Glbm July14: Evan Pinsonnault: Mr. Lansing by M3 Group Publications

BUSINESS MONTHLY GR E ATER LANS ING

JULY 2014

Evan Pinsonnault: Mr. Lansing

In this issue •

UPDATE: LANSING CASINO

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BUSINESSES PREP FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

•

FAQ ON PROPOSED PPT CHANGES

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Stars Startup Small Business Development Center

“LCC was a comfortable campus that made me feel welcomed. The instructors were real people that used their real experiences to teach classes.” —— Chad Jordan, Cravings Popcorn

What do you need to startup your business? The Michigan Small Business Development Center at Lansing Community College will help you turn your idea into reality. Our hands-on business and technical services are delivered by an experienced staff and network of public and private sector partners. SBDC gives you access to Michigan’s most comprehensive small business network.

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BUSINESS MONTHLY

News

BUSINESS MONTHLY

Lansing Casino Project Clears Hurdle; More Lie Ahead ........................................................ 6

G R E AT ER L ANSI NG

JULY 2014

Businesses Prep for Minimum Wage Change .............................................................................. 8 Gourmet Hot Dog Cart Business Gains National Exposure ..............................................10 Italian-American Business Relationships Continue to Grow .............................................12 Boost to DIA a Win for Lansing ........................................................................................................14

Features Michigan Events: Staying on Top of the Trends .......................................................................16 Evan Pinsonnault: Mr. Lansing

In this issue •

UPDATE: LANSING CASINO

•

BUSINESSES PREP FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

•

FAQ ON PROPOSED PPT CHANGES

Cover photography by Mark Warner

The Evan Michael Show Looks to a Bigger, Better Second Season ................................ 18 Marketing Michigan-Made Products With Monthly Mail Order Business ................22 Roundup: Greater Lansing Area Theater ...................................................................................24

Departments Commentary.................................................................................................................................................. 4

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly (Volume 27, Issue 7) The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 614 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807. Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203—0123 or visit www.lansingbusinessnew. com to subscribe.

He Said, She Said ......................................................................................................................................28 Man on the Street .................................................................................................................................. 30 Y We Care ................................................................................................................................................... 36 GLBM List ................................................................................................................................................... 38 Economic Development........................................................................................................................ 40 Investments................................................................................................................................................. 42

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

Law at Work ............................................................................................................................................... 44

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

Calender ......................................................................................................................................................54

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Legislative Update ..................................................................................................................................46 Real Estate .................................................................................................................................................50 Accounting .................................................................................................................................................52

Notable News ...........................................................................................................................................56 J U LY 2 0 1 4

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BUSINESS MONTHLY Publisher: Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz Editor: Emily Caswell emily@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges jhodges@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Jill Bailey Account Managers: Katie Brown Manny Garcia Production Director: Kelly Ritter Art Director: Brooke Erwin Graphic Artist: Mike France Web Manager: Skylar Kohagen Event Calendar Manager: Jaime Hardesty

GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes - Executive Vice President, MSU Federal Credit Union Trish Foster - Senior Managing Director & COO, CBRE|Martin Lisa Parker - Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore - Vice President of Public Affairs, Marketing Resource Group 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

Be Loyal to Local

o be or not to be loyal… That is the question.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a transplant to the Lansing region. I grew up in the Detroit area, and it’s a place I truly love. Now, after so many years, I deeply feel like the Lansing area is my home and I’m proud to tell others where I live, work and play. It’s also my privilege to do business in this community. The greater Lansing region is uniquely connected and I’ve always felt very welcome here. You could say that because of this favor, I’ve become very loyal to businesses in our area as well as our state. There are other “transplants” who have become attached to our region. Evan Pinsonnault didn’t gain favor by anchoring the morning news at WLNS, although he is very good. What ended up bringing Evan into the fold was his desire to connect. He spent time getting to know the community, emceed charity events, starred in local theater productions and became a good friend to the locals. When he and a group of others decided to put a variety show together highlighting local artists, entertainers, business members and the list goes on, he thought that the community would support this endeavor. And, although some did like MSU Federal Credit Union and Dean Transportation, there were few others to support the effort. It’s an interesting paradox. Local businesses and community members say they want local content and projects that support the area, but finding that important financial influx is challenging. I would bet that many business owners have questioned the decision by some to go outside their region for products or services when using those products or services in their own region helps the economy (and could help their karma as it relates to their own businesses). Sometimes, I don’t think business owners or decision makers are consciously aware that they’re even doing it. If you ask anyone who owns a local business, they say that they prefer to buy locally when they can, but sometimes don’t. I would like to encourage and challenge businesses in our region to support one another. Obviously, there are times when the product or service might not be available in the mid-Michigan region, but I would bet a great company in our state does. Take the extra time to go local. It’s important for Lansing and it’s important for our state’s economy. Be dynamic in all you do,

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

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Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital area is a vibrant and dynamic business community. These businesses need top-notch workers to ensure they survive and thrive. Michigan State University and Capital Area Michigan Works! are working together to ensure businesses have the professionals they need. Together, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re training tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce today by embracing collaboration, effective resource management and innovation. Capital Area Michigan Works! and Michigan State University are committed to creating a world-class workforce.

