October 31, 2016
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Change Ups: Restaurant Week generates $16,000 for SICE
Sixty-plus restaurants donated $1 each from meals sold during the recent 12-day Restaurant Week Grand Rapids, which will help make a difference with area culinary students’ education. The largesse resulted in a $16,000 check being presented to the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, which grew its Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Student Scholarship Fund to $126,906. […]
The old way or the new way? It’s really not a choice anymore
My sales perspective flies in the face of traditional selling. And it’s not just a disruption — it’s the new way of sales. What’s your perspective? Last week (in part one), I discussed the worthlessness of the old way of selling — everything from cold calling and finding the pain to overcoming objections and closing […]
Wage growth fuels construction employment numbers rebound
The construction industry rebounded in a meaningful way in September by gaining 23,000 net new jobs on a monthly basis after losing 5,000 net jobs in August, according to an analysis of the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Despite the broader industry gains, the nonresidential sector added 2,700 net new jobs for […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds KONING, Amy M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Paris Meadows, $256,405 BALLANTYNE, Christopher et al, Quicken Loans, Crystal Springs Plat No. 6, Lot 235, $247,050 GRUCZ, George et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Koster South No. 6, Lot 95, $204,000 VIDRO, Matt et al, […]
Street Talk: A shift in power
Michigan’s energy legislation likely made headway last week when it gained some critical support. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday it supports the latest version of Senate Bill 437, a bill that includes provisions regarding Michigan’s electric choice program. “The new substitute bill, combined with some clarifying amendments, greatly improves upon the version of […]
Small power producers predict desolate future
In 1982, Victor Leabu restored a dam on the Flat River in Lowell, which had been abandoned for over a decade, and began generating power for up to 500 homes. Today, Leabu said the dam is once again in danger of being abandoned if he can’t afford to operate it anymore. Leabu owns White’s Bridge […]
Know your tax pro limits; be wary of advertisements
It is time to start thinking about year-end tax planning and preparing for the 2016 filing season. You are going to be flooded with suggestions, lists and ads as to what you should be doing between now and Dec. 31. You are going to get what you need to know from some source. I want […]
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A ride-along with purpose
Undercover investigations. Dive team and marine patrol. How to use firearms. Fatal accident investigations. Operating dispatch. Recovering narcotics. CSI work. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department does it all, and it wants the public to know how and why. That’s why in 2009, the department launched its Citizen Police Academy, a 12-week class open to the […]
It’s 4:20 — Do you know where your lease is?
New legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder last month may launch the medical marijuana industry in Michigan and create potential new headaches — or opportunities — for landlords and tenants alike. The Medical Marijuana Provisioning Act, slated to take effect in late December, establishes a clear path for the commercialization of marijuana by: Establishing, licensing […]
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EPIC finalists enhance community
There are standouts, and then there are those who are epic. Or more accurately, EPIC. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate 20 area businesses and individuals at the annual EPIC Awards on Nov. 2. The EPIC Awards (which stands for Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative) recognizes businesses and individuals in seven categories […]
Investment study places Ottawa on top
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) A recent study by financial technology firm SmartAsset confirmed something West Michigan residents have known for a long time — companies want to spend their money here. The study, which ranked counties across the United States by their level of investment activity, listed Ottawa County as the top county […]
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Inside Track: A life-changing trip
When Karen Tracey says her trip to Mexico was life changing, she isn’t exaggerating. At the time, Tracey felt she was in a rut professionally. So, she and her husband, Rob McCarty, did what many people dream of doing. They quit their jobs and hit the road for several months, starting domestically and then crossing […]
Institute’s 20-year run transforms region
Van Andel Institute has become a huge success and feather in Grand Rapids’ cap, but it was a gamble that could just as easily have failed. “When we started VAI back in 1996, we had nothing, only an idea, so for the first four years, it was putting together the plan, building the building and […]
Real estate: A waiting game
Downtown Grand Rapids is in the midst of a waiting game. According to Colliers West Michigan Research Analyst Jeff Hainer, real estate firms are waiting for the downtown craze to wane. As demand for downtown real estate of all types continues to climb, pushing vacancy levels to historic lows, the suburban markets eventually will be […]
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Nondisclosure can haunt real estate deals
As TVs flicker with horror movies for Halloween, it turns out paranormal activities have a place in the real estate industry. In the next few weeks, students at Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School will discuss what disclosures must be made prior to a real estate transaction. For most of the class, the typical material […]
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Contractor changes its perspective
A locked glass box sits on a conference table in the offices of Elzinga & Volkers Inc. Filled with dollar bills, the box is a reminder of a dirty word in the construction industry, at least to the employees of Elzinga & Volkers, a Holland-based general contractor. Mike Novakoski, E&V president and CEO, calls it […]
