MiBiz

Panel: Rural broadband development should mirror electric grid build-out
Michigan and the nation need the same kind of concerted effort to deploy broadband internet access as 90 years ago when America set out to…
New cybersecurity standards poised to reshape defense manufacturing supply chain
New mandatory cybersecurity standards are poised to profoundly impact the over 300,000 manufacturers across the United States, including in West Michigan, that make up the…
Customers, installers on edge as key solar energy program nears cap
A key program that has incentivized small-scale solar projects in recent years is nearing its cap in two utility service territories.
Startups in the time of COVID: Entrepreneurs launching businesses this year discuss pandemic setbacks, successes
With widespread wedding and formal school dance cancelations during the pandemic, Archie Sudue’s newly opened men’s suit shop has been struggling.
After activity, rent revenues drop, malls stuck in ‘waiting game’ through holiday season
Business has been brutal this year at the Holland Town Center outdoor mall because of COVID-19 shutdown orders, compounded by the fact that unique retailers…

Recreational cannabis sales start in Grand Rapids, with more stores to come

GRAND RAPIDS — Retail recreational cannabis sales started Friday in Grand Rapids, while four more adult-use dispensaries have received preliminary city approval.

Panel: Rural broadband development should mirror electric grid build-out
Michigan and the nation need the same kind of concerted effort to deploy broadband internet access as 90 years ago when America set out to…
New cybersecurity standards poised to reshape defense manufacturing supply chain
New mandatory cybersecurity standards are poised to profoundly impact the over 300,000 manufacturers across the United States, including in West Michigan, that make up the…
Customers, installers on edge as key solar energy program nears cap
A key program that has incentivized small-scale solar projects in recent years is nearing its cap in two utility service territories.
Startups in the time of COVID: Entrepreneurs launching businesses this year discuss pandemic setbacks, successes
With widespread wedding and formal school dance cancelations during the pandemic, Archie Sudue’s newly opened men’s suit shop has been struggling.
After activity, rent revenues drop, malls stuck in ‘waiting game’ through holiday season
Business has been brutal this year at the Holland Town Center outdoor mall because of COVID-19 shutdown orders, compounded by the fact that unique retailers…

Managed service providers play key advisory role in shift to work-from-home
Richard Reiffer and his staff at Grand Rapids-based Fusion IT LLC tend to take a proactive approach when it comes to advising clients on digital strategies.
West Michigan cities weigh policy changes to bolster affordable housing
West Michigan cities are examining new policies to expand affordable housing and create a supportive environment for developers as studies show an ongoing need for more units.

New Chapter 11 laws offer small businesses a timely, cost-effective lifeline
For more than 45 years, Purple East has been a stalwart alternative lifestyle retailer in Grand Rapids, gaining a reputation for selling an assortment of clothing, glass pipes and smoking…
M&A deals for distressed companies expected to pick up in months ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic that slammed the economy this spring could generate more M&A deals in the months ahead.

Grand Rapids awarded $5.1M in federal funding to replace lead water service lines
GRAND RAPIDS — Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in Grand Rapids Friday morning that nearly $40 million in new funding from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the…

Hospitals stay the course on COVID-19 prevention measures
Leaders at a number of health systems and hospitals in Michigan today affirmed their commitment to keeping policies and practices in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mercantile Bank selling Hastings office amid shift to fewer branches
HASTINGS — Mercantile Bank Corp. plans to sell a Hastings branch office to Lake Trust Credit Union as part of an ongoing initiative to shrink its office footprint.

Old Mission wineries allege local ordinances unconstitutionally prohibit speech, commerce
PENINSULA TOWNSHIP — A group of Northern Michigan wineries and a trade group representing them have filed a federal lawsuit against Peninsula Township alleging that their businesses are losing hundreds…

UFP reports record quarterly earnings with help from retail, investments
Grand Rapids-based UFP Industries Inc. has released its best quarterly earnings report in the company’s 65-year history.

Q&A: Liesl Clark Director, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
On Sept. 23, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a target for Michigan to be carbon neutral by 2050. While that’s certainly a lofty goal, questions remain over what hitting the target…

Q&A: Natalia Kovicak President, Economic Club of Grand Rapids
Natalia Kovicak became president of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids in early August after 12 years at The Right Place Inc., most recently as events manager and as facilitator…

GR nonprofit lands $1M in state funding for planned early childhood, senior center
GRAND RAPIDS — United Methodist Community House will receive $1 million in state funding for an early childhood education and senior activity center planned on the city’s disadvantaged southeast side.

Ferris State lands $670K grant for rural STEM programming
BIG RAPIDS — Ferris State University has landed a nearly $670,000 federal grant to expand virtual-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming for rural high school students.

Federal agency issues guidance on PPP loans and M&A deals
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s guidance for companies that got Paycheck Protection Program loans and are now selling aims to keep deals flowing as borrowers await decisions on whether they’ll…