The Muskegon Chronicle reports that another wind developer has entered the fray surrounding development of wind farms in Lake Michigan, saying it's waiting to move ahead on specific plans until after the state develops regulatory rules. According to excerpts from the story:There's more than one offshore wind developer interested in West Michigan. Scandia Offshore Wind -- a joint U.S.-Norwegian development company -- has generated controversy with its plans for wind turbines in Lake Michigan off Grand Haven and Pentwater. But Scandia isn't alone in planning for wind farms in Lake Michigan. NRG Bluewater Wind also is interested. Bluewater is owned by New Jersey-based NRG Energy, an energy producer with $9.5 billion in annual revenues. Bluewater is developing wind farms on the East Coast but has been actively involved in Michigan's exploration of Great Lakes wind farms since early 2009. Bluewater Great Lakes Director Mike O'Brien introduced his company to West Michigan officials at an offshore wind briefing this week for business and industry at Grand Valley State University's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon. O'Brien said his company has a different "methodology" than Scandia, which has been pushing a specific West Michigan wind development plan since December. Read the complete story here.

Davenport University is trying to help the unemployed and underemployed launch new careers by giving them a break with tuition costs. The college announced it will discount tuition by 25 percent to students who can show documentation of their work status.

Deborah Johnson WoodA new West Michigan nonprofit group aims to be a catalyst for mid-career professionals who are seeking jobs or are ready to transition to a new career. The Career Transitions Center West Michigan (CTCwm) recently launched a series of free seminars and one-on-one meetings to introduce the organization's program of workshops and career coaching geared to help white collar professionals find and land new jobs. "We want to help people manage their own career path," says founder Russ Gardner. "Most people only seek jobs once or twice in their life and need strategies for their next steps. They need people to help them learn who's hiring, who's not and what jobs are out there – and they don't need to do it alone."CTCwm's four-month program has several facets that include ongoing one-on-one coaching with trained professionals, a weekly peer-to-peer support group, and four workshops that help job seekers learn new techniques and discover potential new career paths:• Know Yourself and Where You're Going• Present Your Best Self in Writing• Networking: An Essential Tool for Career and Life• Awesome Interviewing & Confident Negotiating"They'll build a manual of information from the workshops, and in the peer groups they'll get to bounce things off peers who are going through the same transition," Gardner says. "The career coaches are retired or working professionals who will act as a sounding board for clients."The organization is working to establish a bricks-and-mortar presence, Gardner says. Until then, activities will be held in a number of locations around West Michigan.The program costs $225."We realize clients will probably be pulling the money for the fee from other things they need to pay," Gardner says. "But in order to make sure people are invested, we want them to put a little skin in the game. The important thing is for them to know that they do not have to go through this journey by themselves."Source: Russ Gardner, Career Transitions Center West Michigan Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Deborah Johnson WoodBy land or by lake, no matter how patrons arrive at a new waterfront restaurant in Muskegon, they'll find a bar and eatery with lakeside dining and fabulous views of Muskegon Lake sunsets. So says Jon Rooks of Parkland Properties, developer of The Lake House Waterfront Grille, 730 Terrace Point Blvd., the latest piece of a multi-million dollar renovation of The Shoreline Inn & Suites and Terrace Point Marina complex. The restaurant, formerly called Rafferty's, retained only its original structure. "Everything is brand new," Rooks says. "We added a herringbone maple floor and have 160 feet of windows facing the water. There's also a 160-foot-long deck out over the water that faces west for watching the sunsets."Most of a custom walnut and granite curved bar created by Troy Bosworth from Studio Wise is indoors; the rest, which is shaped like the aft of a boat, is outdoors. Patrons can enjoy their drinks on the deck, or on a patio under the Locust trees the grow through the floor. The Lake House opens July 28, offering a full drink menu, as well as dining creations by Chefs Dustin Schultz and Charlie Forrester. The menu ranges from appetizers like Lake House fish tacos and Tuscan bean and goat cheese dip, to sandwiches, burgers, pasta, steaks and seafood.Rooks says the complex takes up only five acres of the 20-plus-acre property. "I want to attract other developers to what I think is the best opportunity in Michigan right now, and that's the Muskegon shoreline," he says. "Muskegon has a host of amazing events occurring all year round," he adds. "People recognize that it's a great place to be in the summer. We want to use the hotel and restaurant to attract people and events in the nine months of the off-season. If the owners of the waterfront properties can work together, we can accomplish the synergy that's possible."Source: Jon Rooks, Parkland PropertiesRelated ArticlesVeteran developer renovates marina/hotel complex on downtown Muskegon's waterfrontDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

The Grand Rapids Press reports that thanks to a $50,000 donation from a local brewery, Grand Rapids Whitewater can move forward with its plans to create a world class kayaking and fisherman's destination in the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.According to excerpts from the story:Efforts to transform the Grand River downtown into a world-class kayaking and fisherman's paradise are expected to take a big step forward this week. Founders Brewing Co. plans to formally announce a gift that will enable Grand Rapids Whitewater, a nonprofit group developing the proposed whitewater course, to move forward with engineering and marketing. If all goes according to plan, a portion of the river south of the Fourth Street dam would become a challenging kayak course that also improves the fish habitat in the area. "This is something (co-founder) Dave Engbers and I and our whole group at Founders support," said Mike Stevens, president and co-founder of the brewery at 235 Grandville Ave. SW.Read the complete story here.