GRAND RAPIDS — The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Friday to sell the school’s 11-acre property located along East Beltline Avenue Southeast for $6.25 million.
Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing breaks ground on $50M Grand Rapids expansion
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Inc. broke ground today on another expansion to accommodate growth.
West Michigan contractors recognized in ABC’s 2021 Excellence in Construction Awards
Written by Kate CarlsonNORTON SHORES — Kentwood-based First Companies Inc. and Zeeland-based Town & Country Group Inc. have been recognized by a regional trade group as the top companies in West Michigan for jobsite safety and instilling values throughout their corporate culture.
Online casino gaming and poker play achieved record revenues for statewide operators in August, bringing in $97.2 million during the month, according to figures released Thursday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
WALKER — Greatland Corp., which provides tax reporting services to businesses nationwide, has acquired a New York firm that provides W-2 and 1099 preparation forms and software.
GALESBURG — Indiana-based fiber optic provider MetroNet, which services clients across the U.S., announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Southwest Michigan-based fiber optic internet provider CTS Telecom Inc.
GRAND RAPIDS — Sportsman Tracker Inc., creator of the HuntWise mobile app, announced this week that it has sold the business to a Texas-based company that offers online recreational safety education and certification programs.
GRAND RAPIDS — Acrisure LLC has hired a new chief financial officer who comes from The Walt Disney Co. and will play a key role in helping the company grow beyond the core insurance business.
GRAND RAPIDS — The stalled redevelopment of a vacant church into apartment units on Grand Rapids’ west side is back on track.
New MiEN Co. HQ planned at former Baker Furniture building along GR riverfront
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Education-focused furniture manufacturer MiEN Co. plans to consolidate its Walker-based operations into a new headquarters at the former Baker Furniture property along the Grand River in Grand Rapids.
West Michigan startup plans subscription-based home battery, electric vehicle charging system
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND HAVEN — A West Michigan-based startup in the early stages of raising capital wants to lower the cost of and better manage energy storage and electric vehicle charging in homes.
Disability Advocates of Kent County announces new $2.5 million HQ, accessibility showroom
Written by Kate CarlsonBYRON TWP. — Disability Advocates of Kent County is launching the public phase of a $2.5 million fundraising campaign to move its headquarters and create an accessibility showroom at a nonprofit hub under development in Byron Township.
Mixed-use Warner Building development, Haymarket Plaza completed in Kalamazoo
Written by Kate CarlsonKALAMAZOO — Construction on the downtown mixed-use Warner Building that houses several prominent organizations and dozens of apartments is now completed, developers announced Monday.
GRAND RAPIDS — MiBiz Inc. has selected manufacturing and economic development executive Justine Burdette as the new associate publisher of the regional business publication.
BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Co. plans to invest roughly $45 million to reorganize its North American supply chain network, a move that already has had a negative effect on workers in its hometown of Battle Creek.
Overseas yacht builder connects with Holland manufacturer to produce unique boats
Written by Jayson BussaWhen Gordon Kay sought a manufacturer to build a new model of performance sailing yachts, he initially didn’t even consider the U.S. as a destination for production.
Downtown GR office vacancy increases; experts clash on when space could be filled
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Rental rates are rising for prime downtown Grand Rapids office space, but vacancy rates are also up significantly compared to previous years, according to a recent report from global real estate services firm JLL.
GRAND RAPIDS — Alyson and Mallory Caillaud-Jones were planning to open a bakery in a shared kitchen space when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing the sisters instead to search for a singular brick-and-mortar location for their small business.
GRAND RAPIDS TWP. — Relocating its headquarters closer to Grand Rapids will give Union Bank a bigger presence in a market that’s been generating growth for a few years.
As the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations steadily rise in Michigan, business and health care advocates say getting more people vaccinated remains paramount to ending the pandemic and avoiding further economic damage.
Minority-owned family businesses seek wealth-building, representation for future generations
Written by Kate CarlsonWhen Jermale and Anissa Eddie opened Malamiah Juice Bar LLC in 2013, the couple aimed to be role models not just for their three sons, but also for the rest of the Black and brown community.
Succession planning on family farms comes with high stakes for future land use
Written by Jayson BussaAnna Link and the rest of her family at Swisslane Dairy Farms Inc. encounter plenty of tough jobs on their 2,000-cattle farm in Alto.
Tiara Yachts founder retires as new generations enter the family business
Written by Andy BalaskovitzHOLLAND — Leon Slikkers’ recent retirement as chairman of Tiara Yachts Inc. marks a new chapter for the family business, which has seen a boom in recent years as younger generations consider joining the company.
Family-owned manufacturing companies are facing similar challenges as the industry at large as succession planning is complicated by an aging workforce.
The path that Jeff Williams charted years ago was designed to ensure that Grand Wealth Management LLC continues well past his eventual retirement.
