West Michigan In The News

The re-development of downtown Muskegon from a deserted mall to a thriving urban center has attracted a variety of future-oriented companies to the city center. A local manufacturer of energy efficient products is the latest to move its headquarters to where the action is.

According to excerpts from the story:

MUSKEGON — EarthTronics Inc., a new company here that markets award-winning "green" CFL light bulbs and plans to produce a miniature wind turbine for consumers next spring, has just taken possession of commercial condo space for its corporate headquarters at the new Hines Building downtown.

Dave TenCate of Capstone Real Estate LLC of Grand Haven, which owns the Hines Building with Clifford Buck Construction, said the deal with EarthTronics closed last Wednesday. The purchase price for the entire third floor of the building — 10,400 square feet — was not disclosed.

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Pioneer Construction President Tim Schowalter says that the same actions the company took to practice sustainability were the practices ABC wants to honor with certification. He believes the designation gives credibility to Pioneer's efforts to be a leader in sustainability and will help it grow in the future.

According to excerpts from the story.

Whereas the U.S. Green Building Council awards LEED certification to specific projects and LEED accreditation to individual professionals, ABC awards the green-contractor certification to a company. Many of the prerequisites deal with sustainable practices in the office — like reusing and recycling paper and purchasing Energy Star electronics.

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 Allegan County is considered one of four regions in Michigan presenting the highest potential for wind-generated electricity, according to the first of four reports to be released by Grand Valley State University's Wind Energy Assessment Study.

The study is trying to determine conflicts that might emerge with the development of wind power facilities in four coastal Lake Michigan counties: Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan.

According to excerpts from the story:

The next phase of the project includes specifically analyzing the environmental, social and economic foundations and interactions that make wind energy development a complex challenge. The team will also investigate approaches for mitigating adverse effects so net benefits of wind energy can be maximized.

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Klingman's Furniture has turned to a novel way to market its coupons by becoming the first Grand Rapids-based company to turn to the iPhone application Yowza,  a coupon-generating site created by the star of NBC's "Heroes," Greg Grunberg.

The Los Angeles-based actor says the free application differs from other coupon websites in that it's a location-based system, noting that 15,000 merchants have signed with the company.

According to excerpts from the story:

Pull up Yowza when you are somewhere in Grand Rapids, and you'll find Klingman's coupons for $150 off any Lane Sofa and 10 percent off youth furniture. The app also has deals from retail chains Pier 1 Imports, Sears, Finish Line and Guitar Center.

"It's obvious that technology is changing the whole game when it comes to attracting and retaining customers," said Ryan Kanis, vice president of merchandising at Klingman's.
"When we saw Yowza, we felt it was a perfect way to draw new customers to our store while offering our current customers a service that no other furniture retailer in this area is offering."

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The oldest social club in Grand Rapids, the Peninsular Club, will reopen Dec. 10 in space the Louis Benton Steak House once used for its bar at 77 Monroe Center NW. The 128-year-old organization had been at the intersection of Ottawa Avenue and Fountain Street  NW  for 90 years until it was forced to sell its building and close last year due to dwindling membership and financial difficulties.

According to excerpts from the story:

The Pen Club, which had 114 members as of early November, had more than a thousand members in 1997. (Annie) Hudson (club director of marketing and membership) said at one time in its history, there were as many as 1,400 members — "with a waiting list." She said the club is working hard to increase membership and has created a new membership category for "young professionals," which entails dues of $300 a year plus a minimum annual expenditure of $400 for food and beverages. Regular memberships entail annual dues of $600 plus $800 for food and beverages.

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Ford International Airport's newest airline recently launched a service from Grand Rapids to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, bringing its low-cost flight offerings up to five locations.

According to excerpts from the story:

Friday marked the first day Allegiant Air began flying a third low-cost nonstop flight from Grand Rapids to Florida -- this time to Fort Lauderdale. The new service brings Allegiant's nonstop offerings from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to five locations. They include Orlando, Fla.; Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.; Las Vegas and Phoenix.

