GLBM February 2016 by M3 Group Publications

BUSINESS MONTHLY GR E ATE R LANS ING

FEBUARY 2016

China’s Influence Still Strong In Michigan TUNGA KIYAK, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

In this issue •

LANSING BENEFITS FROM THE U.S.’S RENEWED RELATIONSHIP WITH CUBA

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NEW LANSING DEVELOPMENTS UNDERWAY IN 2016

•

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JOEL FERGUSON

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ENTREPRENEURS UNITE DON’T MISS THE 2016 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

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News Lansing Developments Move Slowly Toward Completion .................................................... 6 The Rise of Old Town ............................................................................................................................. 10 Relationships with Cuba Thaw, Michigan Businesses Gain $5.9B in Potential Business ............................................................................................. 12 Changes to Social Security Affect Retirement Lifestyles .................................................... 14 China’s Influence Still Strong in Michigan ................................................................................... 24

China’s Influence Still Strong In Michigan TUNGA KIYAK, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

In this issue •

LANSING BENEFITS FROM THE U.S.’S RENEWED RELATIONSHIP WITH CUBA

•

NEW LANSING DEVELOPMENTS UNDERWAY IN 2016

•

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH

Features Visual Breakdown: Top Industries Around the World .......................................................... 16

JOEL FERGUSON

Regional Roundup ................................................................................................................................... 33 Cover photography by Mark Warner

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 29, Issue 2) The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at group 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. 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 © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Responsibility: Now Good Business and Smart Marketing .................................. 34

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4 Economy ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Lansing at a Glance ................................................................................................................................. 20 Behind the Scenes ................................................................................................................................... 28 Business Calendar ................................................................................................................................... 30 Man on the Street ................................................................................................................................... 32 Notable News ............................................................................................................................................ 36

Editorial Office: 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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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: Megan Fleming Manny Garcia Production Director: Kelly Mazurkiewicz Art Director: Mark Warner Communications Director: Ami IcemanHaueter Graphic Designers: Kerry Hidlay Photographer: Erika Hodges Editor: Alicia Pilmore Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, 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

An Undervalued Profession

s a human being and a lifelong resident of the great state of Michigan, it hurts me deeply to think about the pain and suffering of the Flint community. It’s difficult to comprehend where everything went wrong. How did a problem of this magnitude go on for so long? I choose to believe, until proven otherwise, that although there were errors in judgment and pivotal missteps along the way, people were not acting in malice. It’s critical that we evaluate all of the checks and balances along the way that failed the people of Flint. When the dust clears and we have more information available, I believe there will be more than a handful of people who have a share of responsibility. I would also say there is a small amount of responsibility that each one of us should take. When this disaster came to light, my first few questions included “How did this go on for so long?” and “Where was the media?” As a young reporter, I remember feeling a sense of responsibility to be a watchdog for the people – especially those who were disenfranchised. Journalists are trained to be objective, keep a watchful eye on government and big companies and investigate potential wrongdoing. I am not blaming the reporters in our state. Let me repeat, I am not casting blame on them. They are a mighty few these days and are running hard to cover their beats and don’t have time for complicated, large-scale investigations. I am asking all of the people who have abandoned the idea that serious investigative reporting is important to think about how we should respond to the Flint crisis. I have believed for some time that there would be a course correction where something terrible would happen that helps us reevaluate how important journalists are to the general good. I had no idea that it would manifest so close to home. I honestly believe that if our print, radio and television reporters had more time, they could have uncovered this issue and potentially brought it to light much sooner. We haven’t supported this industry. Now we may be paying for it in other areas that we don’t even know about at this point – at least not yet. The lack of investment has diminished the industry and created fewer reporters. These truly amazing investigators are finding work in other communication fields. This is great for those fields, but not necessarily great for the people as a whole. My hope is that we are able to see how we can support the industries that are set up to watch, investigate and report the news. Stop believing that it is someone else’s responsibility. In order to have reporters and put information out into the public, news organizations need to have advertisers, subscriptions and sponsors. If you want to be sure that you’re getting the information you need about your community, support a news organization. It is everyone’s responsibility. Help the Flint community now and help our state never have to deal with anything like it again. Be dynamic in all you do,

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Lansing Developments Move Slowly Toward Completion

S T N E PLETION LOPM

BY SA RAH S POHN

M E O C V D E R D WA O G T Y L N I S OW L S N E V A L MO CKEY BY MI

H I RT E

here are two projects, both along Michigan Avenue, each announced with great fanfare, but little tangible progress to date: The $280 million Red Cedar Renaissance and the Kewadin Lansing Casino. Both are extraordinarily complex. The casino is entangled by state and tribal lawsuits and federal government bureaucracy; the Red Cedar mixed-use project, to be built within the Red Cedar River’s flood plain, is an engineering nightmare. Still, the developers behind both projects say the low profile should not be mistaken for inaction. Both expect significant advances in 2016. “Our plan is to start clearing the site in 2016. We have a hard schedule,” said Chris Stralkowski, project manager for Ferguson Development, which is working with nationally prominent Continental Real Estate of Columbus, Ohio. “We have a short window because of the Indiana Bat Law that affects every project where there are old growth trees.” Nothing is certain, according to government and development officials working on reconfiguring the city’s abandoned golf course with hotels, housing, retail shopping, a medical facility and parkland. “It is all very, very complicated and the costs are not settled upon yet – or who is paying for what. That’s why you can’t say it’s a done deal,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, which is handling project negotiations for Lansing. He said that the developers have spent more than $1 million on the project to date and that cost estimates are almost complete. But building on the site is costlier than initially projected.

Conceptual design for the Red Cedar Renaissance project

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Developers want to keep their infrastructure costs in the $70 million to $80 million range. “They are now between $90

FEBRUARY 2016

Red Cedar project site plan, provided by Ferguson Development

[million] and $100 million, but we believe we are going to get there,” Stralkowski said. Because much of golf course property is subject to river flooding, developers must build on costly elevated concrete platforms called plinths. As a result, the phase of development along Michigan Avenue, which actually is four-to-six feet below the flood plain, will be constructed above the roadway. Stralkowski said the developers have submitted permits to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to work in the flood plain and are negotiating with a half-dozen or more public bodies, among them, Lansing Township, East Lansing, Michigan State University, CATA, MDOT and the Ingham County Drain Commissioner’s office – on approvals and coordination. The project will require additional agreements from the Lansing City Council, and the development agreement for Red Cedar Renaissance expires in May, Trezise said. He doesn’t see either as significant issues. Ferguson and Continental said they continue to sign agreements with tenants, but have been guarded releasing information. President of Ferguson Development, Joel Ferguson, announced in August 2014 that Hyatt Corp. planned a full service hotel at the site. Another parcel is reserved for a medical facility, which Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has suggested will be affiliated with Sparrow Hospital. There may even be a second hotel attached to the project. “There has been genuine progress and we are much further along than in the past year,” said Trezise, who praised the dedication and commitment to the project by Continental. “They drive up here from Columbus every Monday night and spend the entire day

Tuesday locked in a room with us, construction companies and designers. They have put an enormous amount of hard work and Ferguson Continental Lansing, LLC Red Cedar Renaissance money into making this work.” In downtown Lansing, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians also hopes to open its casino in 2016 or early 2017 on land it has purchased adjacent to the Convention Center, according to Tribe Chairman Aaron Payment. Delayed by court challenges and awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Interior, work on the project has moved slowly. Payment said the tribe revised its analysis of the Lansing market and has reduced slightly the number of slot machines planned

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KEWADIN LANSING CASINO • Developers: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Lansing Future Development LLC. • Cost: $245 million • Site: Michigan Avenue and North Cedar Street • Size: 125,000 square feet • Jobs: 1,500 permanent, 700 construction • Proposed: January 2012 • Features: Slots machines, poker, blackjack, craps and roulette RED CEDAR RENAISSANCE • Developers: Ferguson Development Inc. and Continental Real Estate • Cost: $280 million • Site: Red Cedar Golf Course, Michigan Avenue • Size: 61 acres (28 in the flood plain) • Jobs: Estimated: 250 fulltime and part-time nonconstruction, 400-450 construction, medical facility not included • Proposed: January 2012 • Features: Hotels, housing, retail shopping, a medical facility and parkland

A rendering of the Kewadin Lansing Casino for the facility. Initially it wanted as many as 3,000 slots machines. Payment attributed the change to a new study of available parking and the casino’s landlocked location. It will still feature a full complement of table games like black jack, poker and roulette. “We’ve scaled it back to the right size, with what the market will bear. Customers won’t notice and we don’t expect any change in the revenue,” Payment said. This is important to the city, which will receive 2 percent of the casino’s revenue to support the Lansing Promise scholarships, which funds college tuition for its high school graduates. Payment expects the tribe’s annual contribution to be about $3 million. The tribe continues to work with the Department of Interior on an agreement to place in a trust the 2.7 acres at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and North Cedar Street. The approval process involves decisions by the Interior Department’s Midwest regional office and Washington, Payment said. “The biggest impediment is the tribes that are trying to protect their market share. They are

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putting a lot of resources into efforts to prevent us from opening. But we’re getting close.” A casino downtown would reposition Lansing’s convention and tourism business. “Can you imagine the convention business it is going to attract?” Trezise said. “Imagine the breakthrough in downtown hotels or what it will do for the retail and restaurant business. It will make us a destination for national conventions.”

