Grand Rapids Business Journal 07.26.21 by Grand Rapids Business Journal

PANEL details local, statewide sustainability efforts. PAGE 3

JULY 26, 2021 VOL. 39, NO. 15

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

THIS WEEK

RISING TO THE TOP

GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby knows what it takes to climb the career ladder and is sharing that knowledge with students. Page 13

71-year-old launches bakery business Charlotte Touchette’s Gourmet Coffee Cakes offers up family recipe in several flavors at area stores. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

Ground floor Award-winning video production company had very humble beginnings. PAGE 5

Turning point West Michigan’s hospitality industry sees a brighter future. PAGE 7

In her retirement, Charlotte Touchette is finding a way to give back to the community while doing something she loves: baking. The 71-year-old West Michigander started her business, Charlotte Touchette’s Gourmet Coffee Cakes, in December. The bakery offers cinnamon vanilla-, amaretto- and cherry cheesecake-flavored coffee cakes based on Touchette’s mother’s recipe. They are available for purchase at local stores, including Horrocks Market, Ada Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods, Bridge Street Market and the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. While the business is operating under cottage law, Touchette is

working on getting her licensing so she can move into the Downtown Market incubator kitchen. Touchette’s bakery is a family affair, with her husband, daughter and grandchildren helping with baking, social media marketing, sales, deliveries and making “cute” and “eye-catching” displays at stores to help move product. “I’m having them taste the recipes all the time, but then a lot of times, they’re in the kitchen helping me create them, too, and so it’s been a big family affair,” she said. “It’s kind of cool because our tagline is ‘Spread the love.’ … We want to do just that, because when I was little and we were making them in the kitchen, my mom, that’s how she was — everything was around food, and if people came over, they were always welcomed. It didn’t matter who was coming in, and the house would always smell good. We’re trying to continue the legacy that we’ve had to make people feel welcome and make them feel loved and to know that we can ‘Spread CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Charlotte Touchette shows off her cherry cheesecake-flavored coffee cakes that are based on a family recipe. Courtesy Charlotte Touchette

Adviser: approach family loans with care Greenleaf Trust relationship officer says borrowing and lending within the clan shouldn’t be done lightly.

SOUND ADVICE Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Explorer helps local workforce make better career decisions. Page 10

Rachel Watson

THE LISTS

rwatson@grbj.com

The area’s top hotels Page 6 The area’s top meeting and convention venues Page 8 Family loans often are intergenerational, which poses unique circumstances for both borrowers and lenders. Courtesy iStock

Mixing family and money can be complicated, which is why a Greenleaf Trust expert recommends all factors should be weighed and everything should be documented thoroughly in the case of family loans. Regina Jaegar, vice president and senior trust relationship officer at Greenleaf Trust and a certified

Inside Track ...... 13 Guest Columns..24 New economic strategy Change-Ups ..... 32

STUDY finds housing-first model improves overall well-being.

Calendar .......... 32 Public Record ... 33 Street Talk ...... 34

PAGE 3

trust and fiduciary officer, recently spoke to the Business Journal about family loans, which may be convenient for the person borrowing but could have grave financial, personal and tax ramifications for the lender — and the family unit — if not handled with care. “Family loans really should be well thought out, and (people should) consider whether or not these loans might interfere with family relationships,” Jaegar said. According to a recent CreditKarma article, a family loan, sometimes called an intra-family loan, is a loan between family members that differs from personal loans from traditional lenders or peer-to-peer lending from private CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

Panel details local, statewide sustainability efforts State Sen. Winnie Brinks joins Kent County DPW leader Dar Baas, Spectrum Health’s Sarah Chartier for presentation. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

At West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum’s annual meeting this month, a trio of leaders shared what is happening to advance sustainability in the region. WMSBF held its annual member meeting July 12 at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park, and its featured speakers included Michigan Sen. Winnie Brinks; Dar Baas, director of Kent County Department of Public Works; and Sarah Chartier, senior sustainability project manager for Spectrum Health System. The group formed a panel that collectively highlighted the importance of the coming decade and beyond to the state and region’s sustainability goals. Spectrum Health Chartier kicked off the discussion by sharing Spectrum Health’s sustainability goals for 2021, 2025 and 2040.

Sen. Winnie Brinks and Dar Bass, Kent County Department of Public Works, discussed sustainability improvements for West Michigan. Courtesy West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

“Our CEO, Tina Freese Decker, who has been instrumental in us establishing organizational goals, really understands the interconnection between human and environmental health, economic health and our community,” Chartier said. “And so, with that, we have set

some fairly bold goals, which we believe are achievable, as well, for both 2021 — which in my mind is a year to reset and develop some more infrastructure and governance around our program — and then guiding us to our 2025 and 2040 goals.”

The health system’s 2021 goals included the following: • Increasing its electric fleet by five to 10 vehicles • Adding 10 local, sustainable and diverse-owned businesses and farms to its Nutrition Services division

• Including diverse suppliers at 50% of its indirect sourcing events • Including diverse suppliers at 25% of its information services sourcing events • Converting 50% of its lighting to LED • Integrating single stream recycling at 100% of its hospitals, surgical centers and ambulatory locations Chartier said Spectrum already has met the third, fourth and fifth goals on the list for 2021 and is on its way to meeting the others. The health system’s 2025 goals include the following: • Converting 70% of its vehicles to hybrid or electric power • Composting or reprocessing 40% of waste • Buying 25% of food products from local sources in accordance with the Good Food Charter • Reducing its energy use by 15% compared to a baseline of 2020 • Doubling 2020 purchases from minority-owned and women-owned businesses in Michigan communities. Linked to the health system’s anti-racism pledge, announced last fall, this commitment is intended to help build wealth within local communities of color and resiliency in the supply chain. In April, Spectrum announced CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Study finds housing-first model improves overall well-being Community Rebuilders report shows permanent supportive housing worked for 47 households studied. Rachel Watson

rwatson@grbj.com

A nonprofit that provides permanent supportive housing for low-income, physically or mentally disabled, and long-term homeless families in Kent County published a study that shows its programs are improving consumer well-being over time. Grand Rapids-based Community Rebuilders engaged Public Sector Consultants to conduct a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Evaluation Report, prepared this spring, that evaluated a sample size of 47 households in Kent County that have been served by Community Rebuilders’ PSH programs. As funding for the full evaluation was provided by a grant through Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, most of the households included in the sample size — 35 — were located in Spectrum Health Healthier Communities’ Neighborhoods of Focus (see graphic), which are 17 low-income census tracts on the west and southeast sides of Grand Rapids. The heads of household in the 47 families included in the evaluation were disproportionately

Black or African American, majority female and generally middle-aged. The households studied are all current Community Rebuilders customers and have remained housed since they entered the program — anywhere from 21 days to nearly 21 years with an average length of time of more than three years. The study showed that since accessing services, the households served have not only obtained stable, safe, affordable housing but also experienced increased income (35%); improved health (53% increased their physical health and 28% increased their mental health) and increased access to health care (51%); increased access to food (51%) and transportation (50%); and greater overall well-being and customer satisfaction. Anna Diaz, vice president of Community Rebuilders, said the PSH programs her organization offers — which include Housing Solutions, Heroes, LOFT and Shelter Plus Care and offer long-term rental assistance and other supportive services — are designed with the goal of making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. Community Rebuilders takes a “housing-first” approach, in which participants do not need to address other problems or complete treatment prior to being housed. This compares to a “housing readiness” model used by some nonprofits that require people to gain certain skills or meet certain baselines before they move into housing. The

h o u s i n g-f i r st approach prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, to give them a stable platform from which they can Diaz pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. Diaz said Community Rebuilders’ approach of securing housing for clients first, then working with them through case management to address their other issues, just makes sense, as the nonprofit is working with the county’s most vulnerable populations who can’t access things such as insulin for their diabetes unless they have a refrigerator to store it in or Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income if they don’t have an address to which the government can mail checks and other communications. Community Rebuilders’ PSH programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which has established criteria for safe, decent and sanitary housing, as well as a housing affordability standard that stipulates consumers pay no more than 30% of their income on housing so that they can also pay their other bills. Community Rebuilders then pays the difference using HUD funds. Gross monthly rent for the housing units leased by families in

the evaluation population for the study ranged from $623 to $1,462 with a median of $817. With rental subsidies, the tenant portion of the rent ranged from $0 to $448 per month with a median of $88 per month. In comparison, the average median monthly rent in the 17 census tracts included in the NOF area is $920. In Grand Rapids, median monthly rent is $925, and in Kent County, median rent is $899 per month. Diaz said there’s a pervasive misconception that people who are homeless don’t want housing

or aren’t ready for housing, when in fact, it’s often just the opposite. Community Rebuilders offers consumers housing choice, helping them secure housing where they want to live — maybe it’s somewhere close to their existing social support networks or somewhere away from neighborhoods that are problematic for them — and clients are eager to accept it. “What we’ve learned through our work is that when you’re offering housing choice and you are CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Neighborhoods of Focus (NOF) Map of Census Tracts Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan

Source: 2018 5-Year Estimates, American Community Survey, United States Census Bureau

Percent of Population in Poverty Under 25% 25.1% - 33% 33.1% - 40% Over 40%

Neighborhoods of Focus include 17 low-income census tracts on the west and southeast sides of Grand Rapids. Courtesy Community Rebuilders

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

Award-winning video company comes from humble beginnings Voyage Pictures was created 11 years ago in a basement by two college students. Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

For a small video production company in Grand Rapids, Voyage Pictures is attempting the impossible and delivering higher-than-anticipated returns for commercial and nonprofit clients. What now is Voyage Pictures had humble beginnings. Founders Bradley Jansen and Stephen Panaggio started making videos 11 years ago in Jansen’s parents’ basement near the end of their college studies. Most of their work involved shooting wedding videos. Around the same time, DSLR cameras had come out and were helping Jansen and Panaggio change the way wedding stories were being told. “(They) were a lot of Disney soundtrack DVDs with ‘uncle videographers’ who had been filming on VHS,” Jansen said of typical wedding videos at the time. Comparatively, DLSR cameras were budget-friendly and offered a low-grade professional quality neither Jansen nor Pannagio had before seen in wedding videography, they said.

Jansen and Panaggio’s videos started to take off, and the two went from producing for a few weddings in their spare time to shooting and producing videos for more than 50 weddings in their first full summer. The small team quickly had to strategize how they could tell that many stories, which led to the formation of Bradley Productions. “It was very much uncalculated at the beginning,” Jansen said. “We weren’t trying to start a wedding company or a storytelling company. We were just, like, ‘Hey, we’re good at doing this, and we want to get experience.’” Over time, the company branched out into creating videos for nonprofit and for-profit clients, and eventually, the production group went from a basement setting to having a core team that worked in an actual office. “Weddings just turned out to be a phenomenal networking opportunity,” Panaggio added. “A lot of wealthy people are all having a good time and are a captive audience for your video … we weren’t, at the end of the wedding, handing out business cards and saying, ‘Hey, we also do a commercial brand.’ We just cared about doing a really good job.” The company began producing video content for commercial clients — including Jansen and Panaggio’s alma mater, Calvin

University — under the Bradley Productions brand, but soon, the team realized there was some dissonance between being known as a wedding company and the commercial work it did on the side. “The wedding video was our bread and butter, but the commercial work became more profitable, so we found a need to separate the two,” Panaggio said. In 2016, the team decided to spin off into a sister company, Voyage Pictures, which is now the majority of Panaggio and Jansen’s creative focus. “We started realizing the client experience is radically different. The team structure is radically different in order to help a corporate or nonprofit client tell a story, than to have a bride and groom tell a story,” Jansen said. Jansen and Panaggio will close down Bradley Productions later this year, not because the wedding business shrank, but because the commercial business grew and became more profitable. For the past five years, Bradley Productions only comprised about 5% of the team’s combined work. Impact Burundi, a nonprofit supporting development efforts in the small, landlocked nation of Burundi, was one of Voyage Pictures’ recent clients. Founder and Executive Director Libere Dusabe fled to the U.S. from the ethnic violence that fol-

A PROUD

LEGACY A BOLD FUTURE

Stephen Panaggio, left, and Bradley Jansen started their video production company while students at Calvin University. Courtesy Well Design Studio

lowed in the wake of the 1993 Burundi presidential assassination. According to the organization, more than 80% of the country’s population lives on less than $1.25 per day, and more than half are food insecure. “They wanted to tell a story … they were a little hesitant about it, but they knew that they needed to,” said Kate Avery, video strategist for Voyage Pictures. “We’re coming into something and trying to help the client quantify the want versus the need … even prior to that is taking a holistic view of what the client is trying to accomplish.” Impact Burundi needed a video to tell its story so Dusabe wouldn’t have to be in 50 places at once trying to tell a compelling story to raise funds for the organization. “This man is 45 years old. We

can’t tell a 45-year story. We have to bring it around to be compelling to an audience in four minutes,” Avery said. “We actually have a one-minute version if you can believe it.” “We’re all about making the great video for our clients, but we really care about where that lives,” Panaggio added. “Where is it being distributed? How’s it going to be viewed? Is your target really LinkedIn, but you think it’s Facebook? We’re asking those questions for them in case they aren’t asking themselves to make sure we aren’t just convincing them to pay for an expensive luxury product, which is a video, and have it not give them any return on that investment.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Hotels (RANKED BY NUMBER OF GUEST ROOMS/SUITES)

Owner or general manager

No. of Year guest established in No. of rooms/ W. Mich. local staff suites

2020 2019 occupancy rate

No. of meeting rooms/ maximum capacity

No. of banquet rooms/ maximum capacity Special hotel amenities

Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton 187 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 774-2000 f 776-6489 amwaygrand.com

Michael Donnelly, general manager

Pantlind in 1913; transitioned to Amway Grand in 1981

835

659

DND DND

8 1,150

36 720

Eight restaurants and lounges, upscale, approachable service, valet and self-parking, spa and salon, fitness center, men’s shop, skywalk to DeVos Place Convention Center and Van Andel Arena

Embassy Suites Grand Rapids Downtown 710 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 512-5700 f 512-5701 hilton.com/en/embassy

Grant Hirst, general manager

2019

DND

250

DND DND

3 50

1 DND

Studios and two-room suites with a work desk, two HDTVs and Wi-Fi, sofa beds, mini refrigerators and microwaves, fitness room, Whitewater Cafe, Whitewater Lounge, outdoor patio, indoor pool and indoor/outdoor whirlpool spa

DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport 4747 28th St. SE Grand Rapids 49512 p (616) 957-0100 f 957-2977 grandrapidsairport.doubletree.com

Lisa Calhoun, general manager

1978

Delta Hotels by Marriott Muskegon Convention Center 939 Third St. Muskegon 49440 p (231) 722-0100 f 722-5118 marriott.com/mkgde

Lisa Grossenbacher, general manager

2019

135

Hampton Inn Holland 12427 Felch St. Holland 49424 p (616) 399-8500

Jamie Yost, general manager

1996

DND

226

DND DND

DND 300

10 DND

Full-service hotel and banquet center, complimentary parking, airport shuttle and Wi-Fi, Ganders Restaurant on-site

200

25% 45%

15 1,714

Newly renovated 200-room hotel, complimentary Wi-Fi and attached covered parking, on-site restaurant and bar, indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, Starbucks, new 55,000 square feet convention center attached

178

DND DND

Free Wi-Fi, indoor pool and hot tub; in-house Sharkee's Bar & Grill

New dining option The JW Marriott Grand Rapids opened Domes on the Dek, an outdoor dinning area on its deck next to the Grand River.

Expansion project Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino revealed a $300 million expansion project plan to turn the casino’s property into a hotel resort.

