MiBiz

Grand Rapids’ economic development services manager leaving for WMU position
KALAMAZOO — Kara Wood, the managing director of economic development services for the city of Grand Rapids, will join Western Michigan University as an associate…
Ascension Borgess purchases land in WMU Business park
KALAMAZOO — Ascension Borgess Hospital has purchased 8.2 acres of land from Western Michigan University for the future development of outpatient services.
Ottawa Kent Insurance sells to PE-backed High Street
JENISON — Ottawa Kent Insurance Agency Inc. was acquired by Traverse City-based High Street Insurance Partners Inc., an insurance agency platform formed last year by Huron…
Meritage acquires 5 Wendy’s locations in Texas
GRAND RAPIDS — Restaurant operator Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. has added to its growing portfolio of Wendy’s restaurants with the acquisition of five Texas locations.
Spartan Motors acquires California-based Royal Truck Body
CHARLOTTE — Spartan Motors Inc. continues to build its presence on the West Coast with its second acquisition of a California company in three months.

Whitmer taps outdoor recreation as economic driver, talent retention tool

State officials in Grand Rapids on Wednesday touted the economic benefits of outdoor recreation, a sprawling statewide sector encompassing major industries like manufacturing and tourism.

Grand Rapids’ economic development services manager leaving for WMU position
KALAMAZOO — Kara Wood, the managing director of economic development services for the city of Grand Rapids, will join Western Michigan University as an associate…
Ascension Borgess purchases land in WMU Business park
KALAMAZOO — Ascension Borgess Hospital has purchased 8.2 acres of land from Western Michigan University for the future development of outpatient services.
Ottawa Kent Insurance sells to PE-backed High Street
JENISON — Ottawa Kent Insurance Agency Inc. was acquired by Traverse City-based High Street Insurance Partners Inc., an insurance agency platform formed last year by Huron…
Meritage acquires 5 Wendy’s locations in Texas
GRAND RAPIDS — Restaurant operator Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. has added to its growing portfolio of Wendy’s restaurants with the acquisition of five Texas locations.
Spartan Motors acquires California-based Royal Truck Body
CHARLOTTE — Spartan Motors Inc. continues to build its presence on the West Coast with its second acquisition of a California company in three months.

Hoekstra Electrical relocates to new $2M Holland facility
HOLLAND — Hoekstra Electrical Services LLC is relocating its headquarters to Holland after outgrowing its space in nearby Hamilton.
MiBiz parent company sells Revue West Michigan to Serendipity Media
GRAND RAPIDS — The parent company of MiBiz has sold its Revue West Michigan title to Serendipity Media LLC, a Grand Rapids-based custom publisher and marketing firm.

West Michigan businesses cite talent needs in urging feds to support refugee resettlement
West Michigan businesses are responding to reports from the White House that the U.S. government is considering drastic cuts to the number of refugees who are allowed to enter the…
Pro-Vision acquired by Boston PE firm
BYRON CENTER — Mobile video technology manufacturer Pro-Vision Video Systems Inc. has been acquired by a Boston-based private equity fund.

Delays extend Grand Rapids Whitewater start to 2021
GRAND RAPIDS — Officials expect to begin the $45 million project to restore the rapids in the Grand River by July 2021, later than they had originally projected.

Stryker to acquire advanced imaging firm Mobius
KALAMAZOO — Stryker Corp. said today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Mobius Imaging LLC, a Massachusetts-based advanced imaging technology company for about $370 million in cash.

The revised statement of purpose from the Business Roundtable
Here is the revised text of the “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation” issued by the Business Roundtable on Aug. 19:

Food/ag interests push for caution, common standards in PFAS testing
As the hunt for PFAS contamination has expanded into crops and livestock, it has revealed new food safety concerns related to the limited state-led testing system and lax federal standards.

Investor sells Pi Optima Manufacturing to current executive
Pi Optima Manufacturing Inc., a Zeeland-based machine shop that supplies the aerospace and automotive industries, is under new ownership.

Consumers Energy plans large-scale solar buy in Calhoun County
Consumers Energy announced plans Thursday to purchase a majority of the output from a large-scale solar project in Calhoun County, among the first deals under the utility’s shift to renewable…

MiBiz Growth Report: September 14, 2019
Here is the growth report for September 14, 2019.

RIDING FOR A REASON: Nonprofit Southwest Michigan motorcycle club helps local charities, counters stereotypes
KALAMAZOO — The Blacktop Saints Riding Club is among hundreds of motorcycle clubs throughout the country that are riding for good.

HIGHER ED: Michigan colleges prepare students for influx of cannabis careers
As students head off to college this fall, some of them in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will be blazing a trail when it comes to new fields of study: growing and…

California firm acquires Midstate Security
WYOMING — Midstate Security Co. LLC, a West Michigan-based electronic security and monitoring systems firm, is under new ownership.

Whitmer taps outdoor recreation as economic driver, talent retention tool