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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The Rise of Old Town B Y M I CK EY H IRTEN P H OTO S B Y ER IK A H O D G ES

fter decades of painstaking progress, Old Town has become Lansing’s trendiest neighborhood. Just north of the city’s business district, with its turn-of-the century buildings, mix of artistic and professional businesses and roster of summer and fall festivals, Old Town has long been a community waiting to blossom. Now, with retailers poached from the suburbs, new restaurants, bars and a soon-to-open brewery, Old Town is hot. “We have the complete entertainment experience,” said Austin Ashley, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association. The opening of The Creole restaurant and its breakfast and lunch wing, Creole Coffee Co., the expansion of Meat BBQ, all three on Turner Street, and a remake of Zoobies on Grand River added an evening entertainment option to what has been mostly a daytime community. “It’s those kinds of things that give people another reason to come and stay in Old Town and discover all that is happening here,” long-time booster Terry Terry said of the restaurants. He has been in Old Town since 1982 and operates Message Makers, a marketing/ communications company, from a warren of offices, conference rooms and studios on Turner Street.

Old Town is home to Lansing’s artistic community and a plethora of businesses, as can be seen on this sign, located on Turner Street

“When I first started doing things here it was a ghost town. No real city services, boarded up store fronts,” Terry said. “But the rough times had already passed. Old Town has been moving forward for a long time, but a few years back it was clear that we had plateaued. Now we are going to need more parking. More housing might be next.”

NEWS

Terry believes that Old Town has attained a long-sought critical mass. “It isn’t just one thing. You need a combination.” The most recent statistics compiled by the Old Town Commercial Association report that retailing accounted for 19 percent of commercial space; eating and drinking establishments, 7 percent; service businesses, 43 percent; galleries, 9 percent; and high-tech firms, 12 percent. The food and drink sector has likely grown since this 2013 accounting.

said Bradly Rakowski, owner of Bradly’s Home and Garden. “I was there for about 16 months until I moved two doors down to the comfort station after it was renovated. That was 480 square feet and I was there for 14 months.” “OLD TOWN HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD FOR A LONG TIME BUT A FEW YEARS BACK IT WAS

Terry wants to ensure that as Old Town gentrifies – a term people there dislike, but acknowledge – it regains “good quality spaces for artists to live and work.” He said it might mean moving into the surrounding neighborhoods. Old Town proper is running out of space. “We’ve had a very low vacancy rate for so many years and now it is even higher than the 90 percent threshold. It’s pushing close to 100 percent,” Ashley said, adding that retail space leased between $10 and $12 a square foot. “There are several businesses that want to come to Old Town and can’t find the space they need. We send them downtown or to REO Town.”

CLEAR THAT WE HAD PLATEAUED. NOW WE ARE GOING TO NEED MORE PARKING. MORE HOUSING MIGHT BE NEXT”

space to Celeste Saltzman, owner of Retail Therapy in Okemos, who, based on her success in Old Town, relocated to 1209 Turner Street in January. Anticipating the move, Saltzman met with owners of other boutiques – Grace’s and Curvaceous – to collaborate on product lines rather than compete. She said she welcomes the sense of community in Old Town, which she contrasted with the impersonal surroundings at Retail Therapy’s previous location in Okemos near Meridian Mall. “Sometimes a small business doesn’t think about those things,” Ashley said of the merchants in his association. “But it all comes down to making sure everyone does well.”

—TERRY TERRY

In April, Rakowski moved again, this time to a storefront at 117 Grand River, and has purchased the adjacent building at 115 to feature the Craig Mitchell Smith Glass line of products. And he has expanded his furniture and accessories line to include home design services. Reflecting his start-up roots, Rakowski during the summer provided pop-up

He and others expect future growth to happen along Turner Street as far north as the Golden Harvest Restaurant, on Grand River east of Zoobies and Washington Avenue south of Elderly Instruments. Long before the term “incubator” became part of the development lexicon, it was part of Old Town’s culture. Business there started small, shared space and worked together to create a community that was nurturing and sustainable. “I started out by introducing seven lines of furniture and accessories, retailing out of the Absolute Gallery. They rented me a small corner space and I grew to the other side of the corner. It was maybe 100 square feet,”

As Old Town runs out of space for businesses, REO Town welcomes new businesses L

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Relations with Cuba Thaw, Michigan Businesses Gain $5.9B in Potential Business BY E MI LY W E N ST ROM | PH OTO B Y LIS A TW EN TER

Historic steps to repair diplomatic relations with Cuba have been underway for more than a year, with promising implications for Michigan businesses — as much as $5.9 billion worth, according to the Cuban Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Troy. Presidents Barack Obama and Fidel Castro jointly announced an effort to begin normalizing relations between the two countries in December 2014. Since then, Obama has pushed through several initiatives to move toward better relations, including removing Cuba from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list, establishing a pilot program to allow direct mail between the two countries, loosening travel restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba, and relaxing embargo sales restrictions between the countries. Beyond that, the two countries made history when they reopened embassies in each other’s capitals for the first time in 54 years last August. John Kerry’s presence at the opening event in Havana made it the first time an American Secretary of State was in the country in 70 years. Ongoing meetings between senior government representatives are a promising indication of more steps to come, such as reestablishing flights between the two countries.

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Global leadership agrees, and expressed its opinion strongly last October when it voted almost unanimously to condemn the embargo for the 24th year in a row. (Only the U.S. and Israel voted against the motion.) So what’s the holdup? The embargo can only be lifted by Congress, and the Republican-heavy body is less than pleased with the idea. At least two Republican presidential candidates, Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz (both Cuban-American), have spoken out against the President’s efforts. In a Dec. 18, 2014, column for TIME, Cruz stated, “America is, in effect, writing the check that will allow the Castros to follow Vladimir Putin’s playbook of repression … As the critics of the embargo argue, we are 50 years into the project and the Castros are still in power. Of course we should look for new ways to relieve the misery of the Cuban people — but there are better options than what the Obama administration has proposed.” But where Sen. Cruz sees disaster, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and other congressional leadership is seeing opportunity.

Though great strides toward meeting this goal have been made this year, Obama wants even more — a full lift of the embargo. In a plea to Congress in his final State of the Union address in January, Obama said: 12

“Fifty years of isolating Cuba had failed to promote democracy, setting us back in Latin America. That’s why we restored diplomatic relations, opened the door to travel and commerce, and positioned ourselves to improve the lives of the Cuban people. You want to consolidate our leadership and credibility in the hemisphere? Recognize that the Cold War is over. Lift the embargo.”

Stabenow made her second visit to Cuba in January 2015, on the tail of Obama’s announcement. The next month she joined a bipartisan group of senators introducing legislation to end FEBRUARY 2016

the embargo, and has spoken to the media about the economic advantages of lifting the embargo repeatedly. Rep. John Conyers of Detroit sees opportunity for his constituents, too—particularly those in the auto industry. Cubans were once great consumers of American cars, but since 1959, the Cuban government has banned the import of nearly all foreign cars until recently. As a result, many Cubans still own American models that are 60 years old or more. Even now that some countries are importing cars to Cuba, those cars are prohibitively expensive. “Cuba sits just 90 miles off our coast and has an economy of more than $68 billion. Yet, up to this point, American firms have been forced to cede business to foreign competitors. Of particular interest to my hometown of Detroit, the people of Cuba—who must famously rely on American cars made before 1959—may soon be able to buy American cars and automotive parts once again,” Conyers said to Detroit News for an article published on Dec. 17, 2014. All indications are optimism regarding the economic potential between Michigan and Cuba is mutual. Cuba placed its Chamber

of Commerce headquarters for its United States offices in Troy, Mich. The Troy office opened in July 2015. Additional offices are located in Washington, D.C. and Miami, Fla. In a November 2015 article in the State of Michigan’s Office for New Americans (MONA) newsletter, stated, “The chamber’s [sic] Executive Director Dana McAllister says there are many diverse opportunities for Michigan companies in both importing and exporting, particularly agricultural products, medical equipment and supplies, and alternative energy.” The article goes on to cite Michigan’s economic potential for business with Cuba at $5.9 billion in exports, once the embargo is lifted. According to the Chamber, Michigan is home to more than 2,400 Cubans, and according to the U.S. Census, more than 9,800 Michiganders claim Cuban ancestry.

