Displaying items by tag: Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Grand Rapids Chamber launches three minority business councils
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has launched Black, Asian and Latinx business councils within its organization to better serve businesses owned by people of color.
Experts seek federal guidance as employers offer COVID-19 vaccine incentives
A growing number of employers are offering incentives to their workers who opt for getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including with extra paid time off or small cash bonuses.
Reporter's Notebook: West Michigan health care executives set aside competition during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic that stretched health systems during the past year also brought together health care executives as they responded to the crisis.
MiBiz Growth Report: March 28, 2021
Here's the MiBiz Growth Report for March 28, 2021.
Business coalition says health care legislation will drive up costs for employers, do ‘more harm than good’
A coalition of Michigan business groups is urging state senators to reject legislation that they claim will drive up the cost of health coverage for small employers.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan to help facilitate state child care pilot program
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is one of three organizations statewide that was selected to pilot an initiative assisting lower-income workers with affording and accessing child care.
Limited availability remains barrier to onsite vaccination clinics for employers
As pharmaceutical companies ramp up production and COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, employers are increasingly asking whether employees can get vaccinated at work.
Downtowns feel the pain as office workers remain home
In a typical year, around 40,000 office workers a day are in downtown Grand Rapids buying coffee or lunch, or sticking around to shop or attend an event.
Business owners push for loosened COVID-19 restrictions on indoor banquet, event centers
GRAND RAPIDS — Owners of indoor event centers are pushing state officials for expanded capacity limitations and a clearer reopening timeline as key COVID-19 metrics continue to decline and vaccines become more widely available.
Pilot program to address growing biz challenge: child care
A pilot program offers a potential solution to a growing issue for both employers and their workers: access to quality, affordable child care.
Advocates call on Southwest Michigan First to back civil rights expansion after CEO controversy
KALAMAZOO — LGBTQ advocates say Southwest Michigan First should support expanding Michigan’s civil rights law following backlash to the appointment of its new CEO, former House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
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.
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.
Advocates back infrastructure, talent development, child care spending in Whitmer’s proposed budget
Two statewide advocacy groups representing municipalities support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest proposed budget that includes spending to cover income tax revenue gaps, increased revenue sharing and infrastructure investments.
Biz groups back Biden’s early action on COVID-19 and immigration; policy concerns remain
Within hours of his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Joe Biden signed executive orders seeking to bolster the country’s COVID-19 response and issued a memo to top federal officials to “preserve and fortify” a key immigration policy for certain undocumented immigrants.
New Family Business Alliance leader discusses ongoing research, priorities
Robin Burns took over as head of the Grand Rapids-based Family Business Alliance in November after nearly 12 years as marketing director at the Rhoades McKee law firm in Grand Rapids. The FBA was created in 2006 as a partnership with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Valley State University and later reorganized as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. With more than 150 member companies, the FBA’s mission is to ensure family-owned businesses in the region are passed down to future generations. Burns spoke with MiBiz about what’s next for the organization.
More flexibility comes with latest round of PPP loans
The new round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans includes a number of changes from the prior funding intended to aid small businesses hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business groups frustrated after Whitmer rejects second property tax relief bill
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has let legislation die that would have waived late fees and fines on businesses that have yet to pay their summer 2020 property taxes.
Retail success in 2021 hinges on holiday shopping, adapting to e-commerce
The pandemic pushed local retailers that traditionally rely on foot traffic to beef up their online presence and offer curbside and delivery options — mostly out of necessity to accommodate shopping from home and to compete with online retail giants.
Business groups urge Whitmer to sign property tax forgiveness bill
Business groups are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign legislation that would forgive fines, late fees and interest on unpaid summer 2020 property tax bills.
Business groups watching closely as state decision on COVID-19 restrictions looms
The Whitmer administration is expected to announce in the coming days whether to extend, alter or allow state-imposed restrictions on business activity to expire.
Business leaders seek COVID-19 response that preserves ‘lives and livelihoods’
Two hundred and forty six days passed between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first stay-at-home order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and new state restrictions scaling back and closing some businesses.
Member-based nonprofits bolster efforts to deliver aid to minority-owned businesses
When the coronavirus pandemic hit eight months ago, many Latinx and Black business owners missed out on federal loans and other relief because they didn’t have relationships with local bankers or didn’t have financial statements in order.
Kent County immigration welcome plan a ‘call to action,’ officials say
GRAND RAPIDS — Kent County municipal officials and business advocacy groups have released an area “welcome plan” meant to address concerns among the immigrant community, including restoring trust with law enforcement agencies and promoting equity in education and business opportunities.
Bills would exempt PPE purchases from sales, use tax for employers
Employers could buy pandemic-related personal protection equipment without having to pay state sales or use taxes under proposed statewide legislation.
MiBiz Growth Report: August 31, 2020
Here is the MiBiz growth report for August 31, 2020.
West Michigan CEO Summit to drive momentum as we adjust to the new normal
The Grand Rapids Chamber is thrilled to announce the return of the West Michigan CEO Summit on October 6, as a virtual, live-broadcast experience.
Business groups urge Whitmer to allow more reopenings
Four business groups are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to consider allowing more facilities including gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters and bowling alleys to reopen.
Business groups, health experts say employers play key role as school starts
Sam Gregoire went from college student to small business owner within a few months, driven by the reality that many K-12 schools wouldn’t be returning to in-person instruction this fall.
Growing shift to telehealth raises questions about access in rural communities
The COVID-19 pandemic created what Kelly Hirko calls a “massive shift” in health care.