MiBiz

Analysis estimates economic impact of Michigan State’s Grand Rapids medical campus
Developments on Michigan State University’s medical school campus in downtown Grand Rapids will drive $339 million in annual economic impact on the city when fully…
8-story Spectrum Health development to ‘breathe more life’ into GR district
GRAND RAPIDS — The eight-story office tower Spectrum Health plans to build will bring a major new redevelopment and hundreds of employees to the Monroe…
Gender disparities in the workforce ‘uncovered further’ by COVID-19 pandemic
Men and women both experienced steep declines in employment at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but on average, the workforce for men is back…
Beyond retail: Entrepreneurs pursue alternative routes to cannabis industry
Opening a cannabis dispensary comes with significant barriers, but West Michigan entrepreneurs are looking at opportunities other than retail storefronts to get their foot in…
New fund aims to raise $200M for small industrial properties, distribution centers
EAST LANSING — An East Lansing real estate investment firm looks to raise $200 million to invest in industrial logistics facilities in the Midwest and southeastern…

Craft brewers retool to maintain profitability

Looking back on a 2020 plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed Collazo didn’t sound like a business owner who just saw his company’s revenue plummet by half a million dollars for the year.

Analysis estimates economic impact of Michigan State’s Grand Rapids medical campus
Developments on Michigan State University’s medical school campus in downtown Grand Rapids will drive $339 million in annual economic impact on the city when fully…
8-story Spectrum Health development to ‘breathe more life’ into GR district
GRAND RAPIDS — The eight-story office tower Spectrum Health plans to build will bring a major new redevelopment and hundreds of employees to the Monroe…
Gender disparities in the workforce ‘uncovered further’ by COVID-19 pandemic
Men and women both experienced steep declines in employment at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but on average, the workforce for men is back…
Beyond retail: Entrepreneurs pursue alternative routes to cannabis industry
Opening a cannabis dispensary comes with significant barriers, but West Michigan entrepreneurs are looking at opportunities other than retail storefronts to get their foot in…
New fund aims to raise $200M for small industrial properties, distribution centers
EAST LANSING — An East Lansing real estate investment firm looks to raise $200 million to invest in industrial logistics facilities in the Midwest and southeastern…

MEDC makes new Industry 4.0 push with partnerships, $3M investment
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is making a new push to place Michigan manufacturers ahead of the curve on Industry 4.0 technology.
Financial health of malls a mixed bag as some consider reusing vacant space
As national trends show a rapid decline in the value of shopping malls, West Michigan commercial real estate experts are most worried about the fate of RiverTown Crossings in Grandville.

Open-heart surgery partnership could spur more collaboration between Metro, Mercy
Anew partnership for open-heart surgery could provide a broader base for Metro Health-University of Michigan Health and Mercy Health to further collaborate on specialized medical care in the years ahead.
State officials plea for personal responsibility as COVID cases, hospitalizations spike
LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging — but not mandating — new public measures to stem Michigan’s recent spike in COVID-19 metrics, saying pandemic dynamics have changed as…

Homeless shelter for Montcalm, Ionia counties gets $500,000 grant
Have Mercy, the state-funded shelter for Montcalm and Ionia counties, recently received a $500,000 grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis as well as $5,000 from Mercantile Bank…

Spectrum Health financials steady through pandemic as outlook shifts for hospitals
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health maintained a solid financial performance for 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic stressed operating margins at hospitals nationwide.

Grow Michigan Fund II eyes $100M with increased focus on minority-owned businesses
A statewide loan fund to provide growth capital to Michigan small businesses expects to start closing deals by the end of the month after securing state support.

Entrepreneur to launch Michigan’s first gluten-free brewery in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS — Jessica Stricklen plans to open the first gluten-free microbrewery in the state of Michigan in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood.

Otsego equipment manufacturer acquired by individual investors
OTSEGO — Otsego Crane & Hoist Co., a manufacturer that specializes in overhead material handling equipment, has been sold to individual investors.

Utilities chart renewable energy future as state mandates level off
Michigan’s mandates for renewable power and energy efficiency programs — first set in 2008 and slightly increased in 2016 — are scheduled to level off this year, although it may…

Biden plan could provide major funding influx for Michigan infrastructure plans
President Biden’s recently proposed $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan comes as state officials and local planning experts make gains in plotting investment needs across Michigan.

Grand Rapids officials, arts organizers explore a revived arts council
Grand Rapids officials say part of the city’s post-pandemic rebound for events and entertainment should include a focus on reviving a local arts council to coordinate funding and programs.

GR entertainment and event organizers express optimism after ‘sobering’ 2020
GRAND RAPIDS — After an economically grim 2020, Grand Rapids event and entertainment officials say they’re optimistic about pent-up demand, COVID-19 vaccines and a new standard of hybrid in-person and virtual…

Craft beverage producers adapt marketing approaches, deal with supply chain headaches as pandemic drags on
The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying shutdowns of bars, brewpubs, taprooms and tasting rooms had an undeniably negative effect on West Michigan craft beverage makers and their balance sheets.