GLBM December 2014 by M3 Group Publications

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The Commercial Real Estate Market, Making A Comeback In this issue •

MCLAREN HEALTH CARE AND MIDMICHIGAN PHYSICIANS TEAM-UP

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AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER INVESTS $57 MILLION

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PROJECTED FRANCHISE GROWTH IN GREATER LANSING L

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News

BUSINESS MONTHLY G RE ATER L A N S I N G

DECEMBER 2014

Mid-Michigan Physicians, P.C. Joins McLaren Health Care................................................... 6 First-Tier Automotive Supplier Invests $57 Million in New Windsor Township Facility ....................................................................................................8 Healthcare Forum Addresses Challenges of Delivering Quality Health Care ........10 Collaboration Key to Success of $276 Million Red Cedar Golf Course Redevelopment ..............................................................................................12 Lake Trust Credit Union (re)invests in Downtown Lansing ..............................................14

The Commercial Real Estate Market, Making A Comeback In this issue •

MCLAREN HEALTH CARE AND MIDMICHIGAN PHYSICIANS TEAM-UP

•

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER INVESTS $57 MILLION

•

PROJECTED FRANCHISE GROWTH IN GREATER LANSING

Cover photography by Mark Warner

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 27, Issue 12) The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807. Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-0123 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe.

Features Greater Lansing Offers Welcoming Business Climate for Franchises ..........................16 Greater Lansing’s Commercial Real Estate Market Making a Comeback....................18

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4 He Said/She Said ......................................................................................................................................22 GLBM List ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Man on the Street ................................................................................................................................... 26 Regional Rotation .................................................................................................................................... 30 Accounting................................................................................................................................................... 32

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 614 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2014 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Collectibles .................................................................................................................................................34

Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessmonthly.com

Business Calender .................................................................................................................................42

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Regional Roundup ...................................................................................................................................36 Holistic Health ..........................................................................................................................................38 Workforce Development ....................................................................................................................40

Notable News ...........................................................................................................................................44 DECEMBER 2014

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BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Manny Garcia Penny Meadows Production Director: Kelly Ritter

The Ever-Changing Real Estate Game

few years after I started my business, my husband and I purchased our first commercial property. My company was pretty small at the time, so the plan was to rent out the additional space to other small businesses. All of a sudden, I was a business owner, landlord and commercial property owner in downtown Lansing. Even though I wouldn’t consider myself real estate mogul, I will say that watching the greater Lansing region develop commercially is quite exciting. The ever-changing game of commercial real estate helps decipher the economic climate and those who are able to see trends can make big things happen. Right now, our area is blessed with cranes in the air and projected developments on the horizon. Over the next five years, we’ll potentially see the Outfield development, the Red Cedar Renaissance project and the Ottawa-Butler $12 million investment.

Art Director: Brooke Erwin Brand Manager: Ami Iceman Graphic Artist: Mike France Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes - Executive Vice President, MSU Federal Credit Union Trish Foster - Senior Managing Director & COO, CBRE|Martin Lisa Parker - Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore - Partner, Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore Tom Ruis - Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein - Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper - Partner, Andrews Hopper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes - Legislative Director for State Senator Coleman Young, II

Correction: An article released in the last issue of Greater Lansing Business Monthly misrepresented Granger’s landfill management, citing they manage 17 landfills in multiple states. Granger manages two landfill within Michigan. In addition the GPS navigation referenced in the article is unrelated to Granger trucks locating well heads. 4

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Looking into the future, the people who will need real estate, wether they purchase it or develop it, will make a difference on what is created. The millennials are an even larger contingent than their parents — the baby-boom generation. While the tendency of millennials to postpone home purchases and rent longer affects the apartment sector over the next several years, predictions say that many investors should consider how the housing preferences of millennials could change in the 2020s. Looking beyond the millennials, industry reports and predictions anticipate further real estate changes resulting from the emergence of the smaller Generation Z. Planning for a nation with lesser households, fewer new consumers and a smaller number of workforce entrants is the challenge ahead for a real estate industry with its eye on the 2020s. Technology is a blessing and a curse in any industry. No form of real estate is exempt from the exponential expansion of technology. It is pushing change in space use, locations and demand levels at an accelerated rate. E-commerce, crowd funding and e-retailers that begin to open brick-and-mortar stores are being viewed as an adaptation challenge. Fierce competition is another future consideration. The need to have a clear brand identity is important as real estate development organizations seek to navigate all areas of commercial development. I want to thank those who braved the frigid weather to attend the GLBM Connections & Coffee event at the UClub. As discussed at the November event, we are seeking nominations for the GLBM Entrepreneurial Awards. Please nominate a business that you believe is making strides and should be recognized for its effort. Our Feb. 3, 2015 Connections & Coffee networking event will highlight last year’s winners. Go to lansingbusinessnews.com for more information on getting involved. Happy holidays,

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher DECEMBER 2014

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Mid-Michigan Physicians, P.C. Joins McLaren Health Care BY MICKEY HIRTEN

n a move that broadens its health care offerings in the greater Lansing market, McLaren Health Systems is acquiring Mid-Michigan Physicians (MMP), one of the largest private practice medical groups in the region.

P H OTO B Y M IK E FR A N CE

MMP is a Lansing-based multi-specialty physician network of approximately 100 providers. When completed, the healthcare providers and other staff will become McLaren employees. MMP facilities will become part of the hospital network. “Mid-Michigan Physicians began the process of looking for a partner in 2013,” said Bill Hardimon, who in October became president and CEO of McLaren Medical Group, the hospital systems primary care and specialty physicians network. He had been MMP’s chief executive officer. MMP’s corporate office is located on Lake Lansing Road.

“A committee narrowed the potential partners down and ultimately selected McLaren Health Care because we felt they would be a strong partner in our pursuit to improve our patients’ and community’s health and wellness,” Hardimon said in an email exchange. “We signed a letter of intent in February 2014 and have been exclusively working with McLaren since.” He expects MMP and McLaren to be legally integrated by January 2015, with “clinical and operational integration” extending into 2015. There are no regulatory issues involved in the sale between the hospital system and MMP’s 48 physician owners. “The transition will be fairly seamless from a patient standpoint,” Hardimon said. The purchase of private practices by hospital systems is happening throughout the country. Both parties see opportunities as well as challenges by joining together in an increasingly complex health care environment. For hospitals, the mandate is better outcomes including: decreasing the length of stay, less medical intervention, avoiding re-admissions and patient satisfaction. The goal is integration of the many health care services they provide. “How and where we deliver health care is changing,” Hardimon said. “Traditionally, primary care physicians were focused on a patient’s care in the office setting and hospitals were focused on the care provided inside their walls. Those worlds are becoming increasingly intermingled and community-based physicians and health systems need to work together in new 6

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ways to manage a patient’s overall health, not just an episode of care.” Integrating McLaren and MMP broadens the hospital’s service base. It expects most of the medical providers and the staff affiliated with MMP to join the McLaren system. “MMP is a wellrun organization that provides exceptional clinical quality. McLaren wants to enhance that and learn from them. In fact, we expect McLaren to benefit from some of MMP’s operational knowledge and incorporate some of their best practices into other McLaren offices,” Hardimon added. For doctors there are mixed reasons for choosing to work for a hospital system rather than a private practice. “With a hospital there is a greater sense of alignment. It’s also getting down to the business of medicine — having all of the HR issues, benefits issues and billing taken care of by the hospital. Sometimes it is just a lifestyle issue,” said Dr. James Grant, president of the Michigan State Medical Society. “One of the reasons physicians work for hospitals is financial stability. There is shared risk and an improved quality of life. The next generation of physicians has often said this is what they want.” Grant said the trend with hospitals and doctors reflects the evolution happening in health care and other industries. “On the hospital side, they are consolidating,” Grant added. “On the

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NEWS

physician side, they are also consolidating.” And he noted another trend reshaping the health industry: for-profit corporate practices. Grant, an anesthesiologist at Beaumont Hospital, said he works for MEDNAX, a national medical group that provides an array of physician services. These are big businesses. Shares in the company trade on the New York Stock Exchange. It has a market cap of $6.3 billion and annual revenue of $2.4 billion. Another large corporate practice, TeamHealth, which also traded on the NYSE, in July 2013, acquired Tri-County Emergency Physicians, PC, which managed and staffed the emergency department at Memorial Health Care in Owosso, Michigan. MEDNAX has a market cap of $3.8 billion with $2.7 billion in revenue. “In many cases, the doctor never even works for the hospital where he practices,” Grant said.

MMP as a private practice served patients with nearly two-dozen different specialties and Hardimon expects the health care providers in most of those fields to join the McLaren system. What patients may notice are higher charges for some services. According to insurers and area physicians, once McLaren assumes ownership of MMP’s offices, it may be able to charge higher hospital facility rates for some services like radiology or stress testing. “There could be some variation in fees,” said Helen Stojic, spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “There are two payments. One is what the doctor gets paid and one is the facility fee.” She explained that payers like Medicare or Blue Cross Blue Shield recognize that hospital populations are high risk, which merits the higher charges.

Hardimon said McLaren has yet to determine how it will structure its MMP related billing codes and procedures. “McLaren prides itself on creating value for patients by delivering quality outcomes through cost effective services,” he said. “Once MMP is fully integrated into McLaren, it’s important for patients to know that bills for services at MMP will come from McLaren. It’s also important to note that MMP providers will continue accepting the insurances they did before joining McLaren.” Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

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First-Tier Automotive Supplier Invests $57 Million in New Windsor Township Facility BY MICKEY HIRTEN

ne of the payoffs from the community-wide effort to keep General Motors in Lansing, celebrated in the recently released “This Model Works” documentary, is thousands of jobs with the automaker and its suppliers. Together they represent 6,500 workers, and more jobs are coming.

application for the project, filed by Magna America RE Holdings LLC, indicates that it will produce parts for GM’s Delta and Grand River Assembly Plants. The plant is eligible for a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program performancebased grant and will likely receive tax relief by the township.

A large first-tier auto subcontractor, Magna Exteriors and Interiors has filed an application to build a $57 million Windsor Township facility to produce and assemble interior doors, floor consoles, instrument panel components and other parts. It plans to create at least 281 jobs with pay well above the minimum wage.

The company is requesting a change in zoning for parcels from highway services to industrial. Also it is seeking a special use permit for silos to store resins for injection molding and for outside stackable storage racks that exceed normal code for height.

Butler expects the final agreement to include 50 percent tax abatement for seven to 15 years. She expects the zoning changes to be approved. “I don’t think it has been an issue. The land has been zoned for business. If you visit Magna’s new plant on Mount Hope, it’s not obnoxious looking. It won’t have a major paint shop. It’s odorless and noiseless.”

For Windsor Twp., the Magna facility opens a new chapter. The township has been working with the supplier on the project for about six months and Supervisor Sue Butler is enthusiastic about the outcome.

She was referencing Magna’s latest facility in the Lansing area, a 290,000 square foot injection-molding and robotic paint line that the company said will produce front and rear fascia — bumper panels and grill systems — for General

The 200,000 square foot facility near Diamondale is planned for a 60-acre parcel at Creyts and Lansing Roads, about a mile from GM’s Delta Assembly Plant. An 8

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“We have almost no industrial base,” she said. “I think this will make good use of a commercial industrial corner. It will provide about 230 jobs to start which could double in five years.”

NEWS

Motors and in particular for automobiles assembled at the Delta and Grand River plants: the Cadillac ATS, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. “THEY HAVE HELPED

Mickey Hirten is an award winning writer and editor. He has been executive editor of the Lansing State Journal, the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, and was the financial editor and a columnist for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He is the current president of the Michigan Press Association. His wife, Maureen Hirten, is director of the Capital Area District Library.

MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO COME HERE AND ESTABLISH THIS WORLDCLASS OPERATION, AND WE ARE EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMER GENERAL MOTORS FROM THIS NEW FACILITY.” – GRAHAME BURROW

The DexSys plant, which opened in October with a ceremony attended by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and General Motors’ executives, will employ approximately 340 workers. Celebrating the plant’s opening, Magna Exteriors President Grahame Burrow praised the collaboration by state and local governments. “They have helped make it possible for us to come here and establish this worldclass operation, and we are excited for the opportunity to support our customer General Motors from this new facility,” he said. The company already has a large footprint in the region. It is a 45 percent partner with the Rush Group in Dakkota Integrated Systems, operates Magna Powertrain Lansing, employing 130, and has 200 employees already working at its DexSys plant. Altogether, Magna operates 28 plants in Michigan employing 10,000 workers.

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Healthcare Forum Addresses Challenges of Delivering Quality Health Care BY MICKEY HIRTEN

here are two challenging and related issues that Lansing’s business community puts at the top of its list of concerns. “If it’s not health care, it’s talent,” said Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Damon, as he opened the organization’s annual Healthcare Forum, which explored how both issues complement one another.

38%

Successful communities require high quality medical facilities supporting health care providers, Damon said, adding that fortunately Lansing has them. But the challenge of delivering quality health care is daunting and is likely to be well into the future. Success requires innovation, training, finances and facilities, said speakers at the October forum.

62%

And there are some structural issues that must be addressed quickly if the region is to retain the wellness support it expects and will need. “I believe we are facing a physician shortage, a shortage of physician assistants and of nurses,” said Dr. Marsha Rappley, Dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The problem, she explained, is too few training opportunities for medical school graduates. “The limiting factor for physicians in Michigan is that there are not enough residency programs. We have more doctors graduating, but they are not going to be staying in the state.” She explained that health system hospitals are where medical school graduates train, citing MSU, which she said has 15 residency programs throughout the state. But funding for this phase of medical education has been declining and some hospitals are closing residency programs. “This is something that has to change,” she said, suggesting that shortening the length of programs might help somewhat. A more positive trend in medical care cited by Rappley was the shift to collaborative and integrated medical services. “We see the big trend in team work,” she added. “The physician has to work with the nurses and PAs.” It reflects what is happening at Sparrow Health System, according to its Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph J. Ruth, who delivered the keynote address. He indicated that Sparrow and physician leaders are currently developing the Sparrow Care Network, a clinically integrated organization which it expects to put in place in 2015. The goal is to improve the quality and efficiency of care by focusing on the way care 10

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87,000 total health care jobs in Mid-Michigan — 62% of them direct with an annual payroll of $3.3 billion; 38% are indirect with a payroll of $4.6 billion. is delivered at Sparrow, how the system and its medical staff interact, and how physicians interact and relate to each other. The initiative seeks to transform the way physician systems deliver high quality care at the lowest possible cost. Many of the speakers at the forum focused on the quality and delivery of health care, a segment on “Innovators in Healthcare” reinforced the businesses and economics that support patient care. Nevin Brittain, the founder of Health Numeric in East Lansing, talked about his firm’s support service that provides comprehensive at-home monitoring and produces reports for medical providers, families and others. Ryan Jankovic of TheraB Medical Inc., also based in East Lansing, had a presentation highlighting a portable phototherapy garment designed to treat infant jaundice. While Gordon Maniere, founder of Advanced Amputee Solutions, presented a program on his development of specialized devices to help amputees adjust more positively to prosthetics. All three are small firms seeking a niche in the sprawling health care industry. As speakers at the forum noted, health care isn’t just about wellness. It’s also about jobs. Michigan State University operates

DECEMBER 2014

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medical units throughout the state and in all but Lansing, these are the largest employers in their communities, said Rappley.

All this, around the clock.

Damon offered this context: 87,000 total health care jobs in Mid-Michigan — 54,000 of them direct with an annual payroll of $3.3 billion; the other 33,000 are indirect with a payroll of $4.6 billion.

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Collaboration Key to Success of $276 Million Red Cedar Golf Course Redevelopment BY MICKEY HIRTEN

The construction site is below the Red Cedar flood plane. It must be built in a way that complements federally mandated improvements to the Montgomery Drain, a $10 million to $15 million or more project. The city wants it to include parks and trails, top-flight retailing, a hotel, a medical facility, high value marketrate housing and student housing. Developers haven’t yet determined a schedule for the project. They say that it could be completed in three or four years, depending on government approvals and extensive site work required for getting the site buildable. “TODAY WE BEGIN THE NEXT LEG OF A REMARKABLE JOURNEY THAT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE MICHIGAN AVENUE CORRIDOR FOREVER.” – MAYOR VIRG BERNERO The City of Lansing and the developers will split the cost of site work, estimated at $76 million, with the city’s capped at $38 million. The other $200 million will come from private sources. Lansing will set aside 22 acres of the vacant golf course property for parkland. And some of the property is being reserved for a medical facility, which Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has suggested will be affiliated with Sparrow Hospital.

P H OTO S B Y V IRG I N I A B ER N ERO

he $276 million global village planned for Lansing’s abandoned Red Cedar Golf Course will be one of the most challenging development projects attempted in Mid-Michigan.

Mayor Virg Bernero, Frank Koss, Joel Ferguson and Bob Trezise signing the agreement.

Announcing the agreement to proceed with the project, Bernero said there has been nothing in Lansing’s history to match the scale and ambition of this project. “Today we begin the next leg of a remarkable journey that will change the face of the Michigan avenue corridor forever,” Bernero said, promising that the Red Cedar Renaissance will be a “worldclass global village.” Above all, it will be a team project, with some familiar players and some new to the area. Here is how city officials and developers have set their starting line up. CI T Y OF L A N S IN G

Bernero sees the Red Cedar Renaissance as a transformative project for the city. He proposed the sale of the golf course and lobbied voters to approve it. And along with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) bargained hard to ensure that this is a “world-class” development.

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LEAP

Along with city officials, LEAP has anchored the government side of negotiations on the project. When announcing the agreement, the developers referred to LEAP President and CEO Bob Trezise as a “pain in the neck.” Trezise views this as a compliment. Negotiations were heated enough at times that participants walked out of meetings. IN GH A M CO U N TY DRA IN CO MMIS S IO N

The Red Cedar project will be aligned with improvements required for the Montgomery Drain which extends from the river, through Frandor and points north. Drain Commissioner Pat Lindemann will work closely with the developers and city to channel water runoff in a creative way that will also clean the river.

NEWS

FERGUSON/C ONTI NE N TAL

This is a partnership formed by Lansing developer Joel Ferguson and Frank Koss, chairman of the Ohio-based Continental Real Estate Companies, to develop the Red Cedar site. Ferguson has an extensive background developing local projects like the Michigan State Police Headquarters and Capital Commons in downtown Lansing, condominiums, senior and multifamily housing and other commercial buildings. Continental operates on a national scale and has experience in all phases of development: due diligence, site planning, financing, design, construction, leasing, property management and sales.

Mayor Virg Bernero speaking about the economic redevelopment project.

C LA RK C ONS TRU C TIO N

The Lansing based construction giant will handle infrastructure and construction of plinths, which are concrete piers that will raise Red Cedar buildings above the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flood plain, which extends north across Michigan Avenue. The company has a national footprint building schools, housing, government buildings, medical facilities, arenas and other large projects. It worked with Ferguson on the State Police Headquarters, built the FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek and Lansing Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M-TEC & Technical Training facility, among other projects. HO B B S + B L AC K A RC H I T E CT S

James Sharba and Bob Hoida of Lansing will work on infrastructure and plinth design and construction, according to Ferguson Development, which has used the firm on other projects. HUNTINGTON B A NK

It is the lead financial institution on the project.

Renderings of the future Red Cedar Renaissance displayed at the event. CO N CO RD H O S PITA L ITY

This company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, will take the lead in hotel development. Ferguson has announced an agreement with Hyatt for a full service hotel at the site. Concord already operates Hyatt properties in Michigan.

LIFESTY LE C OMMUN I T I E S

Core to the redevelopment of Red Cedar is housing: professional, market rate and lifestyle. Lifestyle Communities, based in Columbus, Ohio, and with an established relationship with Continental, will handle this aspect of the project. The company has residential communities in Columbus, Ohio; Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky; and in Nashville, Tennessee.

L SG E N GIN E E RS & S U RV E YO RS

Based in Lansing, it will handle civil engineering at the Red Cedar site. The company has worked closely with local, county and state agencies. E .T. M ACK E N ZIE CO MPA N Y

This Grand Ledge company will provide excavation and earth moving. It will be a significant part of the project.

The company has worked on projects throughout the United States. It was responsible for the Capitol Loop project in downtown Lansing.

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Lake Trust Credit Union (re)invests in Downtown Lansing BY KRIS TINE RICHMON D

This project is part of the Lake Trust Credit Union’s (re)invest program which works to build more vibrant communities where Credit Union members live, work and play. The redeveloped building and surrounding area, which will be called The Block, will still be home to a Lake Trust branch, and with its mixed use proposal, hopes to add great value and convenience to the downtown area.

R EN D ER IN G P ROV ID ED

ake Trust Credit Union recently announced its plans to redevelop its current building located at 501 S. Capitol, along with the surrounding area at the south end of Washington Square. The Credit Union says that the development is estimated to create over $30 million in associated growth and hundreds of jobs in Lansing.

Rendering of the future redevelopment of Lake Trust Credit Union located on S. Capitol.

“THIS IS THE CELEBRATION OF AN EXCITING EFFORT THAT WILL BE A CATALYST FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF GROWTH IN THE AREA.” — DAVID SNODGRASS

The proposed project brings retail, office and residential spaces to the three acres between Lenawee and Hillsdale. It includes 150 residential apartments, 67,000 square feet of retail space and 72,500 square feet plus an additional 60,000 square feet of office space. There will also be an additional 150 parking spaces. Construction of any new buildings, in addition to a Lake Trust branch, would be expected in partnership with local developers. The project is set to be completed by the end of 2015. “This is the celebration of an exciting effort that will be a catalyst for millions of dollars of growth in the area,” said Lake Trust Credit Union President and CEO, David Snodgrass. “Lake Trust is invested in our city. We’ve been a part of this community for more 14

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than 50 years and we’re passionate about what happens here. This is a great opportunity for Lansing.” Lake Trust Credit Union is invested in Lansing and plans to stay involved throughout the whole process. As part of the effort, the Credit Union plans to maximize benefits the new investment will have in the region, by working with the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation), who has contracted Peter Allen of Peter Allen & Associates. “We have a lot of fascinating concepts on the table,” Snodgrass added. “When all the work is done, this area will be an awesome place to live, work and play.” Lake Trust is also committed to expanding the Credit Union’s presence throughout Michigan, with plans to invest a total of $40 million in the state over the next five years. For more information, visit theblocklansing.com. Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customers’ attention and cause them to act.

DECEMBER 2014

ENTREPRENEURS UNITE

GREATER LANSING BUSINESS MONTHLY PRESENTS THE 2015 ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED NOW Once a nomination has been received, follow up contact will be made by a member of the selection committee. Deadline: Jan. 15, 2015

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Greater Lansing Offers Welcoming Business Climate for Franchises BY A NN H. KAMMERER

Many aspiring entrepreneurs become business-owners by investing in a franchise — be it quick or full-service restaurants, personal services, real estate, automotive or any of the dozen broad business lines constituting the franchise sector. The consulting service Frannet.com reports that nearly 3,100 franchise concepts are available today. Some are new, some are regional and some are household names. Initial investments vary from a few thousand to several million, with an average buy-in cost of $200,000. Franchisees also pay regular royalty fees to the franchisor for the use of products, a service or delivery format, and ongoing support in the form of training, marketing and overall expertise. In the past few years, franchises have experienced modest economic growth, making small but steady gains in output and employment. The International Franchise Association Educational Foundation projects that the number of franchise establishments will increase by 1.7 percent in 2014, slightly ahead of the 2013 pace, and that employment growth will match the 2.3 percent of 2013. While humble, the gains of the larger franchise sector are projected to amount to about 3.5 percent of the U.S. GDP at $493 billion, and to support about 8.5 million jobs. Greater Lansing is likewise experiencing an uptick in franchising, with several new and established franchises providing opportunities, particularly in the largest franchise business line: quick service restaurants.