Emily Wenstrom writes about geek culture, creative writing, lifestyle topics and more; she also advises clients in content strategy. Learn more at EmilyWenstrom.com.

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CHANGES TO SOCIAL SECURITY AFFECT RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES BY MICKEY HIRTEN

For those with adequate retirement income, waiting to take Social Security payments has been a popular and rewarding financial strategy. The reason? Untapped benefits grow by 8 percent a year until age 70. For couples, it has been a particularly lucrative option, but not for much longer. In October, Congress restricted the use of the so-called “spousal benefit” which allowed one partner to file for and receive their monthly benefits, the other to wait and build retirement credits and during that time receive a payment worth about half of what their partner receives. Depending on income and, of course, life span, the tactic could increase the couple’s benefits by as much as $30,000 or more over their lifetime. “It’s funny, a lot of people act like this was a big surprise. It wasn’t. It was on the table and when you look back on some of the rhetoric, when they [Congress] call something a loophole, it’s usually a sign that they are looking at it,” said David Shotwell, a certified financial planner with Rutter Baer

Inc., based in Lansing. But he added that timing is important. “For the most part when you do planning for folks close to retirement, you don’t expect there to be changes to their Social Security.”

Budget Act of 2015. It restricts its use to those born before Jan. 1, 1954, an acknowledgment that those approaching full retirement lack the flexibility to alter their plans.

For Craig Stiles, a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch, less than 1 percent of his clients qualified for or used the spousal deduction.

“This is something that is going to affect people’s lifestyle. It whittles down now the few options you have,” said Joseph Gazall, a financial consultant with the Michigan Financial Group.

“We’ve been hearing about this being on the chopping block for a year,” he said, adding that he was not speaking about those he counsels and not for his firm. Yet he acknowledges that for some clients transitioning into retirement, changes in Social Security laws are significant though he, like other financial advisers, sees the payments as only part of a portfolio. Stiles, Shotwell and other area financial and retirement advisers say the current system is financially unsustainable as Baby Boomers retire and contributions from a smaller workforce are unable to sustain the system’s longterm obligations. The use of the spousal benefit was curtailed as a provision of the Bipartisan

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He framed the challenge of integrating Social Security into a retirement plan as highly individual, dependent on assets like 401k savings, longevity projections, tax liability and other income streams. Financial advisers expect the government to raise the cap on Social Security contributions, now set at $118,500 and to continue raising the retirement age for full benefits. For those born in 1960 or later, full retirement benefits now begin at age 67. “Letting the full retirement age continue to move out must make sense,” Shotwell said. “If you look at the change from 65 to 67 compared with the change in life expectancy, there is no comparison.”

FEBRUARY 2016

WHAT SOCIAL SECURITY SAYS When a worker files for retirement benefits, the worker’s spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on the worker’s earnings. Key points of the law require that: • The spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care. • The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker’s “primary insurance amount,” depending on the spouse’s age at retirement. • If the spouse begins receiving benefits before “normal (or full) retirement age,” the spouse will receive a reduced benefit. • If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then social security pays the retirement benefit. Otherwise it pays the spousal benefit. • A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker’s primary insurance amount. • A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of 1 percent per month. • For a spouse who is not entitled to benefits on his or her own earnings record, this reduction factor is applied to the base spousal benefit, which is 50 percent of the worker’s primary insurance amount. Social Security Administration

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ECONOMY

OBJECTIVES AND INSTRUMENTS OF MONETARY POLICY

Second, because a bond is an “I owe you” that carries a fixed dollar amount in interest (“coupon”), the rate of interest and the price of bonds are inversely related. As bond prices rise, interest rates decline and vice versa.

BY M ORDECHAI E. KR E I N I N , UN I V E R SI T Y D I ST I N G U IS H ED P RO FES S O R ( EM ER ITU S ) , M S U

Much like the case of fiscal policy, monetary policy is designed to stabilize the economy. Namely, lift the economy out of a recession on the one hand, and reduce or eliminate inflationary booms on the other. That is, it is designed to minimize cyclical fluctuations. But while fiscal policy does it by controlling surpluses and deficits in the government budget, monetary policy does it by changes in money supply and the rate of interest. It is important that the two types of policy work in tandem for maximum effectiveness. It should also be noted that these so called “macroeconomic policies” are not always

successful, as exemplified by the years following 2008. Finally, both policies work only with a six to 12 month time lag. It will be recalled that a recession is defined as two or longer successive quarters of an absolute decline in real GDP (real output of goods and services). Its cost is often measured in terms of labor unemployment (over 10 percent in the early 2010s). But more precisely its cost is measured in terms of the foregone output of goods and services; namely, the amount that could have been produced under full employment, minus what was actually produced. The cost of inflation is more difficult to measure. First, it (unintentionally) redistributes income in society. Debtors gain as their debts decline in terms of

purchasing power, and creditors lose for the same reasons. People who live on fixed money incomes, such as retirees, lose, as do owners of small bank accounts that pay negligible interest. More serious effects can emerge if low inflation feeds upon itself and rises to double and even triple digit level. Once wage earners don’t even know how much goods and services their wages will buy later in the month, the entire social fabric can disintegrate. Countries in such situations often protect themselves by tying wages and other contracts to the cost of living, (a program called “indexation”) as the U.S. does in the case of social security. What about deflation, namely, a continuous decline in the price level of all goods and services? If inflation is bad, then deflation must be good. NOT SO! Deflation can be worse than inflation, as in the case of Japan, where deflation halted economic growth for two decades. Indeed, since 2008, when the “great recession” began, central banks were concerned about possible deflation rather than inflation. The explanation of this phenomenon must await an institutional review of interest rates in the economy that follows. First, we distinguish between “market” and “real” interest rates. Consider a situation in which a bank offers you 5 percent interest on your deposit. You may be happy until you notice that the rate of inflation is, say, 8 percent. Instead of earning 5 percent on your money you actually lose 3 percent (5-8=3) in terms of purchasing power. As in the case of real GDP, we refer to market interest rates minus the rate of inflation as the real rate of interest. Consumers and producers are interested in and concerned about the real rate of interest.

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

FEBRUARY 2016

Third, there are many interest rates in the money market, depending on a) degree of risk of the loan, b) length of loan to maturity and c) tax exempt status of the earnings. Here are some widely quoted rates: The Federal Funds rate is the rate that commercial banks charge each other for overnight or very short-term loans (no reference to the Federal Government). Known as the Federal Funds market, it is this rate that the Federal Reserve tries to move up or down (or leave unchanged) in the ordinary conduct of monetary policy. Presumably, a whole structure of market interest rates moves along with it. To combat the deep recession of the last decade, that rate was held at about zero for seven years. It was raised to a quarter of a percent at the end of 2015. Since the recession was pretty global, other central banks such as the European central bank that determines the Euro interest rate followed a similar policy, as did the Bank of Japan and other central banks. The discount rate is the rate the Federal Reserve charges on loans to commercial banks. Since commercial banks in the U.S. are usually reluctant to borrow from the Fed., this rate is not much in use.

consider the case of a recession accompanied by a 3 percent deflation. All the Fed can do is reduce the market rate of interest to zero. But that leaves the real rate of interest (the one that matters) at +3 percent (0--3). Monetary policy loses most of its effectiveness to stimulate the economy. Central bankers are so afraid to see deflation even approaching (let alone materializing)

Mordechai Kreinin is a University Distinguished Professor of Economics at MSU and past President of the International Trade and Finance Association.

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The prime rate is the interest rate that the large banks charge their largest and most credit worthy corporate customers. Other market rates (usually above the prime rate) depend on the three features of the loan outlined earlier. We are now in position to see the harm that deflation may cause. First, consumers and producers observing continuous decline in the price level may expect the process to continue and postpone purchases to the following year, thus reducing contemporary aggregate demand and GDP. Second, deflation redistributes real income from borrowers to lenders and since many businesses are borrowers, their performance is hurt. Third, on a more technical level,

that it has become customary to target inflation at two percent and not zero.