New hotel 6

Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown 310 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 235-7611 f 235-1995 higrdt.com

Heather Emmons, general manager

1987

175

21% 67%

4 100

Free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, meeting room and banquet room, full-service restaurant, market convenience store, Michigan Green Lodging Certified, Green Hotel Association, Burger Theory Restaurant & Lounge

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown 140 Ottawa Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 984-1200 f 984-1201 hyattplacegrandrapidsdowntown.com

Lindsay Jarvis, general manager

2019

160

DND DND

4 110

3 DND

24/7 fitness center, pool, pet-friendly, full-service bar

Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown 121 E. Eighth St. Holland 49423 p (616) 582-8500 marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrch-courtyardholland-downtown

Steve Farrell, general manager

2016

140

DND DND

DND 15

0 DND

Heated indoor pool, indoor/outdoor hot tub, Bistro serving Starbucks drinks, complimentary Wi-Fi, GoBoard, complimentary fitness room

Shoreline Inn & Conference Center 750 Terrace Point Drive Muskegon 49440 p (866) 727-8483 f 720-4209 shorelineInn.com

Lisa Grossenbacher, general manager

2002

135

140

41% 59%

6 350

Waterfront hotel featuring 140 spacious rooms, balconies, lakeside dining, boat rentals, indoor pool and hot tubs, outdoor pool, two on-site restaurants and bars, waterfront ballroom, complimentary parking/Wi-Fi

AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown 50 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 776-3200 marriott.com/grrar

Ryan Schmied, general manager

2019

130

DND DND

1 12

0 DND

DND

Holiday Inn Express Holland 12381 Felch St. Holland 49424 p (616) 738-2800 ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/ holland/hldfe/hoteldetail/hotel-reviews

Arrianna Tuttle, general manager

2001

DND

118

DND DND

Fitness center, a Michigan-shaped indoor heated pool and an outdoor sports court; game room featuring a pool table, air hockey and arcade games; free, hot Express Start Breakfast Bar

Holiday Inn Express Grand Rapids Southwest Becca Banfill, general 4651 36th St. SW manager Grandville 49418 p (616) 532-0202 suburbaninns.com

1998

DND DND

0 DND

Oversized rooms, complimentary business center, complimentary fitness room, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, heated indoor pool and hot tub

Bay Pointe 11456 Marsh Road Shelbyville 49344 p (888) 486-5253 f 672-5970 baypointeinn.com

Mike and Patti Powers

2004

100

33% 49%

5 375

Bay Pointe Woods Conference and Banquet Center, Fireside Room, Lakefront Pavilion, BoatHouse Villa, Terrace Grille Restaurant, multiple lodging options, indoor pool and spa, marina, boat rentals

Hilton Garden Inn Grand Rapids East 2321 East Beltline Ave. SE Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 608-8800

John Lagazo, general manager

2017

DND

DND DND

3 DND

1 DND

Wi-Fi, 50-inch HDTV, microwave and mini-fridge, 24-hour garden market, indoor Michigan-shaped pool with an indoor and outdoor hot tub, fitness center, outdoor patio including a stone fire table

AHC Hospitality opened Morton Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. It has 25 rooms that range from studios to penthouses.

Hotel opens The Hinman Company opened a 147-suite Residence Inn by Marriott at the Flat Iron Building in downtown Grand Rapids.

ListStore

@ GRBJ.com

The Business Journal's list of top area hotels, ranked by number of guest rooms/suites, is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Business Journal surveys. The Business Journal defines "West Michigan" as Allegan, Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties. The Business Journal surveyed 95 hotels; 14 returned surveys and 14 are listed. To be considered for future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = Did not disclose

Download this list now at GRBJ.com in Excel or PDF format. The Book of Lists and other lists are also available.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

West Michigan hospitality industry at a turning point With leisure travel picking up, next step is attracting conventions. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

The hospitality and entertainment industries were arguably the most affected industries in the country during the heart of the pandemic, but for Doug Small, president of Experience Grand Rapids, there is a sense of recovery currently taking place. He said he believes West Michigan is in the post-pandemic stage. According to Small, in May 2021, the hotel occupancy rate in Kent County was 50.5%. For the sake of comparison, May 2020’s rate was 24.7% while the May 2019 numbers checked in at 66.9%. “Once the vaccination became available to all, people’s confidence in travel began to rise dramatically,” he said. “Our leisure travel — people coming to Kent County on weekends — dramatically increased. We’ve had several weekends in June — Friday and Saturday nights — where our entire county is running 82-83% occupancy in hotels, and that is driven by leisure travel, people saying, ‘You know what, we have to get away.’” Along with leisure travel, Small credits youth and amateur sports tournaments with being significant hospitality drivers. He praised Mike Guswiler, the president of the West Michigan Sports Commission

Experience Grand Rapids officials were able to showcase the city during the pandemic to convention planners but couldn’t host any events. Courtesy Experience Grand Rapids

(WMSC), which is focused on attracting sporting events and tournaments to Kent County. The WMSC was able to bring the United States Bowling Congress Collegiate season, the Intercollegiate Team Championships and Intercollegiate Singles Championships to Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming in May. “Mike Guswiler and his team at the sports commission have

done a great job of keeping those tournaments alive and those have really helped us,” Small said. “The governor did not open up the state for conventions until July 1, so we were not allowed to have any groups up until July 1 and those sports groups — especially those playing outside — were able to (be here) so that helped.” Although leisure travel is returning to Kent County, one sector

that is rebounding more slowly is meetings and conventions. Small said last year during the pandemic, he and his team were able to do consumer trade shows, put together site inspections and showcase the city for companies and organizations to potentially host conventions and meetings here. “Everyone knew we were going to come up out of this and some convention planners were still

planning future meetings,” he said. “They couldn’t just wait and say, ‘Maybe we will wait until the next 12 months.’ They had to plan several years out, so business was still being done, albeit at a snail’s pace. But we continued to stay in front of our consumer base throughout the pandemic and keep them updated on what is going on in Grand Rapids, such as what our businesses are doing to provide a low-risk environment for them to return.” Small said more than 500 groups canceled conventions and meetings that were to be held between March 2020 and now. Prior to the pandemic, there were 110 groups scheduled to come to Grand Rapids in 2021 and approximately 300 countywide. Some groups were able to rebook their events for the future, however, and others still will make their way to Grand Rapids this year. Small said between July 19 and Dec. 27, Experience Grand Rapids has 30 organizations currently booked for events in downtown Grand Rapids. These events are projected to attract 56,225 people and fill 24,529 hotel rooms. “Now you know why I am feeling a little confident,” he said. “The hardest hit was our Kent County hospitality industry downtown. They rely on group business and individual corporate travelers. Both of those things are the slowest to come back. The first thing to come back in our market is our leisure travel and youth and amateur CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

THE LIST

Top Area Meeting and Convention Venues (RANKED BY 2020 TOTAL NUMBER OF MEETINGS/EVENTS HOSTED)

Meeting/event coordinator(s)

Total s.f. of meeting & event space

Number of banquet/ meeting rooms

2020 2019 2020 total No. of people total No. of Banquet/meeting hosted at meetings/ meetings/events room capacity range events hosted Venue services offered

Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton 187 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 774-2000 f 776-6489 amwaygrand.com

Kristen Burnett Kelly Van Dyke

47,120

36 36

1-720/1-1,150

DND DND

2,987

Boardroom, data ports, wireless internet, A/V, video/teleconferencing, valet parking, catering, eight restaurants and lounges, fitness center and indoor pool, overnight accommodations

Delta Hotels by Marriott Muskegon Convention Center 939 Third St. Muskegon 49440 p (231) 722-0100 f 722-5118 marriott.com/mkgde

Sarah Langlois Sommer Lawrence

37,700

15 15

5-1714/5-1,714

8,613 25,576

408

Newly renovated event space, on-site catering, restaurant and bar, complimentary Wi-Fi and on-site covered parking, audio-visual, attached to brand new 55,000 square feet VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center and 200-room hotel

Shoreline Inn & Conference Center 750 Terrace Point Drive Muskegon 49440 p (866) 727-8483 f 720-4209 shorelineInn.com

Becca Hunter

6,753

6 6

5-350/5-350

5,344 17,878

392

Waterfront ballroom for receptions, corporate retreats and meetings, six meeting rooms, audio-visual, two restaurants and lounges, overnight accommodations at 140-room Shoreline Inn on Muskegon Lake, complimentary Wi-Fi and parking

Courtyard By Marriott 11 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 242-6000 f 242-6607 marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrdt-courtyard-grandrapids-downtown/

Andy Graham

10,340

6 1

1-220/1-8

DND DND

264

On-site catering, on-site audio/visual services, natural lighting in all event spaces, on-site event planners

Bay Pointe 11456 Marsh Road Shelbyville 49344 p (888) 486-5253 f 672-5970 baypointeinn.com

Mariesa Colavincenzo Ashley Nadeau

14,940

7 7

2-375/2-375

20,000 39,000

233

Waterfront resort on 2,680-acre Gun Lake specializing in retreats, meetings and weddings; 50 guest rooms/suites/cottages; private balconies; 5,000-square-foot luxury lakefront villa with lodging and event space; indoor pool and hot tub; wireless internet; outdoor meeting space

Watermark Country Club 5500 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids 49546 p (616) 949-0570 f 949-9125 redwaterevents.com

Laura Greiner

9,000

4 4

450/450

DND 43,875

218

On-site catering, bar service, A/V, high-speed wireless internet, banquet rooms, restaurant, specializing in wedding receptions, fundraisers, galas, rehearsal dinners, showers, corporate events and holiday parties

StoneWater Country Club 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. Caledonia 49316 p (616) 656-9898 f 949-9125 redwaterevents.com

Hailie Kulczyk

Postma Center at Pine Rest 300 68th St. SE Grand Rapids 49548 p (616) 222-4566 f 885-1271 pinerest.org/postma-center

Sharon Rogers

Thousand Oaks Golf Club 4100 Thousand Oaks Drive NE Grand Rapids 49525 p (616) 447-7750 redwaterevents.com

3 3

400/400

5,600

6 6

Denise Shafer

6,902

Boatwerks 216 Van Raalte Ave. Holland 49423 p (616) 796-0740 redwaterevents.com

Jean Ellis

The Pinnacle Center 3330 Highland Drive Hudsonville 49426 p (616) 662-3330 f 662-3333 thepinnaclecenter.com

Bill Worst

Sunnybrook Country Club 624 Port Sheldon St. SW Grandville 49418 p (616) 719-4947 f 949-9125 redwaterevents.com

JW Marriott Grand Rapids 235 Louis St. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 242-1500 f 242-1595 ilovethejw.com

DeVos Place 303 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 742-6500 devosplace.org

Worklab by Custer 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 200 Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 726-7700 f 726-7701 custerworklab.com

CityFlatsHotel - Grand Rapids 83 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 451-1892 f 451-1982 cityflatshotel.com

Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown 310 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 235-7611 f 235-1995 higrdt.com

4,500

DND 28,635

215

250+/5-450

5,497 32,546

204

Audio/visual equipment included with rental facility, two outdoor courtyards, grand foyer, art gallery, business center, wireless connectivity, preferred catering list and professional staff

7 7

400/400

DND 35,458

179

On-site catering, bar service, A/V, high-speed wireless internet, banquet rooms, restaurant; specializing in wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers, corporate events and holiday parties

4,650

4 4

400/400

DND 33,936

177

Retractable wall of windows to courtyard

20,000

2 10

6-850/6-1,200

20,113 174,672

171

Integrated A/V with screens, HD camera and projection systems, concert sound, recording, live internet streaming, large outdoor natural areas, free parking, event planners, high-speed wireless internet

4 4

350/350

DND 24,503

141

On-site catering, bar service, A/V, high-speed wireless internet, banquet rooms, restaurant, specializing in wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers, corporate events and holiday parties

Jennifer Shaler 20,000

8 8

5-800/5-800

16,533 390,148

129

Newly renovated with more than 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a ballroom built for 1,000 and 14 uniquely configured meeting, breakout and banquet rooms

Kathy Bart 235,000 Eddie Tadlock Todd Johnson Jen Henkel

4 26

34-5,000/ 24-1,000

223,772 658,981

127

Executive boardroom, wireless internet, A/V, catering, alcohol, decorator, medical services, piano tuning, security, florists, furniture

Amanda Williams 12,000

2 5

15-80/2-30

904 DND

118

Event planning, meeting facilitation, view of downtown Grand Rapids, full catering services, meeting rooms, audio/visual technology, meeting hosting

Vanessa 3,700 Snelgrove-Gould

On-site catering, bar service, A/V, high-speed wireless internet, valet parking, banquet rooms, restaurant; specializing in wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers, corporate events and holiday parties

Morgan Fisher

6,000

2 4

150-200/6-200

1,000 14,000

On-site catering, on-site lodging, wireless microphones, screen/projectors/TVs, tables, chairs, full place settings linens

Natalie Bothwell

1,263

3 3

10-110/10-110

DND 7,750

Flexible meeting and banquet space, fullservice catering, A/V, Wi-Fi, additional semiprivate meeting and dining available, complimentary open air and covered parking

New name 20 Monroe Live has been renamed GLC Live at 20 Monroe after Gun Lake Casino became its new name-in-title sponsor.

Extended contract ASM Global, which manages the DeVos Performance Hall, DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena, extended its agreement with Ticketmaster, an online ticketing service.

Joining a collection The CityFlatsHotel in Holland is officially a part of the Tapestry Collection, which is owned by Hilton.

Space expansion Revel Center expanded its space. The additional space will serve as groomsmen and bridal suites and features The Lounge, a cocktail area.

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

THE LIST

JULY 26, 2021

Top Area Meeting and Convention Venues (RANKED BY 2020 TOTAL NUMBER OF MEETINGS/EVENTS HOSTED)

Meeting/event coordinator(s)

Total s.f. of meeting & event space

Number of banquet/ meeting rooms

2020 2019 2020 total No. of people total No. of Banquet/meeting hosted at meetings/ meetings/events room capacity range events hosted Venue services offered

The Revel Center 1535 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49505 p (616) 648-1336 revelcenter.com

Matt Rubino Josh Rubino

3,500

2 2

25-200/25-200

DND 16,500

Large venue equipped with sonos sound system, HD projector, tables/chairs, Wi-Fi, 4x8 stage and private parking, outdoor patio, upstairs for cocktail hour, groomsmen and bridal suite for weddings

Coopersville Farm Museum 375 Main St. Coopersville 49404 p (616) 997-8555 coopersvillefarmmuseum.org

Lee Ann Proia

8,000

1 1

150/150

1,408 2,497

Warm, modern barn, sound system, kitchen, restrooms, heat/AC, barrier-free, stage, kids area, tables, chairs

Macatawa Golf Club 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd. Holland 49424 p (616) 212-2600 redwaterevents.com

Lacey Sheffer

6,000

3 3

400/400

DND 3,111

Macatawa offers a variety of room options with vaulted ceilings, large windows, views of the golf course and grounds

Van Andel Arena 130 W. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 742-6600 vanandelarena.com

Todd Johnson

52,500

4 5

280 banquet; 477 theater/12,500

228,564 845,844

Concerts, comedy, sporting events, family shows and more

Ravines Golf Club 3520 Palmer Drive Saugatuck 49453 p (269) 857-1616 ravinesgolfclub.com

Mallory Charter

1,725

1 1

175/175

DND DND

Wedding ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, after wedding brunch, bridal shower, baby shower

Thornapple Pointe 4747 Champions Circle SE Grand Rapids 49512 p (616) 554-4747 f 698-2021 thornapplepointe.com

Vanessa 4,500 Snelgrove-Gould

2 2

250/250

DND DND

Wedding receptions, ceremonies, rehearsal dinner, golf outings, showers

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown 140 Ottawa Ave. Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 984-1200 f 984-1201 hyattplacegrandrapidsdowntown.com

St. Cecilia Music Center 24 Ransom Ave. NE Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 459-2224 f 459-6445 scmc-online.org

Seven Steps Up Live Music + Events 116 S. Jackson St. Spring Lake 49456 p (616) 930-4755 sevenstepsup.com

AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown 50 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 776-3200 marriott.com/grrar

Christi VanHeulen

1,551

0 3

DND/10-120

Carla Messing

Gary Hanks

DND DND

4,639

3 4

2,500

292

Wireless mics and whiteboards, three flexible meeting spaces, custom catering, space configuration and tech support

50-200/75-650

DND 47,180

Chairs, tables, coffee and water service, lighting and sound system, auditorium seating 635 people

1 0

30-100/DND

0 9,100

Banquet tables, padded fabric chairs, audiovideo, full service bar, independent caterers, wireless mic, stage, Wi-Fi, sound system

1 1

12/12

DND DND

DND

Muskegon Country Club 2801 Lakeshore Drive Muskegon 49441 p (231) 755-3737 redwaterevents.com

Vanessa 5,000 Snelgrove-Gould

5 5

175/175

0 0

Wedding ceremonies, receptions, business events, showers, rehearsal dinners

VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center 460 West Western Ave. Muskegon 49440 p (231) 588-3500 f 722-5118 vandykmortgageconventioncenter.com

Sommer Lawrence Katie DeWeerd

37,700

15 15

5-1,714/5-1,714

0 0

New 2021 convention center offering lake views, extensive pre-function space, audiovisual, 13 breakout rooms, Wi-Fi and covered parking, attached to 200-room hotel

Aquinas College 1700 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49506 p (616) 632-1047 aquinas.edu/conference

Mark Schmidbauer Lauren Zaloga Mandee Matzke

3,770

2 16

1-240/1-380

DND DND

DND

Catering, A/V, housing, free parking, meetings, wedding ceremonies and receptions, conferences

Crystal Mountain 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive Thompsonville 49683 p (888) 968-7686 f 378-2998 crystalmountain.com

Staci Putney 20,000 Stephanie Gray

9 13

60-400/10-350

DND DND

DND

Four-season event facility, team-building programs, Crystal Spa, green meetings, golf, downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, climbing wall, biking, dining, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, lodging

DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport 4747 28th St. SE Grand Rapids 49512 p (616) 957-0100 f 957-2977 grandrapidsairport.doubletree.com

Emily Holtrop Laura Grovenor

7,500

10 10

2-500/2-500

DND DND

DND

Free parking, free Wi-Fi, free airport shuttle, catering and beverage service, full-service packages that include food, bar, setup and décor

Embassy Suites 710 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 512-5700 suburbaninns.com/banquets-events/embassy-suitesgrand-rapids-downtown/

Clarissa Lange

4,032

7 7

438-4,032/ 438-4,032

DND DND

DND

On-site catering, event planning, bar service, AV equipment, Wi-Fi, valet parking, parking garage, two-room suites with breakfast

GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave. Grand Rapids 49503 p (844) 678-5483 20monroelive.com

Lindsay Lerette

31,908

2 2

1-550/25-2,600

DND DND

DND

Corporate, social and private events, as well as concerts and other live performances

Grand Rapids Community College 143 Bostwick Ave. NE Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 234-4000 grcc.edu

Additional business Seven Steps Up Live Music + Events invested in a large modular outdoor stage and trailer and started a company called Seven Steps Up Stage Rental.

