have been tough. The market has yet to see the effect of what two exceptionally cold winters have on the wine industry, but the weather in The Mitten hasn’t been nice to grapes. In the winter of 2013-14, the “polar vortex” froze Lake Michigan and […]
DID expansion concerns deserve further study
Grand Rapids City Commission held a second public hearing last week to expand the Downtown Improvement District, which was met with opposition from the very businesses targeted for assessments and inclusion. The city, which will decide on the recommendation Oct. 27, cannot in good conscience assess taxation without representation of the district considered. The area […]
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Inside Track: Beute is happy to blaze trails in the financial services industry
Blackford Capital Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Beute is the first chair of the recently launched Women in Finance committee, a subset of the Association for Corporate Growth West Michigan. Beute said during initial discussions about the formation of the committee, she was unsure whether there was a real need for a women-specific group like Women […]
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Entrepreneur shoots for less expensive hockey sticks
As far as hobbies go, hockey can be expensive. If a player is only skating once or twice a week in a league, having to buy expensive items such as hockey sticks can put a big dent in a bank account. Many sticks cost $150 or more, even on clearance. Nathan Wehner eventually had enough […]
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WMU joins the snowbirds
Western Michigan University officials are supporting an out-of-state expansion after voting to move forward with a provisional licensing process. WMU board members voted earlier this month to authorize the university to move forward with establishing a physical presence in southwest Florida. The approval will allow the administration to petition the Florida Board of Education for […]
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New pizza chain uses GR store as national model
Grand Rapids has the only Toppers Pizza in Michigan. The store, at 947 Wealthy St. SE, opened in August 2014 and has done well enough that the company will use the Michigan market to fuel its nationwide expansion plan. The atmosphere is a large part of the restaurant’s success, according to Mark Cairns, Toppers director […]
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New meaning to hands-on barbecue
Keith Hall keeps a chainsaw in the back of his truck. Hall never knows when he’ll have an hour or two to head to a retired orchard near Belmont, pop in his earbuds and chop some apple wood. The wood helps him fuel his barbecue business, The Grilling Company, which uses a cord of wood […]