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Lansing Casino Project Clears Hurdle; More Lie Ahead BY MICKEY HIRTEN

he bid to build a casino in downtown Lansing cleared a minor hurdle in May when the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the principal of sovereign immunity and rejected Michigan’s attempt to prevent the Bay Mills Indian tribe from opening an off-reservation American Indian casino in Vanderbilt. Lansing business leaders and city officials, among them Mayor Virg Bernero, hailed the ruling, claiming it opened the door for the downtown casino. But only slightly, said Lance Boldrey, an attorney with Dykema Gossett who specializes in gaming and Indian law. The remaining challenges — approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to take into trust 2.7 acres of land it purchased adjacent to the Lansing Convention Center and authorization to open a casino on the site — will determine whether or not the project proceeds. Michigan is home to a total of 12 federallyacknowledged Indian tribes that enjoy a special status under federal law and treaties, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. And the Sault Tribe is the largest federally recognized Indian tribe east of the Mississippi with nearly 39,000 members. It announced plans in 2012 to build a $245 million casino, which it said would create 1,500 permanent jobs, 700 construction jobs and provide revenue to fund Lansing’s Promise Scholarships, a program to fund college scholarships for graduates of the city’s high schools. In its 5-4 decision the Supreme Court affirmed the Indian tribe’s sovereign immunity, which in a practical sense shields them from state lawsuits. It told Michigan 6

An artist rendering of the proposed Lansing casino.

that it has other ways to uphold gambling laws, among them arresting tribal officials. Shortly after this Supreme Court affirmation of tribal immunity, the state modified its plan to oppose the Sault Tribe’s Lansing casino project. It had gotten an injunction from the U.S. District Court stopping the project, a decision that was later overturned by the Sixth Circuit Appeals Court in Cincinnati. Unhappy with this ruling, the state asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule the Appeals Court, which in February stayed its ruling, rejecting the original injunction until a high court acted. However, sensing the pro-sovereign immunity mood of the Supreme Court’s Bay Mills ruling, Michigan signaled its willingness to abide by the Appeals Court decision. And with the injunction lifted, the Sault Tribe filed a “Mandatory Feeto-Trust Acquisition” application to the government. “The law is clear; the Secretary is required to accept these parcels in trust” said

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Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment, announcing the action. “Our Tribe is within federal law and our legal rights to pursue these opportunities to create thousands of new jobs and generate millions of dollars in new revenues that will benefit our members, the people of Lansing (and) public school students in Lansing.” The tribe also announced that it wants the Interior Department to take into trust a 71-acre parcel land in southeast Michigan, near Romulus, where it is proposing another casino. The tribe said that the Secretary of the Interior could act on its applications in a “matter of weeks.” While the tribe is optimistic about its casino project, merchants at the Lansing City Market share little of the tribe’s enthusiasm. “We are worried,” said Bonnie Fasella, who with her husband operates Bob’s Market. “I want to know what they will do about parking.” Fasella, like other vendors, feels the City Market is being overwhelmed by its surroundings, particularly the 80-

NEWS

THE SAULT TRIBE ANNOUNCED PLANS IN 2012 TO BUILD A $245 MILLION CASINO WHICH IT SAID WOULD CREATE 1,500 PERMANENT JOBS AND 700 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND PROVIDE REVENUE TO FUND LANSING’S PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP, A PROGRAM TO FUND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATES OF THE CITY’S HIGH SCHOOLS.

Revenue for The MGM Grand, the Motor City Casino and the Greektown Casino was down 6.5 percent in April compared with the same month in 2013. It was off 10.1 percent compared with March 2014 and for the first four months of the year, down by 6 percent compared with the previous year, the Control Board reported.

gambling revenue for Indian casinos has been flat: $28.4 million in 2011 versus $28.9 million in 2012. Still, the Sault tribe wants a bigger share. It has five casinos located in Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace. But they are small, collectively contributing $1.8 million in local revenue in 2012. The tribe believes that a Lansing operation would make it a major player in the Indian casino business.