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Greater Lansing at a Glance Each month, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly compiles statistics showing the growth of the greater Lansing area from month to month. This information is not comprehensive, but rather, a snapshot of the area’s growth throughout the year. The following is a look at the advances some of Lansing’s biggest businesses have made in the past two months.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

MICHIGAN RETAILERS ASSN. INDEX Nov. 15

Oct. 15

Sept. 15

Nov. 14

Oct. 14

Sales

50.2

54.1

51.1

48.1

50.3

Inventory

51.7

55.6

55.4

52.4

53.9

Nov. 15

Oct. 15

Sept.15

Nov. 14

Oct. 14

Civilian Labor Force (1)

(P) 244.4

242.7

240.5

243.6

243.7

(P) 236.1

233.9

231.7

233.4

(P) 231.6

Prices

54.3

53.5

45.7

46.8

Employment (1)

Marketing/promotion

66.2

64.1

57.9

69.7

63.8

Unemployment (1)

(P) 8.3

8.8

10378

(P)12.2

Hiring Plans

50.1

45.8

Unemployment Rate (2)

(P) 3.4

3.6

4.3

(P) 5

Values above 50 generally indicate an increase in activity

KEY STOCKS MONTH-END CLOSE

WAGE AND SALARY Nov. 15

Oct. 15

Sept. 15

Nov. 14

Oct. 14

AUTO

Dec. 15

Nov. 15

Oct. 15

Dec. 14

Nov. 14

(P) 231.3

231.3

228.5

229

228.2

Spartan Motors

3.11

3.63

4.13

5.26

5.01

12-month % change

(P) 1.0

1.4

1.2

0.5

General Motors

34.01

33.81

34.91

33.43

Mining, Logging, and Construction (3)

(P) 7.5

7.7

6.9

12-month % change

(P) 8.7

6.9

6.2

40.01

37.67

32.15

27.23

24.86

(P) 20.7

20.7

19.9

Emergent BioSolutions

12-month % change

(P) 4.0

10.1

6.6

2.1

Neogen

56.52

59.06

54.05

49.59

44.31

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (3)

(P) 35.4

34.7

35.7

16.29

17.08

15.82

n.a.

12-month % change

(P) -0.8

-1.7

0.6

Gannett (Lansing State Journal)

(P) 2.7

2.7

2.8

16.3

16.75

15.89

11.2

17.06

12-month % change

(P) -3.6

-3.6

-6.7

Gray Broadcasting (WILX)

Financial Activities (3)

(P) 15.6

15.6

15.2

Media General (WLNS)

16.5

15.53

14.86

16.73

15.31

12-month % change

(P) 2.6

2.6

1.3

Professional and Business Services (3)

(P) 21.9

22.3

21.9

21.6

Bank of America

16.83

17.43

16.78

17.89

17.04

12-month % change

(P) 1.4

0.5

-1.4

-0.5

UPS

96.23

103.01

103.02

111.17

109.92

(P) 31.5

31.4

30.9

31.4

Home Depot

132.25

126.91

112.3

104.97

78.18

Kroger

41.83

37.66

37.8

32.1

59.84

Macy's Inc.

34.98

39.08

50.98

65.75

64.91

Wal-Mart Stores

61.3

58.84

57.24

85.88

87.54

Total Nonfarm (3)

Manufacturing (3)

Information (3)

Education and Health Services (3) 12-month % change Leisure and Hospitality (3) 12-month % change Other Services (3) 12-month % change Government (3) 12-month % change

Nov. 15

Oct. 15

Sept. 15

Nov. 14

Oct. 14

Active Listing Count

2171

2407

2559

2545

2739

Active Listing Volume

$363

$409

$433

$401

$426

New Listing Count

530

665

496

727

New Listing Volume

$75

$106

$76

$156K

Average Listing Price

$167K

$169K

158K

$156K

Average Listing / sq. ft.

$105

$101

Days in RPR

102

113

104

Months of Inventory

Pending Sales Count

642

449

467

272

308

Sales Volume

$42

$69

$71

$48

$71

Percentage of Listing Price

94.4

96.8

97.2

96.8

97.2

Source: Greater Lansing Association of Realtor

7.2 TECH

18.8

35.3

2.8

15.2

MEDIA

JOBS

(P) 0.3

0.3

-0.9

(P) 20.0

20.6

20.3

18.9

(P) 5.8

5.6

4.6

(P) 10.5

10.6

10.5

10.4

(P) 1.0

1.9

(P) 65.5

63.2

66.2

(P) -1.1

-0.8

-0.2

0.9

22.2

31.3

19.5

SHOPPING

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65.5

CMP, CTA

(1) Number of persons, in thousands, not seasonally adjusted. (2) In percent, not seasonally adjusted. (3) Number of jobs, in thousands, not seasonally adjusted. See About the data. (P) Preliminary

REGIONAL HOME SALES

www.lansing.org FEBRUARY 2016

517.377.1414 mchotchkiss@lansing.org *Source: Michigan chapter of Meeting Professionals International

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CHINA’S INFLUENCE

STILL STRONG IN MICHIGAN BY MICKEY HIRTEN | PH OTO S B Y MA R K WA R N E R

espite turmoil in the Chinese stock market and devaluation of the nation’s currency, initiatives in midMichigan to broaden trade and cultural relations with China are unlikely to suffer. In fact, some experts believe it may offer opportunities.

The single largest trade category is transportation equipment, with about $1.5 billion in sales, followed by chemicals ($368 million), industrial machinery ($347 million), computers and electronics ($237 million) and electrical equipment ($148 million).

For Michigan, China is a significant source of imports and exports, and is expected to grow in the coming year, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It reports that China is the state’s third largest export market, behind Canada and Mexico, with exports in 2014 of nearly $3.5 billion.

In the automotive category, both Ford and General Motors have reported continued strong sales in China, cars built in the U.S. or by offshore operations. Ford expects sales to top one million vehicles in 2015 and General Motors sales will top three million.

Among GM’s strongest brands is Buick, which sold more than one million vehicles in 2014. And among the popular models is the Enclave, built at the Lansing Delta Assembly Plant. GM announced in 2014 that it would begin exporting the latest edition of its award-winning Enclave luxury crossover to China. Earlier generations of the Enclave exported to China from 2008 to 2013 sold 25,000 units, the automaker said.

“CHINA STILL HAS LOTS OF MONEY TO INVEST IN DIFFERENT PLACES. THAT WILL CONTINUE IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY MORE STABLE THAN OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD.” — TUNGA KIYAK While vehicle sales during the last half of 2015 declined, reflecting a slowing economy, a change in tax policy which cut the auto sales tax by half, boosted sales in November. The trend reflects shortterm challenges for businesses. “There is a certain level of uncertainty,” said Tunga Kiyak, managing director of the Academy of International Business at Michigan State University. “Emerging markets are always more risky than developed markets. The challenge for companies who export to China is that their products are more expensive.” For most businesses in mid-Michigan, economic relations with China unfold on a smaller scale and in many respects are still in the commercial relationship building stage with education, tourism and components for auto parts responsible for much of the commerce. “I would say that there still seems to be a steady stream of interest. I haven’t had any calls from people I work with saying that they are putting everything on hold,” said Brent Case, vice president of Business Attraction for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership.

Tunga Kiyak, managing director of the Academy of International Business at Michigan State University 24

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

FEBRUARY 2016

Experts suggest that even as the Chinese economy under performs by its recent standards, projected growth of 6.5 percent is nonetheless extraordinary. According to Brian Connors, China Business

TOP 10 MICHIGAN COMPANIES WITH FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN CHINA: Company Name

Number of Projects

General Motors 33 Dow Chemical 25 Ford 23 Visteon 16 DPH Holdings (Delphi) 15 Dow Corning 10 TRW Automotive 8 BorgWarner 8 Alticor 6 Federal-Mogul l6 Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation TOP MICHIGAN PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO CHINA: Transportation equipment $1.5 billion Chemicals $368 million Industrial machinery $347 million Computers and electronics $237 million Electrical Equipment $148 million Fabricated Metal Products $140 million Waste and Scrap $138 million Primary Metal Mfg $105 million Food Manufactures $95 million Non-metallic mineral products $70 million Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation L

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Development manager at MEDC, “In 2015, China’s growth was equivalent to the size of the Indonesian economy.” “Regardless of their growth rate, China is still a huge market where there are going to be lots of opportunities. It is going to be a major player for decades,” said Kiyak. For businesses exporting products to China, the appreciation of the U.S. dollar versus the yuan, is likely to hurt sales by increasing costs. But importers should see improved values. “With the Chinese economy devaluing, things manufactured there may be cheaper. U.S. companies could find themselves in a little bit more advantageous spot, more competitive,” Kiyak said. Among the factors driving the Lansing area’s Chinese trade strategy is MSU, the thousands of students who study there and the relationships they establish with the region. “We do our best to leverage [our] MSU connection,” Case said. “Students there have parents that are very well connected, often entrepreneurs. How do we make the most of that?”

center helps not just with students, it shows the Chinese that we take them seriously, that we respect them,” he said.

“With what Chris Holman is doing with the airport and the cultural center. I think it still makes sense. Building a cultural

Holman, who has decades of business experience in China, is Lansing’s leading proponent of trade relations. His Michigan Business Network sponsors regular forums and events bringing

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“REGARDLESS OF THEIR GROWTH RATE, CHINA IS STILL A HUGE MARKET WHERE THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER FOR DECADES” — TUNGA KIYAK Federally Insured by NCUA

www.casecu.org Our service. Your success. 26

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FEBRUARY 2016

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together business leaders to explore opportunities and deepen cultural understandings.

industry, proximity to Detroit and the airport free-trade zone as reasons for optimism.