C O M I N G TO T H E NEIGHBORHOOD

Everyone knows their name. With more than 60 years in the business, Dunkin’ Donuts proclaims to be America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. In Michigan, Massachusettsbased Dunkin’ Donuts operates 60 restaurants, and plans to open 40 more across the state in the next several years. Franchise candidates are being recruited in several key markets, including Flint, Traverse City and Lansing. Steve Rafferty, senior director of franchising for Dunkin’ Brands, says Dunkin’ Donuts is strong in core markets like Boston and Chicago, and is looking to expand beyond the company’s 8,000-plus stores.

P H OTO B Y M I K E FR A N CE

tarting your own business doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

Firehouse Subs is located on South Washington Square.

“We’re in a rapid growth phase outside our core areas,” says Rafferty. “We’re excited to continue this expansion and to make our coffee and donuts available to people in Lansing.” Three Dunkin’ Donuts operate in Lansing, including those on Lansing’s eastern and western edges and one in Okemos. Rafferty says Dunkin’ Donuts is seeking an individual franchisee to operate five new stores in Greater Lansing. The franchise offers flexible concepts for any real estate format, including freestanding restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities and retail environments. And each store, he says, creates an average of 25 to 30 jobs.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

Ultimately, customers will drive the number of stores in the capital region, but Rafferty believes Lansing needs reasonably priced foods delivered through a convenient and comfortable environment. “While we’re known for great coffee and donuts, we have a broader menu that people might not know about — like breakfast and sandwiches for later in the day,” says Rafferty. “We’ve been warmly welcomed by our guests in Michigan. We’re very happy about that.” COMMUNITY PRESENCE

While Dunkin’ Donuts anticipates a relatively rapid expansion in Lansing, other franchises have nurtured steady growth over the years.

F E AT U R E

Stanton Associates started its first Wendy’s franchise in Lansing on South Cedar Street in 1975. In that 40 years, the franchisee has added about two to three Wendy’s a year. Today, the Jackson-based company boasts 67 locations in 21 counties across Central Michigan, with 19 restaurants in Jackson, Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Randy Israel, a partner in Stanton Associates, says that an individual Wendy’s franchise creates 25 to 30 jobs, and has a ripple effect on the surrounding community. Community programs are central to the Wendy’s corporate philosophy, with each store in Stanton’s group raising and contributing dollars to the local greater good. In addition to Wendy’s, Stanton Associates recently ventured into owning and operating Biggby stores, and is working to open the sixth location of the specialty coffee chain.

“We’re always looking to expand or to upgrade and keep our facilities in great shape,” says Israel. “The big thing is we’re in this community. We think of it as family, so it’s great when you’re able to see someone grow and develop as an employee and to watch their families grow, too.” While new to franchising, business owner Sam Shango expresses a similar sentiment. Shango bought his first Firehouse Subs in 2013, hired 20 people, and opened the doors in downtown Lansing in January 2014. Eventually, Shango hopes to own four more shops in the “fast casual” chain, with a second location opening in the next six months. Shango came to franchising after experiencing the challenges of owning and operating an independent line of party and convenience stores.

“Everybody should try franchising,” says Shango. “While I love being an independent guy in my other businesses, my franchise gives me a lot of support.” Like Wendy’s, Firehouse Subs encourages giving back to the community, with a percentage of sub sales going to support local first responders and public safety organizations. “How many businesses can say they have a business model that allows them to give back?” asks Shango. “Being part of that gives you a warm feeling.” Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively for a couple decades about business people, educators, artists and everyday people doing good things in greater Lansing.

What’s so special about the number 3? There are three events in a triathlon: swimming, bicycling and running

3 is an odd number as well as a prime number

Keith Pfeifle, Sarah Jennings and James Meyer

'Bookkeeper' and 'bookkeeping' are the only words in the English language with three consecutive double letters

There are only three colors which make all the colors in the color wheel: red, blue and yellow

Three of Maner Costerisan’s Team Members Have Been Promoted to Principal The professionals at Maner Costerisan are thrilled to announce our three new principals: Sarah Jennings, CPA, CFE, James Meyer, MCP and Keith Pfeifle, CPA. While they all focus on different service areas, they have the same belief about what’s important when serving clients – being prompt, proactive and professional.

2425 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 1 Lansing, MI 48912-3291 T: 517 323 7500 • F: 517 323 6346 www.manercpa.com • www.manersolutions.com

Sarah, James and Keith embody the fundamental service principles that make Maner Costerisan clients so very loyal. We look forward to their many future milestones. At Maner Costerisan, the numbers speak for themselves.

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Greater Lansing’s Commercial Real Estate Market

MAKING A COMEBACK

BY MICKEY HIRTEN | PH OTO S B Y MA R K WA R N E R

reater Lansing’s commercial real estate market is springing back to life, finally staging a post recession recovery. Sales and leasing activities and prices are increasing, not dramatically, but steadily, a trend that the region’s large commercial brokers expect to continue in 2015. “It’s a lot busier than it was a year or two ago. We appear to be coming out of the doldrums,” said Adam Whitz, owner of the ReMax Commercial Group. “But the progress isn’t uniform across the Lansing region. There is an oversupply of office space. South Lansing into Holt remains 18

depressed. Retail is better, but can be spotty.” “Our company is doing very strong business,” said Jim Vlahakis, principal and president of NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial. “We’ve seen an enormous bump in business. I see the first quarter of 2015 pretty much where we are today,” an assessment he based on his company’s pending sales reports. The buoyant outlook is tempered by the collapse of the commercial real estate market during the recession, and full recovery is still a few years off.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

“Values are still lower than they were. Banks are still a hurdle,” said Vlahakis. “But we are starting to do deals.” Improvements in the Lansing market finally reflect the national trend, said Tricia Foster, senior managing director and COO of CBRE|Martin and CBRE|Grand Rapids. “For our company, growth has been significant in sales during 2014 and leasing activity is up in all specialties.” Foster cited a growing economy, job growth, consumer spending, increased housing starts and low interest rates as factors propelling commercial sales and leasing. “I would expect 2015 to be

Tricia Foster and Van Martin of CBRE | Martin and CBRE | Grand Rapids.

just as solid and, as we head into 2016, we will need to watch interest rates and how geopolitical matters influence the economy,” she added. Area real estate firms report that all three of the commercial market segments — retail, office and industrial — are strengthening, particularly with class A properties. “There is a shortage of good large space,” said Van Martin, president and CEO of CBRE|Martin and CBRE|Grand Rapids. “If you are trying to find 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, it is difficult. For 4,000

to 5,000 square feet, that portion of the market is more competitive.” There is, in fact, a glut of secondary office space in the region, Vlahakis said. “There are millions of square feet of space open in the tri-county before rates trend up,” he added. “The improvements in the commercial sector, while steady, still have not reached pre-recession levels.” An eight-year analysis of the Lansing market by the CoStar Group, Inc., a national provider of commercial real estate information and analytics, found that Ingham County office leasing prices peaked in 2007 at approximately $15.25

per square foot per year and in Lansing peaked at approximately $14.50 per square foot in 2006. Prices declined steadily as the recession worsened to about $13.50 in the county and $12.75 in the city. “If you look at the sub markets, they are performing well,” Foster said. CBRE|Martin’s latest Greater Lansing MarketView report on retail activity identifies the east and west quadrants as the region’s strongest, which show vacancy rates of 10 percent and 9.4 percent respectively. Leasing rates for east side properties range from $10 to $25 per square foot; in the west, they are $8 to $16 per square foot. L

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20%

For industrial space, CBRE|Martin’s latest industrial MarketView report identified the north market as the strongest that show a vacancy rate of 5.2 percent and lease rates between $5 and $7 per square foot. The need for climate controlled large boxes of industrial space with high ceilings and numerous bays remains high. This could be an area where new product comes on line in the future. The best market for all commercial categories, Martin and Foster added, is class A office space in Lansing’s central business district, where an office in a high-rise with an unobstructed view could lease for as much as $26-$28 per square foot. According to CBRE|Martin’s latest office MarketView report, the vacancy rate for premium downtown properties is 1.8 percent. For class B properties the vacancy rate is 24 percent and for class C space it’s 47 percent.

H2 2012 H1 2013

18%

H2 2013

16%

H1 2014

14% 12%

10.7%

10%

8% 6.9%

8% 5.2%

6% 4% 2% CENTRAL URBAN AREAS

The various grades and shades of properties in all categories make broad comparisons difficult, area brokers say. And their success in different sub markets like U.S. 127 at Lake Lansing Road or I-96 at West Saginaw shapes their market-wide perspectives.

SOUTH

WEST

40%

MARKET

“Greater Lansing is finally starting to see vertical development, something that has not been prevalent since pre 2007,” Foster said. “This trend continues in Grand Rapids and Detroit.”

H2 2012 H1 2013

35% H2 2013 H1 2014

30%

25%

20%

Holiday season sales should be watched carefully as retailers and owners of retail centers are finding the “bricks and clicks” world now a reality. Retailers are developing strategies that incorporate mobile, online and brick-andmortar components, while retail owners are pushing foot traffic with entertainment venues, added Foster.

16.8% 15.9%15.9%

15% 10%

EAST

NORTH

SOUTH

WEST

MKT AVG.

Greater Lansing retail history of vacancies. Source: CBRE Research, H1 2014

Locally, Midtown and the Outfield development projects have launched and with the recent announcement of the Red Cedar Golf Course redevelopment, the Michigan Avenue Corridor will transform the area. The Heights of Eastwood is also under construction and several other developers are evaluating opportunities to build in the region. The changing demographics of the workforce demand urban work and lifestyle environments that offer amenities and walkable entertainment and services. “Providing urban grocery options and efficient mass transit are essential to develop for any environment that plans to meet the needs for residents and the work force,” said Foster. “Balancing this demand with G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

NORTH

Greater Lansing industrial history of vacancies. Source: CBRE Research, H1 2014

But there is general agreement that the area struggling most is the southern corridor, Cedar Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Highway. “The south sub market seems to be suffering the most. It’s there that values have dropped and the vacancy rates are absolutely the highest,” Vlahakis said.

5.2%

existing suburban options that may not be the ‘shiny new penny’ will further decrease demand in the submarkets where existing vacancies are the highest.”

DECEMBER 2014

“THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, WHILE STEADY, STILL HAVE NOT REACHED PRERECESSION LEVELS.” – VAN MARTIN

CBRE|Martin is growing in all business lines to support the expanding needs of clients, whether they are conducting business in Lansing, Los Angeles, Europe or Asia. Creating a more robust partnership with clients as they weathered the storm through the last several years and remaining laser focused on driving bottom line profitability and improving consistency of real estate decision making across the markets, is part of CBRE|Martin’s growth philosophy. Embracing the opportunity and committing to expanding its footprint in this market as well, CBRE|Martin is renovating the third floor of its current building located on Michigan Avenue to house a collaborative environment for its growing staff and sales professionals. Martin indicates they are excited to complete the space in the first quarter of 2015 and have all business lines located on one floor with spaces designed for client connectivity and business line collaboration for today and into the future.

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“

HE SAID/SHE SAID

He Said She Said

Each month The Greater Lansing Business Monthly invites authors from two views — one conservative, one liberal — to share their thoughts on a rotating topic. This month’s topic: What is the one trend that is going to influence commercial real estate in 2015?

