Vision Real Estate Investment Inc. said this week that it plans to build a new 40,000-square-foot medical office building in southwestern Kent County.

GRAND RAPIDS — A growing manufacturer of high-tech food carts could serve as an example of the kind of business development that’s possible in West Michigan.

Spurred on by the dearth of available manufacturing space across West Michigan, developers have started to add inventory in the region by building or expanding industrial parks.

WALKER — Amid intense competition in the retail grocery sector, Meijer Inc. will trim and restructure its information technology services (ITS) staff in the coming months, MiBiz has learned.

Long-time Grand Rapids City Manager Greg Sundstrom said today that he plans to retire from his position at the end of the year.

Kent County government will vote later this month on whether to recommend expanding two county-owned parks by a total of 153 acres.

The board of the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority today voted unanimously to support a new development agreement that could result in a new mixed-use entertainment district in the Arena South district.

After more than a year of behind-the-scenes work, the developers of the proposed $140 million mixed-use movie theater project south of Van Andel Arena plan to step back into the spotlight this week.

To some local economic observers, the success of the architecture and engineering industry in West Michigan serves as a microcosm of the region’s broader economy.

Michigan’s House and Senate may be in recess for most of the summer, but legislative issues continue to percolate. Advocates continue their work to move forward a range of legislation, including bills that would bring back tax credits for the redevelopment of historic buildings and another that would curb a controversial tax loophole. MiBiz checked in on the status of the two packages.

Grand Rapids may be known colloquially as Beer City, but visitors should plan to avoid walking between hip bars and eateries with a pint of local IPA, at least for the foreseeable future.

A California investment group has acquired two, 168-unit affordable housing complexes in the Grand Rapids area and at least two other properties across the state, MiBiz has learned.

Third Coast Development LLC has bolstered its holdings in the hospitality business.

Two advertising services companies have joined forces in a bid to create a “one-stop shopping” experience for their clients.

After about eight years away, Jeff Mason has returned to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Having previously worked at the state’s top economic development organization as a senior vice president for business development, he left in 2009 to head up the University Research Corridor, an alliance of Michigan’s three major research institutions. He’s rejoining the MEDC as its president and CEO, where he’ll lead an organization that’s grown into new focus areas, specifically community development. Mason spoke with MiBiz about these organizational shifts and the new economic development tools the state legislature recently passed to help make Michigan more competitive.

GRAND RAPIDS — The new owner of Schuil Coffee Co. LLC hopes to leverage nearly two decades of experience in the packaged food and e-commerce industries to grow the 36-year-old roastery.

As West Michigan’s economy expands, planners and business owners find they’re facing a new growing pain.

A 237-unit high-end apartment complex in suburban Grand Rapids has sold for $57 million, MiBiz has learned.

Local grocer Duthler’s Family Foods will close its Bridge Street location on Grand Rapids’ northwest side, according to a sign on the door and multiple media reports.

Amid a tight industrial real estate market, new construction continues to take hold.

GRAND RAPIDS — Two large downtown sites along Division Avenue will likely remain vacant, at least for the foreseeable future.

Two higher educational institutions plan to spend more than $82 million combined to expand their downtown campuses.

Controversial economic development legislation passed the Michigan House on Wednesday afternoon, setting the stage for Gov. Rick Snyder’s likely signature.

Two projects in Grand Rapids, as well as housing developments in Lansing, Charlotte and Hartford, have been awarded competitive affordable housing tax credits.

With a commercial real estate development pipeline that stretches into 2019, the forecast for the industry in West Michigan remains bright. MiBiz periodically checks in on the status of proposed developments. This report highlights several projects from around West Michigan and examines where they currently sit in the development pipeline.

GRAND RAPIDS — After running into challenges with leasing retail space at a prominent downtown redevelopment, a DeVos-held entity got permission from the state to delay its incentive loan repayments.

While West Michigan’s affordable housing crisis may pale in comparison to situations in other larger metro areas, disparate groups are taking a hands-on approach to the problem.

When Brian Kelly first heard about a suburban space to move his Grand Rapids-based photography studio, he ignored the idea for one simple reason: It was in Kentwood.

A partnership could bring a new $30 million entertainment district along with a 10-screen movie theater to Holland’s central business district.

Greg Koch has a front row view of the seismic shifts playing out in the world of American craft brewing. The co-founder and executive chairman of Escondido, Calif.-based Stone Brewing Co. — the 17th largest brewery in the country — also isn’t shy about sharing his views on the trend of large conglomerates buying up craft breweries.