MiBiz

New state law seeks to streamline electric transmission projects, though critics worry about competition and costs
Legislation signed into law late last year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer aims to speed up the process for building certain electric transmission lines in Michigan,…
Commercial loans propelled strong earnings for Mercantile Bank in 2021
GRAND RAPIDS — Mercantile Bank Corp. recorded strong earnings in 2021 with loan growth that President and CEO Robert Kaminski Jr. called “nothing short of…
Hospitals delay care, add beds, shift staff in ‘most challenging’ COVID surge yet
Hospitals and their medical personnel who are already deeply strained from high patient volumes face an even tougher time in the weeks ahead as COVID-19…
Biz groups quiet on economic implications of abortion restrictions
The longstanding U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which has protected abortion access before fetal viability for 49 years, is set to be…
Bell’s Brewery exec looks ahead under new ownership
The new year ushered in a new era for Bell’s Brewery Inc. as the iconic Kalamazoo-based craft brewer closed on its sale to Australian brewing…

GVSU expands tuition-free program to all qualifying low-income students in Michigan

ALLENDALE — Grand Valley State University has expanded its tuition-free program to all qualifying students in Michigan, reaching beyond the original six counties announced in early 2021.

New state law seeks to streamline electric transmission projects, though critics worry about competition and costs
Legislation signed into law late last year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer aims to speed up the process for building certain electric transmission lines in Michigan,…
Commercial loans propelled strong earnings for Mercantile Bank in 2021
GRAND RAPIDS — Mercantile Bank Corp. recorded strong earnings in 2021 with loan growth that President and CEO Robert Kaminski Jr. called “nothing short of…
Hospitals delay care, add beds, shift staff in ‘most challenging’ COVID surge yet
Hospitals and their medical personnel who are already deeply strained from high patient volumes face an even tougher time in the weeks ahead as COVID-19…
Biz groups quiet on economic implications of abortion restrictions
The longstanding U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which has protected abortion access before fetal viability for 49 years, is set to be…
Bell’s Brewery exec looks ahead under new ownership
The new year ushered in a new era for Bell’s Brewery Inc. as the iconic Kalamazoo-based craft brewer closed on its sale to Australian brewing…

Steelcase Foundation president selected as Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow
Steelcase Foundation President Daniel Williams is one of 19 people in the country selected for a fellowship to help address intergenerational poverty.
Rental assistance application deadline nears as demand for relief remains high
West Michigan housing groups are still experiencing a steady flow of people who have been affected financially by the pandemic and are seeking rental relief through the state’s COVID Emergency…

Biz groups welcome halt to ‘sweeping and disruptive’ federal vaccine mandate for large employers
Business advocates hailed Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that halted President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for larger employers.
Networking group provides opportunities for women in male-dominated CRE industry
Before forming the West Michigan chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network (CREW), its founding members realized that most of their business leads came from networking with other women.

Grand Rapids added 658 housing units in 2021 as needs continue
GRAND RAPIDS — The city of Grand Rapids experienced an increase of 658 residential units in its housing stock last year, 289 of which were low-income housing spaces.

MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Hospitals take measures as capacity, staff stretched
West Michigan hospitals are delaying care, shifting staff and repurposing spaces — among other measures — in response to the latest COVID-19 surge that’s pushing systems and workers.

Reporter’s Notebook: West Michigan balances lagging wages with regional amenities
If it’s money that matters most when people look for work or to relocate for a new job, then West Michigan may be at a disadvantage in competing for the…

Perrin Brewing parent company acquired by soft drink giant Monster Beverage
Soft drink giant Monster Beverage Corp. announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the parent company of Comstock Park-based craft brewery Perrin Brewing Co.

PADNOS to invest $6.6M, create 50 jobs as part of Wyoming expansion
WYOMING — Industrial recycling and scrap management company PADNOS plans to invest $6.6 million to expand its facility in Wyoming.

Pipeline expert testifies that state agency is downplaying Line 5 tunnel explosion risk
An oil and gas pipeline expert testifying in a permitting case involving Enbridge’s Line 5 says state energy staffers are downplaying the risk of a potentially catastrophic explosion within a…

MiBiz Growth Report: January 17, 2022
Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for January 17, 2022.

Mercantile Bank forms foundation to sustain charitable giving; aims for $1M a year in donations
Forming a new foundation creates greater structure for Mercantile Bank of Michigan’s corporate philanthropy.

‘Our people and our customers’ guide manufacturer through pandemic
From workforce shortages and supply chain snags to rising costs of raw materials, the manufacturing industry has certainly faced a multi-pronged set of issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a…

Digital consultant OST to expand Cloud services with latest acquisition
GRAND RAPIDS — Digital and I.T. consultant OST has expanded its Cloud service capabilities through a recent acquisition.