The Pure Michigan travel promotion returned this month with a $3 million campaign to promote the state as a winter destination.
A few West Michigan meat processors are recent beneficiaries of federal grant money to help the meat and poultry industry as it bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Defense to dispatch medical teams to GR, Detroit hospitals amid COVID-19 surge
Written by Mark SanchezThe federal government will dispatch military medical teams to Grand Rapids and the Detroit area next week to support hospitals overwhelmed with patients.
LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has appointed four officials to lead in new roles aimed at business attraction, real estate development and site readiness as the state competes for transformational projects.
LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has appointed four officials to lead in new roles aimed at business attraction, real estate development and site readiness as the state competes for transformational projects.
DETROIT — Vertically integrated cannabis company Gage Growth Corp. has secured a $55 million senior secured term loan to support retail acquisitions in Michigan and provide working capital.
UFP Industries expands global reach after affiliate acquires controlling equity position in Indian firm
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS TWP. — Wood products manufacturer UFP Industries Inc. continued its global growth by acquiring a controlling equity position in an India-based industrial packaging operation.
Spectrum Health moves back to visitor restrictions as more hospitals seek community help with COVID-19 spike
Written by Mark SanchezSpectrum Health has reinstituted visitor restrictions at all of its 13 hospitals as COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the state.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Spectrum Health to spend $117M on pay raises, bonuses to combat staffing shortages
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health is planning to spend $117 million in the coming months on pay raises and bonuses as health systems across the country deal with widespread staffing shortages.
Revenue generated by online casino gaming and sports betting has reached new record monthly highs in the state, according to data released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The Right Place expands economic development reach to Mason, Mecosta counties
Written by Andy BalaskovitzRegional economic development organization The Right Place Inc. is expanding its services to two new West Michigan counties while working with existing partners to develop full-time business attraction efforts.
Against the backdrop of several high-profile, nationwide labor disputes, many local unions are seeing an uptick in interest from independent workers.
Firms, clients rethink construction projects amid ‘unprecedented’ surge in material costs
Written by Kate CarlsonPrices and lead times for construction materials continue surging to historic levels, yet local architecture and construction firms say their workloads aren’t being adversely affected.
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health plans to spend $117 million in the coming months on higher pay and bonuses to help retain and attract workers amid a widespread health care industry staffing shortage.
Health care officials issue warnings as unvaccinated, deferred care patients push capacity
Written by Mark SanchezHealth systems and emergency medical service agencies in a 13-county region of West Michigan say they are at a “tipping point” from high patient volumes.
Individuals investing in Michigan-based businesses could seek a credit on the state’s income tax under legislation proposed in Lansing.
A recovering U.S. economy and readily available capital to finance deals are expected to drive M&A activity even higher in 2022.
Local retailers gear up for holiday season showing strong consumer confidence
Written by Kate CarlsonWith fewer COVID-19 restrictions on in-person shopping and rising consumer confidence, retail experts and small business owners hope to see an increase in holiday shopping compared to 2020
Bankers: Commercial lending remains strong despite various economic headwinds
Written by Mark SanchezGiven all that’s occurred in the past 20 months, Krista Flynn considers the present lending environment a pleasant surprise.
Borrowing could cost a little more in 2022 should the Federal Reserve follow expectations and begin raising interest rates.
GROWTH CLUSTER: Food processing sector, supply chain ramps up to meet demand
Written by Jayson BussaWith a $205 million expansion project in Holland Charter Township, frozen foods producer Request Foods Inc. is essentially doubling down on its commitment to the region where it got its start more than three decades earlier.
While Larry Bell maintains that his patrons won’t see any noticeable changes after the planned sale of his Bell’s Brewery Inc. to the parent company of New Belgium Brewing Co., the two like-minded breweries have several synergies they could leverage to unlock cost savings.
BYRON TWP. — Pam Liggett isn’t sure whether the nonprofit she leads would exist today if it wasn’t for Special Olympics Michigan Inc.’s new headquarters that’s anchoring a hub for several West Michigan nonprofits south of Grand Rapids.
Karen Tracey is set to become the majority owner of The Image Shoppe Ltd., a Grand Rapids-based brand marketing firm she helped form nearly two decades ago.
Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for November 21, 2021.
GRAND RAPIDS TWP. — Wheeler Development Group LLC is planning a 52-unit townhome community northeast of Grand Rapids.
Senators press Interior Dept. to issue findings on Grand River Bands’ petition for federal recognition
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are calling on the Department of the Interior to swiftly issue findings on the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians’ petition for federal recognition, which has been in process for 27 years.