THE UNDER MARKET RENTS ARE SEEN AS OPPORTUNITIES TO NEW BUYERS TO IMMEDIATELY ADD VALUE TO THEIR PURCHASES BY FRESHENING UP THE PROPERTIES AND MOVING RENTS UPWARDS. GENERATIONAL OWNERSHIP CHANGES IN MULTIFAMILY WILL DRIVE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE APARTMENT SALES IN 2015 By Matthew Wisniewski, CCIM

As the baby boomers have begun transitioning into retirement over the past few years, there has been a reluctance to sell commercial real estate holdings, especially apartment buildings. Initially driven by the recessionary pricing contractions that took place in 2008 and 2009, many of this generation dug in their heels and decided to wait out the storm. At the same time, many children of baby boomers don’t have the desire to follow in their parents footsteps and have no desire to continue the legacy by taking over the family properties. In previous years, low market prices along with a lack of financing options for these 22

transactions kept all but the most motivated of sellers from the market. Many apartment owners did not keep up with rent rate increases in the market which caused them to miss much of the price appreciation that the recent rate growth afforded many buildings. The under market rents are seen as opportunities to new buyers to immediately add value to their purchases by freshening up the properties and moving rents upwards. In 2014, the market showed a much improved appetite for quality properties much closer to the pre-recession values. Sales of large class A apartment communities have generated bidding wars and demand for product has far outnumbered the supply. This trend is moving into smaller apartment communities now and should be a catalyst for increased sales and prices moving upward over the next 12 months.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

As millennials increasingly choose to rent over purchase, new apartments are not coming to the market quickly enough to meet demand. This should ensure rental rates continue to rise for well maintained or repositioned properties in the market. This is providing new owners with a window of opportunity to exponentially grow their returns, making the small apartment market even more attractive to these buyers. The combination of a backlog of sellers, easier access to financing at historical low levels and opportunities for buyers to add value to new acquisitions should mean a great opportunity for both buyers and sellers of apartment buildings in 2015. Matthew Wisniewski is a Commercial Real Estate Investment Advisor with RE/MAX Commercial Group in East Lansing. Focusing on both immediate and long term planning for real estate holdings, Matthew assists his clients in positioning their portfolio for maximum growth potential. As a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Designee, Matthew has demonstrated his abilities by both educational achievement as well as an exceptional level of success in delivering results in completed transactions. RE/MAX Commercial Group 300 W Lake Lansing Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 517-321-2800 Ext 118

HE SAID/SHE SAID

movement due to banks who have money to lend for new development, new business and growth. The 1031 exchange money has also kept commercial real estate moving, along with some other factors that make the community stand out. Land developers from out of the region are looking for housing projects, multi-family and single family.

THE PROMISE OF THE BEST IS YET TO COME By Shirley Hyde

The commercial real estate market in Michigan in general has certainly been on the rise for 2014. Commerce in the Tri County areas and especially the Greater Lansing Market has been a positive

Lansing being considered by many. The right product in development will make that happen. New development in this area has to have the right components to work. Those components include tenant mix, location and architecture with an edge.

The international Chinese student population at Michigan State University (MSU) has contributed greatly to the economic climate. Students are graduating, studying, investing as entrepreneur’s, buying homes, cars and other commodities with cash. Suppliers have begun to settle in who are connected with the AFRIB (Atrial Fibrillation) at MSU as well as General Motors.

Look around and you will see prospective renderings being presented to the municipalities and newly constructed projects that have already met the criteria. Large magnets in the retail industry are changing their internal operations. Overall the new generation is starting to make a difference and coming from a company with the second generation stepping into leadership positions, “the promise of the best is yet to come,” is definitely in the works.

Retail Industry is also in a growth pattern. I attended a regional ICSC, International Council of Shopping Centers meeting last July and there were 114 restaurants in Detroit looking for new locations, with

Shirley Hyde is in Sales and Acquisitions for Commercial Real Estate at the Eyde Company. Hyde specializes in retail tenant representative and site selection.

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GLBM LIST

Real Estate Companies

Name

Address

All Star Realty

6425 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48911

Alliance Commercial Group

4100 Hunsaker St. East Lansing, MI 48823

CBRE

1111 Michigan Ave #201, East Lansing, MI 48823

Century 21 Looking Glass

6427 Centurion Drive Lansing, MI 48917

Century 21 Woodland Realty

2625 W 21 93 M, Owosso, MI 48867

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Real Estate Company

3695 Okemos Rd, Okemos, MI 48864

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Real Estate Company

1020 S Creyts Rd Ste 1, Lansing, MI 48917

DeHaven Real Estate

125 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48933

Eyde Company

4660 S Hagadorn Rd #660 East Lansing, MI

Gentilozzi Real Estate

201 N Washington Sq Ste 900, Lansing, MI 48933

Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS

4039 Legacy Parkway Lansing, Michigan 48911

Halstead & Associates Real Estate

4773 W Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906

Lansing Executive Offices

120 N Washington Sq Ste 805, Lansing, MI 48933

MacIntyre and Cowen Realty Group

2824 E Grand River Ave., Suite C, Lansing, MI 48912

Musselman Realty Co

322 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823

NAI Mid-Michigan

2149 Jolly Road Suite 200 Okemos, MI 48864

Remax Commercial

300 W Lake Lansing Rd East Lansing, MI

RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals

300 W. Lake Lansing Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823

RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals

6607 W. St. Joseph Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917

RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals

128 Cochran Charlotte, MI 48813

RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals

13183 Schavey Rd. Dewitt, MI 48820

Sakura Realty LTD

7109 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917

Tomie Raines, Inc

1400 Abbot Rd., Suite 200 East Lansing, MI 48823

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

GLBM LIST

Each month, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles a list relevant to the publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme. The lists are not comprehensive, but rather, a snapshot look at what is publicly available on various industries and organizations. The following is a list of real estate companies in alphabetical order.

Phone

Commercial or Residential

(517) 372-1320

Residential

(517) 853-0800

Residential

(517) 351-2200

Comercial

(517) 887-0800

Residential

(989) 725-0021

Comercial

(517) 349-4406

Residential

(517) 321-1000

Residential

(517) 372-4300

Both

(517) 351-2480

Both

(517) 371-3230

Residential

(517) 323-4090

Residential

(517) 487-3242

Residential

(517) 485-8284

Comercial

(517) 999-2675

Residential

(517) 332-3582

Residential

(517) 487-9222

Comercial

(517) 339-8255

Comercial

(517) 339-8255

Residential

(517) 321-8255

Residential

(517) 543-3500

Residential

(517) 669-8118

Residential

(517) 886-4229

Residential

(517) 351-3617

Residential

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MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET How did you choose your home? COMP IL ED BY K YL E D O W L I N G

“It took us a long time to find our home. It was a process of elimination and there was a strict criteria for what we wanted.”

Christine Lightner

“I was born in the house that I live in now. I never really had to choose.”

Joe Haveman

“I considered price. I wanted a fenced in yard, a good community and a good location. Being a reasonable distance from downtown Lansing was a high priority.”

Inna Musser

“My main priority was price. It was what I was most concerned about.”

Brandon Root

“My family did a lot of the research for me and really helped me decide.”

Donald Erins

“I looked at location in the country and the amount of acreage I could get. As well as the distance from the downtown area and the price range.”

Julie Meyerle

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

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UNRIVALED EXPERIENCE UNMATCHED RESULTS Serving as trusted advisers to the Greater Lansing Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most notable companies is a role we take seriously. Our professionals share an unwavering commitment Partbeing of the CBRE affiliate network real estate to a world-class services company. A client-ďŹ rst culture and focused dedication professional excellence Part of the CBREto affiliate network are what make CBRE the leading provider of commercial property management, leasing services and investment sales in our market. Part of the CBRE affiliate network

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G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

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R E G I O N A L R O TAT I O N

What Makes an Entrepreneurial City? BY MAYOR VIRG BERN E RO

hen I was first invited to the “Mayors’ Conference on Entrepreneurial Cities” last year by the Kauffman Foundation, I didn’t know whether it was a compliment or a warning sign.

laboratories of innovation and action on economic development and across the board. From form-based code and overlay districts to innovation zones and regionalization, cities are all about reform and results.

Was my city an example of success, a place where innovation and entrepreneurship is encouraged and rewarded, or was the invitation from the nation’s leading entrepreneurship think tank a sign that Lansing was failing?

METRO LANSING IS AHEAD OF MANY COMMUNITIES IN THAT WE HAVE REGIONALIZED OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

I accepted the invitation to Kansas City last year and to the second conference held recently in Louisville because I believe we have something to share AND something to learn about growing jobs and creating opportunity for Metro Lansing residents. I have always considered economic development my top priority as mayor, after public safety. And while I am proud of the jobs that have been created and the private-sector investments that have been attracted to Lansing on my watch, there is always more to learn and more to do. I believe it is crucial to investigate, compare and benchmark against the policies, practices and results of other cities. I was both excited and a little nervous about moderating a panel of experts in front of mayors and economic development practitioners from around the nation. As it turned out, my authentic, hands-on experience as mayor seemed as valuable to the conference participants as the expertise of corporate CEOs and ivy-league Ph.D.s. City leaders are on the front lines and must deliver results. Therefore, cities are 30

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

THROUGH THE LANSING ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP, RATHER THAN COMPETING WITH ONE ANOTHER AS MUNICIPAL ADVERSARIES.

One thing is clear: No one has this all figured out. In this fastchanging, global economy there are no guarantees, no absolutes, and no one path to success — for a city, a company or an individual. There are theories. There are “best practices.” There is “what worked” here or there in the past. But Kauffman, in addition to gathering folks together to compare notes and share ideas, is researching the issue of what works and what doesn’t. Its work will add to a large body of research on economic development techniques from a variety of experts around the country.

DECEMBER 2014

R E G I O N A L R O TAT I O N

P HOTO B Y V IRG INIA B ER NERO

Makers’ Movement; attracting and retaining young talent; promoting higher education and apprenticeships and focusing more than ever on Placemaking.

Mayors from across the country attending the 2014 Mayors Conference on Entrepreneurship.

While there is plenty of robust debate about tax policy, the role of education and infrastructure development, etc., certain common themes are emerging that give us some clues on where our focus must be for success in the future: Promoting innovation and the

Metro Lansing is ahead of many communities in that we have regionalized our economic development efforts through the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, rather than competing with one another as municipal adversaries. In this global economy we are properly focused on big, regional wins for our economy and our residents. If we can build on this model of cooperation, collaboration and consolidation, there is hope that we can truly become one of the great midwestern capital cities, like Indianapolis, Madison and Columbus. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero was re-elected to his third term in 2013 and is now serving his ninth year as Lansing’s chief executive officer. Bernero previously served as a county commissioner, state representative and state senator representing Michigan’s capital city. He is married to Teri Bernero and lives in Lansing.

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ACCOUNTING

Real Estate Transactions and Their Tax Effects BY HE ATHER CONWAY

re you aware that there is a cap on the amount of gain you may exclude from the sale of your personal residence? The answer is yes there is an exemption amount of $250,000 of the sale proceeds for individuals and $500,000 for joint filers if they meet the special rules for a joint return. However, if you have a loss on your personal residence you unfortunately do not get to recognize that loss. Ownership and certain Use tests apply to these exemption allowances. The most familiar one is that you have to have lived in the house for two out of the past five years for the exemption to apply. They don’t have to be consecutive years, but if you turned your personal residence into rental property and intend to sell it, I suggest you put the house on the market before the five year Use test runs out. However, even this two out of the past five year Use test has additional exceptions to many individuals, such as:

THEY DON’T HAVE TO BE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, BUT IF YOU TURNED YOUR PERSONAL RESIDENCE INTO RENTAL PROPERTY AND INTEND TO SELL IT, I SUGGEST YOU PUT THE HOUSE ON THE MARKET BEFORE THE FIVE YEAR USE TEST RUNS OUT.

• Individuals with a disability only need

to live in the home one out of the past five years.

Office

mind that the IRS is aware of all sales of real estate property whether residential or commercial because you will receive a Form 1099-S and it will note the amount of Gross Proceeds received for the sale of your home.

In order to determine your exclusion amount first you must determine the cost basis of your home. What is cost basis? It is the amount you initially paid for the home when you bought it plus any improvements you have made to the home. Take the amount of the cost basis and subtract $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for joint filers. Any amount over the exclusion will be considered a gain on your personal residence. Keep in

Also, remember the 2008 First-Time Homebuyer Credit in the amount of $7,500? If you were eligible you would have received this through a refund on your income tax return filed in 2009. If you utilized this opportunity the credit was to be repaid back over a 15 year period starting with 2010. However, if your house is sold before the 15 year repayment installment has been paid back you must repay the remaining portion of the installment. For example, if you purchased your home in 2008 and sold the home in 2015 and you paid the 1/15th

• Members of the Uniformed Services. • Individuals

on Extended Duty.

