September 25, 2017
Monthly construction input price growth accelerates
Construction input prices rose 0.6 percent in August and are up 3.7 percent on a yearly basis, according to an analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices behaved similarly, rising 0.6 percent for the month and 3.5 percent for the year. Only three of the 11 key construction […]
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Change Ups: Kingma’s Market forges partnership
Kingma’s Market owner Alan Hartline entered a partnership with Jeff Butzow, owner of Fish Lads and Carvers: Grand Rapids’ Finest Meats. The collaboration brings together Fish Lads, one of the premier seafood purveyors in the region, and Carvers, which offers a high-quality portfolio of locally sourced meats from throughout Michigan. Kingma’s Market is a specialty […]
Lapses in city and private sector leadership critical for Grand Rapids
One could say Grand Rapids is facing an uncertain future, or one could say that future hangs in the balance of critical decisions in the immediate future. The structures that have built the city to an unprecedented chapter of success are now left wanting leadership in both the public and private sectors. The Business Journal […]
How should you respond to the Equifax hack?
Despite the many efforts to ensure information is secure, there always is the risk it may be compromised. We saw that recently when Equifax, one of three major credit-reporting companies, reported its systems had been hacked, exposing personal information of 143 million people. Hackers accessed names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses, driver’s license numbers, credit […]
Better to be a David than a Goliath
If you are not familiar with Ted Talks, I encourage you to check it out on YouTube, NPR or Google it. It is a series of brief talks by experts, the elite, the famous, the infamous, etc. At last count, I think there are 2,000 of them. They cover an incredible number of interests from […]
Street Talk: The island of misfit produce
A local retailer is testing the premise that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer has found a perfectly imperfect fit for customers interested in reducing food waste and sacrificing aesthetics for savings. The grocer now offers a line of Misfits produce that connects shoppers to tasty but cosmetically […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds NELSON, Desiree et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Condo-Aberdeen Ridge Condominium, $266,000 SWINTAL, Robert D. et al, Liberty Home Equity Solutions, Richmond Meadow No. 2, Lot 45, $372,000 SWINTAL, Sandra A. et al, Secretary Of Housing & Urban Development, Richmond Meadow No. 2, Lot 45, […]
Emails trip up municipal officials
A recent unpublished opinion by the Michigan Court of Appeals is a good reminder that deliberation is deliberation, no matter the venue. In the recent case Markel v. Mackley, the appeals court ruled the seven-member Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commission violated the state’s Open Meetings Act (OMA) by deliberating over and deciding matters of […]
Report looks at tools in talent battle
As attracting and retaining talent remains the top priority of CEOs, a new survey shows Michigan employers are more aware of the importance of competitive benefits and compensation than the national average. The fourth annual Arthur J. Gallagher Benefits Strategy and Benchmarking Survey polled 4,226 U.S. companies — 144 from Michigan and 28 from the […]
Confidence in the city remains high
Three local executives said they don’t know where the city is headed — but they agreed Grand Action has set the stage for future growth. Steve Heacock, Mike Jandernoa and Sam Cummings have been champions of Grand Rapids during the past 25 years as the private sector Grand Action fundraising and planning committee applied the […]
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Fremont biodigester reopens
After sitting idle for more than two years, a biodigester in Fremont is open again under new ownership and management. The new owner is San Francisco-based Generate Capital Inc., which focuses on waste-to-energy products. Generate Capital also partnered with Dynamic Systems Management LLC (DSM) to manage the facility. DSM is based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and […]
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Hospice provider targets quality initiatives
On the heels of an office expansion in May, Grand Rapids-based Emmanuel Hospice plans to increase its grief support programming, music therapy and community education services in the coming year. An interfaith joint venture by Sunset, Porter Hills, Clark and St. Ann’s care organizations, Emmanuel Hospice was founded in 2012 at 2161 Leonard St. NW […]
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Inside Track: Strong work, mentors propel Wickstrom
As Erhardt Construction says goodbye to its longtime chairman and CEO, Joe Erhardt, the company welcomes a familiar face. Ben Wickstrom has served as president since 2011, and as the future owner of the company he’s been a team member of since 1998, he remains committed to teamwork and quality service. Wickstrom always knew he […]
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Prehistoric find doesn’t stop building
Joe Siereveld didn’t know what to expect when he got a call from one of his excavators saying they had dug up something curious. The owner of Eagle Creek Homes got word the remains of a mastodon had been found on one of his properties. The excavation team had been working on Railview Ridge, in […]
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Children’s museum eyes attendance
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) After just more than a year in a light-filled office with windows overlooking children at play, Maggie Lancaster’s enthusiasm for her job is palpable. Executive director of Grand Rapids Children’s Museum since June 2016, Lancaster came to the organization after having worked as a volunteer and board member for […]
