GRAND RAPIDS — Regional economic development organization The Right Place Inc. recently announced new partnerships that would bring its services and expertise to Mason and Mecosta counties in West Michigan.

A recovering U.S. economy and readily available capital to finance deals are expected to drive M&A activity even higher in 2022.

Given all that’s occurred in the past 20 months, Krista Flynn considers the present lending environment a pleasant surprise.

GRAND RAPIDS — Bell’s Brewery Inc.’s announcement last week that it’s selling to the parent company of New Belgium Brewing Co. sent shockwaves through Michigan’s craft beverage industry. It also represents the latest in a series of high-profile deals involving Michigan craft beverage companies.

A hot M&A market should get even hotter in the coming year, according to the results of law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC’s latest annual M&A outlook survey.

GRAND RAPIDS — A venture capital fund that plans to invest in minority-owned businesses has named Ollie Howie as its first managing director.

The first managing director of a venture capital fund that plans to invest in businesses owned by people of color sees an opportunity to pioneer an initiative for greater economic diversity in West Michigan.

GRAND RAPIDS — Private equity firm Blackford Capital has added to its holdings in the hospitality sector with the acquisition of ID Collaborative Inc., a Greensboro, N.C.-based interior design firm.

NORTON SHORES — Nichols Paper & Supply Co., a Norton Shores-based distributor of paper, industrial packaging and sanitary supplies, has been acquired by a New Jersey-based distributor with deep experience in food service packaging and janitorial supplies.

SPARTA — ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. reported strong earnings growth over the third quarter from a year earlier that included merger-related expenses.

GRAND RAPIDS — Independent Bank Corp. recorded lower third-quarter earnings from a year earlier, though year-to-date profits have grown by more than 28 percent.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer seeks to inject $200 million into Michigan technology startups using federal pandemic relief funds.

CrossLiner Inc. secured a $2 million venture capital investment in the third quarter that will help the company move closer to the marketplace with a new cardiac catheterization device.

Comerica Inc. economists have lowered their expectations for U.S. economic growth next year while raising the forecasted inflation rate in their latest outlook.

Some of the smallest banks in Michigan’s market recorded the biggest growth rates in deposits during a recent 12-month period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan cannabis companies should be able to readily secure the insurance coverage they need, but they face a lack of choice in the market compared to other industries.

Local roads, fire departments, parks and development projects are just some of the ways that Michigan municipalities allowing retail recreational cannabis sales are spending their first yearly allocation of cannabis excise tax revenue.

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 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.

The path that Jeff Williams charted years ago was designed to ensure that Grand Wealth Management LLC continues well past his eventual retirement.

ADA — 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.

TRAVERSE CITY — The $3.1 billion deal to combine Hagerty Insurance Group LLC with Aldel Financial Inc. would create a publicly traded company that expects to maintain significant growth.

Union Bank plans to move its corporate office to a new facility now under construction in Grand Rapids Township.

TRAVERSE CITY — Specialty auto insurer Hagerty Group LLC will combine with special purpose acquisition company Aldel Financial Inc. in a $3 billion deal that would make Hagerty a publicly traded company once the merger closes.

Businesses that received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan and are growing or intend to seek financing for an expansion should apply for loan forgiveness as soon as possible, according to bankers.

A statewide loan fund that provides growth capital to rapidly growing businesses expects to start doing deals soon after agreements with its initial investors have been finalized.

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Capital Network plans to form a fourth venture capital fund.

GRAND RAPIDS — Independent Bank Corp.’s earnings declined in the second quarter from the prior year, largely because of lower non-interest income and higher non-interest expenses.

GRAND RAPIDS — Sports technology firm MaxOne LLC announced this week that it has raised $3.5 million in capital, which includes an investment from professional basketball star Chris Paul.

GRAND RAPIDS — Mercantile Bank Corp. more than doubled earnings for the second quarter as growth in commercial and residential mortgage lending remained strong.