Metro Health opening COVID-19 vaccine clinic for underserved residents
WYOMING — Metro Health-University of Michigan Health has opened the first COVID-19 vaccine clinic away from its hospital campus.
Equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution in focus for West Michigan coalition
If the coalition coordinating COVID-19 vaccines in West Michigan gets judged for anything, Keith Hustak hopes it’s for how well the group equitably administers doses.
Rising prescription drug costs likely to be revisited in Lansing
On the surface, the position appears completely counter to what a business organization would typically advocate.
Grand Angels and affiliates reorganize to accommodate growth, promote diversity
A restructuring for Grand Angels in 2021 aims to create understanding about angel investing and greater diversity among investors and their deals.
DeVos-backed PE fund to support Michigan companies
GRAND RAPIDS — A West Michigan capital investment fund that involves the family office for Doug and Maria DeVos wants to make long-term investments across a variety of industries with a goal of preserving and growing local companies and jobs.
Remote working highlights struggles, long-term opportunities for workers with disabilities
Advocates for people with disabilities are hopeful that the work from home trend spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic will make employers more open to accommodations workers might need in a post-pandemic workplace.
ChoiceOne’s two recent acquisitions provide lessons on virtual dealmaking
The two acquisitions ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. closed over a 15-month period tripled the size of the Sparta-based bank holding company.
Tetra Therapeutics’ Shionogi deal builds resources of large pharmaceutical company
After years of raising millions in capital and federal grant funding for Tetra Therapeutics Inc. — which was developing a new drug that could potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease and a form of autism — Mark Gurney in 2020 finally found the big money he needed to get to the end.
Priority Health moves to become more statewide health plan after Total Health merger
Amid high volume of deals, Acrisure breaks into artificial intelligence
Greg Williams was looking for a company that could move global insurance brokerage Acrisure LLC into the world of artificial intelligence.
Patience in a pandemic helped guide a busy year for Jeff Ott
As the economy abruptly ground to a halt last spring under COVID-19 restrictions, Jeff Ott stayed busy.
Charter Capital Partners finds niche with middle-market companies
Since launching in July 2019, the Charter Growth Capital Fund has made five investments and raised $31 million to make minority investments in growing, middle-market companies that need growth capital.
Economist: West Michigan industrial activity off to strong start in 2021
West Michigan’s industrial economy began 2021 “on a very positive note” as key activity indexes all improved.
Acrisure forms joint venture with Ciara, Russell Wilson to boost minority-owned businesses
GRAND RAPIDS — Acrisure LLC has formed a joint venture with NFL quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Ciara to support increased access to insurance by minority-owned businesses in the U.S.
Bronson, Ascension Borgess make progress on separate Kalamazoo cancer treatment centers
KALAMAZOO — Bronson Healthcare Group opened a new downtown Kalamazoo outpatient cancer treatment center today while Ascension Borgess says a separate cancer center should open late this summer in a neighboring township.
Efforts underway to improve broadband access in Ottawa, Kent counties
Ottawa County expects to have a better understanding later this year of exactly where gaps exist locally for broadband internet service so it can begin to address the issue.
SBA simplifies PPP loan forgiveness process
As clients began reaching out in recent weeks to gather documents and apply for forgiveness of their federal Paycheck Protection Program loans from last year, executives at Level One Bank urged them to wait.
Diversity-focused VC fund garners widespread attention, even before making initial investment
GRAND RAPIDS — The West Michigan venture capital fund that intends to invest in growing, minority-owned businesses has garnered attention from interested parties who want to replicate the model elsewhere in the U.S.
Northpointe Bank records ‘banner year’ in 2020 amid low interest rates
The $91 million Northpointe Bancshares Inc. netted in a private stock placement will help support further growth through mid-decade.
Macatawa Bank reports higher Q4 earnings as it ramps up more PPP lending
HOLLAND — Macatawa Bank Corp. increased earnings in the fourth quarter, although full-year results declined from the prior year.
Mortgages help boost Independent Bank earnings in 2020
Independent Bank Corp. posted strong earnings growth during 2020 based in part on a strong mortgage pipeline and despite pandemic-related challenges.
Michigan small businesses approved for more than $1.5B in loans under new PPP round
Michigan small businesses were approved for more than $1.5 billion in federal loans during the first two weeks of the new Paycheck Protection Program the U.S. Small Business Administration launched earlier this month.
Stryker Q4 sales affected by resurgence in COVID-19 cases
KALAMAZOO — Stryker Corp.’s sales grew 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter amid a resurgence of COVID-19 infections that affected market demand for elective medical procedures.
GR-based VC fund targeting minority-owned companies raises $8.5M in first year
GRAND RAPIDS — The venture capital fund formed a year ago in Grand Rapids to invest in minority-owned businesses has netted $8.5 million in commitments from investors and aims to hit $10 million this year.
Protect Michigan Commission aims to raise awareness for COVID-19 vaccinations
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today named a commission that will work to raise awareness on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and promote the need for people to get vaccinated.
Huntington Bank to close 97 in-store branches at Meijer locations as part of TCF acquisition
Huntington Bancshares Inc. intends to close 198 branch offices — about half of which are based in Meijer Inc. stores in Michigan — after completing the proposed $22 billion acquisition of Detroit-based TCF Financial Corp.
Hertel appointed head of Michigan DHHS after director Gordon abruptly resigns
LANSING — The director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services abruptly resigned today.
DeVos Place to serve as large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health and Mercy Health plan to open a large COVID-19 vaccine clinic next week at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.
Mercantile Bank reports higher quarterly earnings despite pandemic uncertainty
GRAND RAPIDS — Mercantile Bank Corp. ended 2020 with higher quarterly earnings despite the ongoing costs and economic turbulence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sturgis Bank raises $15 million to continue Southwest Michigan expansion
The $15 million Sturgis Bancorp Inc. raised through a debt offering will go to support further growth across Southwestern Michigan.