Qualified

• And many others.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

DECEMBER 2014

for four years you would owe $5,500 on your 2015 income tax return filed in 2016 ($500 per year times four years equals $2,000 for the years 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014). Also, the amount that is owed to the IRS as a result of this sale reduces the cost basis of the home when determining your exemption allowance mentioned above. To stimulate the housing purchase market any Post-2008 First-Time Homebuyers who qualified for the credit of $7,500 are not required to repay the credit to the IRS unless, the buyer sells the home within 36 months from the date of purchase. Persons or companies investing in residential real estate for investment purposes do not meet these exemption allowances of $250,000/$500,000 when the property(s) is sold. These real estate investments have many other rules that apply to them. Remember that all financial decisions have a tax effect, so I recommend that you contact a Certified Public Accountant who are tax professionals if you don’t already have one. Heather L. Conway, CPA received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Davenport University in 1993. She established Conway CPA & Associates in 2006.

ACCOUNTING

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COLLECTIBLES

Toys That Paid For College Educations BY PATRICK A. HEL L E R

ouldn’t it be wonderful to enjoy building a collection and then make a nice financial profit on it? It does happen.

ten years old. This would explain why autographs by entertainment celebrities from maybe 30 to 40 years ago might be more in demand than much greater prominent people from a hundred years ago.

Many years ago, a new neighbor moved in across the street from my in-laws. When I met him, we talked for a while about an interesting collecting pursuit of his from decades past that brought him a wonderful financial windfall. As he told me, back in the 1950s the farm implement dealers stopped selling tractors and other farm implement toys that were made out of metal. Instead, they started coming out with the same toys made of plastic. When this occurred, there was a flurry of demand for the discontinued metal toys. This man had played with such metal toys in his youth. When the dealers switched to plastic toys, however, he spotted an opportunity. He observed that the plastic toys did not survive the rough and tumble handling by children the way that the metal versions did. So, he went around to farm implement dealers to purchase quantities of the plastic toys. He stored them in the original unopened packaging in his garage. “I filled the whole garage with these toys,” he told me. “But you know what? Years later that garage full of plastic toys paid all the expenses of putting my four children through college. The metal versions that people saved from then weren’t worth anywhere near as much.” Before you run to your nearest farm implement dealer, let me share what else he told me. “Of course, you couldn’t do that today. Everybody is saving everything so almost no collectible will be rare in the future,” he opined. I concur. What something will be worth in the future is what someone would be willing to pay for it at that time. For collectibles, valuation would depend on how many potential buyers there are, the rarity (both initially and in how many survived), originality, possible notoriety or pedigree, condition of the item, any original packaging and the relative price range and ease of selling. Several people have told me that what tends to be hot at any particular time is what was popular when the buyers were about 34

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

As for autographs, available quantities have a major impact on price. King George III ruled the United Kingdom from 1760 to 1820. Even though he was historically important from being the British king during the American Revolutionary War and the days of Napoleon, he signed so many documents that a lot of them are available today for prices under $250. Napoleon, who ruled for a much shorter time, does not have as many surviving autographed documents, so prices tend to start close to $1,000. Over the years, my company has handled at least a half dozen George III-autographed documents but only one signed by Napoleon. One lesson to learn about “investing” in collectibles today is that you can be pretty sure that anything marketed as a good investment probably is not worth owning. The best results come from acquiring items that are out of favor today, but end up having higher interest in the future. I recently talked with a young man who created his own company buying and selling old computer games. He told me that some of the very earliest ones that nobody cared to save because of their limited capabilities — are often now worth surprisingly high prices.

Patrick A. Heller is the 2012 American Numismatic Association National Coin Dealer of the Year. He owns Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, the largest coin dealership in Michigan. He writes a monthly newsletter, Liberty’s Outlook (available at libertycoinservice.com), and commentaries on precious metals and collectibles on various websites. His award-winning radio show “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and is archived at 1320wils.com). He is also the Executive Producer of the forthcoming movie “Alongside Night.” Heller was the unofficial “artist” of the 2004 Michigan Statehood Quarter.

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REGIONAL ROUNDUP

Hey! What’s Happening in Eaton Rapids? BY J ON S TOPPEL S , CI T Y MA N AGE R

P H OTO B Y LIS A TW EN TER

fter a busy summer of both planned and unplanned events (recall the storm in September that left nearly 90 percent of the city’s customers without power for up to a week) the City of Eaton Rapids is continuing and expanding their focus to use their resources to make Eaton Rapids a destination site. The theme is “Making Eaton Rapids Your Hometown,” A small city’s success is contingent upon providing services and amenities that attract people to the community. This is not just limited to local residents, their families, relatives and friends, it also includes visitors from surrounding areas that are looking for unique experiences that can’t always be found in a big city.

IT IS ALL ABOUT PROVIDING A WIDE VARIETY OF AMENITIES, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT GIVE THE COMMUNITY A “SENSE OF

Downtown Eaton Rapids during Urban Air.

fitness programs and other recreational and leisure time activities are also being planned.

PLACE” AND A CITY THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO CALL THEIR HOMETOWN!

In August, the City hired a Quality of Life Director whose main purpose is just that — improving the quality of life in Eaton Rapids. Troy Stowell was the person chosen for that position because of his extensive experience gained working for the cities of Battle Creek and Lansing where he was most successful in developing and implementing recreational programs. Troy has already made his short term presence known by creating a City Newsletter, developing a human services assistance program, applying for recreational grants and organizing the first ever Downtown Business Trick or Treat event that attracted over 1,000 children and their families from as far away as Lansing. The City has been most successful in bringing new amenities and programs to town in recent years and Troy has many other ideas to follow those up. In addition to the new Welcome Center, town clock, murals, and playground, the City is looking to develop a BMX track, disc golf, a zip line, expanded concessions and a year round skating facility. New and expanded programs including softball and baseball tournaments, fishing contests, bicycle and 36

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

The City of Eaton Rapids is also looking at ways to spruce up their town. Home improvement grants are being offered and a comprehensive park maintenance and improvement plan will be developed. The City also recently began developing a longterm road and utility renovation master plan that has already been implemented. The general mission at this time for City officials is to demonstrate that city government is not just about collecting taxes and fees and providing basic services; it is all about providing a wide variety of amenities, services and programs that give the community a “sense of place” and a city that everyone wants to call their hometown!

Jon Stoppels has been the City Manager of Eaton Rapids since 2010. He has 37 years of municipal management experience.

DECEMBER 2014

COMCAST

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H O L I S T I C H E A LT H

The Power of Positivity BY IRENE S AVOYAT

ife can be tough. We face many battles between sunrise and sunset every day. What if a mere shift in your thinking could change your life for the better?

Patients with an optimistic outlook are reported to recover better from medical procedures, have healthier immune systems and just simply live longer.

A shift from all that is negative in your world, to the positive. A departure from the bad, to a focus on the good.

So, if we aren’t naturally born with rose-colored glasses and don’t usually drink from a glass half-full, what can we do? Be proactive, as being proactive makes us feel like we are in control.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

• Make friends with an optimist, and let your friend’s positive voice be contagious.

• Find a few minutes to meditate. Studies

THE M OS T S UC C E SS F U L L E AD E RS ARE OP TIMI S TI C

show that meditation helps improve stress and anxiety.

It is widely accepted in the business world that optimism is beneficial. In 2012, FORBES published the five reasons why optimists make better leaders: Optimists start businesses; are inspiring communicators; rally people to a better future; see the bigger picture; and elicit the superhuman effect.

• Write down what you are grateful for, and try to find at least three things everyday. • Know what your strengths are, and consider creative ways to use them. • Acupuncture can quiet the mind, lessen agitation and promote relaxation.

In the article, they call for leaders who are optimistic, who can inspire and lead with confidence. Most of us have experienced people who can walk into a room and light it up. We admire their energy, their unwavering enthusiasm and appreciate how they empower us to be more successful in our roles.

• Incorporate exercise into your weekly schedule and eat well. • 91 percent of individuals in a recent survey view massages as being beneficial to overall health and the Mayo Clinic recommends it as an effective treatment for reducing stress.

SERIOU S S C I E NC E BE H I N D T H E AT T I T U D E

Most people know that stress, negative thoughts and anxiety can make us ill. Furthermore, the focus on the positive is beneficial. But now there is also serious science behind the concept of optimism. A recent study was done at the Harvard Medical School gave people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a placebo and informed them that the pills were “made of an inert substance, like sugar pills, and that have been shown in clinical studies to produce significant improvement in IBS symptoms through mind-body self-healing processes.” Researchers were startled when the participants rated their improvements as “moderately improved” on average. Even though they knew they weren’t taking a drug, the very thought of taking something made them experience fewer symptoms.

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

PEOPLE WHO EXPECT THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ACTIVELY TAKE STEPS TO PROMOTE THEIR HEALTH. SO, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR THOUGHTS.

MA K IN G YO U R H E A LTH YO U R PRIO RIT Y

A positive outlook on life might lower your risk of having a stroke, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. Your health is #1 and we all know that your

DECEMBER 2014

world can come to a halt when faced with a serious health issue. People who expect the best things in life actively take steps to promote their health. So, take care of yourself and your thoughts. Helen Keller put it well, “No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” Committing our staff to the success of your business.

Irene Savoyat is Co-Owner of Creative Wellness in East Lansing. She has enjoyed serving the Greater Lansing community for the past 28 years. She studied massage at the Scientific Therapeutic Massage and Research Center in Pondicherry, India. Irene is an honored past recipient of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly Entrepreneurial Award for Health Care.

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W O R K F O RC E D E V E LO P M E N T

Apprenticeship Programs are Great Tools for Employers BY E DYTHE HATTER-W I L L I A MS

pprenticeships have been a big topic of conversation lately, and if you haven’t been listening, it’s time to join in. Apprenticeships aren’t a new idea. The concept has been around since the middle ages, and the current apprenticeship model has been around since around 1900. So why is there a sudden push for employers to launch apprenticeship programs? There has been an influx of positions employers need to fill, particularly in manufacturing. This sounds great for our economy, but it’s problematic when the positions require highly skilled employees and there are not enough qualified candidates. Apprenticeship programs ensure a quality workforce for the future. The United States Department of Labor defines an apprenticeship as, “A combination of onthe-job training and related instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.” They enable individuals to be employees in the real workplace while partaking in a related academic program at the same time, creating the future talent employers need. According to the Center for American Progress, about onethird of all apprentices obtain their academic instruction from community or technical colleges. Since apprenticeships are designed to fill positions in in-demand fields, the apprentices have a better chance of being hired after graduation than other disciplines. There’s no sign of the value of apprenticeships decreasing. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations that typically require an apprenticeship are projected to grow 22.2 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is at a faster rate than any other on-the-job training. The United States Department of Labor states there were 87 new registered apprenticeship programs started in 2013, showing employers continue to launch programs. 40

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

Local businesses have been implementing apprenticeship programs for years now. One local company, Bekum America, has been a champion for and avid user of apprenticeships to build its workforce. Bekum established its apprenticeship program in 1995, which includes machine builders, welders/fabricators, industrial electricians and machinists. Since then, there have been 12 apprentices who have graduated from Bekum’s program, nine program graduates are employed at Bekum, and there are 10 individuals who are currently enrolled in the apprenticeship program. At Bekum, the apprenticeship program includes a demanding four-year program with regular paid working hours complemented by college courses in the evenings. Bekum apprentices’ college classes and class materials are covered through the program, which is a big benefit for the employees.

DECEMBER 2014

W O R K F O RC E D E V E LO P M E N T

A large focus for apprenticeship programs is for students to continue to learn and grow throughout the program. That’s why Bekum provides its apprentices weekly written reports and monthly apprenticeship review meetings with supervisors. The apprentices are held to high standards, such as being closely monitored to fulfill the 3.0 grade requirement for each class. ACCORDING TO A CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS SURVEY, ABOUT 87 PERCENT OF UNITED STATES EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO OTHER EMPLOYERS. The apprentices work under journeymen and are assigned to mentors. This not only gives apprentices somebody to look up to, but it leads current Bekum employees to gain leadership skills and increases their expertise by being a teacher. Apprenticeship programs are not only a positive for the employees but also the employer. According to a Center

for American Progress survey, about 87 percent of United States employers who have apprenticeship programs would recommend them to other employers. Companies can customize the program to fulfill its needs and be as flexible as necessary. The company can teach the skills it needs future employees to have, and the training outcome is typically predictable due to the repeated process and in-house training. For businesses, one of the hardest components of apprenticeship programs is identifying interested candidates. It’s time to steer up-and-coming and current job seekers to consider applying for local apprenticeship programs. The experience will lead to a promising career path. Even if an apprentice doesn’t get hired at their program employer, the education and experience will set him or her apart from other job seekers. Edythe Hatter-Williams is the chief executive officer of Capital Area Michigan Works!, a talent investment network that partners with businesses to develop recruiting and retention strategies and partners with job seekers to enhance education and career opportunities. On the Web at camw.org.