In addition to the three Detroit casinos, there are 24 Indian tribal casinos scattered throughout Michigan. The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant is owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; the Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek is owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians. Both are large revenue producers. In 2012, according to the Michigan Department of the Treasury, the Saginaw Chippewa tribe paid $5.7 million to local governments, most of that related to its Soaring Eagle operations. The Nottawaseppi Huron tribe payments totaled $4.9 million. Based on these payouts to local governments,

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.

unit Marketplace apartments along Larch Street. “Now they want to put more apartments in the Lugnut stadium,” said Bob Fasella. “It’s just a big traffic jam.” Across the aisle, Daynl McMillan, owner of Treetz ‘n Sweetz, said he’s balancing the positives and negatives of a casino. “I think it would help my business because of traffic it would bring in, but I’m against it. It’s too tight a space to put in a casino.” Other merchants question whether shoppers are likely to leave a casino to visit nearby restaurants, noting that operators want to retain as much business as they can. They said that neither the Lansing Center or the baseball stadium produce many customers. While Lansing officials and tribal developers position the casino as an economic driver for the city, in Detroit, where there are non-Indian casinos, the financial picture is cloudy.

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Businesses Prep for Minimum Wage Change BY MICKEY HIRTEN

he political compromise that will boost Michigan’s minimum wage to $9.25 by 2018, and even higher beyond that, has businesses preparing for higher costs and, in some case, job cuts.

$10.10

Business leaders understand the politics that drove the change — a deal for road funding and worries about Democratic turnout for a ballot initiative — and acknowledge that the new wage is preferable to the even higher $10.10 an hour minimum proposed by the workers’ advocacy group Raise Michigan. They also recognize that minimum wage campaigns are happening across the nation and are succeeding. So far in 2014, seven states and the District of Columbia (as of June 5) have raised their minimum wages and President Obama proposed a federal minimum wage of $10.10. It was blocked by the Senate.

$7.40

“EVERYONE WHO WORKS HARD AND PLAYS BY THE RULES SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY.” – RAISE MICHIGAN

“The problem with the minimum wage is that it’s really good politics. But the public doesn’t understand it from an economic stand point,” said Rob Fowler, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “It’s easy to say people should make more money. When you understand the economics it isn’t that simple.”

Polling in March suggested that 65 percent of Michiganders supported raising the minimum wage from $7.40 to $10.10 an hour. What the Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law was a pay scale that raises the minimum wage in four stages. It increases to $8.15 an hour in September, to $8.50 at the beginning of 2016, $8.90 in 2017 and $9.25 in 2018. Beginning in 2019, annual increases will be linked to the cost-of-living index, not to exceed 3.5 percent. While changes in the minimum wage law apply to most businesses and most workers (those under age 18 can be paid 85 percent of the wage), it was the restaurant industry that faced the most dramatic change. The ballot proposal, if passed, would have raised wages for tipped workers, such as waiters and waitresses, from $2.65 an hour to the prevailing full minimum wage over nine

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years. The new law will increase the restaurant minimum to $3.52 an hour by 2018. Even though the increase is more manageable, the Michigan Restaurant Association cautioned that this wage scale would lead to higher prices, fewer jobs and some businesses closings. “The real problem is that our staff makes $9 or $10 an hour. Even if they are making $2 over the minimum wage they are going to expect that jump too,” said Tammy Black, who along with her sister Terilynn Cook, owns the Buddies restaurants in Okemos and East Lansing. Most of the 22 employees at her East Lansing restaurant earn more than the minimum wage and Black is particularly concerned about how the higher costs may affect her high school student workers.

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“We have to cover the additional costs,” Black said. “Food prices are going up . . . every thing is going up.” “What was about to happen with $10.10 (the business shorthand for the ballot proposal) would totally change the business model of a restaurant,” Fowler said. Intertwined with consequences of a minimum wage increase are competing theories about the role in government and its effect on business. Michigan’s Mackinac Center, with its embrace of free market economics, says that minimum wages penalize employers and employees. “We believe the only true minimum wage is zero. It’s better to let the market decide,” said Mike LeFaive, Mackinac Center’s director of fiscal policy. “No one should be upset someone offers to work for $7 an hour and an employer accepts it.”