ADA TWP. — Grand Rapids business consulting firm Gantry Business Solutions LLC has acquired Amicus Management Inc.
GR to purchase 12 new diesel, compressed natural gas fleet vehicles with help from $1.4M state grant
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — City officials will leverage more than $1.4 million in state grant funding to buy 12 new diesel- and compressed natural gas-powered fleet vehicles as part of a climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Lambert & Co. to transition leadership as Michelle Olson steps into CEO role
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — When Michelle Olson joined Lambert & Co. in 2019, she knew what she wanted to do for the integrated marketing, public relations and investor relations firm.
GRAND RAPIDS — The ongoing high demand for care both from people ill with COVID-19 and non-COVID patients who have delayed procedures has some West Michigan hospitals nearing capacity.
Aluminum extruder awarded state grant as part of $30.4M expansion in Ionia County
Written by MiBiz StaffOTISCO TWP. — Extruded Aluminum Corp. has landed $250,000 in state grant funding to support the manufacturer’s plans for a $30.4 million expansion near Belding.
Tribally owned firm invests $3M in company building advanced cancer treatment clinic in GR
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Waséyabek Development Co. LLC, the non-gaming economic development arm of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, has invested $3 million in a company developing a new clinic for advanced cancer treatment in Grand Rapids.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV: Bell’s Brewery deal latest in West Michigan craft beverage acquisitions
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Bell’s Brewery Inc.’s announcement last week that it’s selling to the parent company of New Belgium Brewing Co. sent shockwaves through Michigan’s craft beverage industry. It also represents the latest in a series of high-profile deals involving Michigan craft beverage companies.
Lacks Enterprises forms joint venture with Texas firm to supply Toyota with exterior components
Written by Jayson BussaCASCADE TWP. — Tier 1 automotive supplier Lacks Enterprises Inc. has formed a joint venture with a fellow family-owned business in Texas to supply Toyota Motor North America with exterior components.
For the ninth year, MiBiz is putting the spotlight on best practices and excellence related to mergers, acquisitions, capital formation and other types of dealmaking throughout Western Michigan. We are seeking nominations for deals completed between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31 in the following categories:
GRAND RAPIDS — Construction has started on an $18.6 million, mixed-use development with 120 apartments on Grand Rapids’ west side.
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK: Larry Bell “unsettled” by anger toward Bell’s Brewery, personal attacks
Written by Brian EdwardsBell’s Brewery Inc. Founder Larry Bell spoke at length with MiBiz Editor Brian Edwards about the Kalamazoo-based brewer's trademark dispute.
Corporate climate change goals fuel growth for Grand Rapids energy consultancy
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Increasing corporate concerns over climate change and growing energy management awareness is fueling growth for Foresight Management.
A hot M&A market should get even hotter in the coming year, according to the results of law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC’s latest annual M&A outlook survey.
South East Market, WMEAC receive federal grant to build equitable community agriculture program
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Grand Rapids-based South East Market LLC have received a nearly $127,000 federal grant to help fund a program addressing food insecurity.
Two Hudsonville food companies awarded $210K in state grants to support expansions
Written by Jayson BussaHUDSONVILLE — Two Hudsonville-based food businesses have landed a combined $210,000 in state grant money to help fund expansion projects.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has joined 20 other governors in urging Congress to enact legislation that would enable more banks and credit unions to serve the growing cannabis industry.
‘Supply chain disruption was the culprit’ as Perrigo records quarterly net sales loss
Written by Mark SanchezALLEGAN — Supply chain bottlenecks that include a truck driver shortage causing problems getting products to market cut into Perrigo Co. plc’s sales in the third quarter and led to a net loss.
Craft beer pioneer Bell’s Brewery sells to New Belgium Brewing parent company
Written by Jayson BussaKALAMAZOO — Craft brewing pioneer Bell’s Brewery Inc., known for its popular Two Hearted Ale and Oberon brands, will be transitioning to new ownership.
West Michigan hospitals receive top ratings as state ranks 10th for patient safety
Written by Mark SanchezMost hospitals in West Michigan have earned an “A” or a “B” grade in a recent biannual report card on patient safety.
GRAND RAPIDS TWP. — UFP Industries Inc. has maintained an active pipeline of acquisitions over the past several years as CEO Matt Missad maintains strong growth and a focus on diversification.
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials have taken another step toward approving $22 million in brownfield incentives for Spectrum Health’s Center for Transformation and Innovation campus.