West Michigan In The News

The first $10 million investment to come from the $150 million Michigan Opportunities Fund will substantially boost development of a growing charter school company in Grand Rapids. The investment could help the company create schools for children with learning disabilities in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas.

According to excerpts from the story:

In less than three years, American Education Group has taken the lead in the growing business of specialized private education. The Grand Rapids firm's collection of preschool, primary and secondary schools now number 16 in six states. While most of AEG's 300 employees work outside Michigan, the company is considered a potential star in the state's changing economy. A sign of that is Michigan Opportunities Fund's $10 million investment in the company -- the first to come out of the $150 million fund. Fed by the state's pension workers system, the money pool is part of the Invest Michigan program introduced by Gov. Jennifer Granholm 18 months ago to spur business growth. "This investment is in keeping with our Michigan Opportunities Fund's objective to invest in growing companies in Michigan," said Jason Duzan, managing director of the Chicago-based private equity firm Glencoe Capital, which manages the fund. "The concept of supporting an accomplished Michigan-based management team in this innovative educational platform is exciting to us."

Read the complete story here.


read on…

After racking up zero sales for 16 high-end condominiums planned for a former gothic church building, a Heritage Hill development received approval to build 22 smaller, less expensive condos in the hope of spurring sales.

According to excerpts from the story:

Developers hoping to build condominiums in a former church on Heritage Hill got relief Thursday when the Board of Zoning Appeals allowed them to put 22 units in their project instead of 16 units. By a 5-4 vote, the board granted the request by Renatus LLC, despite objections from neighbors and the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association. Being able to carve out six more units in the former Bethlehem Lutheran Church will allow them to lower their prices in a tight real estate market, said Kevin Moore, representing building owner Mark Pentecost.

Read the complete story here.


read on…

Expansion plans and upgrades for Holland's airport have airport leaders scouting for the prime location to construct a proposed $7 million terminal. Land acquisition and an environmental impact study head the list of priorities.

According to excerpts from the story:

Tulip City Airport has plans for a new terminal that could cost more than $7 million, while its current operator has a new pact. Tulip City Air Service Inc., will continue overseeing day-to-day operations of the airport under an agreement approved by the West Michigan Airport Authority. The 20-year agreement calls for Tulip City Air to continue to offer a variety of services, including maintenance, charter operations and flight lessons. According to a 10-year capital improvement plan approved separately by the airport authority, engineering and design work and an environmental review of the site could exceed $450,000, with $925,000 for land acquisition, $2.1 million for site preparation and construction costs topping $3.5 million.

Read the complete story here.


read on…

Three area economic development leaders say defining innovation can be tricky – but they all agree that to be innovative doesn't mean having to create a new product from scratch. West Michigan businesses have built upon existing ideas for years, infusing the marketplace with new products and new ways of doing business.

According to excerpts from the story:

It's safe to say America has a history of cultivating innovation. However, defining and measuring innovation is not always so easy, especially in the information age. A New York Times article from earlier this year even addressed how tricky it is to rank countries by their capacity for innovation, as both definitions and methods vary widely. The same trickiness applies when trying to measure innovation on a smaller scale.

 "People tend to think innovation, and they're thinking that's Alexander Graham Bell inventing the telephone -- but really it's not," said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First in Kalamazoo. "The guys at Google didn't invent the Internet, and they didn't invent search engines. They innovated on the principles of search engines and came up with a different model."

Read the complete story here.


read on…

read on…

read on…

In an effort to jump-start economic growth in communities across Michigan, a new web resource is available to put communities in touch with ideas, support, funding, social media and dozens of organizations.

According to excerpts from the story:

Vibrant downtowns surrounded by walkable, safe neighborhoods attract new residents and businesses, promote investment, and jump-start economic growth. To achieve this, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Thursday launched a new resource for communities to tap into information that will help make their downtowns vital economic centers. The Michigan Main Street Center, a part of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy Division at MSHDA, unveiled the new Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA Web site. "Our goal is to help communities in the revitalization of their historic downtowns and traditional neighborhood commercial districts," said STARS Director Joe Borgstrom. "The Web site provides detailed information on the programs we provide, highlights the efforts and events of our Main Street communities, provides news and updates of our activities and numerous links to our and our partners Web sites and social media efforts like blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter."

Read the complete story here.

read on…

A proposed health center will focus on providing medical, mental health care, and other services to low-income residents in the heart of Grand Rapids. The development involves the removal of four low-income apartment buildings, which has generated some concern among residents wishing to keep the structures intact.

According to excerpts from the story:

A planned $24 million health center geared to low-income residents could be funded primarily with federal, state and local tax dollars. Heart of the City Health Services -- formerly called TCP Integrated Health Center -- will be built on Cherry Street SE between Sheldon and LaGrave avenues. Up to $705,000 of the funding will come from the city's Downtown Development Authority, which approved the tax reimbursement request Wednesday. The DDA portion will come through tax-increment financing, which allows money that would have gone for property taxes to pay for improvements such as landscaping, street lighting and accessibility. The project also is seeking other tax credits and federal stimulus money. Developers hope to raise $3 million in private donations and will launch a campaign next month, said Gregory Dziadosz, executive director of Touchstone Innovare.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

To offset drops in funding due to the decline in philanthropic giving, $438,000 in federal stimulus money will preserve jobs at five Grand Rapids arts organizations. All told, the funding will save over 140 jobs across the state.