However, others see establishing a floor for wages as the appropriate role for government. Raise Michigan views an inequality in the balance between employee and employer. It states its position concisely: “Everyone who works hard and plays by the rules should be able to afford their basic needs and provide for their family.” And there are questions about whether jobs are affected. “For a moderate increase in the minimum wage, which is what we have in the United States, the employment effect is too small to detect statistically,” said Dale Belman, a professor at MSU School of Labor and Industrial Relations.

His position is based on a meta analysis of minimum wage studies done in the last 20 years and is the basis of his recent book: “What Does the Minimum Wage Do?”

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Heather L. Conway, CPA Heather L. Conway, CPA received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Davenport University in 1993. She established Conway CPA & Associates in 2006. Conway CPA & Associates provides a variety of professional business services ranging from basic accounting and bookkeeping to detailed tax planning and preparation including quarterly financial statements and year-end returns. Our tax planning services will allow you to maximize returns and limit liabilities.

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Gourmet Hot Dog Cart Business Gains National Exposure BY KRIS TINE RICHMON D

hen Mark and Krysta McGee first set up their hot dog cart in downtown Eaton Rapids six years ago, they never would have imagined they’d win a reality show competition. But that’s exactly what they did when Mark’s Gourmet Dogs swept Lansing’s Grand Grillin on the May 29 season finale of Food Network’s “Food Court Wars.” Their prize was a rent-free spot in the Lansing Mall food court for a year.

“ WHEN WE STARTED, AN AVERAGE DAY WAS ABOUT

CART, BEFORE THE SHOW, DOES ABOUT 70 TO 100 SALES A DAY. THE MALL LOCATION AVERAGES ABOUT 200 SALES PLUS A DAY. SALES ARE BETTER THAN WE EVER IMAGINED!” - MARK MCGEE

Mark’s Gourmet Dogs started with a simple idea Krysta came up with when she and Mark were visiting a community yard sale. “It was very busy,” said Krysta. “If we had a grill, hotdogs and condiments, we could probably make some money. I could just see the wheels turning in Mark’s brain.” Mark, who was a business student at 10

Mark and Krysta McGee in front of their Lansing Mall location .

Lansing Community College at the time, put a business plan together. Realizing the idea was feasible, Mark and Krysta invested $7,000 in a cart, license, food and supplies, and with only $30 left to their name, Mark’s Gourmet Dogs was born.

PH OTO S BY MARK WA R N E R

25 TO 30 SALES. NOW THE

In April 2009, Mark set up in downtown Eaton Rapids to get a feel for the cart, but in a few minutes, he had a line of about eight people. “When we started, an average day was about 25 to 30 sales. Now the cart, before the show, does about 70 to 100 sales a day. The mall location averages about 200 sales plus a day. Sales are better than we ever imagined!” said Mark.

Mall store up and running — midsummer and have a goal of opening up a store in Eaton Rapids by next year.

The Lansing Mall store opened on May 30, the day after the show aired. Startup costs for equipment, food and signage were $20,000. Since then, Mark has had to hire nine employees to keep up with the demand. The McGees reopened their cart — after a brief hiatus to get the Lansing

Mark’s Gourmet Dogs is known for its Flintstyle Coney dog. “Mark has always loved hot dogs,” said Krysta. “He used to take his friends to all the restaurants for a Coney tour. Mark’s family is from Jackson, which he says is the only place to get a Flint-style Coney. It’s heartier with all ground beef and

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a five seasoning chili blend. Mark wanted to bring it here to the Lansing area.” The vision for their recipes comes right out of the McGee’s kitchen. “My wife came up with 90 percent of the recipes,” said Mark. Fan favorites include the Baked Potato Brat, which is the menu item that brought home the win, and the Greek feta-terranean. All their meats are locally made at Mert’s Specialty Meats in Okemos and are all natural with no preservatives or fillers and the bread is locally made in Eaton Rapids. For more information about Mark’s Gourmet Dogs, visit them on Facebook.

Kristine Richmond is the Public Relations Specialist at M3 Group. She specializes in helping clients tell their stories of changed lives, fiscal success, philanthropic support and more by creating engaging messages that grab customers’ attention and cause them to act.

Learn more during GLBM’s Connections and Coffee on Tuesday, July 22 at the University Club when Mark and Krysta will speak.

