Memorial Medical Center in Ludington is the latest Michigan hospital to seek a partner as the heath care landscape changes rapidly.

Kim Horn, Priority Health’s former CEO, will take over this month as head of Kaiser Permanente’s Mid-Atlantic region.

Trivalent Group, a technology firm based in Grandville, is beginning a philanthropic initiative geared toward helping nonprofits with their technological needs.

Here is the Oct. 1, 2012 MiBiz Growth Report, which includes a roundup of news briefs of M&A, joint ventures and expansions in the region:

Only one business idea was on target to receive additional funding at the September Start Garden Update Night event.

A division of auto supplier Magna plans a $10.1 million expansion in Holland Charter Township.

Legislation pending in Lansing would eliminate local reviews for health care projects that fall under state certificate-of-need rules.

More good economic news for the state: The most recent Comerica Bank Michigan Economic Activity Index showed the state’s economy surged in July.

Growth of 100 percent in 2010-11 and a projected growth of between 20 percent and 30 percent this year has forced River City Rollform to expand its Norton Shores facility by 11,000 square feet as well as an additional half-dozen jobs.

The Canadian Autoworkers Union’s last-minute deal with Ford on Monday that averted a strike did little to change the game for West Michigan automotive suppliers, says Mike Wall, director of automotive analysis at the Grand Rapids office of IHS Automotive.

Thanks to an international partnership, a local nonprofit organization will be putting people with barriers to employment to work.

Companies are increasingly turning to innovation to drive sales following the Great Recession, according to results of an annual survey.

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan’s economy may be on an upward trend now, but policymakers and leaders want to know how to maintain that trajectory and prepare for the state’s future economic needs. 


GRAND RAPIDS -- Calling it “one of the very most important things we really need to work on,” Gov. Rick Snyder today urged business leaders in West Michigan to work more closely with the public sector to cultivate the talent base needed now and in the future.

GRAND RAPIDS — Start Garden, the Grand Rapids-based fund that aims to help spur start-up activity, has some new digs.