Holman has highlighted the potential for tourism, education and agriculture between Lansing and Xiamen, a seaside city of two million people in the southern part of China, just west of Taiwan. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., support his efforts.

Also in the development stage is a Chinese cultural center. Proponents have identified two possible sites, said Holman, for a facility to be paid for by Chinese interests. To be known as The China Center, it will facilitate cultural and trade relations and medical and educational exchanges.

Lansing officials hope that two initiatives underway will support the long-term strategy of enhanced China trade.

“It will still be a couple of years.” But Holman, like others, discounts any long-term consequences of China’s current economic issues.

Capital Region International Airport is seeking a direct passenger flight to Xiamen, citing its central location in the state and the 49,000 people who travel from Michigan to major Chinese cities. Holman, who is chairman of the Capital Region Airport Authority, said that officials have identified two cities in China that are interested in flights to Lansing. The challenge, he said, is finding a charter company to fly the route amid an aviation industry shortage of aircraft and pilots. “Lansing is unique. We want to be the China doorway for Michigan,” Holman said, citing state government, the auto

He and others say the benefits of improved cultural understanding and solid relationships is an appropriate strategy, no matter how the Chinese economy wobbles. While acknowledging that tracking Chinese investment is at times difficult, the fundamentals are undeniable, said Kiyak. “China still has lots of money to invest in different places. That will continue in the United States because it is simply more stable than other places in the world. Getting that Chinese investment should be the goal.

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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

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Clark Corners

Eyde Parkway

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“

behind

the scenes

BY MICK EY HIRTE N | PH OTO B Y E R I KA H OD G ES

BEHIND THE SCENES

Tell us about your company. We have 150 employees total. They are all in places where they eat what they kill. In the development business, it takes a long time and there’s downtime. When you go to our office on Jolly Road where the accountants or the carpet people or the management people are, they all have a specific task and are getting hourly pay. I couldn’t stand to come in here when we’re waiting to have meetings or whatever and see a bunch of folks doing nothing. They’re working; in our business, it’s overhead. You make money in how you buy real estate more than in how you sell it, because if you buy it for too much you can’t set a price where you can move it. That’s my business model. What sorts of experiences contributed to your success? In high school I was captain of the basketball team and I was on the student council. There were only two blacks on the council, Greg Eaton and me. We never lost who we were. We both were blessed because we stayed being black but we totally learned how to relate to the white community, to be comfortable on both sides of the street. I’ve always had three rules: The best way to get a job is to have a job. The best way to get some money is to have some. The best way to get a girlfriend is to have one, because women don’t want anyone that no one else wants. Family has always been important to you. How has it shaped who you are and what you’ve done?

JOEL FERGUSON PRESIDENT OF FERGUSON DEVELOPMENT AND F&S DEVELOPMENT

oel Ferguson, 77, is president of Ferguson Development and F&S Development. His companies have built and managed commercial, government and housing projects throughout the state and are involved with redeveloping Lansing’s Red Cedar Golf Course and the Michigan Fairgrounds in Detroit. A 1965 graduate of Michigan State University, he was elected to the school’s board of trustees in 1986 where he serves as chairman. A U.S. Marine Corp. veteran, Ferguson was the first African-American elected to the Lansing City Council and has served on the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

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

FEBRUARY 2016

My mother raised my two brothers and me. She gave us values. I caddied at the country club, and I shined shoes downtown; I had a paper route. I was always self-sufficient. My mother ended up being the president of the NAACP here in Lansing and I’d listen to people who would call about complaints that they were discriminated against. She would always investigate them. She’d never accept what they said without getting all the facts.

You have five children: Barry; two daughters, Stacia and Dori; and twins David and Jennifer. David and son-in-law Chris work with your development company. What about your other children? All the kids are different. Jennifer is at MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority). She was Franklin Raines’ assistant at the U.S. Office of Budget and Management and then she was at the White House for eight years. Dori is with the school district and Barry is in Seattle now. It was his idea on the Sir Pizza development. So he’s doing what he wants as a developer. Stacia is also doing development and lives in Newport. How do you characterize the state’s efforts to attract/support business? We couldn’t do the Fairgrounds and the Red Cedar without the state and the city’s help. Let’s take the Red Cedar. There is no tax revenue coming. They recognize that having the Brownfield credits and having a recapture on getting this site ready to build means that after a certain point they keep all of the revenue. They know that if they don’t give that assistance nothing will happen. It’s the same thing in any major development. It can’t happen without the state, without LEAP and the city. In a sense, they all get the money back. But they help us get started, it couldn’t happen without this stuff. It’s been almost three years since the state enacted the right-to-work law. Have you seen any effect on unions?

I’m totally aware. My argument is that you are not in heaven if you are there by yourself. That’s why I don’t screen my phone calls. Like yesterday, a lady came in and said she didn’t have a place to live and didn’t have enough money. She needed $170. Another guy came in and he needed a bus pass and didn’t have anything to eat. So I gave him a bus pass and some money. I’ve been in that other place. Some people ask, ‘how can you stand all those people coming in here?’ I say I’d rather be at the end of the line than in the line. Every week I have an issue where someone has been rejected on paper. They have a record or their credit’s not good. I say to my people, ‘yeah, there are a lot of folks who have bad credit but we’re going to give them a chance.’ On our developments here and in Detroit we are going to hire local people. We’re

FUND THE FUTURE Your scholarship gift helps ensure that Lansing area students have access to the higher education that leads to career opportunities. The LCC Foundation is dedicated to removing financial obstacles for all those working towards a brighter future.

going to give them a chance. I’m going to have arguments with unions on apprenticeships. I know that my position with the unions is that you don’t have any work if you don’t have me, so there are some things you’ve got to do. To play off “It’s a Wonderful Life,” how would Lansing be different if Joel Ferguson hadn’t stayed in town? Might not be some buildings or something like that. But the thing I’m still struggling with in Lansing is that we still can’t put our arms around the front side of life. I grew up and I didn’t have a father, but we had the Lincoln Center, we had playground programs, we had all of these things. And we actually had a summer youth program where we were playing softball against other parks. Now we don’t have any of that. We keep sliding away from investing the money, talking about more police and more of this and more of that. It’s got to be about people, about kids.

Jim Lammers Trustee, Dart Foundation “The Dart Foundation is proud to partner with Lansing Community College Foundation to provide students with the training needed to pursue a career in the skilled trades.”

For me it’s cheaper and better on any major job to go union rather than nonunion, because you have someone to go to if people aren’t productive. The union will help and will protect you. The prevailing wage and all that stuff doesn’t bother me because I’m going to pay what the wage should be because it’s better than walking over dollars to save pennies. Spending money the right way is cheaper than cutting corners. Quality beats price. There is enough poverty in Michigan to find broad income inequality. How serious is this problem? Are there answers?

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BSUNSAI N P ESSTAT S C SA L E N D A R

BUSINESS CALENDAR

new connections. This year’s dinner will be held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, located at 219 S. Harrison Rd., from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and to register, call (517) 853-6463 or email trichardson@ lansingchamber.org.

February 2016 BUSINESS EVENTS

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FEBRUARY 2016

Terms

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Export

Intellectual Property Protection

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International IP Protection

Joint Ventures Customs VAT Tax

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Contact: ATTORNEY JEAN G. SCHTOKAL P: 517.371.8276 E: jschtokal@fosterswift.com

2/25

ANNUAL DINNER, EAST LANSING. Join the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce for the 2016 Annual Dinner. Spend an evening mingling and making

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BEGINNING FACEBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESS, LANSING. Learn the basics of how to set-up and post to a Facebook account for your business. This beginning seminar will cover the basics of creating a social media plan, ideas of what to post and general business social media etiquette. Other topics will include the difference between a profile, group and a page and Facebook terms and lingo. Please note that this is a lecture only seminar and doesn’t allow for hands-on

BUSINESS AND BAGELS: MICHIGAN’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, EAST LANSING. After a very difficult decade, Michigan’s economy finally bottomed out in late 2009 and early 2010. But even after more than five years of growth, challenges remain. Professor Ballard will review the current trends in Michigan’s economic recovery. He will discuss the challenges and opportunities, for the short term and the long term. The cost for this program is $30 per person. For more information, call (517) 353-8711 or email edp@broad.msu.edu

MSU MUSEUM’S CHOCOLATE PARTY BENEFIT, EAST LANSING. Watch as local restaurants, caterers, bakers, candy makers and more share their tasty creations with the key ingredient being chocolate as they compete by sculpting chocolate masterpieces. The MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit will be held at the Kellogg Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend this event ranges in price from $25-$75/person. Proceeds from the event will benefit the proper care of the Museum’s collections. For more information, call (517) 4324655, email secordm@msu.edu or visit museum.msu.edu.