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Italian-American Business Relationships Continue to Grow BY V IRGINIA BERNERO

P H OTO B Y V I RG I N I A B E RNE RO

n June 2, Michigan officials, including Lansing Mayor, Virg Bernero, joined a group of Italian Americans congregated to celebrate the Italian Independence in Detroit. The “Festa della Repubblica” is the Italian national holiday to commemorate the vote for a Republic after the fall of facism at the end of World War II. Sixty-eight years after declaring their independence, the Italian American community is acknowledging this success and the growth of the Italian culture from that revolution. Since its independence, Italian goods and business prospects have been possible all around the world, including right here in Lansing. This past January, Bernero announced the arrival of two Italian companies to the city. Although on the small side, these companies are set to create about 40 jobs in the next two years. More importantly, the companies chose Lansing, Michigan. Out of all the places in the world or in America they could have gone, they chose to forge a relationship with our city. Bernero was especially hopeful about this. “The Lansing region is increasingly on the radar for international businesses like these Italian firms. Of all the places in the world they could have located, they chose our city,” Bernero says about the development. “Working closely with LEAP, our aggressive efforts to market the Lansing region globally are paying dividends in the form of new economic growth and job creation. We should be proud and hopeful of what this means for our city and region,” added Bernero. 12

Virg Bernero, Maria Luisa Lapresa (The Italian Consulate of Detroit) and Maureen Krauss

The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, a co-host of the June 2 event, shared the recent growth in opportunity between Italy and America. Vice President of Economic Development, Maureen Krauss, stated a few significant developments happening statewide that show great promise for this relationship. In March of 2014, Governor Rick Snyder, the MEDC and the Detroit Chamber met with nine Italian companies, sponsored a luncheon with key business leaders in Torino and attended a reception at the Consul General Kyle Scott’s residence in Milan. These events show the enthusiasm of the Italian companies to forge relationships with local economic leaders. The traditional values in Italy don’t simply allow for an email to seal the deal. Handshakes, face to face discussions and, of course, meals must be shared. Krauss also mentioned the growth of opportunity in our state for foreign companies and individuals. Globally, Michigan exported $56.9 billion goods and

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services in 2012. The more our products are purchased overseas, the higher credibility and leverage we have in discussion with investors. Additionally, there are more than 25,000 foreign students attending Michigan’s colleges and universities. This is an indication of the efforts our educational institutions have put toward attracting foreign talent on their own. Some of these graduates are also staying, as over half a million foreign born individuals reside in our Great Lakes state. With the continued effort of our government, organizations like the chamber and communities, we can expand international relationships.

Virginia Bernero is a Central Michigan University graduate, now the Communications Specialist for M3 Group. The full service branding agency employs her to work on events and marketing for their clients and publications, including the GLBM’s own Financial Expo and Entrepreneurial Awards.

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Boost to DIA a Win for Lansing BY MICKEY HIRTEN

Editor’s note: The question of can Lansing truly succeed and recover without a successful Detroit is one that has many answers. It is a question many people would like to weigh in on. It is a question that is vitally important to the business community here in greater Lansing. With that in mind, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly is continuing the conversation this month in our second “Detroit” piece. Check back for updates on this topic. Have an opinion you’d like to share? Please contact Publisher Tiffany Dowling at tiffany@m3group.biz.

etroit’s prospects are brightening, which is good news for local communities and their economies.

While significant financial problems must be addressed, business, philanthropies and the State of Michigan are offering capital and proposing investments that target some of the city’s most pressing problems. In early June, the Big Three automakers — General Motors, Ford and Chrysler — pledged $26 million to help save the Detroit Institute of Art’s collection from being sold to defray the city’s debts. The museum, as part of what is termed the “grand bargain,” must raise $100 million to help ease city worker pension cuts. The automakers’ donations advanced this goal. Faced with possible depletion of the DIA collection, which includes masterpieces by van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt and Rubens, entities through the state and the nation have rallied to support the museum. Within days of the automakers’ pledge, two large national foundations offered grants to the DIA. The New York-based Andrew W. Mellon Foundation pledged $10 million: $5 million immediately for the DIA and another $5 million for matching grants. At the same time, the Los Angeles based J. Paul Getty Trust offered $3 million. “While these funds will ultimately support city pensioners, the contributions from the Mellon Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust demonstrate their deep commitment to the visual arts as a crucial factor in a healthy society,” DIA director Graham W. J. Beal said, announcing the gifts. For the DIA and other cultural institutions, Lansing is part of that broadly defined “healthy society” and reinforces the belief that there is more to Detroit that the City of Detroit. Arts, commerce, sports, reputation and, of course, commerce originate in Michigan’s largest city and spill out across the state. “It is pretty clear that economies are tied to the large cities in your state. It’s where the population is and where most of the business happens,” said John Bracey, executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. “You are going to have your major cultural organizations that provide statewide services, not to mention educational opportunities, in cities like Detroit. Look at the African American Museum or the Detroit Historical Museum. There is the Detroit Public Library, which is much more than a library, or the College for Creative studies … These are there for all of Michigan, not just Detroiters.” 14

