September 28, 2015
Foreign students with startups face obstacles
LANSING — International students face daunting challenges starting a business. But as more and more international students enroll at Michigan universities, more and more keep trying to open businesses in the state. And the Small Business Association of Michigan encourages their actions. For example, Grand Valley State University has 400 international students, Western Michigan University […]
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Local organizations provide services to support aging in place
The vast majority of American seniors would prefer to “age in place” — remaining at home as they grow older. The AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures released a research report in 2011 indicating nearly 90 percent of individuals age 65 or older would like to stay in their home […]
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Change Ups: Potter’s House purchases Roosevelt Church
Thirty-four years ago, Potter’s House Christian Schools started with two volunteer teachers in the basement of Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church, 811 Chicago Drive SW, in Wyoming. Potter’s House recently purchased the church that sits roughly 10 feet away from the school’s location on the corner of Clyde Park and Grandville Avenue. The additional […]
Despite significant slide, fall retail forecasts remain strong
Michigan retailers’ sales forecasts remain strong for fall despite a drop in August sales, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The retail industry’s overall sales performance fell in August to its lowest level in six months, but retailers’ three-month forecasts […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BULLIS, Ronald S. et al, Parkside Lending, Oliver Woods Plat, Lot 18, $368,000 MURPHY, Jennifer L. et al, Mercantile Bank Of Michigan, Cascade Twp., 33-6-10, $285,000 ARO, Richard C. et al, Chemical Bank, Grattan Twp., 15-8-9, $417,000 KUHLMANN, Gary W. et al, Macatawa Bank, Ada, […]
Sales strategy? Sales approach? Yes! Sales system? No!
I’m against all systems of selling. So are all salespeople. Oh, sales systems are taught all the time. In fact, almost every salesperson has learned one along the way. I ask every audience I’m in front of: “How many of you have learned some ‘system of selling’?” About two-thirds of the hands go up. “Keep […]
Street Talk: Enough with the beer
Here’s a point to ponder: Did the citizens of Grand Rapids in the 1940s and ’50s ever get sick of the Furniture City moniker? Michael Grass, a 1998 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School and the executive editor of “Route Fifty,” a blog where editorial staff offer observations on state, county and municipal governments […]
State’s computer science education is lagging
LANSING — There’s no doubt: A computer science career can be a lucrative one. Just last year, 248 new technology companies cropped up throughout Michigan, amassing $770 million in private investment, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Check Michigan’s job boards and you’ll find more than 15,000 openings looking for a set of computing […]
Less state money means colleges and students struggle
LANSING — State funding for higher education has seen a dramatic reduction in the past few decades — and students are feeling the budget squeeze. Despite increases in the past four years, Michigan spending on higher education is still 4 percent below 2011 when funds were slashed — and still lagging nearly 28 percent behind […]
Campus food banks expand to feed hungry students
LANSING — Food banks are a growing sight on Michigan campuses as many students struggle with higher tuition, costly rent — and sometimes, hunger. “I think institutions are beginning to realize there has been a food-insecure population on campuses all along, and we need to serve it,” said Nathaniel Smith-Tyge, director of the Michigan State […]
Michigan aims to capture Chinese tourist market
LANSING — The number of Chinese travelers and the amount of money spent per visitor are the highest among all groups of international visitors, according to the U.S. Travel Association. This potential tourism market is capturing the attention of Michigan’s government. For the first time, Gov. Rick Snyder included tourism on the agenda of his […]
Expert scrutinizes Chinese investment in U.S.
In college, Henry Levine’s interest in China had no practical use. When Levine graduated in 1972 from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, President Richard Nixon had just made his momentous visit to China. Since that meeting, Levine’s expertise has become increasingly pertinent — never more so than in the current state of world affairs. Levine […]
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Museum unveils Prohibition exhibit
Grand Rapids Public Museum’s newest exhibit is one of the most interesting and interactive ever to make a stop in the city, according to museum officials. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition opened Sept. 26 and is a natural fit for Grand Rapids, said Christie Bender, Grand Rapids Public Museum marketing and public […]
Young entrepreneurs staying in Michigan
LANSING — In a state that is battling to overcome its perception as an economic sinkhole, the presence of revived cities, growing local economies and the idealistic attitude of students are starting to keep young entrepreneurs in Michigan. Small Business Association of Michigan Director of Government Relations Michael Marzano said it is time for the […]
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Pothole prevention: smart roads signal repair needs
LANSING — If Michigan ever gets around to fixing its crumbling roads, engineers might be well-served to consider a new ingredient in the road-making mix. It’s a sensor developed by Michigan State University, and it could have a big impact on road budgets and repairs nationwide. The sensor records traffic data and measures impacts and […]
Big changes are coming to Michigan’s garnishment laws
On Oct. 1, 2015, thanks to recent changes in the law, there will be several big changes to Michigan's periodic garnishment process. Some changes will benefit creditors who are owed money, some will benefit debtors, and some will benefit employers who receive garnishments related to the debts of their employees. Garnishments are one way a […]
GRPD makes move to body cameras
As early as October, 300 Grand Rapids police officers could be equipped with body cameras. On Tuesday the Grand Rapids City Commission approved the Grand Rapids Police Department’s request to enter into a five-year contract with Taser International for the body cameras, software and electronic control devices, better known as Tasers. “We are not waiting […]
Letter: Liquor license story paints inaccurate picture
Editor: I was deeply disappointed — and frankly dismayed — by the story “Liquor license quest overcomes challenges” (Business Journal, Sept. 11, 2015, page 1). Not only did the piece contain serious factual inaccuracies, the reporter and James Storey, who is quoted throughout, painted a false picture of the business climate in the city of […]
Negotiations with Chinese leaders have direct impact on West Michigan, state
While the start of ArtPrize held center stage last week, the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping for a meeting of tech executives in Seattle and political meetings in Washington, D.C, did not escape the attention of West Michigan business owners. It was an event with profound implications for area companies. An example of the […]
Kent panel appoints airport authority
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) The recently approved Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority has its board members. The Kent County Board of Commissioners adopted the Articles of Incorporation for the authority Aug. 27 and subsequently submitted the articles to the Secretary of State, which filed them Sept. 2. With the appointments, the authority […]
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Assisted-living facility upgrades on tap
A facility specializing in assisted living and memory care is expanding in Wyoming. Grand Rapids-based contractor Orion Construction broke ground at the end of last month on an addition to the Vista Springs Assisted Living/Memory Care site at 2708 Meyer Ave. SW, Wyoming. When completed, the upgrade will allow 40 additional residents to move in […]
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Schools partner on rehab clinic
Three area colleges and universities are collaborating to bring integrated rehabilitation services to patients and interdisciplinary learning to students under a single roof. Calvin College Rehabilitation Services, an innovative rehabilitation clinic developed in partnership with Calvin College, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University, is hosting an open house from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. […]
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Inside Track: Friis-Hansen is no chicken when it comes to world of art
Rubber chickens apparently are enough to lure an accomplished arts professional to Grand Rapids. In March 2011, Dana Friis-Hansen was in town being recruited for the position of director at Grand Rapids Art Museum. One evening he was at dinner with board member Mary Nelson, who informed him she wasn’t able to attend an event […]
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German firm poised for more growth
A German manufacturer’s Grand Rapids operation is set to double in size. Weeke North America would like to see its output of CNC routers increase from approximately 200 machines to 500 in the next five years, a far cry from the 24 it produced at its start in 2009. The operation began as a partnership […]
