October 20, 2014
Local economy is on faster track than national numbers
September is always a back-to-work month, and this year is no exception. According to data collected during the last two weeks of September, our index of New Orders jumped to +27, up from +9 in August. Production rose to +29 from +22, also a respectable gain. Purchases edged up to +14 from +5. However, the […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds PROJECT 31 LLC, First National Bank Of America, Hoolsema-Dummering Add., Lot 1, $210,000 SYMON, Suzanne M. et al, Founders Bank & Trust, Condo-Blue Lake Point Estates, $250,000 LEE, Kristin B. Trust et al, Founders Bank & Trust, Ottawa Hills No. 2, Lot 306, $450,000 PLANTINGA, […]
Teacher pension plan is shortsighted
Editor: Sen. Mark Jansen is proposing a further way to degrade the ability of public school employees to make a secure life for themselves and their families. He is proposing that the current hybrid pension system be scrapped for new employees and replaced with a risky 401(k)-type system. We all know these are not secure. […]
How’s your networking? Better if you follow the rules
I went to a networking meeting this month hosted by a formal networking organization called Business Network International. Many of you know this group. They have meetings all over the world. This particular chapter meeting was in New York City and is populated by sophisticated business people who are on fire. Note well: NYC business […]
Street Talk: The parable of Noah as a 21st century contractor
Where several contractors are gathered, jokes are sure to follow. That was the case Thursday during the annual Michigan Contractor of the Year gala at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. This time, however, the frivolity came directly from the podium and featured speaker Brian Johnson, president of the American Subcontractors Association. Johnson envisioned the […]
Building company earns B-Corp designation
Long focused on the triple bottom line, Bazzani Building Co. recently decided to see if it was really walking the walk as a sustainably minded and socially responsible business. The company submitted itself to the rigorous B Corp Certification process through the nonprofit B-Lab, which has certified more than 1,000 companies in 33 countries, based […]
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New apps wow state officials
LANSING — A team of software engineers from Grand Rapids won the state’s second web application design contest with an app to keep drivers up to the second on snow removal conditions. The SnowFi app would tell drivers where snowplows are and what roads are clear to drive. To be most effective, it would have […]
Fuel shortage addressed
Crystal Flash, the West Michigan-based heating and transportation fuel company that is one of the largest family-owned propane distributors in Michigan and 22nd in the nation, says it is ready for a repeat of the winter of 2014. Some prognosticators — notably, the Old Farmer’s Almanac — claim another bad winter is coming, one of […]
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West Michigan scores national sports competition
The Meijer State Games of Michigan received a shot in the arm last week. The National Congress of State Games, holding its annual symposium at Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, awarded the 2017 State Games of America to the city. The State Games of America is a biennial event and allows all of […]
Muskegon Chamber aims to keep cash in community
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Repurposing a local tradition, a lakeshore chamber of commerce is bringing its gift certificate program to an online platform to keep cash in the community. The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce announced last week it is partnering with approximately 45 local businesses to launch a gift certificate program known […]
Private aviation firm joins market
A new private aviation firm has joined the West Michigan market. Marceco Aviation hosted an open house last week to introduce itself to small and mid-sized businesses, which the company thinks could benefit from its service. Mark Kimball, CEO of Marceco Aviation, said his other business, Marceco Ltd., a cell phone distribution company, has benefited […]
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New uses sought for outdated newspaper buildings
LANSING — As some Michigan newspapers downsize to smaller offices, they are leaving behind massive buildings that are outdated but still critical to the communities they cover. Some of these cavernous quarters, once anchors of downtown business districts, are being renovated, divided up, and in some cases torn down to make way for prospective buyers […]
Practice group focuses on Supreme Court cases
With eight merit cases under his belt, attorney John Bursch said it made sense for him to start a practice group focusing on the U.S. Supreme Court upon his return to Warner Norcross at the end of last year. “It is pretty unique,” Bursch said. “There are very few practices in Michigan — at private […]
Northwood incorporates cohort approach in online MBA program
A business school is adding a new MBA program to its repertoire with the launch of a fully integrated online curriculum for students in January. Northwood University announced Oct. 9 the DeVos Graduate School of Management is currently accepting applications for its inaugural online Master of Business Administration program, which is designed for the working […]
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Online strategy is essential element of education
The online platform for education is a tool academic institutions can use to meet the needs and expectations of their students in an increasingly data-driven world, while providing an opportunity for nontraditional students or professionals to pursue a higher education. Many of the colleges and universities within the state and the West Michigan region offer […]