Acquisition The RedWater Collection acquired the Muskegon Country Club from MCC Partners LLC.

Remodeled and renamed The former Haworth Inn and Conference Center on the campus of Hope College was renamed the Haworth Hotel after it was remodeled.

Doors opened Muskegon’s new VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center opened in April. The 55,000-square-foot convention center is located at 460 W. Western Ave.

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Bill Pink

3,616

4 6

40-56/12-119

DND DND

DND

Catering, teleconferencing, audio-visual equipment

Download this list now at GRBJ.com in Excel or PDF format. The Book of Lists and other lists are also available.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

THE LIST

Michigan Works! leverages new tool to help job seekers Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Explorer launched to help local workforce make better career decisions. Rachel Watson

people obtain better jobs,” said Ben Damerow, director of Michigan Works! Southwest. “Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Explorer customizes this journey for our clients, so we can help them reach their professional goals more quickly.” Damerow said data shows a correlation between postsecondary education and earnings increases.

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Local Michigan Works! agencies are taking appointments to help job seekers develop customized career plans using a new tool from Pure Michigan Talent Connect. Job seekers and students now have access to a new career exploration resource, Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Explorer at mitalent.org/ career-exploration. Individuals can access the tool on their own or career coaches at the workforce development agency’s branches, including Michigan Works! Southwest and West Michigan Works!, can guide people through the career exploration feature by virtual or in-person appointment. The Career Explorer resource through Pure Michigan Talent Connect is designed to help people access better jobs, education and training opportunities. The tool provides recommendations tailored to individuals’ needs, aimed at setting them up for success in the labor market. “Training and education help

“People don’t have to think of careers as fixed. (They) can always grow within a field, adding certifications and degrees, allowing them to advance their careers. And the data supports that the more education you gain, the more opportunity you have to grow your income.” Ben Damerow “People don’t have to think of careers as fixed,” he said. “(They) can always grow within a field, adding certifications and degrees, allowing them to advance their careers. And the data supports that the more education you gain, the more opportunity you have to grow your income.”

According to Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Southwest Michigan jobs that fall into the category of high-wage, high-demand occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree are expected to grow at the fastest rate over the next five years compared to other job opportunities. These same high-wage, high-demand, high-education jobs — for instance, social workers, health care professionals, financial managers and engineers — display higher pay scales than other occupations with wages ranging from $42,000 per year to six figures. Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Explorer leverages data-driven information to help job seekers make better career decisions in a changing economy, particularly those looking to upgrade their skills or find a new career. The new tool is a part of the Data for the American Dream (D4AD) project, a national initiative that strives to create an intelligent workforce system to help job seekers make better career decisions in a changing economy through the use of data-driven information. “Our goal is to take the guesswork out of how people can prepare for their next — or first — career,” Damerow said. “Our role in rolling out new resources such as these customized career plans is to make preparation even easier, helping people find unique opportunities personalized for each person’s success.”

Team member Patrick Lothamer stands ready to greet guests at a Michigan Works! Southwest American Job Center. Job seekers can now work with a Michigan Works! career coach using the Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Explorer tool to develop and implement customized career plans. Courtesy Southwest Michigan Works!

West Michigan Works! — which serves employers and job seekers in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties — said it also uses the Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Explorer tool, along with several other resources, to assist job seekers. “West Michigan Works! is open to assist people with their career choices. Along with the Pure Michigan Talent Connect Career Explorer tool, our expert career

coaching services use a variety of resources to assist people with their next career step,” said Brittany Lenertz, director of talent solutions, West Michigan Works!. Those in southwest or West Michigan looking for support in accessing Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Career Explorer or in connecting their customized career plans to additional Michigan Works! resources and programs, can visit michiganworkssouth west.org or westmiworks.org.

Top Area Meeting and Convention Venues (RANKED BY 2020 TOTAL NUMBER OF MEETINGS/EVENTS HOSTED)

Meeting/event coordinator(s)

Total s.f. of meeting & event space

Number of banquet/ meeting rooms

2020 2019 2020 total No. of people total No. of Banquet/meeting hosted at meetings/ meetings/events room capacity range events hosted Venue services offered

Grand Rapids Public Museum 272 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 929-1718 f 929-1780 grpm.org

Jessica Lettsome 150,000 Jim Ackerman

3 1

100-1,200/10-30

DND 62

DND

Interactive exhibitions, antique carousel, 240-seat theater, 142-seat planetarium, threestory galleria, catering, parking

Haworth Hotel 225 College Ave. Holland 49423 p (616) 395-7980 f 395-7207 haworthhotel.com

Heather Roden 10,000 Diana Kaeding Brenna Digison

6 13

1-380/1-380

DND DND

DND

Executive boardrooms, meeting rooms and ballroom for corporate meetings, seminars, retreats, banquets, weddings and social events, 48 hotel rooms, on-site catering, Wi-Fi, A/V technology, airport shuttle from GRR

Hope College 100 E. Eighth St., Suite 130 Holland 49423 p (616) 395-7222 f 395-7191 hope.edu/eco

Heather Roden Derek Emerson Kristi Dunn Theresa Bravata Odille Parker Chad Carlson Brenna Digison

DND

17 130

10-540/1-4,000

DND DND

DND

Theaters, athletic venues, concert hall, various classrooms, banquet rooms, meeting rooms for corporate meetings, seminars, retreats, banquets and social events, Wi-Fi and on-site catering, group lodging options available in the summer months

John Ball Zoo 1300 W. Fulton St. Grand Rapids 49504 p (616) 336-4301 f 336-3907 jbzoo.org

Darci Napolillo Roy Graves

5,000

2 2

25-6,000/ 25-6,000

DND DND

DND

Bissell Tree House with transportation to venue, preferred catering and bar service, variety of outdoor locations and experiences for small to large events, animal exhibits, food and gift venues

LMCU Ballpark / West Michigan Whitecaps P.O. Box 428, 4500 West River Drive Comstock Park 49321 p (616) 784-4131 f 784-4911 fifththirdballpark.com

Alanna Klomp Mike Klint Abby Wills

10,000

1 21

20-175/10-175

DND 407,869

DND

Turnkey event planning, on-site catering, fullbar, audio/visual, high-volume parking, multiuse venue, year-round, multiple spaces, indoor/outdoor, ADA-accessible and sustainable business practices

The Gilmore Collection 20 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503 p (616) 356-2000 f 493-2011 gilmore-catering.com

Kim Lemmen Angela Shea

10,000

10 10

18-3,000/18-3,000

DND 95,000

DND

Catering, restaurants, lounge, alcohol, video/ teleconferencing, A/V, data ports, executive boardroom, wireless internet, video game room, motorcoach parking, garden areas (varies by location)

Kylie Martolock 15,000

2 2

400/15

DND DND

DND

Weddings, fundraisers, holiday parties, networking events, workshops, showcases and more

The Goei Center and Kindel Room 818 Butterworth St. SW Grand Rapids MI p (616) 949-2421 thegoeicenter.com

The Grand Rapids Business Journal list of the top area meeting and convention venues, ranked by 2020 total number of meetings/events hosted, is the most comprehensive available. The list based is on responses to the Business Journal surveys. The Business Journal surveyed 186 venues, 42 returned surveys and 42 are listed. To be considered future lists, email dnelson@grbj.com. DND = Did not disclose

Restaurant addition The RedWater Collection acquired The Butler restaurant, an addition to its nine other restaurants in West Michigan, including Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant.

Executive team grows John Ball Zoo welcomed Kelli Smith to serve on its executive team as chief development officer.

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“I’ve been fortunate to work with entrepreneurs who founded and grew their businesses,” Harvey notes. “I’ve enjoyed helping them along the way, growing their businesses and eventually helping them sell their businesses. The best part of being a lawyer is helping someone work through a situation to help them get where they want to go.” That parallels Harvey’s experience with Guiding Light. He ﬁrst got to know the Heartside nonproﬁt more than a dozen years ago through Saturday work projects organized by his church, Princeton Christian Reformed Church in Kentwood. He learned more about Guiding Light’s work with Recovery and Back to Work programs by networking with board members.

A PATH TO A BETTER PLACE. Harvey Koning values Guiding Light’s approach to recovery Faith has always been an integral part of Harvey Koning’s life, but when he left his hometown of Grand Rapids to attend Harvard Law School, his Christianity “got real” for him. “Being away from home and meeting so many people who were not Christians really caused me to say, ‘What difference does being a Christian make? How do I live my life? How do I give back?’” Harvey explains. “I’ve always looked for ways to participate and give back to the community. As I get involved with organizations, I learn just as much as I can to immerse myself in the community effort.” A graduate of both Grand Rapids Christian High School and Calvin College, which is now a university, Harvey and his wife, Mara, moved to Atlanta after he ﬁnished his law studies—a new start for both of them. After six years, they and their young children moved to West Michigan. Harvey joined the Varnum law ﬁrm, where he is now a partner focused on business law for community banks and other businesses.

Harvey “caught the social services bug” from his seven-year tenure on the board of Bethany Christian Services. He was attracted to Guiding Light because he saw the impact it had right here in the community—and because of the organization’s focus on faith. “The Christian faith is really about fresh starts,” Harvey says. “Jesus gives people a fresh start. Guiding Light’s Recovery and Back to Work programs are really about a fresh start for the men who participate. “Guiding Light acts in coaching and resource roles. It’s up to the men to embrace and do the work to put their lives on a better trajectory. What I like about these programs is that they help create a path to a better place.” Harvey has been a board member for the past three years, serving on the Program and Executive committees for Guiding Light. He values the opportunity to engage directly with men in the programs by attending support group meetings, joining in the one-year sobriety celebrations and picnicking with the men who live at Iron House, Guiding Light’s sober living community. “I’m impressed by the realness of it,” Harvey explains. “For instance, in the support group meetings, people are down to the real truth of where they are and are past putting a nice face on things. “Recovery isn’t about people we see on the street— it’s everywhere. Substance abuse is not limited to a particular group in society.” Guiding Light’s Recovery program provides a holistic approach to addiction treatment that helps men construct a life worth staying sober for. Known on the streets as no-joke recovery, the residential program combines evidence-based practices, life-coaching, therapy, support groups, spiritual direction and resources to equip men to stay sober and live life in a new way.

Funded entirely by donors, Recovery gives men the structure and opportunity to focus entirely on their sobriety and to engage in positive change. As Harvey and other board members know, that takes time—and hard work. “A week or two in detox and rehab is typically not enough to get at the core issues and create lasting change,” he says. “Addiction affects people on both a biological and behavioral level. I really appreciate the sustained commitment by both Guiding Light and the men—four to six months of an intensive live-in program, interactions with support groups and the opportunity for supportive housing through Iron House.

‘‘

Society is always looking for quick fixes. The men in the program know that this is going to take work and sustained effort.

Guiding Light walks with them on that journey to help set them up for success—not for days and weeks but for months and years.” Harvey’s board work is “very much encouraged” by his law firm. As a service business, Varnum recognizes the importance of engaging and supporting organizations such as Guiding Light that make a difference. His legal background has been helpful, particularly during the pandemic, which has given rise to “interesting questions and challenges.” “I’ll admit I used to make a lot of assumptions about people who are in a difficult spot,” Harvey says. “Someone may not have secure housing or a job. Someone may be struggling with addiction. Through my work with Guiding Light, I’ve learned to set these preconceived ideas aside, hear their stories and work together on what comes next. “We all find ourselves in tough places in our lives. Sometimes our assumptions cause us to blame and give up. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of an organization that recognizes the value and worth of each person and works to help people re-engage meaningfully with their families and communities. “We’re all a community together. We all rise and fall together.”

Through the guiding light of God’s Spirit, Guiding Light partners with individuals to fulfill their God-given potential through rescue, recovery and re-engagement in the community. GIVE SECURELY ONLINE AT GuidingLightWorks.org/Give

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

INSIDE TRACK

JULY 26, 2021

Superintendent finds her way to top GRPS graduation rates top Leadriane Roby’s list of priorities as she settles into leadership role. Danielle Nelson

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hile most Grand Rapids Public Schools students are enjoying a free-spirited summer, one GRPS high school student is spending part of her summer under the tutelage of Dr. Leadriane Roby, the district’s superintendent. Just a little over a year into her tenure as the head of the city’s school district, Roby has opted to take part in Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington’s GRow1000 youth employment program, where she is providing an internship opportunity to a GRPS student so they can see and experience what it is like to be a school superintendent. “I want a young person to see what executives do, what the work looks like because you don’t just (fall) into these positions,” she said. “I want them to understand that for most people you have a career path where you start out doing something and then you get some gradual, incremental promotions. I want them to understand that, because part of the internship experience is getting exposure to different levels of what a career is, but to also understand that for most people, we grow in our careers through promotions and education and this is what it looks like.” The internship experience was not an opportunity that was afforded to her while she attended high school in Minnesota, but it is an opportunity Roby is willing to provide for her students. A career in education was never a path she imagined she would pursue going into her freshman year at Hampton University in Virginia. Roby had the intention of becoming an attorney, a trial attorney to be precise. Her choice was heavily influenced by the television show “L.A. Law,” but that quickly changed when she started college. “When I was watching the TV show ‘L.A. Law,’ I would say, ‘That is going to be me when I grow up.’ I

am going to put people on trial and cross-examine them, but when I went to college, I took a prerequisite — I think it was a philosophy course where we were studying Socrates and Aristotle — and it was just not of any great interest to me,” she said. “I remember talking to my college counselor at the time saying, ‘Can I switch to a different class?’ and he said, ‘If you are switching to a different class, you know this is a prerequisite to get you ready for a career in law?’ And he asked me, ‘What else do you want to do?’ and I had to really think about it. I told him that I am most interested in working with kids. I like kids and I decided to switch to education.” Roby had family members who were teachers. Her mother, who was a nurse, transitioned into the education field and became a nurse instructor at a local community college. Roby also got to observe her aunt who was a teacher and watch her gradually move up the ladder to become an assistant principal and later a principal. Once Roby graduated, the St. Louis native spent seven years as a teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools. She was a third-grade teacher for three years, a second-grade teacher for two years and the remaining years she was a fifthand sixth-grade classroom teacher. During that time, she also was working on her master’s degree in education administration at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Following her stint as a teacher, Roby became a professional development coordinator, leading the professional development of Minneapolis Public Schools’ teachers. She later became an assistant principal for a school in the district. In 2001, Roby moved to Michigan to become the principal at Covert Middle/High School, which is about 65 miles south of Grand Rapids. She spent about five years at the middle/high school before becoming the principal of an elementary school in the Covert Public Schools for five years as she worked on her doctorate at West-

LEADRIANE ROBY Position: Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri Residence: Grand Rapids Age: 54 Family: Husband Steven, daughter Tayler, and sons Julian and Cedric Community Involvement: Economic Club of Grand Rapids, Heart of West Michigan United Way Biggest Career Break: To be the superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools. “I take this job with a lot of humility. I am very humbled and very honored that I have been entrusted to lead this organization. I have always thought of myself as a leader from the beginning of my career by leading in my classroom, trying to mentor and model the young people that I am working with. At the building level, it was the same thing, by working with staff to mentor and model the expectations. But to lead an organization this size is a huge task, and I don’t take it lightly. I am appreciative of the board for having trust that I can do this work as a new superintendent.”