ENTREPRENEUR YOU, LANSING. Please join Davenport University and Michigan Women’s Foundation for Entrepreneur YOU: A Day of Education and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs. In the informative session, you will learn about the challenges and opportunities that women face as they start and continue to grow their businesses. Topics will include: marketing, finance, hiring, sales, succession planning, business modeling, funding and more. Entrepreneur YOU will be held at Davenport University, located at 200 S. Grand Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $50/ticket. For more information and to register, visit davenport.edu/ey2016-la.

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TECH TUESDAY AT THE TIC, EAST LANSING. Attend a weekly meet-up and share ideas at Tech Tuesday at the TIC. This group meets every Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the Technology Innovation Center, located at 325 East Grand River Avenue. For more information, visit startuplansing.org/tech-tuesday!

BUSINESS ANALYSIS SUCCESS 3.0, EAST LANSING. Version 3.0 of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® emphasizes the importance of value creation in the role of the Business Analyst. The BA still must gather accurate requirements from business users. To maximize the positive impact of recommended solutions, the BA must also understand the strategic context for a given project and guide solution design. Success for the BA should be measured by the value an implemented solution adds for the organization and its customers. The cost for this program $1295 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and course materials. For more information, contact Sally Vescolani at (517) 353-8711 or email vescolanis@broad.msu.edu.

MSU MUSEUM’S CHOCOLATE PARTY BENEFIT, EAST LANSING. Watch as local restaurants, caterers, bakers, candy makers and more share their tasty creations with their key ingredient being chocolate as they compete by sculpting chocolate masterpieces. The MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit will be held at the Kellogg Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend this event ranges in price from $25-$75/person. Proceeds from the event will benefit the proper care of the Museum’s collections. For more information, call (517) 4324655, email secordm@msu.edu or visit museum.msu.edu.

Tariffs

tuesdays

2/16 - 2/17

Eye Banquet Center with an awards program following at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100/person. For more information, visit lansingbusinessnews.com.

2/28

ANNUAL DINNER, EAST LANSING. Join the Lansing Chamber of Commerce for the 2016 Annual Dinner. Spend an evening mingling and making new connections. This year’s dinner will be held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, located at 219 South Harrison Road, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and to register, call (517) 853-6463 or email trichardson@ lansingchamber.org.

Import

MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION STUDENT ART EXHIBIT, EAST LANSING. It’s time to vote for your favorite artwork in the MSUFCU Student Art Exhibit featuring over 100 remarkable pieces from 15 area high schools. Remember to vote for your favorite artwork either in person at the MSUFCU Headquarters in East Lansing or online at msufcuart.com from Feb. 1 through Feb. 24.

2/25

GREATER LANSING BUSINESS MONTHLY ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS, LANSING. Join the Greater Lansing Business Monthly and Lansing area entrepreneurs for a celebration of the best businesses in the Lansing area. A cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. at Eagle

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

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practice. This is a free seminar and it will take place at Lansing Community College from 10 - 11 a.m. For more information and to register, call (517)483-1921.

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Learn from the Experts

517.371.8100

LANSING | FARMINGTON HILLS | GRAND RAPIDS | DETROIT |

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M AN on the STR E ET Do you think doing business globally is bad for local economies and why? COMP IL ED BY K YL E D O W L I N G

“To an extent, it depends on the business that you are talking about, but it can take away local jobs if a corporation moves in.”

Dana ReynoldS & s avanna Danbert

“Not really, it means you can get more business from across the world if your business is global.”

Jin Hee

“No, the global economy is a product of our interconnected world and I’d hope local business was taking full advantage of it and not missing out on the possibilities.”

Kurt Facknitz

“I support local business and I hope that they don’t outsource work that can lose work locally.”

Tyler Frederick

“It’s better to have local businesses stay afloat then to have giant multinational corporations.”

Halle Snead

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN BATH TOWNSHIP BY EMILY BOSCH

ath Township has been on the fast track to growth and development over the past 15 years. Not only is Bath experiencing an increasing population, but it also offers exciting opportunities to investors, businesses and residents. Bath is a suburban community committed to sustainable growth, located in Clinton County, just north of East Lansing. With easy access to the I-69 highway, Lansing is not far removed from Bath’s downtown. The community is friendly with a small-town feel, where agriculture and suburban living flourish in harmony. With a low tax climate, incentives for businesses and a Downtown Development Authority interested in creating a business-friendly and mixed-use downtown, Bath is primed and ready for growth. Bath currently boasts a sizable student population, an emerging technology center with notable companies like I.T. Right and BS&A Software and an active year-round Farmers Market. In most recent developments, the Bath Farmers Market was awarded a $58,000 USDA grant. A series of workshops on website development and analytics, social media and branding will be customized to meet the needs of small-scale vendors using outlets such as farmers markets. This vendor training will improve marketing capabilities of vendors to benefit their own businesses, in turn successfully impacting the Market overall. Bath also celebrates local agriculture success stories, such as Ten Hens Farm, which was recently featured on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s Third Annual Ultimate Mid-

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Michigan Bus Tour, which explores the innovative links between economic development and land use. Ten Hens, an organic producer, has been recognized for their innovative agricultural practices, including extended growing seasons through the use of hoop houses. Ten Hens Farm is also a produce vendor at the Farmers Market. Bath has seen recent commercial developments along Marsh Road with the opening of Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool Center in the summer of 2015 and a new Lansing Urgent Care facility later this spring. Across the street is Monticello’s Meat Market & Butcher Block, a recently expanded family-owned and operated specialty meat and grocery store. More development is taking place in southern Bath, near the Chandler Crossings commercial area. New student housing “The Rocks” opened this past fall with 219 residential units. Along with this development, two new businesses have opened in the Chandler Crossings shopping center. The Village Market Grocery Store has re-opened under new ownership, and a brand new restaurant: Yummy Yum’s Vietnamese and Thai Cuisine. Bath’s residents and businesses continue to grow in both diversity and vibrancy. Bath Township is excited and hopeful for what the future holds and, as always, welcomes visitors. Emily Bosch is a Freelance Economic Development Writer and a resident of Bath, Mich. L

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: NOW GOOD BUSINESS AND SMART MARKETING BY STEVE FL AS TER

Times are changing. In the past, it was largely thought that the business of business was business, and that companies helped society simply by making a profit. However, there are an everincreasing number of people who expect businesses to also be socially responsible and exhibit good behavior. While making a profit is still necessary for survival, many customers are choosing to patronize businesses that behave well and are good corporate citizens, thereby making socially responsible behavior consistent with good business and making a profit. Rapid, if not instantaneous communication, is part of the reason for the new attention to social responsibility. In contrast to the past, it is impossible to keep stories of scandalous behavior and the needs of society secret. Aghast at what they hear, consumers are demanding more from the businesses they patronize, and the businesses are responding in combinations of the following three ways:

ONE: In the merchandise they offer for sale. The tragedy in Bangladesh in which more than 1,000 workers died producing clothing for American chain stores has led to stores demanding and enforcing higher safety standards from suppliers. TWO: In their operations. Many businesses are trying to become “green” operations in such ways as discouraging the use of plastic bags. Customers often buy reusable totes from stores to carry purchases home in. An unexpected bonus for the stores is that they make a profit on the totes and get good publicity from customers carrying them. The famous blue IKEA tote is one example. Some stores are even developing assortments of reusable totes offered at different price points. THREE: In the causes they help support through events in their stores. This form of social responsibility, in which a portion of sales is donated to a particular cause at a particular time, attracts

ANNUAL DINNER LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25 | 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. KELLOGG HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

customers who can rationalize purchases by the fact that they are also helping a good cause. One famous high end specialty store told me that their customers feel even better about buying a pair of $500 shoes if they know part of the money goes to charity. We live in a customer-centric marketing society, and need to create integrated marketing strategies based on customer desires. First and foremost, social responsibility becomes part of smart marketing strategies because our customers want and expect it from us. With so many different socially responsible paths to follow, we should consider what is most important to our target customers and will therefore strengthen our emotional connection with them. We then can use the construct of the FOUR P’s” to create integrated strategies. PRODUCT. Consider products that are fair traded or supported by celebrities based on being socially responsible. Also emphasize the standards you demand of your suppliers.

PLACE. Stores with national chains should consider that in different areas of the country different causes are important to customers. One large chain allows regional managers to select causes to support on an individual store basis. PRICE. Sometimes, socially responsible programs impose higher costs on businesses, but at least one study on purposeful purchases concluded that many customers will pay up to 15 percent more to buy from good corporate citizens. PROMOTION. Companies must tell staff and customers what they are doing to help society. Quite simply, to maximize the results of these new efforts, people must know about them. The time to be socially responsible has come; don’t be shy about it! Social responsibility has become part of being a good business and is smart marketing. Steve Flaster, MBA, is instructor of advertising, retailing, and marketing, Michigan State University, Departments of Marketing and Advertising. He is also a columnist for the Michigan Retailer Magazine.

