Appeals court ruling heads off impending minimum wage, paid leave spikes
By David Eggert, Crain’s Detroit BusinessA Republican move to weaken minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives in 2018 was constitutional, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, keeping intact current wage and benefit requirements that were scheduled to spike Feb. 20 under a lower court decision.
GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Capital Network netted $37.5 million to date in its drive to raise $50 million for a fourth venture capital fund, a goal that has doubled since fundraising began in early 2022.
A Chicago organization that provides capital and other support to nonprofits looks to build momentum and reach across the west side of the state after opening an office in Grand Rapids last spring.
Whitmer highlights tax relief, workforce development plans at Grand Rapids roundtable
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a roundtable event Thursday with roughly a dozen seniors in Grand Rapids, highlighting her administration’s efforts to combat the rising cost of living through various tax cuts.
LANSING — In her fifth State of the State address, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday night laid out several proposals she said are designed to make a difference for workers, young people about to graduate and newborns.
GRAND RAPIDS — Ferris Coffee & Nut Co., a family-owned and Grand Rapids-based coffee and nut roasting business, has completed a succession plan that passes leadership to the next generation.
ZEELAND — West Michigan engineering, consulting and product development firm Disher Corp. has acquired leader-development organization Leading by Design LLC in what company executives call an “ideal fit.”
Lambert & Co. founder acquires downtown GR building for $3M to support growth
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The founder of public relations and investor relations firm Lambert & Co. has acquired a downtown Grand Rapids building to accommodate growth as well as the formation of a tech and marketing hub.
West Michigan startup selected for Gordon Food Service-backed accelerator program
Written by Joe BoomgaardA new venture from West Michigan serial entrepreneur Garrick Pohl has been selected to join a Chicago-based accelerator program launched by Wyoming-based Gordon Food Service and its innovation and investment arm Relish Works.
A change in federal law opens new options for owners considering the sale of their small business.
Battle Creek food and drink consultant expands to the East Coast
By Rachel Watson, Crain’s Detroit BusinessA Battle Creek food and beverage consulting firm has acquired a research and development team in Brooklyn that it hopes will expand its East Coast foothold and bring new ideas to Michigan.
West Michigan Sports Commission reports record year for events, visitor spending
Written by MiBiz StaffThe West Michigan Sports Commission experienced its most successful year to date in 2022 as it generated $90.5 million in direct visitor spending during a record number of events.
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MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Group envisions parks, renewable energy at former Michigan coal plants
Written by MiBiz StaffA Chicago-based environmental law group is launching a new initiative this year to work with Michigan utilities and local governments on potentially repurposing closed or soon-to-retire coal plants with public amenities and renewable energy generation.
Fishbeck boosts environmental practice in deal for SW Michigan-based Envirologic
Written by Kate CarlsonCASCADE TWP. — Architecture and engineering firm Fishbeck is growing its environmental practice with the acquisition of Southwest Michigan’s Envirologic Technologies Inc.
Consumers Energy to open solar program for thousands more homeowners, businesses
Written by Andy BalaskovitzLANSING — State regulators have approved an agreement between Consumers Energy and more than a dozen interest groups that will open a solar energy program to potentially thousands more homeowners and businesses.
Charles Lepper started this week as the 11th president of Grand Rapids Community College, succeeding Bill Pink, who took a job in July 2022 as the president of Ferris State University.
GR steel distributor enters stainless, aluminum industry with largest acquisition to date
Written by MiBiz StaffCASCADE TWP. — West Michigan flat-rolled carbon steel distributor Mill Steel Co. is expanding into the stainless steel and aluminum metal markets following the acquisition of distributors in Ohio and Illinois.
Michigan’s chief mobility officer to step down — for a year of travel
By Kurt Nagl, Crain’s Detroit BusinessThe state's first chief mobility officer is on the move.
Homeowner assistance toolbox to help expand housing options in Charlevoix County
Written by Kate CarlsonCHARLEVOIX — Charlevoix County is exploring accessory dwelling units as a pathway to expand housing options, and will offer homeowners a step-by-step guide to consider creating such units on their property.
Mixed-use building, adjacent properties in GR’s Monroe North district sell for $22.6M
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A large mixed-use development in Grand Rapids’ active Monroe North business district, along with an adjacent parcel and nearby parking lot open for future development, sold for $22.6 million at the end of 2022.
West Michigan trucking operation to shut down, sell fleet
By Rachel Watson, Crain’s Detroit BusinessAmid rising costs and a national decline in freight volume, a family-owned business in West Michigan is closing its trucking division and selling its fleet.
Quentin Messer Jr. will remain head of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. under a new four-year contract announced today by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
‘Power plants to parklands’: Initiative explores public access, clean energy at former Michigan coal plants
Written by Andy BalaskovitzA Midwest environmental law group is launching a “major new” initiative this year to work with utilities, municipalities and conservation groups to study the potential reuse of Michigan coal plants as public parkland as well as renewable energy production.