Leadriane Roby is taking on a student intern this summer as part of the city’s youth employment program. Photo by Danielle Nelson

ern Michigan University. “As I was working on my doctorate, I needed a little bit more time,” she said. “High school principalship is an extremely grinding kind of role. It is dances and games and proms. There are always, always evening events, and I really wanted to work on my doctorate. I needed a little bit more flexibility, so I asked the superintendent at the time if she would consider moving me to the elementary level. Because as an elementary principal, you still have evening events like concerts and things like that, but it is nowhere near the high school principal life because almost every night you are doing something as a high school principal. And I was thinking, ‘I will never finish my degree.’ So, I moved to the elementary level and I was able to take classes at night and work on my doctorate.” After completing her doctorate course, Roby decided to move back to Minnesota to be closer to her family. While in Minnesota, she returned to Minneapolis Public Schools and became principal of a pre-K-8 grade program. During her first year as principal, Roby completed her dissertation and earned her Ph.D. She was later tapped by the superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools to become the assistant associate superintendent, while still maintaining her role as principal. With the new position, Roby had her building where she was responsible for about 1,000 students, 110 staff members and she supervised other building principals in the school district.

“What I appreciated about that is I knew how to do the building-level leadership, but now I was doing district-level leadership and I was also in charge of a small cadre of schools,” she said. “I had five schools. I was working very closely with those principals who were newer to Minneapolis and since Minneapolis was home to me, even though I was new in the leadership role, it was still home for me. I was able to work with them to develop their strategic plan and show them how to work with staff and how to work on issues that sometimes can be sticky like issues between staff or students and staff. I would also work with them around their assessment data and how to report it out to the community. I did that for a year.” In 2014, Roby became the assistant superintendent of Richfield Public Schools, a neighboring district to Minneapolis Public Schools. She primarily focused on teaching and learning, but she also was responsible for summer schools, preschools, community education, bond referendums, professional development for teachers and building principals in the district. However, Roby said she and the superintendent had an understanding that she would only stay in the position for three to five years because she had her own aspirations of becoming a superintendent in a metropolitan district. After six years, Roby began exploring open opportunities. She found out late that the now-former superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal was retiring, and GRPS

already was conducting a national search for its next superintendent. Fortunately for Roby, the initial search was not successful and Dr. Ron Gorman, who was serving as the assistant superintendent under Neal, became the interim superintendent. Roby became aware of a second search that was being conducted and decided to apply. She was selected as the superintendent in February, and three weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Roby didn’t assume her position until July 1. Between February and July, Roby was still the assistant superintendent for Richfield Public Schools, but she said she and Gorman were able to share ideas and establish plans to provide effective education for students during the heart of the pandemic. Now with a year under her belt, Roby said she is looking to continue the upward trend in GRPS’ graduation rate that her predecessors began. “GRPS for the first time this last year exceeded the state’s graduation rate,” she said. “I am extremely proud of that. We had 81% of students graduating on time, but the other side of that story is 19% of our kids are not graduating on time. We have to close that gap. I would love to see 100% of our kids graduate on time. That is my goal. We also want to prepare our kids not only to get across the stage but to prepare them during the 13 years that they have been with us to ensure that they have a plan for how to be successful moving forward.” This summer’s student internship is just a start.

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The premise behind ‘Edge’ is to combine building activities with action and adventure. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

Whether it is a classic arcade game or the more intricate Minecraft, video games always have been a staple everywhere from grocery stores to living rooms. They captivate an individual’s attention through an alternative, animated reality that is full of action, emotions, competitiveness and brilliance. Those are the characteristics that Anthony Forman, who is based in West Michigan, Rebecca Roman and their team that is made up of developers from around the world have decided to tap into by creating their startup, StarForged Studios, a video game company. They are developing their own video game, “Edge,” a three-dimensional game that merges two separate genres. “There are two really popular gaming genres of adventure and building, but each one of them has something missing sometimes,” said Roman, creative director for StarForged Studios. “In a game like Minecraft, it is just about building for the most part. When you go into Minecraft, you just basically decide things that you want to do and you just do them, like, ‘I am going to build a treehouse.’ But the game doesn’t tell you to build a treehouse, you just decide that is what you feel like doing and once you do it, the game doesn’t tell you to do anything else. It doesn’t encourage anything further, so it is just what you can come up with. That leaves people feeling weird and they log off. There is just a lack of closure.” She said adventure games can present the same sort of problem. “In adventure games, it can feel like there is just this one-size-fitsall experience because everybody, in a lot of adventure games, goes through the exact same story. There are not a lot of choices to make. It is just you going through the same experience as the person that is sitting next to you. We wanted to combine those in a meaningful way so that building has this kind of extrinsic motivation, there is a reason to build more and con-

tinue expanding your adventure. You have something creative and unique to you.” With that in mind, Roman describes Edge as a world that was split up into floating islands with fantasy races of people who also got split up and are hiding from each other. They also are trying to build a town that was once the hub of the entire world, but they are now isolated. They go out to try to find people to bring back to their town — people who are traveling and don’t have a home. Once they are together, they gather at the center of the town and they find blueprints and decide to build buildings. Along with building, they can create new food recipes, new weapons and things that did not previously exist. “It is about as strong as we are alone, we are stronger together,” she said. “That community aspect. But the hook is that unlike any other game, we combine these two ideas that whenever you build something it actually helps you and your adventure.” StarForged Studios became incorporated in 2019 while it was in the pre-production stage. “It was probably a little too early for us to be incorporated, but it lit a fire under us because we could say we had a company, we had something to attach ourselves to and it made us work harder,” Roman said. Forman and Roman first pitched their idea for Edge at the Burgess New Venture Challenge at the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “We had a very basic prototype of a game,” said Forman, technical director for StarForged Studios. “It captured the rudimentary element of the game, but it wasn’t the art style we wanted because art is probably the most expensive part of any game. You have to spend a lot of money on art to make it feel like an actual video game. We wanted a painted landscape and it cost a lot of money to just go through different styles and different edits. We didn’t have any of the art. We had a mannequin-looking person walking through the town with a sword that looked like a baseball bat at the time so the character could attack.” Roman said the team had to get creative. “A lot of the things that we got were either free online or things that you could buy,” Roman said. “There is an asset store for the game engine we use. It is used by people who are either just making

games for fun or smaller studios like us, and they can buy little pieces that are licensed to them like an animation for a character or a model of a tree. It is really helpful at times, but it is really a skill to put all those things together and create a game that feels like it is not just a bunch of pieces fitting together but instead make it feel like it was made by a team.” She said the process was painstaking. “Especially for this game, we weren’t really good at that at the time. It looked bad, but honestly, I think it shined because we were really nervous about pitching it in real time and having to maybe play through the game while we were pitching our idea. But (because of the pandemic) we got to make this really nicely edited video where we got to pitch our idea virtually while the game footage was being shown.” They were awarded funding from the venture challenge, and Roman and Forman later enrolled in MSU Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator’s 10-week program during the pandemic, where they began to realize the intricacies of establishing a startup. Roman said when they initially went into the Conquer Accelerator, they overestimated how much money they would make and underestimated how much the production would cost. “Small games can cost up to $500,000 to produce and then larger games can cost a million (dollars),” she said. “Our game is probably going to cost between $3 million and $5 million, and I estimated that we could do it for $800,000. Once we got accepted into Conquer, we had a lot of work to do. We completely redid our pitch and were not super optimistic about things. We started to get real, and we had to come up with a timeline for everything. Now, we have a really solid budget and timeline for this. We just need to get full funding to be able to bring on new team members and not just work from grant to grant.” Roman said they are in the “pre-alpha” stage of development where all the features in the final game are not completed as yet, but the art style is built, and the basic system is complete, including the ability for the character to prepare meals. Once they receive adequate funding, she said it will take StarForged about three years to get its product on the market.

Hospitality industry at a turning point CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

sports tournaments.” One business that has struggled during the pandemic is the live music and events venue Seven Steps Up in Ottawa County’s Spring Lake. “We had to decline private events during the shutdown as they were always asking, ‘How many guests can we have six months from now for our event?’” said owner Gary Hanks. “There was no way to answer a question like that.

“Sixteen months with no income and still trying to pay bills is/was very painful. We had to refund thousands and thousands of dollars in ticket refunds for shows that got canceled/postponed. A few weeks ago, we received Shuttered Venue Operators Grant emergency funds. Otherwise, we would have had to permanently shut down. Many venues in the country haven’t survived.” As Hanks and his business slowly recover from the pandemic, he said it has made him reconsider

how he does business. “We really want to concentrate on being a live music venue and not a wedding/private event venue,” he said. “We invested in a large modular outdoor stage and trailer and started a company called Seven Steps Up Stage Rental. We’ve been able to rent it out eight times in the last two months. So far, though, we haven’t used it ourselves.” Hanks said he hopes to “squeeze in a few short-notice, pop-up outdoor shows” this year.

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Michigan has most potential for offshore power generation Report says offshore wind could provide double the electricity residents used in 2019. Taylor Haelterman Capital News Service

the chair of the Public Service Commission. It’s important to discuss offshore wind development before projects are proposed because current laws for wind project permits might be insufficient, and offshore wind farms won’t be a good fit everywhere, Scripps said. “There’s no silver bullet. There’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

The benefit of offshore wind is that it’s strong and consistent, making it a reliable option that can generate more power than wind over land. Courtesy iStock

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LANSING — Coastal wind is a strong, consistent power source, and Michigan’s more than 3,000 miles of coast could provide double the electricity residents used from all sources in 2019. That’s according to a recent report using data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that evaluated the energy potential of offshore winds across the United States. The report was produced by the Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group organizations that provide information on and work to improve the environment. The wind off the shores of the Great Lakes could provide electricity for Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin, the report said. New York was excluded from the Great Lakes region because its offshore energy potential comes from the Atlantic Ocean. Of these states, Michigan has the most potential. Offshore wind could generate three-quarters of the state’s predicted electricity use for 2050 with full electrification, according to the report. Full electrification means switching the state to electric power entirely — from buildings to transportation to industry, said report co-author Hannah Read. The next-closest Great Lakes state in 2050 coastal power generation potential is Wisconsin at 27%, according to the report. This potential is technical potential, which means it’s the total energy generation possible from wind in that area. That doesn’t mean all that energy would necessarily be harvested, said Read, who is the Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Go Big on Offshore Wind program associate. “We say technical potential specifically because it’s just that — it’s potential,” she said. “We’re not necessarily saying that we should develop all this offshore wind. We’re just saying this is what is there, and this is what we could be using. “We also recognize that with technology improving and becoming even more efficient and powerful, the technical potential could increase in future years.” Turbines that look like giant, three-pronged windmills that can stand on the lakebed or be floating and anchored to it would generate the power. The benefit of offshore wind is that it’s strong and consistent, making it a reliable option that can generate more power than wind over land, the report said. And there’s the benefit that it’s renewable energy. “Instead of relying on dirty fossil fuels, you’re transitioning to use clean renewable energy that can power a much cleaner and healthi-

er future for everybody,” Read said. But there are hurdles. Depending on the lake, there can be limited usable areas, winter ice floes that could damage floating turbines and conflicting uses, she said. Beyond technological barriers, two of the largest barriers are community and political acceptance of offshore wind projects because the Great Lakes are important to Michigan residents, said Dan Scripps,

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The Property becomes haven for paintings, ‘pARTies’ Lowell resident Cynthia Hagedorn used pandemic to create unique gatherings. Danielle Nelson

dnelson@grbj.com

We are proud to be one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ®. Congratulations to all of the Best and Brightest winners. We are honored to partner with you in making West Michigan a positive place to live and work.

Cynthia Hagedorn has many titles, and she is using all of them to share her passion for painting with others on The Property, her Lowell residence. Hagedorn is an artist, producer, educator and entrepreneur, but she has merged all those to focus on being an artist. Last year during the pandemic, she took advantage of the outdoors and established tents on the lawn of The Property to create Lawn pARTies, which are artist-themed parties for birthdays, bridal showers and more. Hagedorn said she has more than 40 themed artists like French painter Claude Monet and American painter Jackson Pollock that guests can choose from for their Lawn pARTies. If guests choose a Monet-themed Lawn pARTy, for example, the table settings will feature a French style for plates, cutlery, water and wine goblets, and linens.

“Painting with Cynthia in her studio is ‘an experience.’ The studio is completely adorned in Cynthia’s art, and it is in a very comforting and lovely forest setting, which is both contemplative and peaceful.” kent riddle

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“The emergence of the experience makes you feel that you are in Monet’s backyard,” she said. “Everything is in French style. Even some of the things on the table are things that you would see in his paintings. You’ll have an opportunity to do three or four art projects, and they are all open-ended. Everyone has their supplies. The experience is a couple of hours, and you just learn about the artists and hang out with your friends.” In addition to hosting Lawn pARTies, Hagedorn works on different programs including Care on Canvas and Leadership on Canvas, both of which are done in her home art studio. She also hosts brunch pARTies inside her home. The Care on Canvas program is a partnership between Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation where Hagedorn paints with kids who are fighting cancer. They go to her art studio year-round and there is one exhibition per year where the children share their artwork with a marketplace that sells necklaces, perfumes, bath bombs and more. The Leadership on Canvas

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss participated in the Leadership on Canvas program. Courtesy Cynthia Hagedorn

program is about West Michigan leaders painting with Hagedorn. Some of the participants have included Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington, Spectrum Health President and CEO Tina Freese Decker, Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle and Mike Verhulst, vice president of Rockford Construction and board chair of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Those artworks have been displayed at ArtPrize. Riddle and Verhulst both have participated in the Leadership on Canvas program and have attended a Lawn pARTy. While the programs have been beneficial to the community, they also have been enlightening to the leaders personally. “Painting with Cynthia in her studio is ‘an experience,’” Riddle said. “The studio is completely adorned in Cynthia’s art, and it is in a very comforting and lovely forest setting, which is both contemplative and peaceful.” Verhulst said the experience was eye-opening for him. “Cynthia introduced me to the power of art through painting,” Verhulst stated. “Only having art classes in elementary school, I did enjoy the time as being fun and a way to express my thoughts in a youthful way. Now that I am older, I am able to do something with art that is spontaneous, has purpose, inner thought and organic in nature. Verhulst said he sat down with Hagedorn shared his life story with her, a conversation that he said impacted him deeply. “The creativity that I possess is a simplified version of my personal make-up. If you strip away all material things, everyday distractions and the things that really do not matter, you find the things you’re grateful for and all the positive (and negative) things that molded you into the person you are,” he said. “I was able to do that and didn’t know I was capable of doing so. That is the power creative art and something we all possess. Whether in a group setting or as an individual, you can sit back, have a glass of wine, reflect and decide what goes onto that blank canvas. Whatever you’re feeling or want to express, is the image you’ll capture.”

We’ll take you under our wing. As one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation in 2021, we’re searching for professionals to help us shine even brighter. Thrive in a variety of roles and take advantage of an extensive benefits package. With opportunity for growth and a talented team by your side, you’ll see nothing but clear skies ahead at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. To learn more about available job openings visit FlyFord.org/employment.

