Grand Rapids Business Journal 03.07.22

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MRLA forms hospitality industry training school.

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MARCH 7, 2022 VOL. 40 NO. 5

The Business Newspaper of Metro Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon & West Michigan

ROOTS INSPIRE FZ chosen RAMIREZ-SAENZ to establish THIS WEEK

Consultant works to make a more inclusive economy for all. Page 9

Innovation Center

Center will provide practical smart manufacturing training for small to mid-sized manufacturers. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

New strategy Grand Valley State University embarks on a plan to enhance educational offerings by 2025. PAGE 3

Taking advantage Lakeshore survey finds businesses are economically strong and expect continued growth. PAGE 3

HIGH SCORE WMSC impact study shows sports tourism pumped $55.5M into the local economy last year. Page 12

THE LISTS

The area’s top labor and employment law firms. Page 4 The area’s top family law firms. Page 5

Walker-based industrial technology and electrical services firm Feyen Zylstra (FZ) has received funding to create a center that will accelerate the development and adoption of smart manufacturing principles at small to medium-sized businesses. FZ recently was chosen by the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Institute (CESMII) to create a Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center with $250,000

Feyen Zylstra will be home to a center that accelerates the development and adoption of smart manufacturing principles. Courtesy Feyen Zylatra

in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. CESMII exists to “rapidly accelerate the development and adoption of smart manufacturing principles to drive sustainable manufacturing efficiencies,

improve energy consumption and achieve real-time business improvements.” Because of their shared focus on raising awareness around smart manufacturing and developing the next generation of the

workforce, FZ said CESMII is an ideal partner. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, CESMII is a network dedicated to driving CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Hello West Michigan launches Rapid Roots Cohort-style program will aim to acclimate executives relocating to the region. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

The talent attraction agency Hello West Michigan is launching a program that will help accelerate incoming executives’ assimilation into the community. At Hello West Michigan’s 2022 annual meeting on Feb. 16, Executive Director Rachel Gray announced the organization’s newest program offering, Rapids Roots: An Executive’s Guided Co-

hort to Living in West Michigan, which will give executive-level transplants an experiential introduction to West Michigan and help them build friendships. The pilot cohort of 12 participants will launch March 24. Spread over six sessions to be held every other week, Rapid Roots will explore multiple topics and communities, and the program will show cohort members the area’s hidden gems rather than just telling them about them. Gray Participants

will be introduced to multiple organizations through a diverse slate of speakers, learn about the region’s chief industries, gain strategies for making personal connections, and be connected to family-friendly activities and outlets for their hobbies. The six sessions are as follows: •History of West Michigan •The Arts of West Michigan •The West Michigan Economy •Making Connections in West Michigan •Outdoor Recreation in West Michigan •Food, Dining & Nightlife in West Michigan Although the application period for the first group has closed, Hello West Michigan plans to offer another cohort in the fall. Peo-

GRBJ.COM Vol. 40, No.5 $3.00 a copy. $59 a year © Entire contents copyright 2022by Gemini Media. All rights reserved.

Inside Track ....... 9 Guest Columns.. 14 College and COVID Change-Ups ......20

OTTAWA County looks to prevent loss of farmland.

Calendar ...........20 Public Record .... 21 Street Talk ...... 22

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ple can learn more and sign up for information on the next round of Rapid Roots at hellowestmichigan.com/rapidroots. Gray said Hello West Michigan has had an offering like Rapid Roots in mind for a while, as its member companies often contact the organization looking for ways to plug their new leaders into the city. “We wanted to look at how could we extend our reach beyond our membership, but also in a little bit deeper way, rather than just saying to a new (resident), go look at information on this website,” she said. “We wanted to give them an experiential way to learn about the community.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10


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