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Accident Fund • Adams Outdoor • American Rental • Arts Council of Greater Lansing • ASK • Auto-Owners Insurance • BRD Printing • Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • CATA • CiesaDesign • Citizens Insurance • City of Lansing Parking Services • City of Lansing-Virg Bernero, Mayor • Comerica Bank • Cottage Inn Pizza • Davenport University • Dewpoint • Dickinson Wright PLLC • Downtown YMCA Wellness Center • Dykema • EDGE Partnerships • Eyde Company • The Exchange • Fifth Third Bank • Foster Swift Collins & Smith • FOX 47 WSYM • Gibson’s Books & Beans • Gillespie Group • Gorsline Runciman Company • Grand Traverse Pie Company • Greater Lansing Business Monthly • Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau • Hi-Ball Crane of Lansing • Independent Bank • Ingham County • Insty-Prints Downtown • J&H Family Stores-Trowbridge • Kositchek’s • Lansing Area Economic Partnership • Lansing Community College • Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority • Lansing Lions Club • Lansing Ophthalmology • Lansing Public Media Center • Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce • Marshall Music • McLaren Greater Lansing • Meijer • Michigan Association of Broadcasters • Michigan Capitol Committee/Michigan Capitol Commission • Michigan Events • Michigan Retailers Association • M3 Group • Playmakers • Radio Disney • Radisson Lansing • R.E. Olds Foundation • Real Home Pros • Sohn Linen Service • Sparrow Health Systems • State of Michigan-DTMB • The Peanut Shop • Traction • Troppo • Two Men and A Truck • Walmart • WKAR • WLMI-Lansing’s Greatest Hits Silver Bells in the City is free and open to the public thanks to our amazing sponsors. A project of the Silver Bells Coordinating Committee of Downtown Lansing Inc. L

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

December 2014 BUSINESS EVENTS

inspirational leader, discover your leadership style, learn mistakes you can avoid and so much more. This seminar will be held at Best Western Plus Lansing, located at 6820 South Cedar Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $149/person or $139/person for groups of four or more. Email enroll@skillpath.com, visit skillpath.com or call (800) 873-7545 for more information.

12/ 6 Courtney Micael and Christina Inman attending November’s GRC event.

12/1-23

2014 HOLIDAY EXHIBITION, LANSING. Visit the Lansing Art Gallery for the 2014 Holiday Exhibition. This is an opportunity for the public to not only view, but also purchase art from over 100 different established and emerging artists. Items will include: fine art, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and more. Visit the Lansing Art Gallery Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of December from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit lansingartgallery.org or call (517) 374-6400.

12 /4

BUSINESS BREAKFAST WITH BOB TREZISE, LANSING. Join Grand River Connection for

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, LANSING. Join

Capital Area Humane Society for their Holiday Open House. You and your family can enjoy photos with Santa, a bake sale, adoption specials, and more. You may even find a new member for your family. Don’t miss the fun from noon to 6 p.m. For more information or to donate an item for the bake sale, email programs@AdoptLansing.org or call (517) 626-6821 x. 111.

1 2/9

HOLIDAY MEMBER MIXER, LANSING. Join the Lansing Chamber

of Commerce for the December Holiday Member Mixer co-hosted by The Eyde Company and Dewpoint. This year’s event will be held at the Knapp’s Centre, located at 300 South Washington Square, from 5 to 7 p.m. Email trichardson@lansingchamber.org or call (517) 853-6463 for more information.

1 2/9

LEARN TO NETWORK LIKE A PRO, LANSING.

their next Business Breakfast with Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). Enjoy networking, breakfast and a presentation. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at 8 a.m. This event will be held at the Henry Center, located at 3535 Forest Road. There is no cost to attend. Please visit grandriverconnection.com to register.

Do you get nervous every time you have to attend a networking event? If so, this is a seminar for you. Learn the skills needed to easily and authentically connect with people. Bring business cards, a great handshake and an open mind. This seminar will be held at Knapp’s Center, located at 300 South Washington Square, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Afterward, attendees can use their newly learned skills at the Holiday Member Mixer from 5 to 7 p.m.

12 /5

12/9-13

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND TEAMBUILDING, LANSING. Join SkillPath

Seminars as they teach managers, supervisors, team leaders and team members how to successfully motivate and lead your team. In this one-day seminar, you will learn how to become an 42

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

SUPERVISOR AND MANAGER TRAINING COURSE, LANSING. Get your managers and supervisors on the same page with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce’s Supervisor and Manager Training Course. You will learn the actual role of a supervisor, how

DECEMBER 2014

BUSINESS CALENDAR

to determine improvement in your staff, how to see an improvement in productivity, retention and morale and more. This two-day course will be held at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, located at 600 South Walnut Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 9 and 9 a.m. to noon on December 10. The cost for this course is $270/members and $295/non-members. Visit michamber.com or call (800) 748-0266.

1 2 /1 1

ATHENA AWARDS, EAST LANSING. The ATHENA Awards will

be held this year at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, located at 219 South Harrison Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This award is given annually to an individual who possesses professional excellence, provides valuable service to the community and actively assists women in furthering their own professional excellence and leadership skills. Tickets are $55/single ticket for Lansing Chamber members, $75/single ticket for non-members or $425/table of eight. Email trichardson@lansingchamber.org or call (517) 853-6463.

12 /11

MICHIGAN TAXES: YOUR YEAR-END TO-DO LIST, WEBINAR. Join the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for a webinar from 10 to 11 a.m. on Michigan Taxes. Learn all of the latest changes in Michigan taxes to help you prepare for year-end tax planning. Topics will include sales and use tax, corporate income tax, personal property tax changes and tax administration. The cost of the webinar is $75/members and $95/ non-members. Visit michamber.com or call(800) 748-0266.

12 /14

HOLIDAY POPS, EAST LANSING. Join the Lansing Symphony Orchestra for a Lansing favorite, Holiday Pops. Get in the festive spirit as you listen to many holiday favorites performed by the MSU Youth Chorale. This family fun concert will be held at the Wharton Center beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $20-$47/person. Visit lansingsymphony. org or call (517) 487-5001.

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N O TA B L E N E W S

GREAT LAKES CAPITAL FUND EXPANDS LANSING OPERATIONS AND WELCOMES FOUR NEW EMPLOYEES Great Lakes Capital Fund (GLCF) welcomes four new employees, growing its Lansing, Mich. headquarters staff to 58 employees. GLCF employs 77 persons nationwide. An additional 2,200 square feet of office space has been acquired and is being renovated for expansion.

Moore

Kristy Moore joins GLCF as the accounting manager. She is responsible for the day-today management of a number of the subsidiary cash and accounting ledgers. Moore is also tasked with ensuring fiscal responsibility for the affairs of these entities, including internal control practices and procedures and reporting to stakeholders. Stephanie Stoll joins GLCF as an assistant underwriter, assisting to underwrite both tax-credit equity and debt transactions. Prior to joining GLCF, Stoll spent eight years in the commercial banking industry as a Senior Loan Review Analyst. She holds

a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship from Northern Michigan University. Leigh Middleton is the assistant closing coordinator at GLCF. In this role, she works closely with the real estate underwriters and the real estate development team to provide efficient, customer-friendly coordination of services. These services carry real estate investments through the due diligence, Middleton closing, and transition processes, while consistently working towards quality improvement. Elizabeth Blackwell joins GLCF as a part-time marketing specialist, after joining the Fund in May 2014 as an intern. She is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day marketing functions, event planning and updates to the GLCF website. Blackwell

Great Lakes Capital Fund (GLCF) is a full service community development finance institution that has been in operation for 21 years and manages over $2.9 billion in the community redevelopment space. For more information, visit capfund.net.

Stoll

TWO LOOMIS LAW FIRM PARTNERS WIN DISTINGUISHED AWARDS The Loomis Law Firm would like to congratulate Jack Davis on winning the 2014 recipient of the Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award issued Davis by the Ingham County Bar Association and Ken Beall on winning the 2014 recipient of the Camille S. Abood Distinguished Volunteer Award. Davis and Beall received their awards at Beall the 2014 Recipients 120th Annual Dinner, which was held on Nov. 20, 2014 at the Lexington Lansing Hotel.

SANDRA M. COTTER NAMED DIRECTOR OF DYKEMA’S REGULATED INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT Dykema, a leading national law firm, recently announced that Sandra M. Cotter has been named Director of the firm’s Regulated Industries Department, effective January 2015. Cotter will be taking over for Leonard Wolfe, who is joining the firm’s Executive Board. Cotter will also assume Wolfe’s role as Leader of Dykema’s Government Policy and Practice group. Cotter, who joined Dykema in 1989, is based in the firm’s Lansing office and has substantial experience in handling legislative and regulatory matters, Cotter principally in the areas of liquor control, insurance, elections and campaign finance. She is in frequent contact with Michigan’s executive office,

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state legislators and various agencies, including the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Liquor Control Commission. Cotter has been involved in drafting complex legislation and administrative rules on a variety of matters including insurance, liquor control, economic development, gaming and environmental regulation. MICHELE STRASZ IS NEW DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL AREA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK The Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) is pleased to announce Michele Strasz as its new director. Prior to joining CapCAN, Strasz was the executive director of School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan. Before that, she served as program director for the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Strasz has extensive knowledge of children’s public policy and advocacy, which will be a great asset to the CapCAN.

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CapCAN partner organizations and school districts work to increase college and career readiness, participation and completion in Ingham County. CapCAN fosters a college-going culture through a network of support for low-income, first generation college-going students, and students of color across the Capital region. For more information, visit capitalareacan.org. CREATIVE MANY MICHIGAN RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT Creative Many Michigan (formerly ArtServe Michigan) announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the organization a $100,000 grant for statewide research and analysis to identify and develop growth strategies for creative jobs and businesses.

The funds will expand upon Creative Many’s comprehensive research and analysis of its Creative State Michigan data on the extent, composition and contributions of Michigan’s creative and design industries statewide and in key regions including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint and Grand Rapids. DOCTOR’S APPROACH DERMATOLOGY ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES Doctor’s Approach Dermatology recently added the following employees to their team: Brandi Ferguson — medical assistant, assists providers with patient care. Ferguson received her certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants and brings more than five years of experience.

Jill Richardson — front desk, assists patients with registration and scheduling. Richardson brings experience as a medical receptionist and graduate secretary. Michelle Lopez, RN — clinical supervisor, supervises medical assistants, manages protocols and assists providers with patient care. Lopez is a registered nurse who graduated from Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan. Lopez is currently a student at Ohio University working on her Bachelor of Science of Nursing. Rebecca Fandel — medical assistant, assists providers with patient care. Fandel is HUC certified and a nationally certified medical assistant. Doctor’s Approach Dermatology is a complete-care medical and surgical dermatology clinic based in Okemos, Mich. with a cosmetic medical spa and a specially developed skincare product line. For more information, visit doctorsapproach.com.

In Greater Lansing, tourism can mean anything from meetings and conventions, sports tournaments, parents visiting children at MSU or a weekend getaway. A critical benefit of a healthy flow of traffic to the Greater Lansing region is the money tourists inject into the local community - $472 million each year in economic impact!

