Displaying items tagged: Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

LANSING — The Michigan House of Representatives passed four bills today aimed at creating more workforce housing projects across the state and addressing bottlenecks in housing development.

A public-private initiative formed to make child care affordable for working parents in Michigan has begun moving from the pilot stage to full implementation.

Ciarra Adkins formed the first Black-founded and Black-led community foundation in West Michigan with a primary goal to shift the narrative about Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and philanthropy. Specifically, she wants to advance the notion that these residents are not simply “receivers” of funds, but also serve as “distributors.”

People in the News: A roundup of new hires, promotions and awards in West Michigan.

As the statewide affordable housing shortage shows little signs of easing in the near term, different schools of thought have emerged on how to solve the issue. Those include supporting new housing at every price point, or focusing limited public resources on the lowest-income households.

Arecently published study from Up for Growth, a national housing advocacy and research group, found housing underproduction in Michigan has reached 87,491 homes — a 311-percent increase since 2012. 

State lawmakers this week advanced a housing bill package that seeks to make it easier for developers to build new projects and address a widespread need for housing at various price points.

Kent County has appointed Hollin De La Cruz as its welcome plan coordinator, a newly created position to oversee the county’s formal efforts to welcome immigrants and refugees.

More Michigan businesses are offering their employees housing solutions to prepare for peak tourism season this summer as hospitality and seasonal workers continue to be priced out of living near their employer. 

GRAND RAPIDS — When Richard App started his role as retail retention and attraction specialist at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce in January 2020, Gazelle Sports was on his list of retailers he hoped to bring downtown.

Here is the MiBiz People in the news report for April 25, 2022 

GRAND RAPIDS — Patrick Lyoya’s death took place in a Grand Rapids neighborhood long traumatized by icy police-community relations that’s also in the process of a major redevelopment to help overcome long standing underinvestment.

Diversity, equity and inclusion has emerged as an “important pressure point” in the past two years as companies compete for talent and regional economic development organizations seek to attract and retain industries, consultants and business advocates say.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, none of Davide Uccello’s four West Michigan restaurants offered an online ordering option. Today, at least half of his restaurant’s takeout and delivery orders are placed online.

Regional business and economic development leaders recently announced a list of 12 “transformational” projects that could reshape Kent County’s ability to attract visitors, new residents and employers.

Michigan’s business tax climate ranks comparatively well to other states, and business advocates say election-year tax cuts proposed in Lansing could further improve that standing.

A pilot child care program expansion will help West Michigan parents find affordable child care, tackling one factor that has contributed to labor shortages and employees’ difficulty returning to work.

GRAND RAPIDS —  The Michigan Department of Transportation has launched an online survey seeking public feedback on potential redesign strategies for a contentious segment of US-131 between 28th Street and Wealthy Street. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Businesses in Grand Rapids, particularly in the service industry, expect slowed economic growth later this year as interest rates likely rise and labor and supply chain challenges continue.

The new health system that Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health plan to launch Tuesday will have considerable market clout in the Michigan health care market, raising concerns about the potential effect on costs.

Competing proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republicans who control the Legislature put tax cuts on the election-year agenda in Lansing.

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 directly challenged this year. 

Business advocates hailed Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that halted President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for larger employers.

If there’s any certainty about 2022, it’s that Michigan policymakers will have billions of federal dollars to distribute for infrastructure and economic development. 

The lack of affordable housing has been a highly discussed topic at the local and state levels this past year as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already tight market.

The regulatory review of the proposed merger between  Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health has taken longer than expected as the Federal Trade Commission examines a recent flood of deals.

Businesses that employ 100 or more people will have to either require workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine or get tested weekly beginning Jan. 4, the Biden administration has announced.

GRAND RAPIDS — Jo Ellyn Clarey, former president and director of the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, has worked to promote the often-overlooked roles that women have played throughout local history.

Representatives from local, statewide and national chambers of commerce are calling on congressional lawmakers to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill they say is critical to support local growth and talent attraction.

KALAMAZOO — Nine months ago, some of the first COVID-19 vaccines left Portage and found their way into the arms of patients around the country.