GRAND RAPIDS — Goodrich Quality Theaters Inc., a Grand Rapids-based chain of 30 movie theaters in five states, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.
GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids-based Jedco Inc. is expanding and planning to move from its current location.
West Michigan energy developer partners with Muskegon Heights on solar projects
Written by Andy BalaskovitzMUSKEGON — A West Michigan solar energy developer that has focused on equity and job training in low-income communities will partner with the city of Muskegon Heights to install solar panels on five city-owned properties.
GRAND HAVEN — A $5 million private equity investment supports UV Angel’s move toward the marketplace with a new product that cleans the air in hospitals and other facilities.
ADA — About 15 feet away from its current facility, Dan Vos Construction Co. is building a new headquarters.
ALLEGAN — Perrigo Co. plc “hit on all cylinders” in the fourth quarter as sales growth picked up toward the end of 2019.
WALKER — Howard Miller Clock Co. of Zeeland has divested its wood furniture manufacturing division to Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Roll & Hill Furniture LLC.
HOLT — Business Management Resources Inc., a provider of managed accounting services to restaurant chains, has been acquired by Cincinnati, Ohio-based accounting and advisory firm Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co.
ZEELAND — Furniture maker Herman Miller Inc. is partnering with a division of Logitech International for the research, design and manufacture of furniture solutions for esports athletes and gamers.
Dykstra IT LLC, a provider of fully managed information technology services, recently merged into Quantum Leap Inc., a telecommunications provider.
GRAND RAPIDS — Steelcase Inc. has divested coated steel manufacturer PolyVision Corp. to an affiliate of Industrial Opportunity Partners, an Evanston, Ill.-based private equity firm.
ALLEGAN — Perrigo Co. plc plans to buy the oral product line from Stamford, Conn.-based High Ridge Brands Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in December.
Amway sales dip 5 percent in 2019
Written by Jessica YoungADA — Direct-selling giant Amway Corp. generated $8.4 billion in sales for 2019, down 5 percent from 2018, according to an announcement today.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today formed a task force that will look at how to lower the cost of prescription drugs in Michigan.
Bills altering Michigan’s certificate-of-need regulations for the health care industry have cleared their first hurdle, although two key reform proposals were held back from action.
Five companies in Western Michigan received $100,000 each in Rural Development Fund grants from the state.
Twelve Michigan-based Native American tribes will receive nearly $15 million in federal grants to support affordable housing for their communities.
GRAND RAPIDS — Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has purchased two parcels in Grand Rapids for future expansion, MiBiz has learned.
GRAND RAPIDS — Charter Capital Partners represented Hancock-based Keweenaw Financial Corp., the parent company of Superior National Bank & Trust, in the $42 million acquisition of North Star Financial Holdings Inc.
ZEELAND — A manufacturer of pet products and distributor of small reptiles is expanding its existing Zeeland Charter Township location.
ADA — Global direct-selling giant Amway Corp. is eliminating approximately 50 marketing and R&D positions in West Michigan in the final wave of local layoffs that began in 2018.
GRAND RAPIDS — A state lawmaker expects action in Lansing within the next few weeks to restore funding for the Pure Michigan tourism campaign.
WALKER — A final mile logistics company that lost a contract to deliver packages for e-commerce giant Amazon.com is closing its facility in West Michigan.
CASCADE TOWNSHIP — Supply chain management and warehouse supply company JetCo Federal Supply is expanding with a new space in the Grand Rapids area.
KALAMAZOO — Bronson Healthcare Group plans to develop a new $21 million outpatient surgical center for orthopedic cases.
WYOMING — Industrial scales and weighing systems supplier D.C. Martin & Sons Scales Inc. has been purchased by Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
GRAND HAVEN — The J.B. Sims power plant in Grand Haven burned its last supply of coal this month, but local officials are still debating plans for the city’s long-term energy portfolio.
HOLLAND — Shoulder Innovations Inc. intends to use $2.2 million in capital raised from investors to support the launch of a new shoulder implant device that recently received regulatory approval, plus develop new products.
West Michigan-based suppliers of aerospace giant Boeing Co. continue to weigh their ability to bear higher costs during the company’s temporary suspension of production.
Core elements of the federal Affordable Care Act could become state law if legislators in Lansing enact proposals backed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Criminal justice reform can help address workforce development, biz group says
Written by Andy BalaskovitzA series of recommendations from a state joint task force on reducing Michigan’s ballooning jail population can also address workforce development challenges, says a leading West Michigan business group.
GRAND RAPIDS — As competition in the rental housing market heats up across West Michigan, property managers are turning to new kinds of exclusive amenities for their residents.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal would restore funding for a training program for skilled trades that the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has championed for years.
Fixing talent constraints starts with cultural change, partnering with higher ed
Written by Mark SanchezThe talent needs of employers are a constantly moving target that requires companies to foster and maintain close ties with educators to keep up with the demands of the 21st century economy.
As one of the first students to graduate from a workforce development program funded by heavy metal band Metallica, Krista Steffens developed skills that sparked her creativity and fueled under her career.
Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in consumer spending, but researchers and state officials say ongoing work is needed to understand how the industry can be used as an economic development tool.
Anewly formed partnership involving six outdoor recreation and conservation groups wants to protect and maintain Michigan’s public lands for generations to come.
Muskegon County officials are hoping the possible purchase of 377 acres of private land will increase the quality of life and help with talent attraction.
Nonprofits that depend on private donations and often publicly honor major gifts are increasingly finding themselves in ethically complicated spots when donors become embroiled in scandals.
Christina Keller has led family-owned plastic-injection molding manufacturer Cascade Engineering Inc. since 2018. Keller recently spoke at an event focused on women’s leadership and increasing opportunities for women and others in the West Michigan workforce, and detailed the efforts Cascade Engineering has taken to increase diversity and foster an inclusive working environment. A 10-year veteran of Cascade Engineering, Keller spoke with MiBiz about why being inclusive is important for West Michigan businesses that want to keep growing.
This is the MiBiz growth report for February 16, 2020.
The U.S. economy maintained moderate growth to start 2020, although the coronavirus crisis in China could cause problems.
Acrisure gives $15 million for children’s health innovation center at Spectrum Health
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Insurance broker Acrisure LLC pledged $15 million to Spectrum Health to create a virtual innovation center for children’s health.
