GR City Commission to consider allowing some recreational marijuana businesses
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Recreational marijuana processors, growers and transporters might be allowed in Grand Rapids before the city permits recreational dispensaries to open.
Grand Rapids state of emergency, curfew expires after commissioners oppose extension
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — A 48-hour state of civil emergency and overnight curfew has expired in Grand Rapids after city commissioners largely opposed extending them today.
More physicians flock to telehealth options during COVID-19, Blue Cross Blue Shield reports
Written by Mark SanchezBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan reports a surge in the number of physicians now offering telehealth visits for patients.
Kent County ‘very vulnerable’ as businesses reopen, health director says
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Kent County is in a “very vulnerable position” with the coronavirus pandemic as businesses prepare to reopen and gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted, Health Department Director Dr. Adam London said today.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order today that moves Michigan into the next phase of a pandemic reopening plan and rescinds a statewide stay-home order in place since March 23.
GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids Community College is one of 20 colleges nationwide to receive a grant from the United States Department of Labor to provide at-risk youth with job skills training and other educational opportunities.
Grand Rapids officials responded with a 48-hour state of civil emergency and a 7 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew on Sunday and Monday nights after peaceful protests against police brutality turned violent.
DNR refunds millions in camping and lodging fees as state prepares to reopen parks, camping this month
By Marla R. MillerThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources has issued roughly $4 million in refunds for camping and lodging reservations through June 21 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to state officials.
Priority Health attributes $29.4M first quarter net loss to accounting adjustment
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Priority Health’s first quarter net loss in its HMO business stems from what’s described as a “quirky” accounting adjustment required under state regulations.
Contractors group, GR landscaper challenge Whitmer order on emergency rules
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe state chapter of a national trade group representing contractors and a Grand Rapids-based landscaping company have asked a state court to invalidate two recent executive orders by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer involving workplace safety requirements in light of COVID-19.
USDA puts $22.5M toward increasing rural broadband access in Southwest Michigan
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $22.5 million to expand rural broadband access to thousands of residents and dozens of businesses in Southwest Michigan.
Shift to eating at home during pandemic drives sales significantly higher for SpartanNash
Written by Joe BoomgaardBYRON CENTER — People eating at home during the pandemic has been a boon for sales at grocery retailer and distributor SpartanNash Co.
GRAND RAPIDS — A New York City-based developer has proposed a 240-unit affordable housing complex along Lake Michigan Drive on the city’s west side.
Uncertainty over whether the federal government will approve new stimulus funding for state and local budgets continues to cloud the future of Michigan’s multi-billion-dollar revenue shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Utilities regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission will extend shutoff protections and flexible payment options for vulnerable customers through June 12, state officials announced today.
GRAND RAPIDS — Independent Bank Corp. raised $40 million in a debt offering that comes amid the economic downturn and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nessel joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration fuel economy rollback
Written by Andy BalaskovitzMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 22 other states in challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era automobile fuel economy standards.
Integrated Architecture begins $2M renovation to move headquarters to Monroe North
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — Integrated Architecture LLC is starting construction this week to renovate a 13,600-square-foot building north of downtown into its new headquarters.
Legislation would bring property tax relief, raising concerns for local governments
Written by Andy BalaskovitzState lawmakers will consider a bill this week that waives penalties for property owners who defer payments on their summer property tax bills because of hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
A coalition of barber shops, spas and salons today urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to allow them to reopen with precautions in place.
GRAND RAPIDS — Woodland Mall will reopen June 1 with new protocols in place, including limited access and occupancy to comply with state regulations, mall officials announced today.
GRAND RAPIDS — A downtown public restroom set to break ground this week in the Grand Rapids Heartside district is meant to benefit all community members, but will also help address longstanding concerns from neighboring businesses.
GRAND RAPIDS — Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has added an urgent care telehealth service as a way to provide greater convenience and access to mental health care.
HOLLAND — Family-owned investment firm Coastal Group has acquired a Louisiana honeycomb packaging manufacturer and has moved all of the company’s operations to Holland.
GRAND RAPIDS — Office furniture maker Steelcase Inc. has called back most of its manufacturing workforce from temporary layoffs as it gets back to work to fulfill around $700 million in customer order backlogs.