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Panel details local, statewide sustainability efforts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

its commitment to achieve 100% carbon neutrality in its scope one and scope two facility emissions by 2040. “That’s a really ambitious goal for us, and today, we don’t know exactly how we’ll achieve it, but we’re working on that process,” Chartier said. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, scope one covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources; scope two covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the organization; and scope three includes all other indirect emissions that occur in the company’s value chain. Chartier said it will take Spectrum longer to reduce its scope three emissions because it involves working with its supplier base to measure and increase progress. Kent County Baas said Kent County is continuing to make progress on its Sustainable Business Park project, which has a goal of diverting 90% of the county’s waste from landfills by 2030 through a park full of businesses that can process the waste and reuse it. As the Business Journal reported in May, the evaluation committee is down to two finalists after putting out an RFP for an anchor tenant for the park — Madrid-based Urbaser (which was recently acquired by Beverly Hills, California-based Platinum Equity) and Philadelphia-based Continuus Materials. Both companies would offer mixed-waste sorting and processing, converting organic and inorganic materials into new products. Continuus Materials proposes to establish a manufacturing plant that makes roofing boards from thin-film plastics and, along with its partner, Energia, to co-locate a

biodigester on-site that would generate renewable natural gas from compost and fertilizer. Similarly, Urbaser has proposed to make renewable natural gas in a plastic-to-oil processing facility and large-scale enclosed composting operation. The DPW’s evaluation committee has been making site visits to the two companies’ U.S. facilities and is working to answer within the next month the question of how much these solutions would cost compared to landfilling. Baas said now is the time to ask ourselves if the region is ready to embrace a technology alternative to landfilling trash, and if so, are we willing to support the project. If so, Baas said the economic development impact could be comparable to the likes of Medical Mile, as the project would bring in hundreds of millions of dollars of economic investment and output, technologies and researchers that the region didn’t have before, doing innovative processes that are currently only happening in Europe and on the West Coast. “As we’ve taken this journey over the last five years, this is what I’ve discovered: I’ve discovered that this is a process of economic development, it’s a process of business attraction, of employment, of land use, intergovernmental cooperation, public-private partnerships, investment, natural resource conservation, and above all, it’s about sustainability,” Baas said. He said the RFP evaluation committee for the Sustainable Business Park will be making a recommendation to the Board of Public Works about which finalist it thinks would be the best to move forward with in September or October.

as well as the Energy and Technology Committee, and she said it’s easy to see how the two intersect. “What we do for sustainability and environmental quality has a massive impact on public health (and) on individuals’ health, and the decisions that we make in just about every area of government have an impact that needs to be considered on those two areas,” she said. She said the infrastructure investments in President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan are a start but will not be enough; commitments are needed from businesses, state and local governments, and philanthropy to innovate and create investments that are sustainable. Brinks said state government actions have included recent investments to remediate and prevent PFAS from getting into drinking water by modernizing

water treatment plants in cities such as Grand Rapids and replacing lead pipes, plus extending city water to areas that were contaminated by PFAS. Currently, there’s also a package of bills under review in the Senate Regulatory Committee that, if passed, would rewrite solid waste laws to help change the way we manage garbage. Reading from the summary of the legislation, Brinks said, “This bill package would level the playing field for businesses that give value to what we once thought of as waste. Material composting sites, material recovery facilities, recycling centers, and new and emerging technologies would be legally recognized, giving guidance for operations and resources. The package would also guide the creation of a strong county materials

management plan for each county and create a stronger post-closure plan for landfills and protect taxpayers from paying for contaminated site remediation. If passed, this upcoming bill package, five years in the making, could revolutionize how we dispose of materials. It could triple recycling rates, keep our environment clean and create a more resilient materials management market and workforce.” Finally, she referenced a bottle bill rewrite in the works (Senate Bill 167 and House Bill 4331) that would expand Michigan’s 10-cent deposit to all noncarbonated beverage containers except milk cartons and would provide millions of dollars in funding to address abandoned contaminated sites. More information about the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is at wmsbf.org.

Michigan Legislature Brinks came to speak to the forum on the work the state legislature is doing that relates to sustainability. She serves on the Michigan Legislature’s Health Policy Committee

Video company comes from humble beginnings CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Panaggio said Voyage’s mantra is “attempt the impossible.” In the case of a small project, like the one for Impact Burundi, it seemed impossible to make a compelling video on a shoestring budget, but the organization’s mission meant enough for Voyage to make an effort. The video for Impact Burundi won Voyage an award because the team was able to film the whole segment and obtain international footage during COVID-19. “What meant more to me than the award was when Kate and I were getting feedback that that nonprofit is doubling the amount of donations they were anticipating,” Jansen said. “Specifically, it’s noting the video is giving them the return they wanted. That is the ultimate affirmation for me because it means it’s working the way we want it to.”

Voyage Pictures also earned an award earlier this year for a 15-minute TV pilot about the history of the Berlin Wall intended for an international audience. The challenge was Voyage had to put it all together in 30 days. “That’s wild,” Jansen said. “Most people would say that’s impossible … that won us one of our awards because it was a compelling piece of content produced at a high level and was produced really fast.” “I’m also really proud of that because I wrote it and I directed it,” Panaggio said. “It was very script heavy. There were editors at all these huge news organizations reviewing the scripts, and they were brutal … the revision we had to go through in that short time frame and then to have the host of the program give me feedback on how strong it was; it just meant so much to have people enjoy it, and then to get an award was really cool.”

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Adviser: approach family loans with care CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

investors because there are no set qualifications or repayment schedules for borrowing from family members. Usually, a family loan is considered when the borrower is in need but does not qualify for credit from traditional lenders or when interest rates on traditional loans are higher than the borrower can afford. That’s not to say a family loan is interest-free. The Internal Revenue Service publishes each month its applicable federal rate (AFR), which is the minimum interest rate a lender can charge a borrower for loans over $10,000. The rates vary by term length, with shorter-term loan rates being lowest. If the lender charges lower interest than the AFR, the lender will have to pay taxes on forgone interest.

“Family loans really should be well thought out, and (people should) consider whether or not these loans might interfere with family relationships.” Regina Jaegar Tempting as it may be to conduct a family loan based on a handshake agreement or with a simple contract, Jaegar said it’s important to document the transaction, so all parties are aware of interest rates, payment structure and what happens if the borrower defaults on the loan. “We always recommend that you seek legal counsel for the drafting of the (promissory) note

or the drafting of the lending documents to make sure it meets with all of the requirements that the IRS says that a loan needs to meet in order for it to be considered a loan,” she said. Jaegar said while there are advantages to a family loan — usually for the borrower — the downsides often outweigh the advantages Jaegar for the lender and can include family conflict, borrowers becoming too dependent on parents or grandparents and treating them as the bank, and more. “Another disadvantage is, unintentionally, your estate planning goals not being carried out the way that you intend them to be because the loans are not adequately documented. That’s probably the issue that I’ve seen most frequently in my experience,” she said. “When family members make these loans — Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa do — five years into the loan or two years into the loan, they become a little lax in reporting payments, and then when the lender passes, the personal representative or the trustee is trying to piece together how much is outstanding on the loan.” She added that lenders need to consider the consequences to their estate if they make a family loan. “I don’t think enough thought is given all the time to whether or not this makes sense at both ends of the transaction, because the lender, if they’re lending a grandchild $300,000 to purchase

a home or whatever that amount might be, that’s $300,000 that’s being removed from the lender’s investment portfolio, so it’s missing potentially a higher rate of interest that could be earned on that $300,000 or overall net rate of return that could be used,” Jaegar said. “So, the lender is potentially giving up something. And if they’re relying on … that performance in the portfolio and that $300,000 for cashflow or to meet their living needs, that could be an issue. It needs to make sense at both ends of the transaction, not just for the borrower, but also for the lender because the lender is giving up something.” Borrowers also should understand that family loans will not help them build credit, since they aren’t on the books with a banking institution. Jaegar said she always recommends that family members considering making a loan to a relative should ask them to pursue traditional financing first and only make the loan if they don’t qualify. Even then, she said, the potential lender should weigh all factors, including family dynamics, trustworthiness of the borrower and whether the lender can afford to potentially recategorize the loan as a gift — or be prepared to pursue legal action — in the event of the borrower defaulting. “The biggest thing is considering the family dynamic and the repercussions of these arrangements on the family,” she said. “It all sounds great when you’re talking about it — oh, I can get a very inexpensive loan from Mom and Dad and they can fund it — but when you really dig into it, you’ve got all these considerations that should be really well thought out.”

71-year-old launches bakery business CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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the love’ by making a difference.” Touchette so far is working to make that happen by donating a portion of the cake sales to Community of Hearts, a mental health advocacy and training nonprofit founded by her friend, Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks. Her plan is to eventually help one charity every fiscal quarter, and she currently is in the process of setting up a foundation to handle the charitable side of the business. Touchette’s passion for helping others was evident in her last job before she retired, as chapter development specialist for the Michigan-based Woman’s Life Insurance Society. She was a recruiter for the organization and drew more than 2,000 women into the fold over a 10-year period. When members of the fraternal not-for-profit join, a portion of their dues are given back into the community. Touchette said the social aspect of her job required her to be gone every night, which she doesn’t miss, but it also gave her a platform in the community and a starting place when it came time to launch her own business. Prior to her time at Woman’s

Life, she was a Mary Kay rep for many years, and before that, she owned a beauty salon. When COVID-19 hit, just after she retired from recruiting, Touchette had lots of time to think about her next move.

“I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. … This is just our beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going to be a year from now.” Charlotte Touchette “I was twiddling my thumbs and thinking, ‘Now what am I going to do?’ I had always wanted to do something about the coffee cakes, because it’s a family recipe, you know, and everybody always loved them. I made them at Christmastime all the time for people, and they kept saying, ‘You need to get those in the store.’” When Christmas rolled around again last year, Touchette got a business coach — Jennifer Kok, who founded, ran and sold Cookies by Design and Cupcakes by Design earlier in her career —

and with Kok’s help and advice, she decided to give it a go. It was more successful than she could have imagined, and now just seven months later, she is excited at the possibility of moving into the incubator space. While her coffee cakes are based on her mother’s recipe, Touchette said she gave them an extra “yummy and gooey” oomph by adding more butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts to the batter. Each cake has the same base recipe but with different fillings and different ways of rolling and forming the dough. Recognizing the cakes can be quite rich, Touchette offers sample tastings at stores and sells them in smaller sizes for $9.99. The standard 10-by-10-inch cake sells for $19.99. Touchette said once she gets into a commercial kitchen, she will be able to scale up and handle larger orders. She aspires to break into the corporate segment, as well as e-commerce, in addition to her brick-and-mortar sales. “It’s just been a true blessing all the way,” Touchette said. “I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. … This is just our beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going to be a year from now.”

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JULY 26, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

COMMENT & OPINION

GUEST COLUMN Lou Glazer

Need for a new economic strategy is clear

t Michigan Future Inc. — the nonpartisan think tank I lead — we believe the once-in-a-generation American Rescue Plan funding should be used to pivot to a new economic development strategy. One with a mission of rising income for all. The need for a new economic strategy is clear. In 2019, with a robust economy described by many as the best ever, nearly 4 in 10 Michigan households could not pay for basic necessities. And nearly 6 in 10 Michigan payroll jobs paid less than what a family of three needs to be middle class. Michigan has a two-tier economy and a two-tier labor market. Our two-tier economy and labor market are prevalent across all of Michigan and across all races and ethnicities. And our two-tier economy and labor market are structural: existing when the Michigan economy is expanding as well as when it is contracting; when unemployment is low as well as when it is high; and when the stock market is booming as well as when it is collapsing. The prime economic challenge of our time is having an economy that provides family-sustaining jobs — not just any job — so that all working Michigan households can raise a family and pass on a better opportunity to their children. It is imperative that we figure out how you get a capitalism that as it grows benefits all. Now is the time for a transformative redesign of our approach to the economy. We need one that starts with changing the definition of economic success from a low unemployment rate and a growing economy to one that is based on rising income for all.

Achieving rising income for all requires both raising income of low-wage workers and growing high-wage jobs. A preponderance of low-wage jobs is structural. Lots of businesses that employ lots of people have business models based on lowwage workers. Neither a strong economy nor a high-prosperity state change the reality that there will be lots of low-wage jobs. Along with increasing lowwage workers’ income, the state needs to grow high-wage jobs. Every Michigan region needs more high-wage jobs. This is an economy where talent attracts capital. Preparing, retaining and attracting talent must become the centerpiece of Michigan’s economic development strategy. American Rescue Plan funding offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the foundation for a transformative redesign of economic policy. Specifically, we recommend using American Rescue Plan funds to: Greatly expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. The EITC is pro work and an incentive to go back to work. The pandemic made clear that most of those struggling economically — in good times and bad — are hard-working Michiganders who like us get up every day and work hard to earn a living. What these hard-working, lower-wage workers need most is income, not programs. As an example of doing something substantial, $1 billion annually would expand the average state EITC benefit to $1,500 from a current average of $150. Provide an annual government payment, above and beyond cur-

rent education funding, for each child 0-21 growing up in a nonaffluent household. We strongly believe Michigan underinvests in its children, particularly its nonaffluent children. We believe that under investment starts at birth and continues through college. So, we propose Michigan substantially increase its investment in the education of every child growing up in a household struggling to pay for

basic necessities each year from birth through college. These payments would be both pro-growth and pro-shared prosperity. We recommend providing an annual state payment directly to nonaffluent households for each child from 0-21. Think of this as something that operates like a health savings account where CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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GUEST COLUMN Jennifer Kok

Creative solutions for attracting great employees

hen was the last time you could say that your business was fully staffed with the right employees? For most of you, I bet your answer is, “It’s been so long that I can’t remember.” And you’re not alone. Finding and keeping great employees has been an issue for small business owners for years. And now, as we climb back from the pandemic, it feels like a real crisis. To attract the right employees requires some creative solutions, such as: Before you hire, define your business culture. Employees want to feel like they’re part of a team and culture is listed as one of the

top attraction points for employees, so if you want to find great people, you need to define yours. Culture is the personality of your business, the foundation of what matters to you and what you represent. It includes your beliefs, values, behaviors — it’s the influence between company and employee and company and customer. Knowing your culture and sharing it transparently in the hiring process is important because it will help you attract higher-quality candidates, become fully staffed and improve service to your customers. Hire for soft skills, not just hard skills. Hard skills are the specific knowledge and abilities required for success in a job, such as technology, web development and software-specific skills. Soft skills are nontechnical skills that impact your performance in the workplace such as being a team player, communication skills and adaptability. Even though we tend to overlook them, they are the key to attracting the right employees. As you look to attract the right employee, combine which soft skills fit your culture along with which hard skills are required to perform well in your company. For instance, if nurturing represents your culture, then soft skills would be a person’s willingness to train others or volunteer. You might look for volunteer positions on their resume such as coaching. Of the hard skills you need for the position, which ones

are non-negotiable and which skills are you willing to teach? You might have to offer this as a solution to find candidates; being willing to teach new skills just might be a great attraction tool. Create a modern job post. Oldstyle job postings were a list of hard skills and just stated what the employer wants from their employees. In today’s world, if you want to attract great employees, you need to write a job post that caters to the applicant. To do that, you need to be more creative and create a job post that says what the applicant wants to hear. Paint a story that will attract the right candidate for your business by sharing the culture, the experience or a day in the life that speaks to the soft skills and interests of the applicant, not just the list of qualifications you need. Where to search for employees. There are many online job-search websites. I suggest googling them and learning their key audience and the industry they cater to. In addition, I recommend you get more personal and creative and find other places to share your openings, like with LETTERS POLICY: The Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and guest commentary. Letters and columns must include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the philosophy of the Business Journal.

friends and family and on social media. Almost 80% are using social media to find jobs, so it pays to think about the platforms your ideal candidates are hanging out on and share the information there. For example, if you are hiring high school or college-age help, have you thought of creating a TikTok “day in the life of the job?” Utilize avenues such as Facebook Groups, networking groups, chambers of commerce, etc. For example, if you own a restaurant, get active on foodie groups. If you own a dog business, how about local dog-walking groups? Go where your clients hang out; you will find your employees do, too. Utilize your personal social media. I know this can get tricky attracting friends and family that you might not want to employ, but you also just might attract the right person. I know that finding employees can feel daunting in today’s post-pandemic climate and you may feel like you have tried everything. These creative solutions

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

Women-owned tattoo parlor aims for safe, inclusive environment

A new economic strategy

Balm Tattooing specializes in working with survivors of physical and emotional trauma.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

Ehren Wynder

ewynder@grbj.com

hree women tattoo artists are branching out from the exclusionary nature of tattoo parlors to create a more welcoming environment for people wanting to decorate their bodies with meaningful work. Balm Tattooing opened earlier this month at a 1,100-square-foot former barbershop at 1054 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids. Co-owners Sarah Sun, Tiffany Elmergreen and Emily Kukawka are experienced tattoo artists who met working at a separate shop in town but wanted to branch out and achieve more privacy for themselves and their clients. “We wanted a place that vibed more with who we are and what our clients are looking for,” Sun said. “We wanted a place that was women-owned … we wanted the vibe of a shop that didn’t feel all super aggressive. We’re not anti-man, but it feels a lot of tattoo shops are very white male-dominated.” Sun is a former social services worker of almost 20 years — she has been tattooing for five — who has experience working with survivors of physical and emotional trauma. For this reason, she gives

priority to customers who have experienced trauma and want a tattoo to commemorate their survival or cover up scarring, although she said she is happy to work with anyone. “For me, it’s helping folks reconnect with or reclaim parts of their body that were taken from them at some point,” Sun said. “I‘d been getting tattoos since I was 17. I had parents with tattoos, so it wasn’t a big deal. The first time I got a tattoo it felt like, oh man — I had my own problems with trauma — this is my body, so I only get a say in how it’s treated, but I didn’t love my experiences in shops.” Sun said she is deliberate in creating a welcoming environment, particularly for those who have had negative experiences with tattooists. The company website features photos of the artists and the studio, so customers know where they’re going and who will be working on them. Consent is key, and clients are asked if they have any sensitivity to touch, if there’s a type of music they prefer and other questions before beginning a session. “I had a client who wanted a burn covered up, and she went into a tattoo shop and the guy said, ‘That is so gross! What did you

From left, Sarah Sun, Emily Kukawka and Tiffany Elmergreen opened Balm Tattooing to offer a welcoming environment, especially to those who have had negative experiences at other tattoo parlors. Courtesy Balm Tattooing

do?’” Sun said. “She came to me, and I said, ‘No problem, we can’t mask that, but we can change the look.’ She said, ‘I want to feel like I’m a growing garden,’ so I decided to give her flowers. After that, she said, ‘I’m with co-workers, and I feel like I don’t have to cover that part of myself anymore.’” Each artist has her own unique style, as well. Sun works only in black ink and tattoos in bold, loose lines. Elmergreen has 10 years of experience tattooing and specializes in American traditional style. Kukawka has been tattooing for six years and utilizes her own unique style with plant and animal motifs. “Emily has her own cool imaginative style,” Sun said. “She builds

up these beautiful lines after lines. She’s just a beast. She creates these entire environments around people’s bodies.” Balm Tattooing is open by appointment only. At press time, the books are currently closed, but Sun encouraged those wanting to book an appointment to stay connected via the company website, balm tattooing.com, or to follow the company on Instagram @balmtattooing. “We stay busy, but we post on our Instagram. We open our books and tell people to keep an eye on that,” Sun said. “We don’t want to be mean but we’re all individuals, and we all know what it’s like to work ourselves to death, and nobody wants to do that.”