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“I’m guessing there are plenty of Lansing kids who have gone into the DIA and stood in front of the Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry and have seen their fathers or grandfathers in front of them,” Bracey added. “So many go to Detroit organizations and those trips can be a transformative experience for kids.” While place making and culture are important, a strong and stable Detroit is essential for Michigan to retain its economic standing. Among all states, its economy ranks 13th, with a state domestic product of $425 billion in 2014. It is slightly ahead of Washington ($403 billion) and just below Georgia ($460 billion), the U.S. Commerce Department reported for April 2014. Despite its prolonged decline, Detroit still supports an enviable and diverse array of businesses, and truly dominates the state’s economy. Reports on employment by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrate the outsized share of Michigan payroll that comes from commerce in the Detroit/Warren market. Of the state’s 4.7 million civilian workers, almost 2 million are based in the Detroit area. It accounts for 41 percent of the state’s manufacturing payroll, 49 percent of the financial payroll, 47 percent of the education and health services and 46 percent of trade, transportation and utility payroll. This economic prowess extends across the state and into communities like Lansing, said Steve Webster, former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Lansing-based Prima Civitas, where he is a board member and consultant focusing on practices to nurture relationships and explore opportunities to expand Michigan’s economy and education outreach.

NEWS

“When you can put a world-class supply chain together with world-class talent, you can win globally,” Webster said. “The difficulty for a small jurisdiction (like Lansing) is that not everyone has the full supply chain or the talent components. That’s why it is so important for Detroit to see Lansing in its region and for Lansing to see Detroit in its.” The relationship between Lansing and Detroit is grounded in advanced manufacturing initiatives, education, bio technology and logistic, Webster explained. Economic regions are often framed by transportation corridors, which for Lansing and Detroit means I-96 and I-69/I-75. These highways are integrated with world class rail, air, truck and maritime corridors, he said. “They are the same shipping corridors that made Michigan historically relevant.” As an advocate for the region’s businesses, Tim Daman, president and CEO of the

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, knows how important Detroit’s success is to mid-Michigan. “As you travel outside of the state and the Midwest we are identified as a state with Detroit … You go to the West Coast (or East Coast) that’s how they perceive Michigan,” said Daman. “It’s an economic development issue ... You can debate the social issues of the city and what’s right, but from a pure economic standpoint, we need a strong Detroit for our state.” There is no better example of the interdependence of communities with Detroit than Lansing’s thriving auto industry, added Daman. His feelings are shared by Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). “I believe that we as a region, state and even

country are competing on a global scale for jobs. In order to successfully do that, the place really matters as much, if not more, than the actual job,” said Trezise. “The place recruits talent and that is a must for business development. Perception of our state’s regions and the state itself when we are thinking global always includes Detroit. We all need Detroit to succeed.”

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Michigan Events: Staying on Top of the Trends BY KRIS TINE RICHMON D

ansing-based Michigan Events on transforming spaces that attendee’s experience.

prides itself heighten an

PH OTO B Y M A R K WA RNE R

This full-service event production and entertainment company strives to stay ahead of the curve by providing the latest trends and services, and quality and professional products to its customers. The events and entertainment business was new for business partners and lifelong friends, David Schneider and Michael Scozzasave, when they considered starting an events company in Michigan. “We had already been in the bar/nightclub business together since 2003 which I co-owned and operated,” said Schneider. “With the combination of nightly entertainment, food, beverage and on-site private events, clubs resemble events we currently do with Michigan Events.”

Stephen Sugg, David Schneider, Alex Schneider, Tim Antes, Brooke Robertson, Melinda Cremean and Brianna Garrett make up the team at Michigan Events.

Michigan Events opened in 2007 with a focus on two illuminated product lines. Schneider agreed to run the company since he lived in the Lansing area, with the vision of becoming a full service events company as it is today. Having both been in business before, Schneider and Scozzasave were able to transfer some of their assets into this business. Unlike other start-up businesses, they already had knowledge and resources at their disposal. “Since Mike also owns two events companies in Raleigh, (NC) and Florida, he has the knowledge and staff to send up here when we need them for bigger jobs,” said Schneider. Schneider explained further that it’s important to keep investing in the business. He explained that they typically roll the revenues back into the business in order to invest in new technology and new products so that they can stay ahead of their competition. “We’ve grown the fastest in the last two to three years,” said Schneider. “In 2012, our revenue was up 50 percent from the year prior, and 2013 was up as well from 2012. Even though 2014 revenue remains steady, we aren’t having to roll as high of a percentage back into the business, so we expect to see higher profits.” The company has grown its staff to four full-time and four part-time employees. “We bring people in with different skill sets as needed,” said Brianna Garrett, Event Producer for Michigan Events. “Roles include event producers, event 16

