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ICCF takes ‘leap of faith’ in acquiring massive residential property portfolio
The $14.5 million acquisition of 177 homes in the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas required a “leap of faith” from Ryan VerWys and his team at the Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF). The $14.5 million acquisition of 177 homes in the Grand Rapids and...
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New report shows ‘cultural’ economic development a top priority for Michigan cities
Mayors and city officials across Michigan consider economic development a top priority in their communities, but they tend to put more emphasis on placemaking and quality of life than jobs and entrepreneurship. Mayors and city officials across Michigan...
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Location factor: Strong apartment demand persists in GR, with thousands of units on the way
GRAND RAPIDS — Demand remains strong for urban apartments, although occupancy rates for the burgeoning market have begun to slip as new units come online. GRAND RAPIDS — Demand remains strong for urban apartments, although occupancy rates for the...
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West Michigan brewery seized by court for failing to pay judgment
A Cranker’s Restaurant & Brewery location in Grand Rapids was shut down temporarily on Thursday upon the orders of the state of Michigan, MiBiz has learned. GRAND RAPIDS — A Cranker’s Restaurant & Brewery location in Grand Rapids was shut down...
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VandenBerg to leave Well House executive director role in April
Tami VandenBerg has decided to step down from the role of executive director at Well House, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit focused on ending homelessness, citing the current strength of the organization. GRAND RAPIDS — Tami VandenBerg has decided to...
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Grand Rapids misses out on Amazon HQ2 consideration
When online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. announced the top 20 possible locations for its second headquarters this morning, it did not include Grand Rapids in the list of metropolitan areas up for consideration. GRAND RAPIDS –– When online retail giant...
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Southwest Michigan First, Discover Kalamazoo resolve dispute over use of 269
A nearly year-long federal court case between two Kalamazoo-area economic development organizations over the use various iterations of “269” in publications and marketing materials has been dismissed. KALAMAZOO –– A nearly year-long federal court case...
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Advanced Technology Recycling moves to southeast Grand Rapids
B&K Technology Solutions Inc. (which does business as Advanced Technology Recycling) has moved its Grand Rapids operations to a 25,000-square-foot facility on Cottage Grove St. SE, the company announced this week. GRAND RAPIDS –– B&K Technology...
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New opportunities eyed for GR’s South Division Avenue
GRAND RAPIDS — Planners and neighborhood stakeholders believe that investing in some basic infrastructure in downtown Grand Rapids’ Heartside district could help spur equitable economic development. GRAND RAPIDS — Planners and neighborhood stakeholders...
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Schuler Books to close Lansing location in February
Schuler Books Inc. plans to close its Lansing location in the Eastwood Towne Center next month. LANSING — Schuler Books Inc. plans to close its Lansing location in the Eastwood Towne Center next month. According to executives, Schuler Books & Music was...
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City documents show details for new infill project on Bridge St. in Grand Rapids
Mixed-use development keeps making its way to the Bridge Street corridor just west of downtown Grand Rapids. GRAND RAPIDS — Mixed-use development keeps making its way to the Bridge Street corridor just west of downtown Grand Rapids. Documents filed...
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Downtown Grand Rapids bar owners buy affiliated real estate
The sibling owners of downtown Grand Rapids bar and music venue The Pyramid Scheme have bought out a long-time partner and are now the sole owners of not only the business, but also the affiliated real estate. GRAND RAPIDS –– The sibling owners of...
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Grand Rapids Mayor: More work ahead for city to deal with affordable housing concerns
As Mayor Rosalynn Bliss looks ahead to her third year in office, she’s tasked with leading a maturing city and grappling with the associated growing pains. The city also faces issues ranging from a constrained housing market to external factors such as...
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Snyder to continue efforts to help ease talent crunch for Michigan employers
As Gov. Rick Snyder enters his final year in office, he remains optimistic about the state’s overall economic trajectory. The champion of “relentless positive action” continues to place heavy emphasis on better connecting the state’s resources for...
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2018 Outlook: Jason Lummen, The Peoples Cider Co. LLC
While 480 square feet of space may not seem huge for a taproom, it offers The Peoples Cider Co. needed visibility along the burgeoning West Leonard Street corridor in Grand Rapids. Owner Jason Lummen opened his new taproom in late October on a strip...
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2018 Outlook: Doug Rothwell, Business Leaders for Michigan
Michigan’s business climate has made great strides in recent years, but there’s still lots of work to do. That was the message delivered in late November by Doug Rothwell, the president and CEO of Detroit-based Business Leaders for Michigan, the...
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GVSU pushes further into ‘high-tech, high-touch’ learning environment
Grand Valley State University will continue to grow its presence in and around downtown Grand Rapids in 2018. As well, the university also hopes to tap into the ever-changing world of technology and data as a means of improving the learning experience...
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Economic developers should focus on entrepreneurship, avoid distraction of ‘buffalo hunting’
Rather than focusing on massive corporate attraction projects, local economic developers should instead put their efforts behind homegrown entrepreneurial talent. That’s according to Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, a Washington, D.C....
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Economists, economic developers mull over next steps in tight labor market
GRAND RAPIDS — Employers continue to struggle to find people to fill open positions and drive growth in their business. GRAND RAPIDS — Employers continue to struggle to find people to fill open positions and drive growth in their business. That’s a...
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2018 Outlook: Dan Vos, Dan Vos Construction Co. Inc.
As president and CEO of Ada-based construction management firm Dan Vos Construction Co. Inc., Dan Vos would like to continue to see the pro-business philosophy that’s been on display in Michigan for nearly the last decade. Vos generally thinks 2018...
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