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AS SEEN ON TV Several local business owners are benefiting in different ways because of their exposure on various reality TV shows. Read on in this week’s Small Business cover story on Page 13.
“We were looking for a niche market. We repair our own fleet. Why wouldn’t we repair other people’s boats?” – Ronald Rasmus (below), chairman and CEO, Great Lakes Group
Ford revs up for more jobs in Brook Park Plant set for new engine work; laid-off UAW members have shot at 200 additional positions
MARC GOLUB
By DAN SHINGLER dshingler@crain.com
GREAT LAKES BUOYS TOWING BUSINESS Operation charts progressive course in shipbuilding, vessel repair By JAY MILLER jmiller@crain.com
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n a walking tour of his company’s six-acre — and growing — operation on the old Cuyahoga River channel, Ronald Rasmus, chairman and CEO of Great Lakes Group, can show off his company’s future and its 112-year-old skills with the
sweep of his arm. Its past is represented by one of its red-and-green painted tugs, the Ohio, tied up waiting for repairs. In drydock next to the Ohio is a twomasted wooden sailing ship — the reconstruction of the U.S. Niagara, which helped defeat the British Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 — that is in for its See TOWING Page 7
1,500 union members. Well, Christmas finally is coming to Brook Park, Mr. For years, United Auto Gammella now says. Workers Local 1250 presi“We’ve been awarded dent Mike Gammella has the new four-cylinder sounded like a kid who engine,” an excited Mr. helped with the dishes Gammella reported last on Thanksgiving and was Gammella Wednesday, Oct. 5, freshly eager to find out what the back from union bargaining next big holiday would bring. sessions in Detroit. “This is fantastic “I want a new four-cylinder news.” engine,” Mr. Gammella would say, Mr. Gammella has wanted to see over and over again, referring to the such an engine made at the plant work he hoped to get at Ford’s Brook for several reasons, not the least of Park engine plant for his roughly See FORD Page 17
State’s use tax amnesty plan accommodates late filers By MICHELLE PARK mpark@crain.com
Carole Sanderson knows this from recent experience: Business owners who owe back use taxes, or suspect they might, have reason to appreciate the amnesty now offered by the state of Ohio. In what Ms. Sanderson and others call a business-friendly move, the Ohio Department of Taxation on
INSIDE: Which businesses are eligible for tax amnesty, and how do they proceed? Page 21 Oct. 1 rolled out its first use tax amnesty program for businesses that need to catch up on filing and paying the use tax. Use tax is owed by Ohio companies when they do not pay sales tax on a taxable product or service. Under the amnesty program, the See TAX Page 21
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A vacant apartment building is about to undergo a $3 million renovation to meet housing needs for the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood ■ Page 5 PLUS: ATHLETIC DIRECTORS ■ CRUZE ■ & MORE
Entire contents © 2011 by Crain Communications Inc. Vol. 32, No. 41