Housing-first model improves overall well-being CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

helping consumers understand that they’re the experts in their lives, and we’re here to walk alongside them, for many consumers, this is the first time that they’ve ever had this opportunity and are very excited to be able to start finding housing on their own,” she said. “We offer case management supports to help them with navigating the housing market, with discussing what are your needs and preferences with housing? Where do you want to live? Is there a certain place you want to stay away from? (Helping them with) understanding that we have federal program funds so units must be under fair

market rents, and what does that affordability look like for them? And that’s just the beginning piece of that case management service.” She said the PSH model takes a strengths-based approach that honors consumers and gives them agency, and she believes this report proves it also is successful. If the head of household continues to meet the income and disability thresholds that prevent them from maintaining housing on their own, they can continue in the PSH program indefinitely. Community Rebuilders has shared the report with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, as well as with its email subscribers, and Diaz said she hopes the study

brings the PSH model to the forefront of people’s minds so that they see there are solutions that have the potential to end homelessness permanently in Kent County. In the most recently published Point in Time count (2020), Kent County reported 185 chronically homeless people, of which 44 were unsheltered and 141 were sheltered. Thirty of those were chronically homeless sheltered people in households with a minor child, 111 were chronically homeless sheltered people in a household without children and 43 were chronically homeless unsheltered people without children. “We believe that this can be done, and we believe that having

programs designed such as what you see here in this report can help end homelessness in Kent County altogether,” Diaz said. “We think that this is a recipe for success, but we can’t do it alone. Being able to share data and share the information with the whole community only brings more attention to this critical need of homelessness. Any way that we can have this as a conversation starter or help with additional funding to the cause is critical.” More information about Community Rebuilders is at community rebuilders.org. The full report can be accessed at bit.ly/PSHreport, and a summary is available at bit.ly/ PSHreportsummary.

Offshore wind could provide double electricity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

no perfect answer. It’s sort of balancing the tradeoffs that you see,” Scripps said. “But I also think that if we’re thoughtful and are willing to have conversations around what are the right spots and what are the wrong spots for ecological or other reasons in advance, we can build a strategy, whether that’s Michigan or across the Great

Lakes, that identifies places that might be more suitable,” he said. Having a plan in place will provide a clearer path forward that builds on supporters of offshore wind, Scripps said. But those struggles don’t mean offshore wind farms in the region are impossible. The report said the Icebreaker Wind project in Ohio, set to be completed in 2023, is the only offshore wind project in the Great

Lakes region. That partnership between the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. and Fred. Olsen Renewables will place a wind farm in Lake Erie 8 miles north of Cleveland, according to the corporation. Dave Karpinski, the president of the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp., said the company won’t build more wind farms because its Icebreaker project is meant to pave the way for others.

“Our vision is that, if this first project can develop, then that will open the door to a competitive market to really come in and let the competitive forces drive down costs and come up with the best solution,” Karpinski said. Report coauthor Read said, “We know that offshore wind in the Great Lakes is poised to take off, it’s just a matter of states making those commitments and being confident enough in the potential.”

parents and students have the resources to make their own education spending decisions. Include the option of utilizing those funds for extracurriculars and out-ofschool programming. As an example of doing something substantial, assuming 1 million children in nonaffluent households, $1 billion a year would provide a $1,000 payment per child. Provide a state match for regional American Rescue Plan spending on retaining and attracting talent. Our economic development priority should be high-wage job growth. Labor markets are regional, and talent now is what attracts capital. The way to achieve high-wage job growth is by creating regions where high-skill, working-age adults choose to live, play and work. We propose the state offer matching funds to provide local governments a substantial incentive to use their American Rescue Plan funds, and other new revenue, to develop and implement regional strategies to retain and attract talent. Funding can be used for all modes of transportation; water and sewer; broadband; housing; parks and outdoor recreation; and arts and culture. Lou Glazer is president of Michigan Future Inc.

Creative employee solutions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

can help you discover new ways to attract the right talent for your business so you can attract higher-quality candidates, become fully staffed and improve service to your customers. Side gig Have you thought about hiring the Side Gig Employee? Technology and social media have fueled the side gig phenomenon. What we learned from 2020 is that Americans want to diversify their income. Side hustles or side gigs account for up to 50% of working Americans. Side hustle is when an applicant takes a second job that is not their primary source of income. The average side-hustler earns $200-$1,000 a month. Filling an open position with a few side gig employees might offer a great solution for you to fill a job vacancy and offer flexibility for the employee. Jennifer Kok runs Next Wave Business Coaching and focuses on helping small business owners. She can be reached at jen@next wavebusinesscoaching.com or by calling (616) 821-9623.

JULY 26, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Education students finding tougher road to classroom Potential teachers balk at costly requirements to join the profession. Chloe Trofatter

Capital News Service

Teaching certification in the state fell 24% from 2013-2017 as inadequate salaries and demanding workloads took a toll. Courtesy iStock

LANSING — Are teacher preparation programs driving prospective educators away from the field? Teacher certification in the

state fell 24% between 2013-2017, according to a 2020 survey for the Michigan Education Association. The study also found that more than one in 10 elementary and secondary educators plan to change careers in the next three years. Lack of respect, inadequate salaries and overly demanding workloads were cited as a few of the top forces driving them out of the field. Michigan State University students mirrored similar sentiments

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in a 2020 survey about the College of Education’s fifth-year internship program. Interns are placed in school districts to gain student teaching experience and earn their certification. The need for the survey was sparked by a financial aid meeting for seniors enrolling in the program for the 2021-22 school year. In it, Olivia Gundrum, a senior secondary education major, was told for the first time the cost of the program: a one-year, unpaid internship — familiarly known as student teaching — alongside a 24-credit course load. “Suddenly, I realized how expensive the next year of my life is going to be,” Gundrum said. “Right now, how the program is designed, for a year of your life you’re going to be a full-time student but you’re not going to get a degree, and you’re going to work full time but you’re not going to get paid,” she said. She expressed disappointment in the cost of the program during the meeting, and administrators told her that they receive the same concerns every year, according to Gundrum. “This told me that the faculty and administration is well aware that this program is inequitable.” Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart said, “One of the roadblocks that keep people from entering education is the high cost of going into education.” The MEA is the state’s largest union of teachers and other school personnel. Following the meeting, Gundrum and Julia Alvarez, a fifthyear intern, surveyed MSU College of Education students on how they feel about the program and what they’d like to see from the college. One student said, “This year has made me rethink my decision to become an educator. This is not worth the stress, financial struggle, mental health issues and exhaustion.” Gundrum said, “What I am hoping is that, through our empowering Spartan educators, we have made it unavoidable to address.” The survey inspired monthly virtual town halls to give students a chance to speak, said Gail Richmond, who became director of the MSU teacher preparation program last July. “I appreciate the students for taking the initiative to communicate their concerns,” Richmond said. “Obviously, this is all new to me.” Richmond said she has focused on relieving the financial strain of the program. “Can we shorten the program without sacrificing quality? Can we offer more opportunities for advanced degrees?” she said. Most student teaching internships across the state — like those at Central Michigan University, Hope College and Calvin University — are one semester long during their final undergraduate semester. The University of Michigan’s program, similarly to Michigan State’s, lasts an additional year after graduation, but students also finish with a master’s degree. Brittany Perreault, the presCONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Energy-intensive industries work to reduce footprint State wants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Brandon Chew

Capital News Service

LANSING — Industries such as steel, cement, chemical and automotive are working to become more energy-efficient by implementing the use of renewable resources, experts say. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is cooperating with energy-intensive industries to help them become as energy-efficient as possible and reduce carbon emissions, said James Clift, the department’s deputy director. The department is responsible for coordinating Michigan’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Carbon neutrality refers to net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. That cooperation includes construction of electric automotive manufacturing plants. Those industries don’t get enough attention from environmental groups when it comes to increasing sustainability, Clift said. “A lot of the climate discussion you get comes from the West Coast and the East Coast where power and transportation seem to dominate the discussion,” Clift said. “But, you think about the industrial heartland of the middle of the country — that is a much trickier area of reduction.” Automakers in Michigan are focused on incorporating renewable energy into their operations, said Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHAuto, a trade organization based in Detroit. For example, General Motors is building an energy-efficient plant in Hamtramck, Stevens said. “That is a very traditional, old assembly plant that is being converted to build all-electric vehicles,” he said. “So not only will it produce an electric vehicle, it’s being refurbished with sustainability at the top of the chart with respect to how the manufacturing process will occur.” Manufacturers are exploring new technologies such as waterless paint in an effort to reduce the amount of water used in the manufacturing process, Stevens said. Experts from other industries also said that continued development of technologies is needed to make them more eco-friendly. Reducing carbon emissions might require generating larger amounts of electricity, said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council based in Okemos. “We cannot defy the laws of thermodynamics. Chemistry needs energy,” he said. Dulmes added: “We do expect that companies will find more energy-efficient ways to generate steam and ultimately electrify their process to make steam. If you’re electrifying steam production at a chemical plant, that means you’re going to need a greater amount of electricity.” However, while it may be difficult to reduce carbon emissions in the chemical industry nationally, most of the state’s chemical indus-

try centers on producing silicones and plastics, products that Dulmes said don’t require as much energy to make as some others. The chemical industry also is exploring alternatives to oil and natural gas for its operations, he said. “With bio-based feedstocks, there is some opportunity to move away from the use of oil and gas as a raw material and to use things like wood, sugar plants, corn,” Dulmes said. “But that presents its

own issues of land use and its environmental impact.” Other industries face a greater challenge in increasing sustainability, as steel and concrete require carbon combustion in their operations. “About 20% of the cost of making a ton of steel is related to energy costs, and those energy costs are direct natural gas consumption, direct electricity consumption and direct consumption of coal,” said Brett Smith, senior director

of government relations for the American Iron and Steel Institute in Washington, D.C. “Those three energy sources are the lifeblood of making steel, and that’s why we’re energy-intensive, much more so than other sectors,” he said. “You can’t make hardened steel without emitting carbon.” The iron and steel industry is focusing on increased use of hydrogen, as well as carbon capture practices, but the industry likely will remain very energy-intensive without the development of new technologies, Smith said. The cement industry faces less of a challenge in becoming more sustainable than the iron and steel industry, according to Dan DeGraaf, executive director of the Michigan Concrete

JULY 26, 2021

Association based in Okemos. One way the industry is reducing its carbon footprint is by incorporating limestone into the production process, he said. Increased use of slag cement that incorporates leftover metals from refined steel production also can increase sustainability, DeGraaf said. The development of new technologies is needed to reduce carbon emissions in the cement industry, and there is cooperation between the industry and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create such technologies, DeGraaf said. For example, new developments include different mixes of cement that leave a smaller carbon footprint, such as those that incorporate limestone, he said.

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JULY 26, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Farmers could benefit from US-Cuba trade relations Biden administration said it would ease restrictions, but that has yet to happen. Brandon Chew

Capital News Service

LANSING — During the 2020 campaign, presidential candidate Joe Biden said he would reverse Trump administration policies that limit trade between the U.S. and Cuba. However, the Biden administration has yet to make specific comments about increasing exports to Cuba. Michigan farmers, especially dry bean farmers, could benefit from higher sales to Cuba, state agricultural organizations say. The United States has imposed trade embargos on Cuba for most of the period after the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro that ousted President Fulgencio Batista, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report. “As a result, U.S. shipments to Cuba have remained low, accounting for a fraction of 1% of U.S. agricultural exports in recent years. The United States imports no agricultural products from Cuba,” the nonpartisan agency said. “Prior to 1960, Cuba was the ninth-largest export market for U.S. agricultural products,” it said. A bill pending in Congress would lift the trade embargo and other economic provisions that restrict trade with and travel to Cuba. It’s pending in the Senate Finance Committee. Gary McDowell, director of the state’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “Having more normalized trading relations with Cuba could open up a new market, with about 11 million people, for Michigan food and agriculture companies and producers. “Michigan farmers and exporters see opportunities for products such as dry beans, apples, dairy products and poultry as they

Michigan farmers, especially dry bean farmers, would be eager to tap into the Cuban market. Courtesy iStock

are main staples of the Cuban diet, but there could certainly be other products of interest as well if the market was to further open up,” McDowell said. Poultry meat is the U.S.’s most common export to Cuba, representing 91% of export revenue in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The second- and third-most common exports were soybeans and corn. Dry bean farmers in Michigan could greatly benefit from increasing exports to Cuba, said Joe Cramer, executive director of the Michigan Bean Commission, based in Frankenmuth. “We’re always optimistic that the day is drawing closer that we’re going to be able to do some business down there.” Cramer said. “It’s a big population, it’s a big spot for our product. Ninety miles off the coast of Florida isn’t that far away compared to some places that we ship product to.” Most Michigan-farmed dry beans are sold either domestically or to consumers in Mexico or Central American countries, he said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

Companies team up to support electric vehicle recycling Batteries could be used for renewable power or energy sources. Chioma Lewis

Capital News Service

LANSING — As electric vehicle demands grow, one focus of concern is how to make them more environmentally sustainable. A new project by recycling company Battery Solutions and sustainability-focused group NextEnergy aims to make electric vehicle recycling opportunity recommendations to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy by February 2022. The project is funded by a $50,000 grant from the state department as part of its NextCycle Michigan initiative. A major part of the project is to build capacity in the state for repurposing and recycling electric vehicle batteries, said Jim Saber, president and CEO of Detroit-based NextEnergy. The six-stage project will involve cataloging, evaluating and analyzing Michigan’s electric vehicle battery supply chain and infrastructure.

The project also will analyze gaps in electric vehicle battery secondary use and recycling opportunities. “When you identify those areas within the actual chain that are sometimes a challenge, it provides opportunity for Michigan to enhance its foothold within sustainability,” said Danielle Spalding, director of marketing and communications at Battery Solutions in Wixom. The downsides to not recycling those batteries are largely environmental, said Thomas Bjarnemark, president and CEO of Battery Solutions, who said people don’t want the stuff to be dumped in landfills or contaminate the environment. Another downside is the reliance on natural resources extracted from the ground, said Matt Flechter, a recycling market development specialist at Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Recycling and repurposing will be better for the environment and in how people best manage available natural resources, Saber said. Bjarnemark said that during recycling, batteries are disassembled into components that can be used to manufacture CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

S:10.125"

We celebrate this honor with our employees.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a 2021 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ® in West Michigan Winner.