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planners, sound and lighting technicians, designers, in-house artists and entertainers.” Michigan Events can handle small or large events with attendance ranging from 25 to 2,500 people. For example, the company was hired to decorate the Health Care Association of Michigan (HCAM) awards luncheon, happy hour, banquet and afterglow at their Annual Convention and Expo for the past three years. “She (Brianna) blew away the competition not only with her creativity, eye for detail, and ability to create beautiful spaces, but also with her ability to make our vision work within a tight budget,” said Mary Gettel, Education and Partnerships Specialist with HCAM. “We love what we do, and we do what we love. It’s about creating special and unique memorable events and seeing happy customers,” said Garrett. Michigan Events has plans to move its current office to a larger warehouse space by the end of the year. For more information, visit www.michiganevents.org.

Front Row Left to Right: Nazneen Syed JD, LL.M, Barbara Bialko JD, Bill Jaconette, Nancy Johnson MBA, Al Yambor, Peggy Klopf, Pat Hopp Back Row Left to Right: Colleen Foster, Dianne Thurston, Steve Peters JD, CTFA, Sherrie Armstrong, Jim Schmelter MBA, Carolee Buckey, Karla Ter Haar CTFA, Ryan Munson, Jennifer Bolle │ Not pictured: Larry Crockett CFA, MBA

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The Evan Michael Show Looks to a Bigger,

BETTER SECOND SEASON

he television variety show — for decades America’s showcase for big name hosts and entertainers of every style and era — is as passé as rabbit ear antennas and black and white TV . . . except in Lansing. On Saturday nights at 10 p.m., singers, dancers, actors and, yes, even magicians perform and converse with their host, Evan Michael Pinsonnault. The setting is familiar, if dated: A monologue, the band, introductions focused not on Broadway or Hollywood, but mid-Michigan talent. “No one in the country is doing this,” said Pinsonnault, reflecting on his first season as host of the “Evan Michael Show.” It’s not that it couldn’t be done, but three strong personalities align in Lansing to make a weekly variety show viable: executive producer Taylor Kelsaw, musical director John Dale Smith and, of course, Pinsonnault.

Kelsaw, a veteran actor, radio personality and television producer, handles production, advertising, promotion — the off-camera details. Smith, affable and versatile, handles the music and on-air banter with the host. But it’s Pinsonnault’s unique persona that makes Saturday night variety night on My 18-TV. The station is owned by Venture Technologies Inc., a Los Angeles-based operator of off-brand television stations. “They were looking for local programming and offered us the 10 p.m. slot,” Pinsonnault said, adding that it took a few years of planning for the idea of the show to gel. It’s an appropriate setting for the television start-up venture. Kelsaw’s production company, TKEM Productions, which owns the program, produced 10 episodes for the first season. And it wasn’t easy.

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PH OTO S B Y M A R K WA R N ER

BY MICKEY HIRTEN

“THE PROFIT FOR ME IS PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COMMUNITY’S MUSIC, ON ITS ARTS.” –EVAN PINSONNAULT

The first show was staged at the University Club, a New Year’s Eve gala. It then moved to the Pasant Theatre at the Wharton Center, a union shop, which meant that wages, even for student interns, were high and unsustainable. By the fourth show, the setting had shifted to Lansing’s Peppermint Creek Theatre where it ran out the season. It was a good location and comfortable audience setting. The problem, Pinsonnault said, was staging his shows with the scenery for the latest production.

Kelsaw said the venture broke even for the first year, relying on production help from students from the Michigan State University College of Communications Arts and Sciences, and from the staff of HOMTV, Meridian Township’s video service. The biggest expense, he said, was the John Dale Smith’s six piece band. Kelsaw is unpaid. Pinsonnault, who also writes the show, is unpaid; in money, that is. What he gets is brand building, which bundles together his entertainment and

journalism personas, which actually aren’t really that different. “The profit for me is putting the spotlight on our community’s music, on its arts,” Pinsonnault explained. “I didn’t just want to be a guy on TV, telling jokes, throwing out puns with people asking ‘does he really care about it?’” He sees what he does — as a reporter and anchor at WLNS, particularly his “Tell Me Something Good” features, acting at w w w

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THE

EVAN MICHAEL SHOW Riverwalk Theatre or hosting fund raisers for area charities — as one in the same.