According to excerpts from the story:

Five Grand Rapids area arts organizations are getting a share of $438,000 in federal economic stimulus money earmarked to save jobs. The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, Community Circle Theatre, North American Choral Company, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, and VSA Arts of Michigan, Grand Rapids, together are receiving $51,250 that will help preserve jobs at each institution. The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs this afternoon handed out $345,000 from the 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Another $92,900 in grants, funded by Arts Midwest, was announced on Friday in Lansing for a total of $438,000 in money from federal sources. This one-time funding program is intended to preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector hurt by recent declines in philanthropic donations and other support, such as interest from investments and endowments. Criteria was weighted according to need and to the job the organization sought to save, particularly if the position "was one that had already been laid off or was about to be laid off," said John Bracey, MCACA executive director. "'Going under' was a factor with some of the organizations as well," he said.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

A German battery maker is looking to invest in a West Michigan production location in order to tap millions in tax incentives. If the deal goes through, jobs could follow.

According to excerpts from the story:

If the deal is sweet enough, West Michigan could be home to a second battery manufacturer, another potential success story of the state's efforts to diversify the manufacturing base. Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Thursday that German battery maker fortu PowerCell will search for a West Michigan manufacturing location, pending approval of state and local incentives. The possible deal comes after Granholm's two-day trip to Germany and Belgium in search of new investments. Birgit Klohs, president of The Right Place Inc., said the economic development group is "tangentially involved" in the discussions.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

After two years of renovation and "greening" of the property, the Days Hotel on the Near West Side will carry the Holiday Inn brand name.

According to excerpts from the story:

The downtown Days Hotel will become a full-service Holiday Inn in December. The hotel will sport the new Holiday Inn sign that underscores the standards set by the company's relaunch program. The hotel underwent a renovation in 2008, with more upgrades currently underway throughout the lobby and the guestrooms.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

Three young entrepreneurs are following their dreams by investing the winnings from a local business plan competition.

According to excerpts from the story:

The cash prizes awarded in April’s GVSU Business Plan Competition are nothing to sniff at, and there aren't any strings attached as to how the winners can spend the money. One of this spring's winners invested his prize in a small business start-up — and it wasn't even the type of business he was proposing in his winning plan. The second annual Business Plan Competition sponsored by the GVSU Center for Entrepreneurship offered cash prizes of $5,000, $3,500 and $2,000, plus in-kind awards that included free consultations with a variety of professional services normally required in a small business start-up. The competition is open to any GVSU undergrad, not just those working toward a degree in business. "We believe entrepreneurship comes from different areas, not just business. We'd like to have a variety of students participating in that competition," said Eima Mangat, manager of the Business Plan Competition and a senior marketing manager at the Center for Entrepreneurship within the GVSU Seidman College of Business.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

A first-ever exhibit of some of Muskegon's historic homes may be the launching pad for more history gathering to come. Setting one neighborhood in perspective architecturally and historically sets the stage for future preservation.

According to excerpts from the story:

When Anne Dake eyed a pamphlet highlighting Muskegon's historic homes at the Muskegon Heritage Association this spring, she left wanting more. When were the homes built? Who were the first occupants? What renovations have they endured, Dake asked herself after examining the pamphlet that guides visitors through a tour of 23 historic homes and buildings in Muskegon's Heritage Village neighborhood. So Dake -- who along with husband, Allan, recently had become involved in restoring the association's museum -- began her quest to capture the story of the homes that long have been a source of pride in Muskegon. It was a task that taught the 62-year-old Whitehall resident about the history of the pristine homes, re-invigorated the home owners' sense of community, and helped educate curious visitors. "I've always been curious about the houses," Dake said. "When I saw the brochure, I said I'd love to know more."

Read the complete story here.

read on…

Michigan's entrepreneur numbers continue to fall short compared to other states.  In response, three innovation organizations are sponsoring a conversation with residents to discuss ways to foster entrepreneurial activity.

According to excerpts from the story:

The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest, The West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative and Grand Valley State University are sponsoring a community conversation with West Michigan residents to discuss entrepreneurship and how the state can best foster growth of entrepreneurial activity.  This free Grand Rapids event is one of four facilitated conversations organized by The Center For Michigan that is focused on entrepreneurship taking place across the state and will help guide the decisions of state lawmakers.

Read the complete story here.

read on…

As more and more women seek jobs, one Grand Rapids organization has a waiting list for its free clothing and wardrobe advice for job interviews. Low-income women can put together an entire clothing package including shoes and accessories, no matter what type of job they're going for. 

According to excerpts from the story:

Tammy Gaultney took her first step toward a new job by trading in her high-top sneakers for a classic pair of black leather pumps. As one of thousands of West Michigan job hunters, she knows she must stand out in a crowd of applicants.
For that kind of help, the 39-year-old Grand Rapids resident turned to the Working Women's Career Closet, 678 Front Ave. NW.
Part of the Women's Resource Center, the volunteer organization offers professional wardrobe advice and clothing to low-income women who cannot afford to buy outfits and accessories for interviews.
These days, the service is in heavy demand, with the waiting list running three weeks long unless an interview crops up more quickly.

Read the complete story here.

read on…