GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Even Birgit Klohs was surprised the Greater Grand Rapids region has one of the best economies in the nation. Usually when the region is ranked, it’s compared to similar size regions. For the first time, the Grand Rapids-Wyoming qualified in the top category alongside metropolitan heavyweights such as Chicago, Boston and Seattle. “If we had ranked No. 1 in our category, I wouldn’t have been surprised at all,” said the CEO of The Right Place, the region’s economic development organization. Grand Rapids only lagged behind Denver and Houston in the study that compared the nation’s 373… Read More »

  Bipartisan Bill Would Eliminate Outdated Paperwork for Michigan Small Businesses FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2015 Allison Green 202-834-2281 Zade Alsawah 313-505-4810 Media@peters.senate.gov WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would reduce burdensome paperwork and cut red tape for small businesses.  The Microloan Act of 2015 eliminates three outdated provisions in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Microloan Program that have been unchanged since the program’s establishment in 1991 and only create unnecessary paperwork for small businesses and entrepreneurs. “Small businesses and startups are… Read More »

A grant opportunity designed to encourage growth in Michigan’s food and agriculture industry was announced today by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams. “This is a great chance for our food and agriculture businesses to find innovative ways to expand and grow.  Food and agriculture in Michigan is a $101 billion industry. This is one avenue to help spur job creation, support local communities and drive new economic development,” said Clover Adams. Applicants for grant funds will be asked to describe how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the food and agriculture… Read More »

While workforce development and attraction requires a range of strategies, West Michigan manufacturers have begun to embrace an apprenticeship model of continuing education to combat the so-called talent gap. Despite flagging enrollment in the years following the recession, apprenticeship programs have gained steam for both employers and workers, many of whom want to retain their positions while learning skills to advance their careers. Read more here.

Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.4% in April to reach a milestone not seen for 15 years and now equal to the nation’s number. It marked the first time the state and national rates stood at the same level since September 2000, an achievement that boosts those who herald Michigan as the nation’s leading comeback state. Even so, Michigan’s economy is yet to recover all the jobs it lost during its lost decade. That remained a sobering footnote to the otherwise upbeat jobs report. As every Michigan worker knows, between 2000 and today, the state endured an economic crisis of… Read More »

Responding to a steadily growing demand for flights over the past several years, Delta Airlines will now offer fourteen non-stop jet flights per week to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Delta announced that starting in May they will be offering a second flight on Saturdays from Chippewa County International Airport. Passenger counts have climbed on available flights from Chippewa Count International for years, especially since the advent of Jet service in 2011. The airport saw its second busiest month ever in March and is ahead of last year’s pace for the first quarter. More than 40,000 passengers a year pass through the… Read More »

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. “Farmers and ranchers are creative people who, with a little help, can put that creativity to work and improve the bottom line for their operations,” Vilsack said. “Value-Added Producer Grants enable them to develop new product lines to grow their businesses and expand their contributions to our nation’s economy. This support is especially important for beginning farmers, military veterans engaging in farming and smaller… Read More »

Architect’s Drawing   Contractors with Hallmark Construction out of Traverse City, Mich., are clearing the interior of Lake Superior State University’s South Hall on April 23 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The demolition formally begins a $13.5 million renovation of the building into R.W. Considine Hall, which will open for classes in fall 2016 and house LSSU’s Lukenda School of Business. The School is named in honor of LSSU alum and Sault, Ont., businessman Dr. Lou Lukenda. Considine Hall derives from Trout Lake, Mich., native and retired entrepreneur Dr. Robert Considine. Both men have been instrumental over the years with… Read More »

Understanding a handful of best practices for running effective meetings can improve meeting productivity and effectiveness. Having a grasp of parliamentary procedure, following board rules and agendas, and respecting member roles can make everyone better leaders. When leaders exhibit such skills and follow the rules the public will too. This workshop will cover: – Basics of parliamentary principles and procedure – Board Rules – Decorum in debate – Rules for public comment – Making motions – Meeting agendas – Roles of members – Minutes The workshop will also include ample opportunity to ask questions and share experiences, plus activities to… Read More »

Co.Starters, a 9-session program based around the Business Model Canvas to be held in Sault Ste Marie and Escanaba, has been moved back a week to begin on Weds April 22.  (6 to 9 pm).  This will be facilitated by Eric Becks (LSSU) and Josh Billington (SBDC) in Sault Ste Marie. The 2-Day Ideation Boot Camp at Bay College (thanks to Lori Shea and Robert Pontius of Bay College, co-facilitated by Jim Baker of MTU) is April 30 & May 1.  More information and registration at www.SproutLab.org