Three mobility programs with a reach into West Michigan received $230,000 in state grant funding intended to address public health concerns brought on by the coronavirus.
Grand Rapids drug developer sells to Japan-based pharma company in potential $500M deal
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Drug developer Tetra Therapeutics Inc. has reached a definitive merger agreement with Japan-based pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co. Ltd. in a deal that could reach $500 million.
DTE, Consumers shareholders reject calls for more political spending disclosures
Written by Andy BalaskovitzShareholders of Michigan’s two major investor-owned utilities have recently rejected calls for more transparency on the companies’ contributions to tax-exempt nonprofit advocacy groups.
Temporary workers were some of the first people to lose manufacturing jobs when the coronavirus started to spread into the Midwest, and they also filled in the gaps left by the highly contagious virus at essential businesses.
Manufacturers tap into new vendors to meet safety protocols in wake of COVID-19
Written by Jessica YoungPeople line up early at manufacturing plants to have their temperature taken by registered nurses who were laid off from hospitals in the chaos of the COVID-19 crisis.
Workplace health screenings become the norm as state moves to next phases of reopening
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe coronavirus pandemic never shut down D&M Metal Products Co. in Comstock Park, but it did change the way employees arrive at work.
After approving more loans in six weeks than during the prior nearly 60 years combined, the U.S. Small Business Administration now looks to provide debt forgiveness to borrowers.
KALAMAZOO — The 121-year-old Continental Linen Services Inc. helps customers keep their workplaces sanitary and clean.
Seven Generations A+E transitions to remote work to deliver ongoing federal projects
Written by Joe BoomgaardKALAMAZOO — Even as construction and development projects came to a halt for several weeks as states and the nation reacted to the spread of COVID-19, Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC has remained busy.
Midwest Realty stays nimble to react to coming commercial real estate evolution
Written by Joe BoomgaardPORTAGE — The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a series of changes that could fundamentally shift the commercial real estate market in the months ahead.
Reporter's Notebook: Banker beware
Written by Mark SanchezIn a recent conference call, the president and CEO of Detroit-based TCF Financial Corp. — the parent company of what remains known in Michigan as Chemical Bank — voiced a simple ethic that all businesses, no matter their industry or their size, must keep in mind in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parent company of Grand River Bank plans $7.5M raise to ‘buttress’ existing resources
Written by Mark SanchezGRANDVILLE — The parent company for Grand River Bank wants to raise $7.5 million to provide a cushion for the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
TCF Financial Corp. approved more than 16,000 U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans for $2 billion, all while adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic as most non-branch employees transitioned to working from home.
After a day filled with showing commercial space to a potential client, Bryan Bench felt like his professional life had briefly returned to what it was before the disruption that came with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, many companies delayed the start of new internships by weeks, while a few outright canceled their programs.
Leaders at public universities, community colleges and private schools across Michigan are getting a clearer picture of their budget shortfalls resulting from COVID-19, but uncertainty still clouds enrollment prospects and future in-person learning.
A new program aims to give frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic a pathway into higher education.
‘From knowing to doing better’: Sisters Who Lead study offers ‘big wakeup call’ to employers on challenges for women of color
By Marla R. MillerDespite advanced degrees, ambition and experience, women of color in West Michigan continue to face unique challenges when it comes to getting hired and promoted, particularly for executive leadership roles, according to a new study.
Longer recession predicted without federal support for state, local budgets
Written by Andy BalaskovitzUniversity of Michigan researchers told state officials at this month’s revenue estimating conference they anticipate a gradual economic recovery in the next few years, resulting in an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent by the end of 2022.
Rescheduled. Postponed. Canceled. These are the words Michigan nonprofits are using frequently these days when talking about the status of fundraisers that are critical to the financial health of their organizations.
Q&A: Brandon Davis Office of Oversight and Public Accountability Director, City of Grand Rapids
Written by Kate CarlsonTension between Grand Rapids residents and the city’s police department spurred officials last year to create an Office of Oversight and Public Accountability. Earlier this month, Brandon Davis — the office’s interim director since August — was appointed to the job on a permanent basis.