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Acting on a hunch that the West Michigan economy will come back stronger than the rest of the state, executives of a Kalamazoo architecture firm decided to expand to Grand Rapids now to get a foothold.

According to excerpts from the story:

For many companies in the construction industry, just maintaining their business is tough in this economy. But architecture firm Kingscott Associates is hoping opening a new office in Grand Rapids will create opportunities and position it well for when the economy picks up in the future.

Kingscott, which is based in Kalamazoo, this month opened an office in the Ledyard Building in downtown Grand Rapids. Glenn Nienhuis, one of four Kingscott principals, will head the office, and five employees from the greater Grand Rapids area will be based there.

The company chose the Ledyard Building partly because they wanted to be downtown, said Bob McGraw, Kingscott president and principal. They also wanted to be accessible to the highway for clients from outside Grand Rapids. Company leadership also liked it because it was a historical building.

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After months of grassroots effort, Wyoming's first off-leash dog park opened last weekend. With amenities for pooches and their owners, area residents look forward to an opportunity to meet up with neighbors and socialize their pets.

According to excerpts from the story:

Jim Elmer surveyed the two-plus acres of fenced-in liberty, a German shepherd leashed by his side. Then, Molly ran free. "Some days you'd think, 'When will it ever happen?' " said Elmer, part of a group that spearheaded fundraising for the city's first off-leash dog park. "It came out just beautiful. It's more than you ever dreamed."

The park includes separate areas for small and large dogs, a sand hill for digging, a stand of trees and a doggy water fountain. Picnic table seating is available, with donated park benches on the way.

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Changes in the way people work have opened up a new world of possibilities in the Grand Rapids office market, and several forward-thinking landlords have seized the opportunity to create collaborative coworking spaces.

According to excerpts from the story:

Office space is changing.

Companies are downsizing in response to the down economy. They’re letting their employees work from home or from the road to save resources and accommodate employee needs.

And people are taking creative approaches to adapt the market to meet these needs.

The West Michigan Strategic Alliance started a remote workcenter initiative a few years ago to gauge West Michigan’s interest in spaces from which employees could work instead of commuting.

Earlier this year, Monroe Bevy — a collaborative office space where tenants can rent a desk or a small office on a month-to-month basis and share amenities — opened on Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

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Michigan manufacturers are moving ahead with plans to step into the alternative energy industry in a big way – something that could retain existing jobs and create thousands more. Experts say wind and solar are the two biggest contenders in the state.

According to excerpts from the story:

Whether for environmental or economic reasons, the country and the state have paid a lot of attention to alternative energy in the past few years.

A recent study conducted by professors from the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Illinois and Yale University, said adopting comprehensive clean-energy and climate-protection legislation, like the American Clean Energy and Security Act, could create as many as 1.9 million jobs nationwide and between 37,000 and 42,000 in Michigan.

The study, “Clean Energy and Climate Policy for U.S. Growth and Job Creation,” reported a likely growth in real GDP and average real household income, as well.

Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place Inc. in Grand Rapids, said Michigan definitely will see job creation from the alternative-energy industry, but maybe some types more than others.

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As the nursing profession requires more education, masters programs are going by the wayside to be replaced by the doctor of nursing practice – an advanced degree Grand Valley State University added this year, six years ahead of a nationwide goal.  

According to excerpts from the story:

Traverse City resident Jonathon Reed said Grand Valley State University’s new doctorate program in nursing practice fits the bill for him. Reed, an Army reservist who spent 10 months serving in the infantry in Iraq, is a member of the first class of students in the program, which began this fall.

“I do a lot of work at home, using the Internet and reading and that sort of thing,” he said. “I participate in online discussions with my classmates. Then we meet roughly about once a month.” The schedule fits a busy life that includes on-call work as a registered nurse at Munson Medical Center, three children ages 2 months, 7 and 9, and wife, Rebecca, a physical therapist. Reed attended the two-year nursing program at Northwestern Michigan College, then completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the University of Michigan. After four years of full-time study at GVSU, he will hold a DNP designation that will qualify him to become a nurse practitioner.