Sault Tribe hires new law firm to seek relief from $88.8M ruling for casino damages
Written by MiBiz StaffThe Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will seek relief and potentially appeal a recent circuit court ruling against its gaming entity for nearly $89 million in damages for two failed casino projects, and hire a new law firm as legal counsel.
MiBiz Growth Report: Jan. 16, 2023
Written by MiBiz StaffA roundup of mergers and acquisitions, expansions and other briefs across West Michigan.
People in the news: Jan. 16, 2023
Written by MiBiz StaffHere are the staffing announcements from the Jan. 16, 2023 print edition.
Reconnect reforms boost program flexibility; advocates seek to lower minimum age to 21
Written by Andy BalaskovitzLate last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a pair of bills into law that aim to boost participation in a free statewide community college tuition program by shifting reporting requirements and allowing more flexibility in class scheduling.
Survey: Low pay, child care constraints hold back West Michigan labor participation
Written by Mark SanchezPeople in West Michigan indicate that low pay and the inability to find affordable child care are two key factors keeping them out of the workforce.
CRAFTY MOVE: Cannabis microbusinesses emphasize local products, customer experience
Written by Kate CarlsonWest Michigan’s few cannabis microbusinesses are taking a page out of the craft brewery handbook with a clear focus on customer experience and an emphasis on locally produced products.
Venture capital investors put more money into Michigan-based companies last year, even as deal volume declined.
Housing projects in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Spring Lake and Three Rivers received nearly $6.1 million in the latest round of Low Income Housing Tax Credits administered by the state.
Sip Shine tasting room, restaurant, rooftop bar OK’d for Grand Rapids’ west side
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Moonshine and canned cocktail marketer Sip Shine LLC plans to bring a new nightlife experience to Grand Rapids’ west side this spring at the former Harmony Hall building.
GRAND RAPIDS — After a tumultuous year of internal dissension, as well as internal and external reviews based on allegations of executive wrongdoing, the Grand Rapids Community Media Center has regained its footing under a new leader.
CALEDONIA TWP. — Davenport University plans to ramp up academic programs to bring more professionals into the mental health field.
Michigan Turkey Producers awarded $1.5M federal grant to bolster processing capacity
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Turkey Producers Co-Op Inc. has received $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bolster its meat processing capacity.
Ottawa County employers and business advocates have expressed growing discontent since a new slate of commissioners voted on Jan. 3 to abolish the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion department.
COMSTOCK PARK — West Michigan Whitecaps executives have announced a five-year, multi-phase plan to upgrade their home facilities at LMCU Ballpark.
Michigan physicians group wants state to provide financial aid to cope with rising costs
Written by Mark SanchezThe financial pressures that have many U.S. hospitals and health systems operating at a loss also are battering the finances for physician practices nationwide.
Dwelling Place set to break ground on 42-unit community land trust housing project
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Nonprofit housing developer Dwelling Place plans to break ground this spring on a years-long project to build 42 homes in Grand Rapids’ Garfield Park Neighborhood.
Gazelle Sports CEO talks growth and battling back from pandemic-related losses
By Jay Davis, Crain’s Detroit BusinessGazelle Sports CEO Jennifer Brummitt took her position at an interesting time. The 40-year-old, who has worked with Gazelle in various capacities since 2003, became the Kalamazoo-based company’s first CEO in July 2020.
GR developer plans 10-story, riverside mixed-use project with 140 residential units
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A 10-story, mixed-use building with 140 residential units would replace two mostly vacant office buildings along the Grand River as part of a developer’s plan to add housing and public river access to a former industrial part of the city.
CALEDONIA — Aspen Surgical Products Inc. has named Steve Blazejewski as CEO as part of an executive succession plan.
LaFontaine Automotive Group adds second GR-area store with deal for Pfeiffer Lincoln
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — LaFontaine Automotive Group LLC is adding to its West Michigan market presence with a deal to acquire Grand Rapids-based Pfeiffer Lincoln Inc.
Mid-Michigan energy storage company raising $50M to boost production as renewables come online
Written by Andy BalaskovitzCLARE — A mid-Michigan energy storage manufacturer is raising $50 million in capital to scale up production of its lead-acid battery technology, which executives say will be crucial to accompany growing amounts of intermittent renewable energy generation.
West Michigan’s industrial economy ended 2022 in a downward trend.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Report tracks growth for lakeshore companies despite challenges
Written by MiBiz StaffEconomic development organization Lakeshore Advantage Corp. last month released a report highlighting growth among companies in Allegan and Ottawa counties despite ongoing labor and supply chain headwinds.
New RoMan Manufacturing president overseeing ‘unprecedented’ company growth
Written by Andy BalaskovitzNelson Sanchez took the helm at Grand Rapids-area industrial power systems manufacturer RoMan Manufacturing Inc. this month as the first non-family president in the company’s 42-year history.
Proposed FTC rule would ban use of non-competes blocking workers from jobs at competitors
Written by Mark SanchezFederal trade regulators want to ban the use of non-compete agreements that some employers use to keep workers from taking a job at an industry competitor.
