MSU study forecasts economic benefits from expanded community solar development
Written by Andy BalaskovitzEAST LANSING — Expanding community-based solar energy projects that allow utility customers to purchase subscriptions for offsite generation would contribute nearly $1.5 billion to the state’s economy and create thousands of jobs.
Portage-based Clark Logic expands logistics footprint with latest acquisition
Written by Jayson BussaPORTAGE — Clark Logic LLC, a Southwest Michigan-based provider of single-source transportation, logistics, facility and real estate solutions, has completed the acquisition of a nearby company.
GRAND RAPIDS — Calvin University plans to form a school of health following a $15 million gift from an anonymous donor, the university announced today.
Analyst: Michigan to ‘almost certainly’ reach $1 billion in revenue in first year of online gambling
Written by Jayson BussaInternet casino gaming and sports betting operators in Michigan reached a new benchmark in September, combining for $126.1 million in gross revenue for the month.
Comerica economists lower expectations, forecast higher inflation rate in 2022
Written by Mark SanchezComerica Inc. economists have lowered their expectations for U.S. economic growth next year while raising the forecasted inflation rate in their latest outlook.
Southwest Michigan First receives $100M gift to build career, technical education center
Written by Kate CarlsonKALAMAZOO — Plans for a Career and Technical Education Center in Kalamazoo County are moving forward following anonymous gifts of $100 million and property for the project, economic development officials announced today.
Butcher’s Union, O’Tooles owners plan new tapas restaurant off Bridge Street
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The owners of Butcher’s Union and O’Toole’s Public House are planning another restaurant just off of Bridge Street on Grand Rapids’ west side.
PLAINFIELD TWP. — Architecture and engineering firm Progressive AE Inc. has joined a national challenge calling for all new buildings, developments and major renovations to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Jenison manufacturer invests $9M to keep up with surge in thermal packaging demand
Written by Jayson BussaJENISON — To meet surging demand for its products, Cellulose Material Solutions LLC is planning a $9 million investment to add a second production line and an expansion at its existing facility in Jenison.
Grand Rapids to consider $22M in brownfield incentives for 8-story Spectrum Health development
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health has filed a Brownfield Plan Amendment for its new Center for Transformation and Innovation, an eight-story office tower planned for the Monroe North neighborhood near downtown Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids-based asset liquidation firm Liquid Asset Partners LLC has formed a joint venture with a Chicago-area company to focus on retail inventory and store closing liquidations.
TowerPinkster and Indiana-based Kovert Hawkins Architects Inc. are merging to create a more geographically diverse design firm, the companies announced today.
Michigan electric cooperative to buy power from large-scale solar project in Cass County
Written by MiBiz StaffA Northern Michigan electric cooperative will buy power from a large-scale solar project being developed in Cass County.
GR-based tech company launches products to help mid-market distributors amid supply shortages
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids-based tech company has launched a new lineup of digital products tailored to the needs of mid-market distributors of all industries.
SPARTA — Adhesive tape manufacturer Tesa Tape Inc. recently started construction on an expanded facility in Sparta, which is expected to bring at least 25 new jobs to the area.
Gentex opens new aerospace opportunities with technology from recent acquisition
Written by MiBiz StaffZEELAND — A recent acquisition by Gentex Corp. will allow the Zeeland-based company to expand on its offerings to the aerospace industry.
MEDC ‘comfortable’ after steep drop in tribal revenue sharing during pandemic
By JAYSON BUSSA and JOE BOOMGAARDOfficials at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. say they are moving forward after the organization took a multi-million-dollar hit last year as revenue sharing from tribally owned casinos plummeted during pandemic-related shutdowns.
This summer, Melbourne, Fla.-based defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. sold off its Muskegon Township-based Combat Propulsion Systems operation to German defense contractor RENK Group.
Some of the smallest banks in Michigan’s market recorded the biggest growth rates in deposits during a recent 12-month period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Such an animal:’ State prepares for inevitable reconstruction of the unsafe, aging S-curve:
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The state’s new fiscal year budget that began Oct. 1 includes $10 million to study the reconstruction or potential reconfiguration of the Wealthy Street interchange on US-131 that officials have referred to as the most dangerous intersection in the state.
New Spectrum center would move low-risk cardiac procedures away from hospital
Written by Mark SanchezSpectrum Health wants to move certain cardiac catheterization procedures out of the hospital setting to a new $23.2 million outpatient surgical center planned on Grand Rapids’ northeast side.
The number of people going to Holland Hospital’s emergency room with a mental health condition grew 50 percent from 2010 to 2017.
Michigan’s newly signed state budget aims to maintain the momentum behind a variety of programs designed to help the manufacturing industry address workforce challenges.