The nursing profession is moving toward increased educational credentials, said Kirkhof College of Nursing Associate Dean Linda D. Scott. In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing agreed that preparation for advanced nursing practice should be moved from master’s degree to the doctorate by 2015. The doctorate will be required for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and nurse-midwives, Scott said.

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Holland skateboard enthusiasts might soon have a new skate park to replace an outdated one at Lincoln Park. Hope College will contribute $250,000 toward construction of the skate park in a different area of the city in exchange for the Lincoln Park land.

According to excerpts from the story:

From the time ramps were installed at Holland’s Lincoln Park in 1997, Rob Amerine was there, always trying to learn new tricks with his skateboard.

“I pretty much grew up there,” he said. Now 23, Amerine is involved in efforts by the city to build a new skate park at Smallenburg Park that would replace the current one at Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue. City officials have approved a land swap that will transfer Lincoln to Hope College, with Lincoln’s skate park to be removed.

“The intent is to have a transition from the current skate park to a new skate park without any gap in service,” Assistant City Manager Greg Robinson said.

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A $10 million restoration of Muskegon Lake's shoreline could spur the investment of some $30 million in economic development and create more than 100 jobs.

According to excerpts from the story:

One of the largest federal “stimulus” grants for the Muskegon area is being targeted at its greatest asset — the waterfront.  

Design and engineering is well under way and construction could begin by the end of the year on a $10 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant to restore the shoreline habitat along the southern Muskegon Lake shoreline.

“With the $10 million, we will see an investment in Muskegon County’s strongest economic development asset ... the lake,” said Sandeep Dey, executive director of the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission. “This project is progressing much faster than we had anticipated.”  

The work to be completed by the end of 2010 will remove the industrial and lumber era debris along the Muskegon Lake shoreline at 10 specific sites. It will be replaced with clean fill, restoring wetlands and “softening” the shoreline to create a more natural environment for aquatic plants and wildlife.

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A proposed massive expansion to the Rockford Sportsman's Club could bring collegiate- and Olympic-level archery facilities to West Michigan. The facility is on target for a fall 2010 opening and will serve as a location for the National Archery in Schools program.

According to excerpts from the story:

Members of the Rockford Sportsman's Club have launched a capital campaign to raise nearly $1 million for a new public archery facility on the club grounds at 11115 Northland Drive NE.

The planned 9,500-square-foot building with indoor and outdoor shooting lanes will cater primarily to young archers, including collegiate and Olympic hopefuls. But adult archers will be welcome, too, according to RSC member Arn McIntyre, the project manager.

"It will be available to anyone, but it is predominantly a youth facility," McIntyre said. "Can Fred Bear come and shoot Thursday nights? Yes. But can he come Saturday, which is all youth? No.

"It is intended to draw youth from all across West Michigan and be a feeder facility for West Michigan youth who are interested in collegiate archery. It's a youth facility for Olympic youth development, 4-H archery and the National Archery in Schools program."

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One lakeshore electrical company has diversified its business by installing wind turbines and other renewable energy devices, helping it to survive in a rocky economy. Now the company has landed a federal grant to install clean energy technology at its own offices.

According to excerpts from the story:

Paul Hoekstra and his crew are welcoming the change that’s in the air and the sun.
His company, Hoekstra Electrical Services of Hamilton, recently received a $15,338 federal grant to install solar panels at the facility at 3588 Greenpoint Center.

“It’s something of a new focus,” Hoekstra said of his company’s emphasis on renewable energy. He and his wife Jessica founded the company about five years ago after Hoekstra had worked for a couple of local businesses.
“We wanted to be our own boss and give it a try on our own,” he said.

The company’s main focus was new construction with a small emphasis on energy-efficiency and light-saving projects.
That small endeavor turned out to be a big bright spot for the company when the economy darkened last year and new home construction plummeted.

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