KALAMAZOO — Representatives from Western Michigan University announced on Tuesday that the school has received the largest private gift ever bestowed on a public university.

When Darren Riley graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014, he took with him in-demand skills rooted in software development and cybersecurity.

As an entrepreneur, Matt Baxter acknowledges that opportunities like the one in front of him rarely come along.

When Courtney Lorenz launched her business in 2015 brewing and selling kombucha, she started working with just three 5-gallon containers. 

MUSKEGON — Leadership at the Frauenthal Center stepped back in 2019 to administer a full architectural assessment of the historic performing and events center, which has endured nine decades of consistent wear and tear.

HOLLAND TWP. — Custom automation solutions provider Mission Design & Automation LLC announced today that is nearing completion on a 50,000 square foot, $5 million expansion facility in Holland Township.

The meat supply chain is bracing for potential fallout from a disruption in production as the world’s largest meat producer rebounds from a devastating cyberattack.

BluJay Solutions, a global provider of supply chain software with a major presence in Holland, has been sold to Austin, Texas-based E2open in a deal valued at around $1.7 billion.

GRAND RAPIDS — The Cornerstone University board of trustees announced today that it has named Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño as the 12th president in the private, faith-based school’s history.

GRAND RAPIDS — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that eases restrictions on the self distribution of spirits while also giving local distillers an easier path to bring canned cocktails to market.

Fragile and inefficient supply chains took center stage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and have furniture OEMs reevaluating the ways to approach this key component of their operations. 

As a producer that heavily supplies the food service industry, Swanson Pickle Co. Inc. had to make profound adjustments to its sales channels when the COVID-19 pandemic changed buying habits.

Like nearly everyone in the restaurant industry, Jessica Ann Tyson has dealt with a barrage of challanges throughout the course of the last 15 months.

Despite a season last year filled with widespread shutdowns and canceled events, farmers markets across Michigan not only survived the pandemic, but in some cases thrived.

COMSTOCK PARK — The West Michigan Whitecaps will lift all capacity restrictions at its home facility LMCU Ballpark beginning on June 1 in accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s accelerated plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions, the organization announced today.

GRAND RAPIDS — As business leaders across industries grapple with their approach to the workplace in a post-pandemic era, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids provided insight on the topic from some of the most influential players in office furniture.

While Michigan’s online sports betting figures made an expected drop in April, the state continued to see strong performance from online casino gaming, making it one of the nation’s top markets.

About a year ago, Jon O’Connor and his team at Long Road Distillers LLC explored potential locations in Cadillac but were not able to find the right fit.

GRAND RAPIDS — Snack food company Utz Brands Inc. has acquired a partnering Grand Rapids-based tortilla chip manufacturer and its facility as part of a $41 million deal.

ROCKFORD — After a promising first quarter with strong demand and e-commerce growth, global footwear marketer and licensor Wolverine World Wide Inc. is eyeing a “breakthrough” 2021.

Breweries, wineries and restaurants may now legally offer free bingo to patrons without fear of punishment by the state following a recent ruling by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

BATTLE CREEK — As the state transitions from mass COVID-19 vaccination sites to smaller, more targeted clinics to immunize the general public, onsite employer-hosted vaccination clinics are taking on a new importance.

In a typical year, Matt Koning likes to have up to 210 vehicles listed and ready to sell across his four used car lots. Right now, his inventory is sitting at 110 — and he still feels fortunate to have that robust of a supply.

Laurie Harbour compares life in today’s manufacturing industry to a game of whack-a-mole as company leaders find themselves addressing one problem only to encounter another.

As West Michigan fruit growers braced for two nights of hard frost in late April that would threaten their already developing buds, many in the industry and downstream economy feared a repeat of a disastrous 2012 season.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed lawsuits against two out-of-state wineries and one wine retailer for allegedly shipping wine into Michigan illegally.

PLAINFIELD TWP. — The West Michigan Sports Complex has been rebranded as the Meijer Sports Complex under a new corporate sponsorship between the company and the West Michigan Sports Commission.

ZEELAND — Economic development firm Lakeshore Advantage was one of 10 organizations to receive Michigan Strategic Fund grants to promote Industry 4.0 adoption and readiness among area manufacturers.

GRAND RAPIDS — NBA G League team the Grand Rapids Drive has entered into a new affiliation partnership with the Denver Nuggets beginning with the upcoming 2021-22 season, the organization announced on Tuesday. 

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters foresaw the pain points the country’s manufacturers would encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic and he’s actively pushing legislation he thinks could make the industry more resilient.