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Change Ups: Posh Petals opens in remodeled storefront
Elizabeth Schenk launched her business, Posh Petals, as a home business but recently opened a remodeled storefront at 2050 Plainfield Ave. NE. She considers her floral arrangements personalized and trendy. She also sells jewelry made in Spring Lake, tote bags, fragrant body products, and custom-order wood items such as wedding cake toppers. Posh Petals features […]
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WMU’s aviation capital outlay receives endorsement
A university nationally recognized for its aeronautics program is pursuing state funding for a $19 million expansion and renovation project for its aviation facility to accommodate projected industry growth for maintenance technicians. Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation, located at the W.K. Kellogg airport in Battle Creek, is pursuing a $19 million state of Michigan […]
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Life in the fast lane might be two-wheeled in the future
The word is out from Grand Rapids City Hall to all motorists: As of Nov. 1, don’t even think of parking in any of the new bicycle-only lanes on the streets. The city is aggressively encouraging bicycle use for commuting and general transportation in the city. A major bicycling safety education campaign — aimed at […]
Not everybody is gung-ho for bike-only lanes
First Ward City Commissioner Walt Gutowski Jr., who owns a business on Bridge Street NW in Grand Rapids, was asked what he thought of the city’s explosion of bike-only lanes, which tend to eliminate some curbside parking. “I am strongly for them,” replied Gutowski via email. “They bring vibrancy to an area and they truly […]
Family-owned businesses need family meetings
Research tells us there are three key factors for the perpetuation of a family-owned business: having a strategic plan for the business, using a board that includes outside directors, and holding family meetings. A good strategic plan helps grow and sustain any business, so that one comes as no surprise. And many family-owned businesses have […]
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GR Forward is now open for business
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. has opened its temporary GR Forward Open House center in downtown Grand Rapids, where the public can learn about plans for the future of downtown as well as the Grand River corridor and GR Public Schools Museum School and Innovation Central High. DGRI also has launched its GRForward.org website, which allows […]
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Second Grand Rapids BRT route is in motion
The Rapid is one step closer to bringing a second bus rapid transit line to Grand Rapids. URS, an engineering, construction and technical services consulting firm, last week unveiled its recommendations for the Laker Line, a BRT line that would connect Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus with downtown Grand Rapids. The Laker Line would […]
Investment in electronic transmission infrastructure powers growth
I noted with great interest that the leading mandate out of the 2014 West Michigan Policy Forum was a call to action on needed investment in the state’s infrastructure. Addressing transportation improvements certainly will help, but much more needs to be done. This is a critical time because the U.S. economy finally seems ready to […]
Brewers join push to save Great Lakes
Grand Rapids is a hub of water conservation efforts this year. In September the 10th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference was held in Grand Rapids, the same week the projected economic impact of the Grand River restoration project was announced. This week, the sixth annual Great Lakes Water Conservation Conference for Craft Brewers and Policy […]
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MCOY Awards names familiar winner
At an event that’s been referred to as the “Golden Globes for general contractors," Michigan’s longest-standing commercial contractor took home the big prize. At this year’s fifth annual Michigan Contractor of the Year awards celebration, Owen-Ames-Kimball, a company that was founded in Grand Rapids in 1891, was given the top award. The event, hosted by […]
Cost of disease, suffering escalates with ignorance and fear
The Ebola crisis makes obvious the interconnectedness of the human race. Such dread diseases — and all manner of human issues — are never “distant” in an age of mobility, especially among frequent business flyers. The Ebola crisis is not unlike that of TB (aka tuberculosis, White Plague, consumption), which was the single most common […]
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Inside Track: Perseverance trumps upbringing for Blackford Capital director
In high school, Jeff Helminski told his class he was going to be an entrepreneur like Donald Trump. Trump’s riches and status were a far cry from Helminski’s childhood: a family of five surviving on his dad’s $13,000 salary as a Catholic school teacher in Muskegon. Adjusted for inflation from 1980, that’s about $35,000 now. […]
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Davenport launches online competency-based MBA degree
Business professionals interested in earning an MBA can now be graded based on their proficiency of material rather than time spent in a classroom. Davenport University announced Oct. 6 that its Donald W. Maine College of Business is launching an online competency-based Master of Business Administration program in January 2015 that is tailored for experienced […]