Conﬁdence comes with every card.®

We are honored to be named a recipient of West Michigan's Best and Brightest award — and we are grateful to the more than 400 employees in downtown Grand Rapids and Traverse City who helped us achieve this recognition. Your dedication to the health and well-being of our members and communities remains at the heart of your daily work. Thank you.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

ACCOUNTING

Pennell CPA hired Courtney Pontious and Janice Brian as staff accountants.

ARTS

ArtRat Gallery plans to open this fall in a work space owned by Dwelling Place Inc. at 46 South Division Ave. in the city’s Heartside neighborhood. The gallery’s first show will be “Woods Walk,” a collection of recent work by ArtRat owner and nationally recognized painter Nancy Tobin.

BANKING

Grand River Bank added Ken Sommerdyke, vice president and commercial lender, to its commercial banking team.

Clark

Darin Clark joined Independent Bank’s mortgage team as vice president and mortgage loan officer. He will work out of the bank’s East Beltline office.

Kent County Credit Union changed its name to Intandem Credit Union effective July 1. Northpointe Bank earned the No. 8 spot in the nation for best performing community banks between $3 billion and $10 billion in assets, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence rankings for 2020.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Drug and alcohol testing resource HourGlass Testing Solutions moved to a new location at 418 Plymouth Ave. NE, Grand Rapids.

CONSTRUCTION

Madsen Concrete received CD Barnes Construction’s Key To Our Success Award for its work on the Skymint provisioning center in Big Rapids.

EDUCATION

The U.S. Department of Education recognized Kuyper College as a Work College, one of only 10 colleges in the nation and the only one in Michigan to achieve this status. The honor is based on the school’s commitment to the

JUL 26-MID AUG Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Camp Curious Program. Includes in-person and virtual options. For kids pre-K through 12th grade, using the museum as a learning lab through a variety of camp offerings. Cost: $35 for single-day, in-person camps; $40 for multiday Digital Discovery sessions, with discounts available for museum members. Information/ registration: grpm.org/Educlasses. JUL 27 Wyoming Business Leaders Meeting. 8-9 a.m., Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW, Wyoming. Information/ registration: (616) 261-4500 or d.kuba@ instantcashmi.com. JUL 29 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Create Great Leaders Annual Party. Ticket sales help provide deserving participants scholarships to Create Great Leaders programs. 7-9:30 p.m., The Piazza at Studio Park. Cost: $80/members, $110/nonmembers. Information/ registration: https://www.grandrapids. org/event/cgl-annual-party. JUL 31 Camp Blodgett centennial celebration. Event features outdoor music festival with artists from across the country. 2-11 p.m. Tickets: $50. 10451 Lakeshore Drive, West Olive. Information/registration: campblodgett.org. AUG 1 Family Promise of Grand Rapids Family Frolic At The Zoo. Funds raised will help homeless families and children move home. 6:30-9 p.m., John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. Cost: $10/adults, free/children under 18. Information/

purposeful integration of work, learning and service Newly elected to three-year terms on Hope College’s board of directors are Andrew Ohm, of Seattle, Washington, and Laura Paredes, of metro New York. The Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart of Greenwich, Connecticut, was reelected to a threeyear term.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Wealth management firm Legacy Trust announced the addition of Kurt Trevan, CEO of Gun Lake Investments, to its board of directors and the promotion of Brian Balke to vice president.

GRANTS

Holland-based Community Action House received a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to expand its collaboration with Zeeland-based Harvest Stand Ministries on perishable food rescue — the recovery of food that grocers or restaurants would otherwise discard due to overstock or near-term expiration dates.

HEALTH

The surgical center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital was verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program, the only West Michigan hospital with this verification.

HOSPITALITY

West Michigan Tourist Association hired Erin Murphy as marketing manager.

LEGAL

The commercial litigation team at Rhoades McKee was recognized by Chambers and Partners for its representative work in 2021. Additionally, Rhoades McKee attorney Paul McCarthy was McCarthy named one of only two West Michigan attorneys ranked by Chambers and Partners for work completed in commercial litigation.

registration: bit.ly/ZooFrolic. AUG 4 Center for Mindfulness Class. Topic is A Taste of Self-Kindness. 9-10 a.m. Free. Class is virtual. Registration required at grcfm.com AUG 5 Center for Mindfulness Class. Topic is A Taste of Mindfulness. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Class is virtual. Registration required at grcfm.com

The Christman Co. ranks among top 100 contractors The Christman Co., with offices in Grand Rapids, recently landed at No. 92 on Engineering News-Record’s 2021 list of the top 400 contractors nationally. The ranking was based on 2020 construction revenue. Additionally, the firm ranked No. 77 on ENR’s list of top 100 contractors based on new A recent project for the company’s contracts. “Obviously, the Grand Rapids office is the Interurban last year created new chal- Transit Partnership Laker Line Bus lenges for everyone and Rapid Transit (BRT) and Operations the construction industry Center. Courtesy The Christman Co. was not an exception,” Christman President and CEO Steve Roznowski said. “We are thankful that our company could still serve clients and keep our team members employed across the country. It is an honor to again be named in ENR’s top 100 national contractors, and we are especially grateful to maintain our status this past year. Our focus, as always, is on future growth in our industry and exceeding the expectations of clients.”

officer; Amy McClellan, vice president of fresh merchandising; Megan Bryant, corporate HR director; Jennie Garbarek, manager of floral merchandising; Audra Ladronka, administration manager; and Julie Morales, pharmacy manager. The Downtown Market added Melissa Collar, chief counsel and vice president of strategic partnerships for Rockford Construction, and Richard MacKeigan, regional general manager for ASM Global, to its board of directors.

SPORTS

First Tee-West Michigan participants Jack Seufert and Angelo Luciani were selected to play in the PGA Tour Champions’ Pure Insurance Championship at the Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill courses in California. Grand Rapids’ G League franchise changed its name to the Grand Rapids Gold, an affiliate of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. Bob Kaser, Grand Rapids Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting, was elected to the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame as the winner of the Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award. Kaser has served as the voice of Griffins hockey for 21 seasons.

The Grand Rapids office of Clark Hill appointed James R. Stadler as its new member in charge. He replaces Ingrid Jensen, who is stepping aside after 15 years in this leadership role while remaining with the firm.

Baretti as executive vice president and CFO.

Matthew E. Sierawski joined Warner Norcross + Judd’s Grand Rapids office. He is a litigator with Stadler experience in commercial, automotive supplier, civil and criminal matters.

Meijer Inc. was named a 2021 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index based on the retailer’s organizational culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, support services and supplier diversity.

WEBSITES

Veurink’s RV Center recently acquired Preferred RV Inc. in Newaygo. The dealership is Veurink’s second location.

CHANGE-UPS POLICY: The Business Journal welcomes submissions to the Change-Ups section. Send announcements concerning personnel changes, new businesses, changes of address etc. to Change-Ups Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or email bjchangeups@grbj.com.

Government and economic development attorney Nicholas M. Colvin joined Warner Norcross + Judd as senior counsel.

MANUFACTURING

ADAC Automotive hired Cristian

dust encountered during construction activities. 3-5 p.m. Cost: $10. Event is virtual. Information/registration at grbx.com. AUG 12 Baker Holtz 8th annual Charity Golf Outing. Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids. Boulder Creek Golf Club. 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. shotgun start. Information/registration: bakerholtz.com/baker-holtz-annualcharity-golf-outing.

AUG 9 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters Zoom Meeting - with Elected Officials. 8-9 a.m. Information/registration: (616) 531-5990 or michelle@southkent.org.

AUG 12 Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Networking Event. 2021 Future 15 recipients will be honored. 4:30-6:30 p.m., The Deck, 1601 Beach St., Muskegon. Information/registration: bit.ly/3vxtN5O.

AUG 10 The Right Place Webinar Series. Topic is The Pivot: Updating and Rewriting Systems and Processes Within Your Company. 11 a.m.-noon. Cost: free. Information/registration: rightplace.org/events.

AUG 13-15 Grand Rapids Comic-Con Summer Bash. Aug. 13, noon-7 p.m., Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., DeltaPlex Arena. Cost: $5-$50. Information/registration: grcomiccon.com.

AUG 10 Chipping for Charity Golf Outing. The 33rd annual event, sponsored by EHTC, benefits Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth. Scott Lake Country Club, 911 Hayes NE, Comstock Park. Foursomes, $550; twosomes, $300; individuals, $150. Information/registration: ehtc.com/events/ chipping-for-charity-information-page.

AUG15 Center for Mindfulness Class. Topic is Self-Compassion for Beginners. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $55. Workshop is virtual. Information/registration at grcfm.com.

AUG 12 Builders Exchange of Michigan Summer Safety and Networking Series. Topic is silica awareness and reviews fundamental information about silica and respirable crystalline silica

CHANGE-UPS & CALENDAR

AUG 18 Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce 53rd annual Golf Outing. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Macatawa Golf Club, 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd., Holland. Cost: $150/member single, $200/nonmember single, $600/member team of four. Information/registration: (616) 928-9101 or Colleen@westcoast chamber.org.

NONPROFITS

Stephanie Miletich, PHR, has joined the YWCA West Central Michigan as chief organizational development and people officer.

RETAIL

Progressive Grocer named several SpartanNash employees to its 2021 Top Women in Grocery list, including Yvonne Trupiano, executive vice president and chief human resources

AUG 18 West Michigan Environmental Action Council presents Blue Tie Alfresco. Music, dinner, program and auction. Cost: $80 for members, $95 for nonmembers. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wildwood Family Farms, 7970 Snow Ave. SE, Alto. Registration/information: wmeac.org/bluetie or call (616) 451-3051 x 124. AUG 19 Family Business Alliance Beer & Cider Social. 5-7 p.m. Members only. Cost: $40 per person or $75 for a pair. Vander Mill, 505 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids. Registration/information: fbagr.org. AUG 30 Builders Exchange of Michigan 65th Annual Golf Outing. 8:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. shotgun start, Saskatoon Golf Club, 9038 92nd St. SE, Alto. RSVP by Aug. 20 to P.O. Box 2031 Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2031, fax: (616) 949-6831, or Katie1@grbx.com. AUG 31 Family Business Alliance workshop. Topic is Transition to Transformation: Exploring Capital Structures. 3-5:30 p.m. Free. Members only. Cascade Hills Country Club, 3725 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids. Information/registration: fbagr.org. MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS Information: Stephanie Bradley, (616) 233-3577 or sbradley@experiencegr.com. JUL 26-31 Impala SS Club of America Convention. DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport.

TRANSPORTATION

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport achieved GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA, which ensures strict cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention. Transnation Title Agency recently launched a new website at transnation title.com.

JUL 27-30 Great Lakes Cider and Perry Association 2021 GLINTCAP Cider Competition. Embassy Suites Downtown. JUL 27-28 Michigan Agri-Business Association 2021 Summer Leadership Meeting. Downtown Courtyard by Marriott. JUL 28-30 American Association for Laboratory Animal Science District Meeting. JW Marriott Grand Rapids. AUG 1-6 Universal Forest Products UFP Training Camp 2021. Embassy Suites Downtown. AUG 1-3 National Association of Local Boards of Health Annual Conference. Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton.

CALENDAR POLICY: The Business Journal welcomes submissions to the calendar section. Send items to Calendar Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or email bjcal endar@grbj.com. Submissions must be received at least three weeks prior to the event. The Business Journal calendar posted on the publication’s website (grbj.com) includes listings for events extended beyond those printed in the weekly publication that are limited by space restrictions.

PUBLIC RECORD MORTGAGES

Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds CONKLIN, Scott et al, Macatawa Bank, Cascade Twp., $370,000 MORSE, Megan et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Ada Twp., $431,000 EVANS TRUST, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $410,000 DISTEL, David J. et al, Cason Home Loans, East Grand Rapids, $355,193 SNOW, Anthony et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Parcel: 411412476018, $805,000 LAFLEUR, Douglas et al, Team Mortgage Co., Plainfield Twp., $386,100 CFT NV DEVELOPMENTS LLC, City National Bank, Gaines Twp., $800,000 538 BOND EQUITIES LLC, Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Grand Rapids City, $15,000,000 MILLER, Garrett et al, Interfirst Mortgage Co., Byron Twp., $357,000 BRANDON, James et al, Quicken Loans, Cascade Twp., $1,006,000 BOYD, Susan K., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $372,000 MCCREARY, Kenneth L. et al, Bank of America, Cascade Twp., $732,000 SHACKETT, Bruce E. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Solon Twp., $374,000 LEJA TRUST, PNC Bank, Cannon Twp., $784,000 DEAN, Michael E. et al, TCF National Bank, Parcel: 411412276032, $619,500 WEBB, Dianna V., Citizens Bank, Ada Twp., $377,750 CASE, Daniel et al, Caliber Home Loans, Grand Rapids City, $354,350 POTT, Erin L. et al, Mercantile Bank, Plainfield Twp., $515,736 HERSCHBERGER, John D., Community Federal Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $350,000 LEESE TRUST, Macatawa Bank, Cascade Twp., $494,000 LIPSCOMB, Sam W. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Sparta, $417,050 DURSTON, David A. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Caledonia, $424,000 BURNS, Brandon et al, Primelending, Parcel: 411804156021, $361,250 CORCORAN, Kevin, Polaris Home Funding Corp., Cascade Twp., $351,000 BOSSENBROEK, Steven L. II et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $850,000 OMERSAVEIC, Elvir, Neighborhood Loans, Caledonia, $547,200 NELSON, Marcus et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Cascade Twp., $436,905 PRESTON, John et al, Independent Bank, Algoma Twp., $941,000 SMITH, Jonathan R., Neighborhood Loans, Cascade Twp., $544,000 MEADOR, Reid et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $548,250 THOMAS, Justin L. et al, Mercantile Bank, Wyoming, $360,000 BRINKMAN, Gunther M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $500,000 BYLSMA, Brett et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $349,000 GRANT, Amy, Macatawa Bank, Parcel: 411425101007, $384,459 TRIEMSTRA, Justin et al, Old National Bank, Parcel: 411432435007, $363,000 POST, Kevin et al, Flagstar Bank, Cascade Twp., $422,500 BRYAN, Nicolas et al, Team Mortgage Co., Lowell, $450,000 6275WRIVERBELMONT LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411022127066, $2,232,000 BOONE, Scott et al, First United Credit Union, Byron Twp., $490,500 BONIFACIO, Orlando, Caliber Home Loans, Gaines Twp., $388,500 PARRISH, Jonathan et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411401231037, $377,250 VANDERHULST, Thomas et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Plainfield Twp., $417,493 5811SDIVISION LLC, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411736476060, $1,160,000 MCCAULEY, Matthew J. et al, Dart Bank, Bowne Twp., $548,250 GREENMAN, Dakoyta, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $621937 VANDERBAAN, Brett et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411402037, $730,000 MILLER, Lisa L. et al, Compass Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $542,000 QUIMBY, Matthew R., North American Savings Bank, Plainfield Twp., $375,000 LUDWIG, Kim et al, Quicken Loans, East Grand Rapids, $418,940 STUURSMA, Jon P., ChoiceOne Bank, East Grand Rapids, $385,000 CREEKROCK LLC et al, Lake City Bank, Byron Twp., $6,760,000 GORCZYNSKI, Jason R. et al, Independent Bank, East Grand Rapids, $1,840,000 ROBERTSON, Gray E. et al, Fifth Third Bank, East Grand Rapids, $345,000 FALVEY, Michael et al, Neighborhood Loans, Caledonia, $360,000 GROLL, Katie M. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Gaines Twp., $520,698 GREENS OF WYOMING INVESTMENT LLC, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Wyoming, $3,050,000

