October 28, 2019
Commerce Bank exec urges investors to ‘look forward’
A bank’s chief economist stopped in Grand Rapids this month to review the current economic expansion, the rising risk of a U.S. recession and the ongoing impact of the trade war with China. Scott Colbert, senior vice president and chief economist at Kansas City, Missouri-based Commerce Bank — which has a West Michigan office — […]
Michigan police agree to report when force is used
All Michigan sheriff’s departments and many police departments have agreed to report to the FBI when their officers use force. The volunteer plan will be announced soon by the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, state law enforcement organizations and a state lawmaker who has pushed a similar effort in the legislature. A […]
State’s cyber corps expands despite critical audit report
Cybersecurity requires constant updates and reviews, experts say — and a group of Michigan volunteers that provides rapid response to attacks on government data just got one of its own. The state’s auditor general recently reported that 35 of the 99 volunteers of the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps failed to undergo background checks. Two volunteers […]
GRCC, MSU partner on medical entry
A new agreement gives Grand Rapids Community College students a clearer pathway to completing a medical degree at the MSU College of Human Medicine. The pact allows GRCC students who transfer as undergraduate pre-medical students to MSU an opportunity to be granted an early assurance opportunity (EAO) for admission to the College of Human Medicine. […]
Street Talk: Pilots are grounded
A pilot to improve the integration of Medicaid physical health and behavioral health services that two West Michigan organizations were set to take part in has been canceled. The state said the Section 298 pilot has come to an end “following the governor’s veto and the pilot participants’ inability to reach an agreement on a […]
Public Record
BANKRUPTCY 19-03843 – WALKER, Patrick J., 2717 Mulford SE, Anthony Abueita (Ch. 7) 19-03847 – BRIGGS, Antashia A., 163 Holly SW, Jeffrey D. Mapes (Ch. 7) 19-03849 – KADUNIC, Amra, 2760 Castle Bluff Court SE, Kentwood, Eliot A. Sasson (Ch. 7) 19-03850 – SMITH, Michael I., 958 Dunham, Jeremy Shephard (Ch. 7) 19-03859 – STROO, […]
Help your employees maximize their health plan
If your employees are selecting a new health plan during open enrollment this fall, make sure they’re looking for extra benefits to get the most out of their health insurance. Open enrollment is the time period every fall when your employees have added one more thing to their to-do list: planning for their health care […]
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Change Ups: GRR Runway supports Family Hope Foundation
More than 1,200 runners and walkers participated in the third annual Gerald R. Ford International Airport GRR Runway. The recent 5K started near the southwest side of the airport’s general aviation runway and wrapped around on Runway 8L/26R – GFIA’s general aviation airstrip. GFIA, in partnership with Trivium Racing, selected the Family Hope Foundation as […]
Legal recreational marijuana: a view from the trenches
Last December, the state of Michigan declared it legal for anyone over 21 to possess and use — with some restrictions — up to 2½ ounces of marijuana for recreational purposes. That’s the equivalent of about 160 joints of a half-gram each. The state Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department still has a half-year before it […]
STEP program opens FY2020 applications
Michigan has once again received the top award in the nation from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) for fiscal year 2020, and several dozen companies in West Michigan are expected to benefit. In its ninth year of receiving STEP funds, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) netted the maximum […]
City commission counts strategic successes
The Grand Rapids City Commission last week heard a fiscal year 2020 performance management progress report highlighting recent successes in the strategic plan’s six priority areas: government excellence, economic prosperity and affordability, engaged and connected community, health and environment, mobility and safe community. City Manager Mark Washington said the presentation would be the first in […]
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City OKs medical marijuana growing facility
Colorado-based medical marijuana company Terrapin Care Station recently secured approval with the city of Grand Rapids to open a growing and processing facility in the former Kids’ Food Basket. The new facility is being built out in the nonprofit’s former headquarters at 2055 Oak Industrial Drive NE. Terrapin also has a separate partnership with the […]
JB Builders stakes reputation on safety measures
JB Builders of Grand Rapids has been recognized as a top name in safety. The local subcontractor is a recent recipient of the Associated Builders and Contractors STEP Diamond Award. Jeff DeVries founded JB Builders in 2005 as a subcontractor providing rough framing, finish carpentry and general trades construction for commercial projects. DeVries said rough […]
Spectrum to expand downtown
Spectrum Health selected where its new facility will be located. The health system initially was planning land it owns southwest of the Cornerstone University campus, at Leffingwell Avenue NE and Bradford Street NE, for a new building to house administrative and training offices, as the Business Journal reported in June. Instead, the building will be […]
Report: Class A office space tightens
Even as new office buildings come online, Class A office vacancy in downtown Grand Rapids continues to tighten, according to the yearly skyline report from Jones Lang Lasalle. The report noted the overall skyline vacancy is 12.7%, down from 19% in 2018. Rent growth 2019 continues to plateau, down 1.5% from last year to its […]
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Inside Track: DeWaard turns arguing into a career
Ronald DeWaard’s opinionated nature, coupled with a compassionate heart, has been a guiding compass throughout his life. Those innate characteristics have led him into a career of legal service that has stretched over decades. Throughout those years, he has held many titles and positions, but this year, a new title was bestowed upon him. He […]
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Nonprofit’s store serves up gifts, dignity during holidays
For the seventh consecutive year, local organizations are partnering to help the less fortunate during the holiday season. Dégagé Ministries has teamed up with area nonprofits to help homeless and low-income residents in the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids to prepare for the holidays. For the past six years, Dégagé has been assisting those residents […]
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Entrepreneurs raise the profile of metalworking
A 2½-year-old company is doing its part to boost engagement in the skilled trades. Mark Schentzel and Alex Kallio, co-owners of EA-Craftworks — which they founded in May 2017 and the Business Journal featured in 2018 — recently began offering adult education classes after a sculpture project with a high school reignited Schentzel’s love of […]
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Business training program spreads its wings
SpringGR was created to coach entrepreneurs through the process of building a sustainable business, and now, the organization itself just got a bit more sustainable. Attah Obande, director of dream fulfillment, and Arlene Campbell, chief creator of opportunities, serve as co-directors of the entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) located in the Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. […]
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Manufacturers open doors to students
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) More than 180 manufacturers throughout West Michigan hosted student open houses and tours to showcase their facilities and career options to more than 8,000 students this month. The visits were part of Discover Manufacturing Week 2019. While Manufacturing Week officially ran from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, the events […]
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Academic lab explores future of XR
A new student innovation lab will help businesses innovate design solutions dealing with emerging technologies. Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is partnering with Grand Haven-based Th3rd Coast Digital Solutions to open the student XR Innovation Lab, where students and industry leaders will explore business design solutions dealing with XR — […]
