GRAND RAPIDS - Michigan’s economy should remain in good shape for the foreseeable future, according to results of a semi-annual survey PNC Bank conducts with small and medium-sized business owners. Among respondents, 56 percent said they expect their company’s sales to increase in the next six months and nearly one-quarter expect to hire more full-time employees. The
GRAND RAPIDS — The new Grand Rapids Research Center opens this week, anchoring the western end of the city’s Medical Mile cluster of education, health care and research institutions and elevating Michigan State University’s role in biomedicine. The $88.1 million facility initially will house 18 research teams that will relocate from the nearby Van Andel Research Institute. The
GRAND RAPIDS - Private equity investors have more capital to deploy today than they have in years. Statistics from Seattle, Wash.-based Pitchbook show fundraising activity for private equity funds in North America and Europe reached its highest level in a decade, at $212.6 billion through Aug. 1. Meanwhile, a report from the American Investment Council,
DETROIT - Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP recently launched a formal practice group focusing on the rapidly growing autonomous vehicle industry. The firm, which maintains offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing, recently hired Steve Wernikoff to co-chair the practice with Tom Appledorn, a partner in the firm’s intellectual property group. Wernikoff formerly served
GRAND RAPIDS — Two advertising services companies have joined forces in a bid to create a “one-stop shopping” experience for their clients. Digital advertising services provider Adtegrity.com Inc. has acquired Media Place Partners LLC, an East Grand Rapids-based media buyer, executives at the companies confirmed to MiBiz. Principals at the two firms say the deal, which closed June 30,
JACKSON - Small, independently owned power plants across Michigan are locked in a battle with Jackson-based Consumers Energy over what may very well decide their fate. In a rate case before the Michigan Public Service Commission that’s expected to be settled in mid July, state regulators are setting a new course for how these independently owned facilities
GRAND RAPIDS — A new venture capital fund in West Michigan closed on its first deal this week. Grand Ventures I LP was part of a syndicate of investors that invested $3.5 million in Cincinnati, Ohio-based Astronomer Inc., a company that provides a platform for clients to collect and analyze data. The deal came after Grand Ventures — which targets
GRAND RAPIDS - Lambert, Edwards and Associates Inc. of Grand Rapids launched a new practice last week, responding to the growing demands of clients who need services in strategic planning, raising capital or transitioning the business to the next generation. “It really came down to the leverage piece and our clients asking more from us
ALBION — Patriot Solar Group LLC of Albion on Monday filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. The Southwest Michigan company manufactures solar panel tracking systems, pole-mounted solar systems and other solar energy related products. Patriot Solar, which was formed in 2009 and is based at 1007 Industrial
DETROIT - Despite the rapid expansion of Michigan farmland dedicated to growing hops and grains for the state’s craft beverage sector, experts say the industry has more room to grow. A new Michigan State University Product Center study examines the potential economic impact for Michigan craft breweries to produce beer exclusively with in-state ingredients. It
