Displaying items tagged: Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Federal merger review backlog continues to stall Spectrum-Beaumont deal
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.
Biden administration issues vaccine mandate rules; biz groups opposed ahead of likely legal challenge
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.
Women leadership across West Michigan businesses, organizations recognized at 2021 ATHENA Awards
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.
Biz groups call on Congress to pass $1.2T infrastructure bill, stop ‘playing politics’
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.
Zoetis’ COVID-19 vaccines for animals bolster Southwest Michigan’s life sciences profile
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.
LGBTQ ballot initiative regroups, readies court challenge after signature setback
The committee behind a statewide ballot initiative to expand civil rights protections for LGBTQ people is prepared for a legal battle after state election officials ruled the campaign had an insufficient number of public signatures to advance the proposal.
Staffing agency founder reflects on pandemic employment trends, new biz group role
Floriza Genautis was recently named chairperson of the newly formed Asian American Business Council at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, where she hopes to better connect Asian American-owned businesses with one another and the rest of the business community.
West Michigan CEOs emphasize DEI, flexible offices in first post-pandemic gathering
GRAND RAPIDS — Executives from across West Michigan gathered Tuesday to discuss the labor shortages permeating across industries, lessons learned from COVID-19 and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in company culture.
GOP lawmakers push corporate income tax cut, tax credits for businesses
Republican lawmakers are advancing bills that would reduce Michigan’s corporate income tax rate by 20 percent and create tax credits for businesses that lost at least a quarter of their revenue during COVID-19 restrictions.
Biz groups want state to revisit rules after new CDC mask guidelines
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce today urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to update state restrictions after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can go maskless in most indoor settings.
Municipalities and organizations play catch-up on diversity, equity and inclusion as minority business leaders seek resources
It’s been a year since social media timelines were filled with Black Lives Matter hashtags, messages of solidarity with people of color, and promises to address racism as organizations responded to the national racial justice movement.
Deadlines approaching for ballot measure to expand state LGBTQ civil rights
Michigan lawmakers are running out of time to pass legislation expanding civil rights protections for the LGBTQ community before a planned ballot measure with wide business support is potentially approved for the November 2022 election.
Sen. Brinks seeks to create state panel to oversee prescription drug price increases
A state lawmaker from Grand Rapids wants to create a state panel that could review large price increases for prescription drugs in Michigan.
Executives prioritize being adaptable, inclusive in leading multigenerational workplaces
In her 23 years at Grand Rapids-based tech firm Open Systems Technology Inc., Meredith Bronk has seen the company grow from seven employees to more than 300.
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.