Bill would temporarily expand charitable gaming for nonprofits after pandemic shutdowns
Written by Andy BalaskovitzBipartisan statewide legislation introduced earlier this summer would temporarily waive fees and expand opportunities for charitable gaming events in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diversity, equity, inclusion expert to start in new role for Muskegon Community College
Written by Andy BalaskovitzOn Sept. 20, Ken James will move to a newly created administrative role at Muskegon Community College to help lead the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy. To James, that means serving four distinct constituencies: students, faculty and staff, the community at large, and businesses.
MiBiz Growth Report: Sept. 12, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffThis is the MiBiz growth report for September 12, 2021.
Cloud Cannabis acquires Kalamazoo-area growing facility, announces new partnership with California cannabis brand
Written by Kate CarlsonKALAMAZOO TWP. — Cloud Cannabis Co. has acquired a 70,000-square-foot commercial grow facility in Kalamazoo from cannabis company KKind.
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Local Development Finance Authority has approved an agreement for Spartan Innovations L3C and Start Garden Inc. to collaborate and manage the city’s SmartZone business incubator and related tech business support services.
KALAMAZOO — Foodservice and consumer brand packaging manufacturer Fabri-Kal Corp. has reached a definitive agreement to sell to Pactiv Evergreen Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $380 million.
Service Express acquires U.K. data center services firm, bolstering international business
Written by MiBiz StaffGRAND RAPIDS — Third-party data center maintenance service provider Service Express LLC has bolstered its international presence with the acquisition of a U.K.-based firm.
Amazon to build Lansing-area fulfillment center, create 500 new jobs as part of latest Michigan expansion
Written by MiBiz StaffDELTA TWP. — Amazon.com Inc. announced today that it will start building its first fulfillment center in the mid-Michigan region, a move that’s expected to bring 500 new full-time jobs to the area.
Perrigo plans $2.1 billion acquisition to mark ‘crowning achievement’ in transition to self-care company
Written by Mark SanchezPerrigo Co. plc plans to buy a European maker of over-the-counter self-care products for $2.1 billion in cash, the company announced today.
Leon Slikkers retires from Tiara Yachts after 75 years in boating industry
Written by Andy BalaskovitzHOLLAND — Leon Slikkers, a marine industry fixture whose boat-building career dates back to the 1940s, is retiring from Holland-based Tiara Yachts Inc., the company announced today.
ChoiceOne Bank raises $32.5 million to support growth plans, shareholder value
Written by Mark SanchezSPARTA — ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. has raised $32.5 million in capital through a private placement of subordinate debt.
Bronson Healthcare to start construction on $19.3 million surgery center after pandemic delays
Written by Mark SanchezKALAMAZOO — Bronson Healthcare plans to proceed next month with construction on a $19.3 million outpatient surgery center that was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four new solar projects set to come online next year for Consumers Energy
Written by Andy BalaskovitzConsumers Energy expects to start purchasing power next year from four new solar projects that will add more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy to the utility’s generation mix.
Delta variant, microchip shortage to stall Michigan economy through 2021, according to University of Michigan economists
Written by Mark SanchezMichigan’s economy will feel the effects through the rest of 2021 from the coronavirus delta variant and the ongoing computer microchip shortage that’s been hindering automotive production, according to University of Michigan economists.
KENTWOOD — Jason Spaulding recalled in the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the bar and restaurant industry and left him sitting on 400 kegs of dead beer.
Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health have signed a formal integration agreement to advance plans for a blockbuster merger, the health systems announced today.
Van Andel Research Institute to pay $1.1M to settle more DOJ allegations over failure to disclose foreign ties to grants
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Van Andel Research Institute has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle more allegations of undisclosed foreign ties involving federal research grants, the U.S. Department of Justice announced today.
Century Technology Group adds third tech company to portfolio with latest acquisition
Written by Andy BalaskovitzADA — Century Technology Group Inc. continues to add to its portfolio of technology-focused companies with the acquisition of a Grand Haven-based emerging tech and media firm.
West Michigan Construction Institute facility slated to open in 2022, aid in construction labor shortage
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A hub for talent recruitment, skills development and job placement is expected to open early next year in Grand Rapids in hopes of filling the workforce pipeline for West Michigan construction jobs.
Crain’s Detroit: Regulators reviewing Spectrum, Beaumont merger ahead of fall closing
By DUSTIN WALSHThe U.S. Federal Trade Commission is in the middle of its antitrust review of the proposed merger between Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health.
Amid growth, Dematic shifts focus to automation as pandemic exposes new customer needs
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — As an executive at a global company serving firms in the e-commerce, logistics and warehousing spaces, Mike Larsson has noticed the needs of his customers change dramatically over the last year.
Biersack named Mercy Health Saint Mary’s president amid new partnerships, staff COVID-19 fatigue
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Dr. Matt Biersack brings deep roots with Mercy Health Saint Mary’s to his role as president.
Faith-based care provider eyes future growth beyond latest Newaygo expansion
Written by Mark SanchezA new medical office in Newaygo could become the start of a far broader expansion across Michigan and perhaps nationally for Christian Healthcare Centers Inc.