-
Michigan bankers, investors plot path forward following demise of Silicon Valley Bank
Even as financial stocks tumbled, Michigan bankers and venture capitalists said they’re operating “business as usual” on Monday, the first business day since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Even as financial stocks tumbled, Michigan bankers and...
-
State housing exec focuses on first-time buyers, rejuvenating neighborhoods
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is on the frontlines of the state’s efforts to add more housing supply, from urban centers like Detroit and Grand Rapids to rural parts of the Upper Peninsula and in the far southwest corner of the...
-
Crystal Ball 2019 Outlook Q&A: Mike Novakoski, Elzinga & Volkers
with our manufacturing base and create more opportunities for the manufacturers. Interview conducted and condensed by Nick Manes.
-
Vacant land plays growing role in West Michigan real estate
With vacancy rates across all commercial real estate sectors at near record lows in West Michigan, industry executives say buyers have increasingly turned their attention to vacant land. With vacancy rates across all commercial real estate sectors at...
-
Roundtable: Execs see more growth ahead for urban projects amid continued demand for amenities
Stakeholders in West Michigan’s commercial real estate, architecture and construction industries are coming off another big year for development and see few signs that indicate a significant slowdown in 2019. Stakeholders in West Michigan’s commercial...
-
Executives: Rivertown Crossings likely to see some form of redevelopment
GRANDVILLE — A 20-year-old mall in southwestern Kent County could potentially turn into a mixed-use “mini-city,” or be repositioned for a sale. GRANDVILLE — A 20-year-old mall in southwestern Kent County could potentially turn into a mixed-use...
-
Alternative lender positions black-owned GR firm for growth
GRAND RAPIDS — When realized it needed to add vehicles to its fleet to grow the business, founder Rich Flowers ran into some roadblocks familiar to many African American and minority entrepreneurs. GRAND RAPIDS — When Reliable Medical Transport LLC...
-
Family-owned apartment building near downtown GR sells for $10.25 million
An East Lansing property management firm closed this week on a deal to buy a 107-unit apartment building just east of downtown. GRAND RAPIDS — An East Lansing property management firm closed this week on a deal to buy a 107-unit apartment building just...
-
New lounge and restaurant proposed for long-vacant downtown Grand Rapids space
GRAND RAPIDS — Downtown could soon see its first African American-owned bar and restaurant in years. GRAND RAPIDS — Downtown could soon see its first African American-owned bar and restaurant in years. The board of the city’s Downtown Development...
-
Amid changes, local commercial real estate brokerages see growth potential
GRAND RAPIDS — Changes involving a pair of West Michigan commercial real estate brokerages could signal future growth opportunities for the firms, sources say. GRAND RAPIDS — Changes involving a pair of West Michigan commercial real estate brokerages...
-
Reacting to consumer demands, Meijer ramps up tech initiatives
DETROIT — Meijer Inc. largely functions as a brick-and-mortar operation, but the supercenter retailer increasingly is taking cues from tech companies as it implements new ways of serving customers. DETROIT — Meijer Inc. largely functions as a...
-
Q&A: Dillon Rush, Lansing Economic Area Partnership
After spending the last two years running Charlotte’s Rising Tide community economic development program, Dillon Rush hopes to bring his expertise to the Lansing and Mid-Michigan region. After spending the last two years running Charlotte’s Rising Tide...
-
As election looms, Business Leaders for Michigan pushes education focus, policy consistency
DETROIT — With just days to go before a “divisive” election, the state’s business roundtable sought to stay out of politics and instead focus on Michigan’s future growth opportunities during its annual conference. DETROIT — With just days to go before...
-
Plans for key sites on banks of Grand River unveiled
GRAND RAPIDS — A broad group of stakeholders on Thursday unveiled conceptual plans for re-designing public spaces on both banks of the Grand River through downtown Grand Rapids. GRAND RAPIDS — A broad group of stakeholders on Thursday unveiled...
-
Affordable housing development moves forward on Grand Rapids’ west side
GRAND RAPIDS — The Bridge Street corridor west of downtown Grand Rapids continues to serve as a magnet for new housing options. GRAND RAPIDS — The Bridge Street corridor west of downtown Grand Rapids continues to serve as a magnet for new housing...
-
CBRE ends affiliate relationship with Michigan brokerage
EAST LANSING — Martin Commercial Properties Inc., an East Lansing-based commercial real estate brokerage with a Grand Rapids office, will end its 20-year affiliate relationship with CBRE Inc. at the end of this year. EAST LANSING — Martin Commercial...
-
Developer cancels downtown GR office project amid low demand
GRAND RAPIDS — With minimal “velocity” in the West Michigan office market, Franklin Partners LLC has backed away from plans to construct a $30 million, 100,000-square-foot glass and steel office project on the south end of downtown. GRAND RAPIDS — With...
-
Startups find a place in West Michigan, despite cultural challenges
From the cannabis industry to beverage manufacturers to tech-focused firms, West Michigan continues to see an uptick in startups. From the cannabis industry to beverage manufacturers to tech-focused firms, West Michigan continues to see an uptick in...
-
Grand Rapids, Start Garden seek to repair relationship
A recent kerfuffle between Grand Rapids economic development officials and executives at Start Garden Inc. highlights the challenges cities face when they try to encourage more entrepreneurial investments. A recent kerfuffle between Grand Rapids...
-
Q&A: Tim Horner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Tim Horner was ready for a celebration. The Grand Rapids attorney at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has spent more than a decade as the U.S. counsel for Canada and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) as it has gone through the procurement process...