6,400 Local Jobs 4.7 Million Annual

+ $472

Visitors

Over 6,400 Greater Lansing area residents work to support visitors to the region.

omic Impact Million in Econ

______ __________ __________

OUNTS! TOURISM C

Do the math and it’s easy to see – Tourism Counts! Learn more at www.lansing.org Source: Anderson Economic Group 2013

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MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SELECTED AS BEST CREDIT UNION TO WORK FOR

This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best credit unions. Winners were determined by evaluating each participating credit union’s workplace policies, practices and demographics. Employee surveys were also used to determine winners, assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. “Helping members and employees achieve their goals and dreams is a key part of our mission,” said Patrick McPharlin,

HONIGMAN PARTNER ERIC J. EGGAN ELECTED A FELLOW IN THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRIAL LAWYERS Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP Partner Eric J. Eggan has been elected as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. The American College of Eggan Trial Lawyers Fellows are chosen strictly by invitation and only after rigorous investigation. Fellowship is limited to one percent of the lawyers in any individual state and to those lawyers who have distinguished themselves in trial practice for at least 15 years. Fellows must be skilled trial lawyers who are recognized by judges and practitioners as the very best in their states and as persons whose ethics, moral standards, collegiality and community standing are exemplary. Election to the college is one of the highest professional honors and recognitions that a trial lawyer can receive. 46

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MSUFCU is excited to announce that it has been named as the “top credit union on the Credit Union Journal’s 2014 Best Credit Unions to Work For” list in the “Over $1 Billion in Assets” category. Credit Union Journal has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. MSUFCU’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Because of this, we work to create a culture that allows employees to grow, develop, and achieve these goals and dreams in and out of work. It gives us great pleasure to be recognized for fostering this type of positive work environment.” A full list of winners can be found in the October 20 issue of Credit Union Journal and on CUJournal.com. For more information on the Best Credit Unions to Work for Program, visit BestCreditUnionsToWorkFor.com.

Eggan, a partner in Honigman’s Litigation Department, serves a diverse clientele in litigation and regulatory matters. He has handled numerous civil and criminal jury and nonjury trials and appeals in state and federal courts. Eggan joined Honigman in 2004 after a 23-year career in state government. He earned a J.D., with distinction, from Thomas J. Cooley Law School and a B.S., cum laude, in political science, from Central Michigan University. For more information about Honigman visit honigman.com. BRV WELCOMES HENDRICKSON AND WALLAS

Hendrickson

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Brogan, Reed, VanGorder & Associates welcomes Grant Hendrickson and Scott Wallas, CPA to the company. In his new role as Employee Benefits Consultant, Hendrickson will work with business

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leaders to provide Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant benefit programs for their employees. Hendrickson is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate and recently settled in East Lansing. Wallas brings a wealth of knowledge from 14 years in public accounting and six years as a Chief Financial Officer. As a Sales Associate, Wallas will be Wallas focused on financial planning, corporate benefits and ACA compliance. He and his family reside in Grand Ledge. Brogan, Reed, VanGorder & Associates is a full-service agency providing quality employee benefit and financial planning solutions since 1937.

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BOGARD IS NOW CERTIFIED SCRUMMASTER Richard Bogard, senior software engineer at A.J. Boggs & Company (A.J. Boggs), a Michigan-based software development company, recently became a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). Bogard has been with A.J. Boggs for more than five years. He is a software architect and project manager of Internet Services and other software products. As a Bogard Certified ScrumMaster, Bogard is now certified in all the Scrum disciplines (based upon “Agile” software development methodologies).

support the overall purpose of the Junior League and its commitment to voluntarism and improving the community.

PARAMOUNT COFFEE ATTAINS SAFE QUALITY FOOD CERTIFICATION

For more information about the Community Response Grants, and to apply, visit jllansing.org. For additional assistance, contact the Community Vice President at community@jllansing.org.

Paramount Coffee has earned Level 2 certification from the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute, establishing that the Lansing-based coffee roaster has effectively implemented rigorous food safety control systems.

We’re

more than mail

A.J. Boggs specializes in Internet-based systems development, search engine design, technical documentation, and computer systems planning, design and installation. The company services clients throughout Michigan and nationally. For more information, please visit ajboggs.com. APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR COMMUNITY RESPONSE GRANTS The Junior League of Lansing is pleased to announce deadlines for its Community Response Grant program. Applications will be accepted three times throughout the 2014-2015 year and must be received no later than noon on Nov. 13, 2014, Feb. 12, 2015 or Apr. 30, 2015. Established to meet the immediate needs of the Lansing community, the Junior League of Lansing’s Community Response Grant program will distribute a total of $3,200, aiming to support children and families at risk with a focus on Essential Needs — programs that provide shelter, food and access to other services such as transportation and health care. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c) (3) organizations located within a 25-mile radius of Lansing. Proposed projects must

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THE PARTS PLACE NAPA CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING WITH RIBBON CUTTING

The Parts Place NAPA held an open house, along with a ribbon cutting, on October 30 at their West Lansing location to celebrate the completion of the brand transformation of their nine Mid-Michigan locations from CARQUEST to NAPA. Attendees included The Parts Place management, customers, and members of the Lansing business community.

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This special event featured a catered dinner to thank their loyal customers along with a John Deere gator giveaway. Throughout the month of October, customers had the chance to enter to be one of ten winners selected to have the opportunity to draw an ignition key that starts the gator during the dinner. The other nine winners received $250 gift cards to use at any of The Parts Place NAPA locations. During the evening’s festivities, The Parts Place NAPA owner, Dick Seehase, gave tours of the company’s new 18,000 square foot warehouse that will serve as the hub for larger shipments and redistribution among the other stores. “Our customers have always been our primary focus since we started the business in 1963 and always will be. As a partner with NAPA, we’ll be able to better serve our current customers and the new business we will be able to attract,” said Seehase

To attain the certification, Paramount completed a process that included a third-party audit of the company’s food safety program, SQF seminars and training courses in personnel practices, plant maintenance and cleanliness. Paramount recently expanded its operations. The company moved distribution and shipping operations to a separate building north of its Lansing headquarters and expanded manufacturing operations with the acquisition of property adjacent to its downtown operations. Paramount’s growth has been fueled by a successful strategy of increasing 48

Seehase says all of these changes are the beginning of a new era for The Parts Place. Locations include stores in Lansing, East Lansing, West Lansing, Holt, Charlotte, Mason, Eaton Rapids, Williamston and Stockbridge.

its presence regionally, nationally and directly to consumers on the Internet. One of the Midwest’s largest roasters, Paramount is in its 80th year of roasting coffee for private label, retail and directto-consumer markets. PAVLAT JOINS THE CENTENNIAL GROUP & PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP The Centennial Group & the Principal Financial Group announces Amanda Pavlat has joined the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes Business Center. Pavlat will serve as a Financial Advisor & Princor Registered Representative to

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work with individuals, business owners and medical professionals to help build plans and strategies to help ensure more financial success. The Lansing office is located at 511 S. Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Pavlat may be reached at (517) 346-5673 or pavlat.amanda@principal.com. COMMERCIAL APPRAISERS VALBRIDGE PROPERTY ADVISORS/THE OETZELHARTMAN GROUP RELOCATE TO UNIVERSITY COMMERCE PARK

erse

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Part of the CBRE affiliate network the CBRE|Martin is pleased to announce lease of 2,538 square feet in the Hunter Square building within University Commerce Park in Okemos.

Valbridge Property Advisors/The OetzelPart of the CBRE affiliate network Hartman Group, resident Greater Lansing area commercial appraisers, are relocating from their former location at 321 Woodland Pass, East Lansing, to their new address at 2127 University Park Dr., Okemos. The move comes as a Partofofdownsizing the CBRE affiliate network result to a more efficient floor plan, accommodating their shift from paper files to electronic files. Hunter Square is also home to Strategic Products (SPS),network Association Part ofand the Services CBRE affiliate Management Resources and The Leona Group. University Commerce Park is attractive to office users looking for a reputable, established location in proximity to interstate highway I-96 and Okemos and Part of theJolly CBRERoads. affiliate network CBRE|Martin Senior Associate/Office Advisor Thomas Jamieson represented The Leona Group/Coats Development, LLC as landlord in the transaction. Part of the CBRE affiliate network FIVE REGIONAL COMPANIES HONORED AT NINTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF REGIONAL GROWTH AWARDS Five organizations were honored for their significant community investments at the ninth annual Celebration of Regional Growth Awards luncheon presented by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. The organizations honored this year were: Two Men and a Truck International, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital (AL!VE), Michigan State University’s Bioengineering Building, Hope Sports Complex (Emerging Economy Award) and Michigan Veneer (International Trade Award).

Two Men and a Truck International was founded in 1985 by Mary Ellen Sheets and her sons, who used an old truck to make some extra money in high school. Now, it is a national company that earned $310 million in 2013 and has 8,500 employees worldwide. The company has seen 57 consecutive months of sales growth and has doubled in size in the last four years by leasing franchises across the country. There

now are 295 franchise locations in 38 states, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Two Men and a Truck International recently unveiled an $8 million, 20,000 square foot expansion that boosts the home office’s size to 55,000 square feet overall. Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital’s AL!VE facility is an experience-based destination health park

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providing inspiration and support for the greater Charlotte and Mid-Michigan communities to transform, empower, and enhance their personal well-being. AL!VE is the result of Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital’s mission to provide quality care for patients and enhance the vitality of the community. The concept sprung from the desire to create a community place featuring services that will replenish and awaken a better self. AL!VE entices the imagination to explore new health opportunities and passions that call us to become all we can be. The Michigan State University Bioengineering Building broke ground in June 2013, leading to the construction of a 130,000 square foot building which will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research in MSU’s Colleges of Engineering, Human Medicine and Natural Science. The building represents a $60.8 million investment, with $30 million coming from the state and the rest from the university. Research in nanotechnology, robotics, tissue engineering and imaging will take place in the building, which will house about 30 new faculty members and 120 to 160 students. Examples of research that could take place in the building include sensors for detecting neurological activity of home-based patients, research into engineered tissues and research into novel materials for helping patients heal more quickly. The Hope Sports Complex is rapidly developing into a regional destination as a multi-sports complex. Julie Mullin has invested more than a million dollars and led a team of volunteers in physically transforming the south Lansing sports complex. This past summer, work was completed on the most exciting upgrade, installation of an artificial turf field called replicated grass, which is marked for a full-sized soccer field, two smaller soccer fields, men’s lacrosse and two youth baseball or softball fields. Lighting and bleachers seating more than 1,100 have also been added. A new press box will be in place by Thanksgiving with a seasonal café and scoreboard expected by next spring. 50

Michigan Veneer was honored with the International Trade Award as a supplier of premium hardwoods or veneers to customers around the world. Beginning over a quarter of a century ago as a small domestic supplier, their service and reputation have helped them grow into a major exporter. Today, Michigan Veneer products are lining some of the most impressive conference rooms, business offices, automobiles, hotels and state buildings throughout the world. The Celebration of Regional Growth Awards Program is an annual event presented by the LRCC. This year’s luncheon is sponsored by PNC Bank and Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, and Davis & Gotting P.C. Registration information can be found at lansingchamber.org.

afterschool curriculum, and serves 246 children through the Y’s afterschool programs at Cavanaugh, Cumberland, Fairview, Kendon and Post Oak Elementary Schools in the Lansing School District, as well as participants in the Downtown Wellness Center’s Summer Refugee Program. The MDCH grant is a portion of a $400,000 grant that was awarded to the YMCA State Alliance of Michigan, and will be distributed to eight other Y associations throughout the state. To find out more about the YMCA of Lansing, please go to lansingymca.org. LANSING AREA ACCOUNTING FIRMS ANNOUNCE MERGER

YMCA OF LANSING RECEIVES STATE GRANT TO TEACH CHILDREN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES The YMCA of Lansing has received a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to expand and enhance the Y’s work to teach children healthy habits and address childhood obesity through physical activity and before/ after school and summer programming at six area locations.

