Economic Development
Analyst: Michigan to ‘almost certainly’ reach $1 billion in revenue in first year of online gambling
Written by Jayson BussaInternet casino gaming and sports betting operators in Michigan reached a new benchmark in September, combining for $126.1 million in gross revenue for the month.
Southwest Michigan First receives $100M gift to build career, technical education center
Written by Kate CarlsonKALAMAZOO — Plans for a Career and Technical Education Center in Kalamazoo County are moving forward following anonymous gifts of $100 million and property for the project, economic development officials announced today.
Grand Rapids-based asset liquidation firm Liquid Asset Partners LLC has formed a joint venture with a Chicago-area company to focus on retail inventory and store closing liquidations.
GR-based tech company launches products to help mid-market distributors amid supply shortages
Written by Jayson BussaGRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids-based tech company has launched a new lineup of digital products tailored to the needs of mid-market distributors of all industries.
‘Such an animal:’ State prepares for inevitable reconstruction of the unsafe, aging S-curve:
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The state’s new fiscal year budget that began Oct. 1 includes $10 million to study the reconstruction or potential reconfiguration of the Wealthy Street interchange on US-131 that officials have referred to as the most dangerous intersection in the state.
MEDC ‘comfortable’ after steep drop in tribal revenue sharing during pandemic
By JAYSON BUSSA and JOE BOOMGAARDOfficials at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. say they are moving forward after the organization took a multi-million-dollar hit last year as revenue sharing from tribally owned casinos plummeted during pandemic-related shutdowns.
$1.4B infusion for child care offers crucial short-term solution, advocates say
Written by Mark SanchezThe $1.4 billion injected into Michigan child care in the state’s newest budget is intended to bolster the industry at a time when most economic sectors are coping with a troubling labor shortage.
Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for October 10th, 2021.
GRAND RAPIDS — Food, technology and recycling startups were among the 10 winners to receive individual $20,000 awards at this year’s 100 competition hosted by Grand Rapids-based business incubator Start Garden LLC.
GRAND RAPIDS — Varnum LLP has opened an office in Naples, Fla., marking the Grand Rapids-based law firm’s first location outside of Michigan.
‘We need to do more to compete:’ Economic development leaders raise concerns over Ford expansion outside of Michigan
Written by Jayson BussaA statewide organization of economic development leaders is sounding alarms following Ford Motor Co.’s recent announcement to venture outside of its home state to make a historic investment in electric vehicles.
Whitmer signs budget with childcare, talent development priorities; millions in one-time spending for Kent Co.
Written by Andy BalaskovitzLANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a state budget for the new fiscal year that includes hundreds of millions of dollars for childcare and talent development, as well as more than $23 million in one-time spending for various Kent County developments.
State officials select Lambert & Co., partner firm for economic development marketing
Written by Jayson BussaState officials have selected Grand Rapids-based investor and public relations firm Lambert & Co. to help develop a marketing plan to attract new companies and raise awareness about the state’s economic development services.
Michigan’s recreational cannabis market has experienced swift changes in the three years since 56 percent of voters statewide just said yes.
MiBiz Growth Report: Sept. 26, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffThis is the MiBiz growth report for September 26, 2021.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latest Census findings play vital role for West Michigan economic developers
Written by Andy BalaskovitzNew U.S. Census findings that show some of the state’s strongest population growth is occurring in West Michigan provide an opportunity to help attract talent during an ongoing labor shortage.
Leslie Wyman has led the West Michigan Cannabis Guild since May after serving as the organization’s treasurer. Before the Guild officially formed in 2019, its founding members played a role in getting the Proposal 1 ballot initiative in front of voters that was eventually successful in legalizing recreational cannabis in Michigan.
MiBiz Growth Report: August 29, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffHere's the MiBiz Growth Report for August 29, 2021.
MEDC leader: State must 'aggressively' focus on retaining, recruiting businesses
Written by Mark SanchezMichigan’s new economic chief says the state needs to become more aggressive in retaining and nurturing existing business and seeking investment from outside of the state.
Biz groups call on Congress to pass $1.2T infrastructure bill, stop ‘playing politics’
Written by Andy BalaskovitzRepresentatives from local, statewide and national chambers of commerce are calling on congressional lawmakers to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill they say is critical to support local growth and talent attraction.
Housing nonprofits are scrambling to distribute unprecedented amounts of federal funding to renters at risk of becoming homeless as a scaled-back national eviction moratorium is temporarily extended.
Al Vanderberg is leaving his role as Ottawa County administrator, which he has held since 2003, after recently accepting a position as Kent County administrator/controller.
MiBiz Growth Report: August 15, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffHere's the MiBiz growth report for August 15, 2021.
Michigan’s economic growth may ease during the third quarter, picking up again in late 2021 and into next year as manufacturers continue to deal with constrained supply chains and labor shortages, according to a new outlook.
Survey: Michigan executives expect state, U.S. economies to remain on track over the next year
Written by Mark SanchezA vast majority of executives surveyed by Business Leaders for Michigan expects the U.S. and state economies to remain on the current pace or grow over the next six months to a year.
The Grand Rapids Griffins are partnering with an Irvine, Calif.-based business to revamp the organization’s ticketing solutions.
LANSING — Franchised moving company Two Men and a Truck/International Inc. has been sold to a leading provider of residential and commercial cleaning, restoration and moving services.
Congress will inevitably relax decades-old federal restrictions on cannabis, West Michigan industry experts say, but how and when lawmakers will act are key unanswered questions that could determine who gains access to the market.
Airport officials in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Muskegon have yet to see passenger travel fully rebound to 2019 levels, but they remain optimistic about the gradual return of business travel and their ability to support capital investments.
TRAVERSE CITY — High Street Insurance Partners Inc. now ranks as one of the top acquirers of insurance brokerages in the country.
LGBTQ ballot initiative regroups, readies court challenge after signature setback
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe committee behind a statewide ballot initiative to expand civil rights protections for LGBTQ people is prepared for a legal battle after state election officials ruled the campaign had an insufficient number of public signatures to advance the proposal.
After serving as CEO of Dallas-based Borden Dairy Co., Tony Sarsam took the reins of Byron Center-based grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash Co. (Nasdaq:SPTN) last September during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MiBiz Growth Report: August 1, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffHere is the MiBiz growth report for August 1, 2021.
Catholic Church bankrolling opposition to biz-backed LGBTQ rights expansion
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe Michigan Catholic Conference has contributed nearly $240,000 to a campaign committee opposing a business-backed initiative to expand Michigan’s civil rights law to include protections for LGBTQ individuals.
KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo Wings have finalized an affiliation partnership for the upcoming season with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and their American Hockey League partner, the Cleveland Monsters.
GRAND RAPIDS — The CEO of Gun Lake Investments — the economic development arm of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians, or Gun Lake Tribe — has resigned after six years in the position.
West Michigan employers report stable or increasing sales despite ongoing talent, supply chain challenges
Written by Mark SanchezEmployers in West Michigan have recovered relatively well from the depths of the economic hit from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions, according to economic development organization The Right Place Inc.
Online casino gaming and sports betting activity in Michigan continues to crawl through the traditional summer slowdown.
Keith Mitchell recalled a time during his football playing days at the University of Michigan when he and other players volunteered at a football camp in the Detroit area. The coach hosting the camp charged hundreds of dollars per participant and drew a crowd of roughly a thousand.
MiBiz Growth Report: July 19, 2021
Written by MiBiz StaffHere is the MiBiz Growth Report for July 19, 2021.