What’s so special about the number 23? The 23rd letter of the

While playing for the Chicago

English alphabet is W.

Bulls, Michael Jordan’s jersey number was 23.

It takes 23 seconds for blood to circulate through

The tilt of Earth’s axis is

the human body.

roughly 23 degrees.

Join us at the region’s premier business celebration and networking event as we recognize the 2015 Community Service, Outstanding Small Business and Legacy Award recipients.

There are 23 Principals at Maner Costerisan

Mark Hooper, Andrews Hooper Pavlik, PLC | Community Service Award M3 Group | Outstanding Small Business Award Sohn Linen Service | Chamber Legacy Award

Our low 1:4.5 ratio of principals to staff means that you’ll have involvement from our executive team starting at day one. We encourage communication with our principals and know that they add a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every engagement. Being accessible and involved is our priority. At Maner Costerisan, the numbers speak for themselves.

To register or for additional information, please visit: www.lansingchamber.org

LEADERSHIP. INFLUENCE. ACCESS.

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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 L

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LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) has announced the winners of three major annual awards all of which will be presented at LRCC’s upcoming Annual Dinner. The 2015 award winners include: Mark Hooper will be honored with the Community Service award. Hooper has practiced public accounting for 40 years and is widely recognized as one of the top tax accountants in mid-Michigan.

evidence of his passion for improving the economic environment in our community through the group’s support of local entrepreneurs. The Outstanding Small Business Award will be awarded to M3 Group and its CEO Tiffany Dowling, who founded the company in 2002. M3 Group provides marketing services, digital strategies, sales support, videography, website development, graphic design,

Since 1993, Hooper has served as a founding partner of Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC, a regional CPA firm with offices in Okemos, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and Owosso. Hooper’s association with Capital Community Angels, a local angel investment group, is

group

publication design, event planning, public relations, social media management, consulting services, brand creation and management, media buying and advertising services. In 2007, Dowling became editor and publisher of Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine, which is the only women’s publication serving the greater Lansing region. In 2013, Dowling purchased the Greater Lansing Business Monthly, the premier business publication in the region. ing Magazine, a student publication written by MSU students, joined the M3 Group family in 2015. M3 Group currently has 18 employees and looks to further develop as a statewide competitor. Sohn Linen Service will receive the Chamber Legacy Award, celebrating 65 years as a Lansing Regional Chamber member. Sohn Linen Service was founded

Why NAI?

in 1933 by Joe P. and Al J. Sohn. At that time, the business was known as Sohn Bros. Linen Service and was operated from a small laundry in North Lansing. In 1954, the name was changed to Sohn Linen Service. In 1960, a new building was constructed on East Grand River Avenue in Lansing, with additions in 1976 and 1995. Construction was completed in 2002 on the company’s state-of-the-art distribution center and company offices on Wood Street in Lansing. Sohn Linen Service has been a proud member and supporter of the greater Lansing area for over 75 years.

for the client.

Consumers Energy is starting a new program to develop the next generation of field leaders, those who supervise electric and natural gas crews.

Charles Barbieri concentrates his practice on environmental law and First Amendment and media law matters. He is included in Best Lawyers®, SuperLawyers and is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell.

Barbieri is an active member in the community and serves on the boards of numerous associations, including the State Bar of Michigan’s Environmental Law Section. He is also a frequent author of environmental issues and Charles Barbieri, a shareholder at Foster first amendment Many of his Swift Collins & Smith, was awarded the Foster Swift businessissues. attorneys regularly articles are published in legal and trade 2015 Leo A. Farhat award by the Ingham counselpublications businessthroughout clients on: Michigan. County Bar Association. The award seeks

Consumers Energy has multiple positions in Michigan to fill in the Field Leader Development Program, intended for experienced leaders who may need to develop energy operations skills. The positions are full-time and will require working outdoors during inclement weather and interacting with customers.

FOCUSED LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

CHARLES E. BARBIERI AWARDED THE LEO A. FARHAT OUTSTANDING ATTORNEY AWARD

» » » »

Entity selection & planning Intellectual property Mergers & Acquisitions International Expansion

» » » »

Employment law Financing Tax planning Real estate

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2016 Sparrow Annual Gala

Commitment & Performance

CONSUMERS ENERGY CREATES NEW TRAINING PROGRAM TO ATTRACT SKILLED MANAGERS TO BECOME FIELD LEADERS

to recognize an attorney who shows exceptional legal skill and gives back to their community.

Visit our Business Basics video library at fosterswift.com/news-videos.html

FOSTERSWIFT.COM

517.371.8100

LANSING | FARMINGTON HILLS | GRAND RAPIDS | DETROIT |

HOLLAND

NAI Mid-Michigan/TMN Commercial’s focus on the client predicates our commitment to perform our commercial real estate services with the passion, dedication and expertise to realize maximum potential for our clients. We uniquely combine an agile platform with experienced real estate teams, backed by the institutional strength of one of the world’s leading property investment companies. Jeff Shapiro

Jim Vlahakis

Nick Vlahakis

Principal

Allow us to transform your challenges into successes.

2149 Jolly Road, Suite 200 • Okemos, MI 48864 • 517.487.9222 • www.naimidmichigan.com

A Masquerade Ball

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 Generously presented by

Tickets are available for purchase now! For details and information, please visit our website, Sparrow.org/Gala or call 517.364.3620.

Realizing Potential, Delivering Results. 38

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During the 12- to 18-month training program, participants will not have direct supervisory responsibilities while receiving an overview of electric and gas operations and rotating through multiple field-based assignments.

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market. Geoff has 38 years of experience in the Information Technology (IT) industry with a strong emphasis on solution architecture, productivity strategies and service delivery initiatives.

After development, the successful participants will be eligible for full-time, permanent field leader positions with supervisory responsibilities. The Field Leader Development Program is patterned after a program Consumers Energy has used reliably for years to develop engineering talent. Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. DEWPOINT WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEES TO LANSING Dewpoint, a leading provider of technology consulting and implementation solutions, is pleased to welcome several new employees to Lansing: Geoff Gerling, Chief Technology Officer and Gretchen Blackwell, Senior Business Analyst

Geoff Gerling Chief Technology Officer

As the Chief Technology Officer for Dewpoint, Gerling will be responsible for developing business strategies and business capabilities to the consumer 40

Gretchen Blackwell Senior Business Analyst

Blackwell is an experienced Information Technology (IT) professional in development and application support. Her expertise is in analysis and transformation of business needs into functional and technical requirements.

investment in Eckhart’s Lansing campus, and several strategic hires.

branch locations in the Ann Arbor, Flint, Grand Rapids and Lansing regions.

In 2016, Eckhart looks forward to aggressively expanding its customer base and suite of solutions while exploring market adjacencies. With strong established customer relationships in the automotive, agriculture, home appliance, and commercial construction industries, Eckhart will continue investing in controls, robotics, and automated solutions that enhance customers’ abilities to build higher quality products with enhanced safety and productivity.

Prior to starting at Ele’s Place, Layman held leadership positions at Arbor Hospice, Hospice of Lansing and Hospice of Michigan. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.

Founded in 1974 and based in Lansing, Michigan, Eckhart is an established market leader in the design and manufacturing of specialized ergonomic tools and solutions to global manufacturing companies. For additional information, please visit eckhartusa.com.

Ele’s Place was founded in 1991 in Lansing and is recognized nationally for its pioneering role as a children’s grief organization. It was named after Ele Stover, who died when she was 11 months old. Her mother, Betsy Stover, launched the program to help her surviving three children, and other children in the area, deal with the loss. The service Ele’s Place provides is free to families and paid for through community support.

The name change coincides with the development of a new website, significant

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Gallagher focuses his legal practice on ERISA and the Tax Code. He was named a “2014 Rising Star in Michigan” by Super Lawyers for Employee Benefits and currently serves as Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee for the State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® DELIVERS ON CORE PURPOSE OF MOVING PEOPLE FORWARD WITH NEW CEO

Brian T. Gallagher Shareholder

Fraser Trebilcock is pleased to announce that attorney Brian T. Gallagher has been elected as shareholder.

Jeff Wesley was officially handed the keys to the truck, as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® announced his promotion from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer. The promotion maintains the brand’s core purpose of moving people forward. Wesley spent seven and a half years in his previous role. To pave the way for Wesley’s promotion, Brig Sorber, one of the original men drawn into the TWO MEN AND A

ELE’S PLACE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

Service excellence

ECKHART ANNOUNCES NEW COMPANY NAME AND REBRANDING

In response to rapid market expansion and record growth, Eckhart, formerly known as Eckhart & Associates, announced today its new company name and branding that better aligns the company with its future strategy and product roadmap. Eckhart is a premier American manufacturing company committed to engineering advanced industrial solutions that enhance the quality of life for employees, customers, and communities across the globe.