This funding will help launch the YMCA of Lansing’s pilot program, ‘Activate Lansing: Champions for Healthy Communities,’ which combines an evidence-based physical education and

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The accounting firms of McCartney & Company, P.C. and Maner Costerisan recently announced a merger. Effective Dec. 1, 2014, McCartney & Company, P.C. will be recognized as Maner Costerisan. Maner Costerisan is a mid-market accounting and consulting firm located in Lansing, Michigan. As an Independent Member of BDO Alliance USA, Maner Costerisan has full access to the national and worldwide resources of one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the world. McCartney & Company, P.C. was established in Lansing, Michigan in 1961. The firm has specialized expertise in the telecommunications industry and affordable housing, as well as serving a large number of not-for-profit and agricultural organizations. The merged practices will retain the name Maner Costerisan and offices will be located in the current Maner Costerisan

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facility at 2425 East Grand River Ave., Suite 1, Lansing, MI 48912. For more information, visit manercpa.com. MICHAEL DUDA AWARDED MASA REGION 6 REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Michael Duda, Superintendent of Haslett Public Schools, received the 2015 Region 6 Superintendent of the Year Award from the Michigan Association of School Administrators. The Regional Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by each of the nine regions in the MASA organization to an individual who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole.

Duda was recognized for his distinguished career in public education for over three decades. He has had a remarkable impact on students, staff, parents, community leaders and multiple school districts. His passion, dedication and commitment to making an impact on the institution of teaching has been clearly defined by his innate ability to lead, lift up others and to be a school administrator totally devoted to embracing each day as a lifelong learner. In addition to his leadership as superintendent, Duda played a key role in developing community initiatives to gain voter support for two sinking funds, as well as a school bond proposal that provided improved educational opportunities for students. MASA is a statewide association that represents the superintendents and firstline administrators of Michigan’s local and intermediate school districts.

BWL’S SUSAN DEVON NAMED 2014 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR Susan Devon, Lansing Board of Water & Light chief administrative officer, was named the 2014 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of the Year by the Devon Association of Fundraising Professionals in association with the Capital Region Community Foundation. Devon has been responsible for raising funds in support of several local nonprofit organizations including Child and Family Charities, where she currently serves as board president. She was cited for her work in promoting and actively supporting several regional and national charitable causes. Devon believes that generous philanthropic giving is vital to finding cures for

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LAFCU BREAKS GROUND FOR ST. JOHNS BRANCH OFFICE Area government, business and labor leaders helped LAFCU break ground for its new St. Johns branch office recently at 2317 S. U.S. Highway Business 127, also known as Old U.S. Highway 27, between Townsend Road and Parks Road. The branch is expected to open during the first quarter of 2015.

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Harold Foster, LAFCU Board of Directors president

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Robin Frucci, LAFCU CEO

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Jim Ostrowski, Bingham Township supervisor PH OTO S P ROV I D E D

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony were:

The new facility will be approximately 1,200 square feet and will have two member services offices and two teller stations. It will also offer drive-thru banking with lanes for two interactive teller machines (ITMs). ITMs offer twoway audio and video interaction with a teller located at a remote site. A freestanding ATM was initially installed at the site of this new facility when the property was purchased several years ago. Members also have access to a LAFCU ATM located in the nearby Kroger.

diseases such as juvenile diabetes, ending child abuse and neglect and helping vulnerable populations. Devon has been promoting and actively supporting several regional and national charitable causes. She and her husband, John, recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. They have two sons, Christopher and Patrick, both graduates of Michigan State University. CAMPUS ADVANTAGE SETS COMPANY RECORD WITH ACQUISITION OF MICHIGAN STUDENT HOUSING PROPERTY Campus Advantage, a leading student housing company, is celebrating the acquisition of Hannah Lofts in East Lansing, Mich. The acquisition is part of Campus Advantage’s core investment strategy to acquire highly occupied 52

The architect of the St. Johns branch office is MAYOTTEgroup, of Lansing. The general contractor is Harmon Management, of Mason.

properties located near major, high growth universities such as MSU. The acquisition of Hannah Lofts makes Campus Advantage the largest acquirer of student housing assets for the period of January 2013 through October 2014 with $354 million in acquisitions, according to Real Capital Analytics. Hannah Lofts is located just to the east of the MSU campus and includes 282 units and 702 beds. It features townhomestyle units unique to the East Lansing market and a 99 percent occupancy rate. The property’s amenities include a fitness center, study rooms, shuttle system, multi-purpose room, entertainment room, tanning beds, parking deck, computer lab and fire pits. Its units feature stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, washer/dryer and private bedrooms and bathrooms.

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“This acquisition represents an exciting first opportunity between two bestin-class student housing companies, Campus Advantage and Capstone Collegiate Communities, and we look forward to working with them again in the future,” said Michael Orsak, senior vice president of investments for Campus Advantage. BWL NAMES LANSING ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF AS NEW EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANAGER Mayor Virg Bernero and Lansing Board of Water & Light General Manager J. Peter Lark recently announced that Lansing Fire Department Assistant Chief Trent Atkins will become the BWL’s first Emergency Operations Manager. Chief Atkins is a 24year veteran of LFD who previously served as Chief of the department’s Emergency Management Division.

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“Although we will greatly miss Chief Atkins and appreciate his outstanding service to the City of Lansing, he is the right person at the right time to take the BWL’s emergency preparations and response capabilities to the next level,” said Mayor Bernero. “With a deep understanding of municipal emergency operations and incident management, he will help ensure that local governments and our hometown power company work hand-in-hand to provide the best possible services to BWL customers across the Lansing metro region, especially during a crisis.” Lark said that Chief Atkins is the perfect choice for the position because of his expert knowledge of emergency management, his familiarity with both the city and the BWL’s infrastructure and utility operations, and his strong working relationships with regional emergency management officials and their counterparts at the state and federal levels. Lark noted that creating a new Emergency Operations Manager position adds to the dozens of other measures already implemented by the utility in response to the recommendations of the Community Review Team and the Michigan Public Service Commission, both of which reviewed the BWL’s response to the catastrophic December 2013 ice storm. FOSTER SWIFT NAMED TO BEST LAW FIRMS 2015 Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC has been included in the U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers 2015 “Best Law Firm” rankings. Foster Swift was rated a Tier 1 law firm in 24 practice areas. As a 95-plus attorney law firm with five offices statewide, Foster Swift provides comprehensive services for businesses, organizations, municipalities, families and individuals. The U.S. News — Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes

the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer who is included in Best Lawyers as part of the annual peer review assessment.

To see the entire list of Foster Swift’s rankings, visit estlawfirms.usnews.com/ profile/foster- swift-collins- smith-pc/ rankings/4331

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CHRIS KUSHMAUL EARNS APICS RISK MANAGEMENT EDUCATION CERTIFICATE Chris Kushmaul, IDV Solutions’ Director of Supply Chain Solutions, has earned a Risk Management Education Certificate from the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). APICS is the leading professional association for supply chain and operations management, and its comprehensive Risk Management Education Certificate program demonstrates a commitment to global supply chain risk mitigation. Prior to joining IDV Solutions, Chris held positions managing global logistics and transportation management for Diebold Inc., General Electric, Delphi Automotive, and a 3rd party logistics service provider. Leveraging his 14 years of supply chain industry experience with global operations, he is currently leading the development of Visual Command Center for Supply Chain, responsible for managing the product from design to customer satisfaction. IDV Solutions, LLC helps organizations take command of risk by delivering Enterprise Risk Visualization capabilities through software and services that enable organizations to protect their assets, ensure continuity of operations and optimize performance. OLD TOWN LANSING MAIN STREET ACHIEVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced that Old Town Lansing Main Street has been recognized as a Nationally Accredited Main Street community by the National Trust Main Street Center and the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA. Old Town Lansing Main Street is one of four Michigan Main Street communities receiving national recognition this year. The Michigan Main Street Select and 54

Master Level communities are evaluated annually based on 10 performance standards prescribed by the National Trust Main Street Center and eligible communities are submitted to the national level for final review. Local Main Street programs are encouraged to embrace community revitalization and economic development through organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Recent studies show that supporting downtowns creates vibrant centers where people want to live, work and invest. The Michigan Main Street Center is part of MSHDA’s effort to create vibrant communities across the state. Individuals interested in more information can contact Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at (517) 2414237, or krizovl@michigan.gov, or visit the Michigan Main Street website at michiganmainstreetcenter.com. ATTORNEY J.J. BURCHMAN RECEIVES HIGHEST MARTINDALE-HUBBELL RATING Fraser Trebilcock attorney J.J. Burchman recently achieved an AV Preeminent peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an honor indicative of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability. The overall peer rating includes the fields of Business Law, Litigation and Banking Law. In addition to his AV Preeminent peer review rating, Burchman has served as the Associate Editor for the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review. Burchman Burchman has been published in various publications and has presented to the NAIA Mid-Michigan Vlahakis team regarding seller-financed mortgages. He has represented clients of all sizes including a New York Stock Exchange publically traded company.

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An AV Preeminent peer rating is seen as a significant accomplishment as it demonstrates that an attorney’s peers rank them at the highest level of professional excellence. An individual is judged based upon their legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability and legal experience. More information is available at fraserlawfirm.com. IDV SOLUTIONS ACHIEVES THREE MICROSOFT GOLD COMPETENCIES IDV Solutions, LLC recently announced it has attained Gold Application Development, Data Analytics, and Data Platform competencies, demonstrating a “best-in-class” ability and distinguishing itself within the top 1 percent of Microsoft¹s partner ecosystem. To earn a Microsoft gold competency, partners must successfully complete exams (resulting in Microsoft Certified Professionals) to prove their level of technology expertise, and then designate these certified professionals uniquely to one Microsoft competency, ensuring a certain level of staffing capacity. They also must submit customer references that demonstrate successful projects (along with implementing a yearly customer satisfaction study), meet a revenue commitment (for most gold competencies), and pass technology and/ or sales assessments. “By achieving a gold competency, partners have demonstrated the highest, most consistent capability and commitment to the latest Microsoft technology,” said Phil Sorgen, corporate vice president, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “These partners have a deep expertise that puts them in the top 1 percent of our partner ecosystem, and their proficiency will help customers drive innovative solutions on the latest Microsoft technology.”

ENTREPRENEURS UNITE GREATER LANSING BUSINESS MONTHLY PRESENTS THE 2015 ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED NOW Visit lansingbusinessnews.com for more information. Thursday, March 12, 2015 | The University Club of MSU | 3435 Forest Road, Lansing L

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$3.5 MILLION GRANT SUPPORTS AT-RISK FAMILIES, BRINGS JOBS

through 2019, will serve up to 500 participants annually.

A renewal of federal grant dollars is helping the Ingham County Health Department expand programming and support at-risk families. Its goal is to ensure that every baby in Ingham County has an equal chance to see his or her first birthday.

Expectant mothers and new parents may request services, such as Strong Start, Healthy Start, directly from the county by contacting the health department’s Maternal Child Health Division at (517) 887-4322.

The grant allows for an expansion of Strong Start, Healthy Start, which first launched in 2012. It supports women pre- and postpartum and aims to reduce infant mortality, especially among Black infants. The program expansion will allow for the hiring of seven new full-time staff and one new contract employee at the health department.

FAHEY SCHULTZ FIRM IS FIRST TIER BEST LAW FIRM

Strong Start, Healthy Start is funded by a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program, funded

Fahey Schultz has experienced significant growth since opening in 2008 with four attorneys in its Okemos office. The firm now has 12 attorneys and 5 professional staff helping the firm serve over 150 municipal clients and over a dozen franchised businesses throughout the Midwest. The firm also serves the state’s largest public utility as outside regulatory counsel. More information about the firm is available at fsbrlaw.com.

Okemos-based law firm Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC has been ranked by the U.S. News — Best Lawyers as a First Tier firm in the mid-Michigan metropolitan area. The firm has been recognized for its expertise in Appellate Practice, Employment Law and Labor Law, Administrative and Regulatory Law, Government Relations, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Energy Law.

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having options

BCBS

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network have a wide range of comprehensive health plans to help you make the right choice for your business. GROUP HEALTH PLANS

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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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HAPPY HOLIDAYS To our clients, family and friends, thank you for helping make CBRE the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier full-service commercial real estate services company. We could not have done it without you!

CBRE

We wish you bountiful blessings this holiday season and an extraordinary New Year! Part of the CBRE affiliate network

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DECEMBER 2014