Economic Development
The Right Place, Lakeshore Advantage, Southwest First and others
ARTICLES
Metabolic Solutions breaks through at life sciences incubator
Breakthrough research on a type 2 diabetes drug target by Metabolic Solutions Development Co. in Kalamazoo underscores the key role of a life sciences incubator, according to local industry leaders.
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Start Garden invests in gunfire detector and entertainment-venue app
Amid America’s raging gun debate, one startup has developed an idea that could step across the political divide and save lives.
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Cooking up new business
Changing food trends lead to winners and losers.
Jeff Grogg, a Battle Creek consultant to the food industry across the U.S., sees potential trouble ahead for the sugar industry but lots of new opportunities for the growers and processors of fruits and vegetables.
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GR building permit volume soars in April
Figure may indicate commercial construction and local economy have rebounded.
The monetary value of the building permits that were applied for and granted just in Grand Rapids, and only in April, totaled a nearly unbelievable $77 million — a figure that breaks out to a daily average of $3.5 million for each of the month’s 22 business days.
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Michigan eyes $483M more in tax revenue than expected
Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers have hundreds of millions of dollars more than expected when working to finalize Michigan's next budget.
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Where's the productivity?
In spite of headlines pointing to emerging signs of recovery, the economy continues to perform poorly. Jobs and hours worked are a poor guide to the economy’s health. More important is productivity, which determines living standards.
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Grand Rapids reigns as BeerCity, U.S.A.
The results are in — and Grand Rapids has overwhelmingly retained its title as BeerCity, U.S.A.
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DDA has development guidelines for downtown sector
Board agrees to a purchase option for a parking lot near the arena.
The Arena South Visioning Plan was adopted by the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority last week and the board will use the 75-page report as a guidebook for projects that are proposed for five parking lots situated south of Van Andel Arena, which is at Fulton Street and Ottawa Avenue.
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Commercial real estate market shows economy is rebounding
CAR report shows first-quarter growth for office, retail and industrial segments.
With the recent sales of Bridgewater Place, Thirty-Eight and 222 Fulton, the current renovations of the Kendall and former Junior Achievement buildings and a proposal for a new office structure near Van Andel Arena, it’s not surprising the Commercial Association of Realtors reported activity has increased in the downtown office market.
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DDA invests $1.1 million into a trio of downtown projects
Work on a park, some street upgrades and a popular bridge get funded.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority extended its contract with O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock and Associates last week for the renovation of Monument Park at Fulton Street and Division Avenue, a block east of Monroe Center.
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