FRASER TREBILCOCK ELECTS NEW SHAREHOLDER TO FIRM

Private-Public Partnerships Innovative Solutions

The Governing Board of Ele’s Place announced today the appointment of Dan Layman as the community-based nonprofit’s new president and chief executive officer. Layman, who had served as Ele’s Place Lansing’s managing director since July 2014, was unanimously approved for the promotion after the Ele’s Place Governing Board conducted a fourmonth national search. Layman will oversee operations of the Ele’s Place healing center network, which serves grieving children and teens by providing support groups that help them cope with the death of a parent, sibling or other loved one. The network consists of

Specializing in Private-Public Partnerships Boji Group is a progressive real estate development, property management and construction management firm, providing commercial real estate services for 25 years. Proudly headquartered in the heart of Lansing, Michigan’s capitol city, Boji Group specializes in creating innovative solutions to challenging development opportunities, and creating private-public partnerships to achieve project goals. With a proud tradition of surpassing customer expectations and a culture of service excellence, Boji Group welcomes the opportunity to meet your real estate needs.

Boji Tower • 124 W. Allegan Street • Suite 2100 • Lansing, MI 48933 • 517.377.3000 • www.bojigroup.com

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TRUCK® logo, is vacating the CEO position he held for the last six years. Sorber’s career was also characterized by promotion within the system, as he started as the first mover turned franchisee turned corporate leader in various roles before becoming CEO. In 2015, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® continued its positive pathway with record consecutive monthly growth dating back to December 2009. The company has shown 57 consecutive months of record growth and will end 2015 with more than $400,000 million in annual revenue. Even with a majority of the last 20 months boasting doubledigit increases, Wesley said he fully expects more big moments in 2016, including plans to exceed 10,000 team members.

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company secured market expansion in California and Oregon and signed a large multi-unit agreement that includes three Florida locations and one in Arizona. LOOMIS, EWERT, PARSLEY, DAVIS & GOTTING P.C. ANNOUNCES NEW SHAREHOLDER

The Healthy Living Mobile Kitchen will launch in the spring to help feed and educate children and families without access to food in the Lansing community.

Mieke V. Weissert Shareholder

Many within the 185 member TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® corporate office have moved up the ranks, earning their promotions through hard work and loyalty. Wesley’s executive team of climbers includes Randy Shacka, president, who started at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® as an intern, eventually moving into roles that include Franchise Development Strategist, Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, Chief Development Officer and Chief Operating Officer; and Jon Nobis, chief operating officer, who started as Chief Information Officer. As TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® turns its attention toward a successful 2016, the brand celebrated some other key highlights from Q4 2015, including founder Mary Ellen’s Moving People Forward® Scholarship. The scholarship’s inaugural winner became a franchisee, and the first runner-up signed for a location. In addition, the 42

after local philanthropist, generous YMCA supporter and advocate, Kellie Dean, president and CEO of Dean Transportation. The name of the award is called the Kellie P. Dean Healthy Living Partnership Award. The inaugural award was presented to Dean by the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing’s President and CEO, Jeff Scheibel during the YMCA’s Holiday Board Dinner in December.

Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting P.C. is pleased to announce that Mieke V. Weissert has become a shareholder of the firm. Weissert has been employed as an Associate Attorney and Senior Associate Attorney with Loomis since 2010. She brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience as an attorney concentrating her practice in family law, estate planning and probate litigation. Weissert is also a court-approved domestic mediator and mediates divorce, custody, property and support issues for families needing assistance in reaching agreements on Pay the Day! Enrollment fee will these matters.

FAMILY

The purpose of the award is to recognize community organizations that showcase the characteristics of commitment, development and collaboration, all things that Dean exemplifies. The three key characteristics that future award winners will need to exhibit are: a commitment to improving and expanding access to healthy living opportunities for everyone in the community; the ability to develop and deliver a sustainable program model; a demonstrated commitment to partner, collaborate and work with others. MICHIGAN VETERAN EDUCATION INITIATIVE APPOINTS NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Leonard Rusher as the new program director of the Michigan Veteran Education Initiative. The initiative is an effort to support veterans transitioning to civilian life and aid in their pursuit of a college education. The program provides one-on-one support to help thousands of veterans in Michigan’s educational institutions by providing outreach services, support and information. The program was launched in 2014 as a partnership with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and the Michigan College Access Network. Rusher entered the Army in 1982 and transitioned into the Michigan Army National Guard in 1986 as a track vehicle mechanic. He became a field artillery officer in 1989 and has since been deployed twice to Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Rusher is an adjunct professor at Baker College teaching Homeland Security and Anti-Terrorism.

NAMES AWARD AFTER KELLIE DEAN OF DEAN TRANSPORTATION

jointheYnow.com

Granger Construction Company recently announced the promotion of Becky O’Callaghan within its Pre-Construction Department. Granger strives to create

BE DISTINCTIVE. Your Why isn’t your space? Yourbusiness businessis isunique. unique. Why isn’t your space? When you look good, you feel good. That’s why Dart Dart Development partners with you to design Development partners with your team to design and and build out custom business space at our build out custom business space at our award-winning award-winning properties with unparalleled properties, with unparalleled functionality, quality, and quality, functionality, value and dependability. value. It’s time to stand out from the competition.

Army Veteran, Leonard Rusher Program Director

FEBRUARY 2016

Each have completed a memorandum of understanding to solidify the adoption of best practices in business incubation to ensure long-term sustainability.

Becky O’Callaghan Project Engineer

As the MVEI program director, he will oversee 13 veteran resource representatives who are located within 15 colleges in Michigan. Rusher holds a master’s degree in entrepreneurial management and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, both obtained from Davenport University.

FOUR REGIONAL BUSINESS INCUBATORS RECEIVE FUNDING FROM LEAP

be based on the day you come into the Y to sign up! YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LANSING

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The awarded incubators are the Allen Neighborhood Center, an ag-based incubator located on the Eastside of Lansing; the Technology Innovation Center (TIC), a tech business incubator located in East Lansing; the Fledge, a youth-focused incubator located in downtown Grand Ledge; and the Runway, the State’s first fashion and design incubator located in downtown Lansing.

GRANGER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY STRENGTHENS STAFF

To learn more about the program, visit www.micollegeaccess.org/statewideinitiatives/mvei.

That’s why it’s my Y

The YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing recently named a new annual award

New Economy Division. Earlier this year, business incubators were asked to submit proposals to receive funding to continue to grow and support startup companies. The chosen incubators have been awarded $5,000 each to support unique programming, offset costs for operation, or to purchase equipment.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network, has hired Army veteran

It was recently announced that four of the Lansing region’s business incubators would receive grant funding from LEAP’s

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opportunities for career development and advancement for employees. O’Callaghan of Portland, Mich., has been promoted from Project Engineer to Project Estimator. She started at Granger in 2013. She’s had many roles in the construction industry since 2004 which include Project Engineer, Estimator and

Project Manager. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University. Founded in 1959, Granger provides design-build, construction management and general contracting services to clients throughout the Midwest. Granger’s corporate office is located in Lansing,

Providing service to your home and your office.

Universal Design. The

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Company Plumbing  heating  Cooling  remodeling

Advantage.net Call 517-339-6300 for the Meridian Advantage or visit themeridianadvantage.net for more information.

1999 E. Saginaw Hwy. East Lansing, MI 48823

Mich. with branch offices in Grand Rapids and Novi. GOVERNOR TO KEYNOTE MSAE LEGISLATIVE/PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE Gov. Rick Snyder will address his legislative and public policy priorities as the keynote speaker at the 2016 Legislative & Public Policy Conference, hosted by the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE), Tuesday, Feb.16 in Lansing. In light of Michigan’s Presidential Primary March 8, the preconference will focus on the presidential candidates, their platforms and impact on associations. The conference will take place at the Radisson Hotel Lansing. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the conference runs from 11:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The pre-conference goes from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit msae.org or call (517) 3326723 for more information or to register for the conference. MSAE is a professional organization of more than 1,650 members, which works to advance knowledge in the association industry. TEC RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE CONSUMERS ENERGY FOUNDATION The Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC), a Lansingbased nonprofit organization, has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. Funding will support the completion of ITEC’s new TechTransport bus, a mobile learning lab designed to bring technology to Lansing area residents with limited access to home computers and the Internet. With TechTransport, ITEC will be able to expand its reach in the Lansing community providing enriching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs to 2,500 students annually. ITEC expects TechTransport to be on the road this February.

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517.203.3333 | www.m3group.biz 614 Seymour Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 44

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