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL VANDERWAL, Jeffrey et al, United Bank, Caledonia, $379,000 SIMON, Zachary et al, Union Home Mortgage, Plainfield Twp., $427,500 HUNT, Mark et al, Old National Bank, Oakfield Twp., $424,915 SWAN ALPHA FIRST LLC, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Kentwood, $9,550,000 KRIEGER, Taryn et al, Loandepot.com, Caledonia, $361,000 DILLON, Jack et al, Independent Bank, Ada Twp., $824,000 MEISTER, Travis et al, Consumers Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $493,000 JOHNSTON, Richard et al, United Bank, Byron Twp., $625,000 MCCLAIN, Ellis et al, Coit Avenue Gravel Co., Parcel: 411806401004, $1,000,000 DBT COLLABORATIVE LLC, Dart Bank, Parcel: 411721451026, $819,000 CANO-CEPEDA, Rene et al, Allen Edwin Home Builders, Byron Twp., $367,213 REICHLE, Ryan et al, Old National Bank, Cannon Twp., $460,750 KEITH, Walter V. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411927231014, $413,149 BASSETT, Charles A. II, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411430451033, $390,000 GRAHEK, Mary M., Huntington National Bank, Caledonia, $380,147 RUBITCH, Scott J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Courtland Twp., $356,360 CANAN, Phillip J. et al, Mercantile Bank, Byron Twp., $710,120 PIERCE, Rachel et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Wyoming, $384,750 DAKOSKE, David M. et al, Guaranteed Rate, Cascade Twp., $759,000 CLARKSON, Robert L. II et al, Grand River Bank, Caledonia, $408,000 PHOENIX REAL PROPERTIES LLC, First Community Bank, Parcel: 411432228001, $650,000 SINGH SATPAL, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411425454006, $381,000 MARAGIRI, Revan N. et al, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411324453040, $419,200 KIMBALL, Andrew S. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $950,000 DARE, Folabo Y., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Gaines Twp., $418,000 PARM, David et al, Independent Bank, Algoma Twp., $474,400 SMITH, Dennis C., Lakeview Loan Servicing, Parcel: 411402326007, $364,600 ZYLSTRA, Scott G. et al, Arbor Financial Credit Union, Parcel: 411720405021, $416,400 RIKLEY, Philip R. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Kentwood, $592,000 SAXTON, William M. et al, Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp., East Grand Rapids, $448,000 GORDON, Timothy et al, Huntington National Bank, Vergennes Twp., $397,000 JANARDHAN, Naveen R. et al, Old National Bank, Parcel: 411425454010, $396,000 MCCARL, Tyler et al, Better Mortgage Corp., Cascade Twp., $532,950 JELSEMA, Derek et al, Macatawa Bank, Caledonia, $378,000 MERRITT, Brandon, BM Real Estate Services, Cannon Twp., $382,500 MCMAHON, Ryan et al, Neighborhood Loans, Plainfield Twp., $356,250 HEDDEN, Jonathon et al, Gold Star Mortgage, Parcel: 411430252017, $371,000 WIERSMA, Richard et al, Churchill Mortgage Corp., Plainfield Twp., $398,050 FRITZ, Nathan et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $783,750 ERICKSON, Alex et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Bowne Twp., $356,000 49 COLDBROOK LLC, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411419102018, $526,400 VRUGGINK, Todd A. et al, Macatawa Bank, East Grand Rapids, $404,000 O’CONNOR, Matthew S. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Vergennes Twp., $519,438 FOURNIER, Jay A. et al, Old National Bank, Walker, $350,000 BURNS, Caleb et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $450,000 KLEINHEKSEL, Chip R. et al, JPMorgan Chase Bank, East Grand Rapids, $1,240,000 ROHN, Luke A. et al, Mr. Cooper, Parcel: 411804407012, $431,100 VONOS, Jorel, Better Mortgage Corp., Gaines Twp., $455,750 SUGGS, Anthony et al, Neighborhood Loans, Plainfield Twp., $395,000 LIETO, Matthew et al, TCF National Bank, Parcel: 411412276006, $679,250 SPENCER, Nolan J. et al, Horizon Bank, East Grand Rapids, $616,600 MYENI, Ramu, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Byron Twp., $352,573 ROZEMA, David J., Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $440,625 GOUWENS, Thomas E. et al, CIBC Bank, Cascade Twp., $456,000 TIMMER, Gary P. et al, American Funding Corp., Gaines Twp., $447,597 SMIES, Jacob et al, Old National Bank, Caledonia, $467,232 INCLAN, Martina et al, Independent Bank, Parcel: 411108326008, $545,000 FRUIT RIDGE HCV LLC, Mercantile Bank, Walker, $13,500,000 YENTZ, Hans R. et al, Huntington National

Bank, Ada Twp., $751,000 VANBEEK, Ryan et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Algoma Twp., $480,000 STERKEN, Sarah et al, TCF National Bank, Wyoming, $755,700 MIEDEMA, Shane A., TCF National Bank, Gaines Twp., $549,000 VIDEAN, Shane et al, NBKC Bank, Wyoming, $382,500 EZINGA, Dave et al, Grand River Bank, Byron Twp., $548,250 WACLAWSKI, Devin J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Ada Twp., $405,000 JONES, Russell G. et al, Old National Bank, East Grand Rapids, $480,000 ROBINSON, Bradley et al, Grand River Bank, Ada Twp., $1,718,200 HANENBURG, Seth et al, Mercantile Bank, Byron Twp., $465,000 HIETT, Dalan et al, Quicken Loans, Byron Twp., $407,500 DORA, Brian D. et al, Bank of America, East Grand Rapids, $752,250 KNAUF, Ben et al, ChoiceOne Bank, Cannon Twp., $468,800 SOUTH WILSON COURT LLC, United Bank, Walker, $854,932 GEORGE, Justin et al, Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411425127030, $369,031 BLYTHEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB, United Bank, Plainfield Twp., $1,500,000 SCHOLTENS, Todd et al, Heartland Home Mortgage, Cannon Twp., $350,800 BEERS, Glen et al, Grand River Bank, Plainfield Twp., $350,000 ACQUISITIONS LLC, TCF National Bank, Parcel: 411405230005, $512,000 OSENIEKS, Mark et al, MIMutual Mortgage, Parcel: 411324453060, $400,000 JEROW, Carrie J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411412402014, $562,500 DEANGELIS, Edmund J. et al, Proper Rate LLC, Parcel: 411412476020, $389,000 PARKER, Joseph P. et al, Consumers Credit Union, Parcel: 411411477003, $547,500 BROWNLOW, John P. et al, Huntington National Bank, Cascade Twp., $422,500 LOTT, Ann et al, Macatawa Bank, Cascade Twp., $427,670 KIRSCH, Kathleen L., Huntington National Bank, Parcel: 411430128010, $370,000 WINTER, Daniel O. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $874,000 MAJI, Venkatesh et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Parcel: 411409253024, $396,000 BOYER, Patrick C. et al, United Federal Credit Union, Parcel: 411327202006, $404,000 SALTWATER HOLDINGS LLC, Genisys Credit Union, Kentwood, $877,500 NETZLOFF, John D., Guaranteed Rate Affinity LLC, East Grand Rapids, $452,000 RICTHER. Randall J. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $543,750 MALLORY, James et al, Spica Trust, Gaines Twp., $700,000 SYMONDS, Aaron P. et al, Quicken Loans, Spencer Twp., $368,000 DEWITT, Steven et al, Independent Bank, Caledonia, $375,250 DAENER TRUST, VanDyk Mortgage Corp., Oakfield Twp., $403,000 LENTINE, Stephen J. et al, Benchmark Mortgage, Ada Twp., $350,00 YOST, Kyle et al, Quicken Loans, Parcel: 411425452010, $429,299 BENEDICT, Derek T. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Cascade Twp., $387,000 BAKER, Blake J. et al, Mercantile Bank, Parcel: 411413202012, $2,451,625 DEBRI, Jamel et al, United Wholesale Mortgage, Courtland Twp., $356,115 KASECKA, Philip et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411411477049, $915,000 SCHROEDER, Robert P. et al, Northpointe Bank, Spencer Twp., $532,000 BRYANT, Matthew S. et al, Gold Coast Bank, Parcel: 4114526304014, $400,000 FORDYCE, Michael et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Parcel: 411221352013, $547,500 KELLER, Christine E. et al, Inlanta Mortgage, Vergennes Twp., $500,000 BRESLIN, Darci et al, Crosscountry Mortgage, Parcel: 411803327007, $447,200 GHAREEB, Gail M. et al, Old National Bank, Ada Twp., $432,000 JURUS TRUST, TCF National Bank, Caledonia, $938,700 CORETTI, Jacob et al, Neighborhood Loans, Ada Twp., $358,000 SMITH, Ryan K. et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, East Grand Rapids, $750,000 VANDAM, Kara H. et al, Independent Bank, Cascade Twp., $620,000 HUDSON, Sarah M., Mercantile Bank, Cascade Twp., $649,000 MEISTER, Travis, Consumers Credit Union, Cannon Twp., $537,750 VILLAGE AT THIRTEEN HUNDRED LLC, Walker & Dunlop LLC, Parcel: 411408202022, $11,136,000 SILVERMAN, Neal C. et al, Old National Bank, Cannon Twp., $446,400

PUBLIC RECORD AVAILABLE ONLINE: For the full version of this week’s Public Record, visit the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s website at grbj.com.

JULY 26, 2021

Farmers could benefit from US-Cuba trade relations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

The state is the nation’s second-largest producer of dry beans and grows more black, cranberry and small red beans than any other state. Huron County produces more than 40% of the crop, followed by Tuscola, Sanilac, Bay and Saginaw counties, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. Cramer said he is optimistic about increasing trade between the two countries but said it’s necessary for the Cuban private sector to grow economically for trade to benefit Michigan farmers. “Even if we don’t have an embargo in place, the private sector down there doesn’t really appear to have the wherewithal to be able to buy beans in a commercial fashion like we’re used to,” Cramer said. “There has to be some way for the Cuban population, the private sector, the entrepreneurs down there to be able to generate cash and therefore be able to buy.” Michigan also could benefit from exporting products such as pork, dairy products and fruits such as apples, said Theresa Sisung, a field crops and advisory team specialist at the Michigan Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau presidents have visited Cuba and engaged in talks about increasing trade and the organization previously has supported legislation aimed at easing U.S.-Cuba

relations, she said. “Farmers in Michigan have expressed interest in improving trade to Cuba,” Sisung said. “While it wouldn’t necessarily be a huge market for our products, it would be a market. Anytime that we can increase markets for our products, is a positive for our farmers. “Because we’re such a diverse agricultural state, there’s a possibility for so many of our farmers to benefit,” she said. Chuck Lippstreau, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said current trade restrictions are outdated and ought to be replaced with better policy that could assist farmers. “There is a huge amount of export opportunity to Cuba, and Cuba is looking to purchase American produce and Michigan-grown agricultural products,” Lippstreu said. “The problem is we continue to have an outdated policy toward Cuba, and one that stifles economic opportunity. “The Biden administration should take speedy action to modernize our policy with regard to Cuba, because by doing so, they will unlock a substantial economic opportunity for farmers and rural businesses in Michigan,” he said. “And, frankly, they will achieve more in helping to establish a stronger relationship between the U.S. and Cuba than the outdated, six-decades-old embargo, ever will.”

Companies team up to support EV recycling CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

new batteries or be repurposed for other industrial uses. Other applications involve reuse of the batteries for renewable power or energy sources. “So even if they don’t go into new battery manufacturing, they can be put to good use,” Bjarnemark said. The more that people understand the opportunities in the size of regional markets, they can develop circular economy applications, Saber said. “Where we use it locally, we repurpose it locally and then we recycle or redeploy locally.” Flechter said recycling is a system that depends on experts using their skills to inform residents and businesses about how, why and where to recycle.

There are many reasons people want to recycle, he said “It’s not only an economic issue that moves materials back into manufacturing,” Flechter said. “It’s also an environmental issue where we can reduce greenhouse gases and save energy while supporting the environment and the economy.” The NextCycle Michigan initiative provides grants that fund ideas and opportunities for recycling. The partnership between Battery Solutions and NextEnergy strives to do that, he said. “It’s also really important in that system that we think about the entire lifecycle of that product,” Flechter said. “Once I’m done with it, who can use it next? And how can partnerships create opportunities for those materials once thought of as waste?”

Students finding tougher road CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

ident of Aspiring Educators of Michigan, the student arm of the MEA, said, “The problems we see at MSU’s program are problems every college and university faces.” MSU is piloting a number of programs next fall in the Detroit Public School Community District and several other districts to ease financial stress. They are partnering to find low-cost housing for interns, allow them to work as paid substitutes and provide opportunities to potentially work in the district post-internship.

Alvarez said, “As the No.1 program in the nation, Michigan State has the opportunity to be real pioneers and change the way we think about education. Unpaid internships in general are just not acceptable because they’re not accessible.” And Perreault said, “At a time when our state is facing a severe teacher shortage crisis, made only worse by the global pandemic, changes must be made to remove obstacles that prevent many students from considering a career in the classroom. “What we’re doing at Michigan State is only the beginning,” she said.

GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 26, 2021

That one really stings Pay it forward.

he Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is blaming Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for rubbing SALT in the wounds of small businesses. Whitmer this month vetoed what the chamber saw as a significant opportunity to support the small business community. HB 4288 sought to restore tax parity between large corporations and small pass-through businesses, according to the chamber. The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017) capped state and local tax (SALT) deductions for owners of s-corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. The chamber claimed HB 4288 would have remedied this disparity between C-corps and S-corps and restored the full SALT deduction to Michigan’s pass-through businesses without reducing revenues collected by the state. Pass-through businesses could elect to pay their SALT at the entity level while getting an income exemption to prevent double taxation, the chamber said of the proposed legislation. “Gov. Whitmer’s veto of HB 4288 is a significant blow against tax fairness for Michigan small businesses,” said Alexa Kramer,

BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF

director of government affairs for the chamber. “The Grand Rapids Chamber supported this legislation in order to keep Michigan’s business climate competitive compared to many other states that are adopting similar reforms. Now, more than ever, small businesses need every opportunity to succeed. They are the backbone to our economy, and the veto of this bipartisan passed legislation is disappointing and alarming.” To say the chamber is salty over this would be an understatement. CHILD’S PLAY The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan is issuing a warning to watch out for potential scammers trying to take advantage of those who may qualify for the federal child tax credit. From July 15 through December 2021, those who qualify through the American Rescue Plan Act will be getting monthly payments by direct deposit or paper checks from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to the IRS, these payments are an advance on the child tax credit, which means eligible people will get up to half of their child tax credit in these monthly payments

and the other half when they file their 2021 taxes. But some bad actors see the potential to take candy from the baby. The Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission warn to watch for impostor scams with con artists pretending to “help” you get your payments earlier, get more money or commit identity theft. The IRS is a commonly impersonated entity in the United States (according to the IRS itself!). You can go to IRS.gov to see if you qualify, how much you may receive and how to address any problems. You also will have the option of unenrolling from the advance payments program. “Scammers wait for events like these to prey on those who need the payments,” said Phil Catlett, president of the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan. “It is important that people take their time and double check the offer they receive to make sure they are not being ripped off. Once a scammer gets your money, it is very hard to get back.” Catlett and the FTC offer the following tips: • Avoid Impostor scams. Government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration will

STREET TALK

not call, text, DM or email you. • Do not give out any personal information, like Social Security numbers, bank account information, or credit/debit card numbers over the phone or through email. • Eligibility requirements and payment disbursements are monitored by the IRS only. • When someone is requiring payments by gift card, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, it is likely a scam. THERE IS HOPE A new financial model to fund a Hope College education is in the works. President Matthew Scogin shared his vision for fully funded tuition at his inauguration on Sept. 13, 2019. Since then, the college has translated the vision into a strategy that has raised more than $31.1 million toward its implementation. “We’re excited to be pursuing a new model for funding higher education,” Scogin said. “Rather than require students to pay for their education in advance, through what is too often a transactional relationship, we are working toward a funding model based on the biblical principles of generosity and gratitude. Once it’s implemented, students will receive a transformational education, for which others have paid. Then, when they are graduates, we will ask them — out of gratitude for what they’ve received — to be generous in response by investing in future generations of students.” The college-wide strategy, called “Hope Forward,” which was unanimously approved by Hope’s Board of Trustees in Jan-

uary 2021, is built on a foundation of three pillars: accessibility, generosity and community. “By eliminating the need for students to finance their education up front, we’re pursuing a number of goals as a college community,” he said. “First, tied to our Christian mission, we want to make a Hope education available to all students, not only those who come from wealthier backgrounds. Second, we believe the business model of higher education is broken and we want to pursue a more sustainable framework. Finally, we want to enable our graduates to enter their careers and communities with a focus on positively impacting the world unburdened by tuition debt. This vision will take many years to see to fruition, but the journey starts now and we are encouraged by early momentum.” Reflecting the three pillars, Hope’s new tuition model will use a unique “pay-it-forward” approach. The college will launch a pilot of the tuition model this fall when it welcomes an incoming Hope Forward cohort of 22 students. Tuition for these students will be fully funded by the generosity of an anonymous donor. They only will pay for room and board. In the future, Hope aims to expand the number of Hope Forward students. At full implementation, 100% of students will have their tuition fully funded. This will be achieved by fully funding tuition for all students through endowed scholarships, and to do so, Hope will need to increase its endowment by more than $1 billion. All college fundraising, including capital campaigns, will support the Hope Forward strategy.

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Grand Rapids Business Journal 07.26.21

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