$1.4B infusion for child care offers crucial short-term solution, advocates say
Written by Mark SanchezThe $1.4 billion injected into Michigan child care in the state’s newest budget is intended to bolster the industry at a time when most economic sectors are coping with a troubling labor shortage.
Industrial real estate continues upward trajectory as manufacturing, distribution thrives
Written by Kate CarlsonWest Michigan’s industrial real estate sector continues to outpace expectations amid record-high demand for space, leading to some new construction despite high materials costs, substantial lead times and employers struggling to fill vacant positions.
Commercial cannabis growing operations cut into industrial real estate supply
Written by Kate CarlsonThe thriving and consistently crowded industrial real estate market has recently had to accommodate an increasing number of cannabis growing and processing plants in the municipalities that allow them.
Low industrial real estate vacancy rates and ongoing construction backlogs are pushing industrial projects to more rural and outlying areas.
GR Community Media Center under scrutiny after claims by former employees, board members
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Community Media Center, a nonprofit founded in 1980 to provide community programming across various media platforms, is the subject of both internal and external reviews, MiBiz has learned.
New Steelcase CEO sees opportunity in rapidly shifting office furniture industry
Written by Jayson BussaEarly this month, longtime Steelcase Inc. corporate leader Sara Armbruster became the company’s 10th CEO in its 109-year history. Armbruster has been with Steelcase since 2007 and served as vice president of strategy, research and digital transformation since February 2018.
Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for October 10th, 2021.
West Michigan economic development organizations have launched a campaign aimed at preparing local manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technology and practices.
CASCADE TWP. — New Buell motorcycles are heading into production, and the local company behind the brand’s revival has made good on its promise to produce them in the Grand Rapids area.
Hope Network purchases Fulton Manor property for $4.1M; plans ‘large number’ of affordable housing units
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Hope Network has purchased the Fulton Manor property in Grand Rapids for $4.1 million with redevelopment plans that call for about 120 affordable housing units.
Three Rivers Health to add medical services, upgrade facilities under new partnership with Indiana health system
Written by Mark SanchezTHREE RIVERS — Becoming part of a much larger health system in Indiana should give Three Rivers Health greater ability to grow, add medical services and upgrade facilities, health system officials announced today.
HOLLAND — Family-owned furniture maker Haworth Inc. has announced a new partnership that will bring seating solutions from an industry mainstay to its collection.
GRAND RAPIDS — Sara Armbruster has taken over as president and CEO of global office furniture manufacturer Steelcase Inc., the company announced today.
The philanthropic arm of Detroit-based utility DTE Energy has awarded more than $350,000 in grants to West Michigan nonprofits to support job readiness, food and education programs.
GRAND RAPIDS — Food, technology and recycling startups were among the 10 winners to receive individual $20,000 awards at this year’s 100 competition hosted by Grand Rapids-based business incubator Start Garden LLC.
ZEELAND — Herman Miller Inc. contended with several market disruptions as it worked to integrate the newly acquired Knoll Inc. into its operations during the start of its new fiscal year.
GRAND RAPIDS — Varnum LLP has opened an office in Naples, Fla., marking the Grand Rapids-based law firm’s first location outside of Michigan.
Performance Plus adds 8 auto service stores with acquisition of Muskegon-based Van’s Car Wash
Written by MiBiz StaffWYOMING — Performance Plus Quick Oil Change Centers Inc. has added to its portfolio of oil change and car wash stores with the acquisition of Muskegon-based Van’s Car Wash Inc.
ALLEGAN — Perrigo Co. plc has agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle a tax case in Ireland that could have cost far more than what the company paid.
Women leadership across West Michigan businesses, organizations recognized at 2021 ATHENA Awards
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND 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.
‘We need to do more to compete:’ Economic development leaders raise concerns over Ford expansion outside of Michigan
Written by Jayson BussaA statewide organization of economic development leaders is sounding alarms following Ford Motor Co.’s recent announcement to venture outside of its home state to make a historic investment in electric vehicles.
Whitmer signs budget with childcare, talent development priorities; millions in one-time spending for Kent Co.
Written by Andy BalaskovitzLANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a state budget for the new fiscal year that includes hundreds of millions of dollars for childcare and talent development, as well as more than $23 million in one-time spending for various Kent County developments.
State officials select Lambert & Co., partner firm for economic development marketing
Written by Jayson BussaState officials have selected Grand Rapids-based investor and public relations firm Lambert & Co. to help develop a marketing plan to attract new companies and raise awareness about the state’s economic development services.
UFP acquires Alabama wood distributor in anticipation of growing factory-built housing demand
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Anticipating an uptick in demand for factory-built housing, Grand Rapids-based wood products manufacturer UFP Industries Inc. announced the acquisition of one of its current vendors.