P H OTO P ROV ID ED

“I never want to say ‘no’ to an opportunity that helps me connect with people,” he said. And “The Evan Michael Show” is one way he does it. For the new season, he is eager to tap more deeply into the talent pool he finds in mid-Michigan and beyond. There is talk of taking the show on the road since My 18-TV is available throughout most of the Lower Peninsula and even into Canada.Though it didn’t lose money, advertising support is an issue.

PH OTO BY M ARK WARN ER

“Our goal next season is to pull a profit. Without it

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P H OTO B Y M A R K WA R NER

there is no reason to be in business,” Kelsaw said. Support and sponsorships for the first season included Capital Area Transportation Authority, Dean Transportation and Okemos Modeling (where Kelsaw is on staff). Rates topped out at $2,500 for a show sponsorship, Pinsonnault said; other packages were available for as low as $500. For its first season there were no audience numbers to lure advertisers but Kelsaw and Pinsonnault expect some data by the time the new season begins. The viewership numbers are probably quite small, Smith explained, citing the generally unfavorable broadcast schedule. “We hope to get a better time and promote when we are on,” said Smith. What viewers will get next year is “The Evan Michael Show” 2.0. Kelsaw said he plans to add a co-host. Pinsonnault wants to do more comedy sketches. He said the reaction to pre-packaged features about acts and entertainers were popular with viewers. He’d like to do more of them. But the theme of community, which underlies the show, won’t change. It’s Pinsonnault’s passion, his commitment to the arts and the people behind them. It’s why the variety show is alive and well in Lansing.

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Marketing Michigan-Made Products With Monthly Mail Order Business BY A NN COOL

herself, she attends various art and craft shows around the state and has many connections in the Michigan art community. “The vendors are really excited about it,” she said. She’s received 100 percent participation from them. “I keep receiving cool things to choose from,” she added. P H OTO S B Y M A R K WA R N ER

To preserve the element of surprise, she won’t specifically identify the items, only the general categories that each box will include. Each box will have items that appeal to both men and women. The selections will vary from month to month. “Every month, subscribers will receive a curated box of four to five items handmade by, or representing, artisans throughout the state of Michigan,” Blust said. “Boxes will include things like jewelry, décor items, body products, food, etc.” Tonya Blust shows off items from her first Made in the Mitten box.

DeWitt businesswoman is waging a one-woman campaign to market the best of the “Mitten” state.

This summer, her new mail order service she calls Made in the Mitten, will deliver the first boxes of Michigan-made products to subscribers. Tonya Blust is a legal drafting editor for the State by day and blogger and business owner by night. Made in the Mitten is a monthly subscription service she’s launching this month that combines her love for her home state with her passion for Michigan’s unique artisanship, and her interest in monthly box subscriptions.

The business is a “labor of love,” said Blust. Born and raised in Michigan, her goal is not to make a lot of money, but to break even. “I want it to be a self-sustaining business.” Her greater goal is to market Michigan in a positive light. “WE’RE ALWAYS PORTRAYED AS THIS DOWNTRODDEN, ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED STATE, BUT THERE’S ALSO SO MUCH VITALITY HERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE DIY/ARTISAN COMMUNITY. THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO CAPTURE

Her Made in the Mitten service markets Michigan crafts and products exclusively. There are three types of subscriptions – 1 month, 3 month and 6 months. A 1-month subscription costs $30 including shipping, and contains at least $40 worth of items.

WITH MADE IN THE MITTEN.”

“Each box is worth more than what subscribers pay for,” she said, and there’s more savings per box for those who purchase multiplemonth subscriptions.

“Sometimes I feel as though Michigan gets the short end of the stick when it comes to the media,” she said. “We’re always portrayed as this downtrodden, economically depressed state, but there’s also so much vitality here, especially in the DIY/ artisan community. That’s what I want to capture with Made in the Mitten.”

Box items are hand selected by Blust and purchased from vendors she’s cultivated relationships with over the years. An artisan 22

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— TONYA BLUST

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As the sole owner and operator of Made in the Mitten, Blust purchases and packages the items, processes the orders and delivers them to the post office. She can handle up to 25 boxes and has reached her maximum goal for her inaugural shipment. So far, the business has spread primarily through word of mouth and social media. She has 500 followers on Facebook. As the business takes off, Blust will expand her efforts by sending boxes to different bloggers to review for free. She already has enough items to fill the next four monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of boxes. To subscribe to Made in the Mitten and to read more about the monthly subscription box service, visit the website at https://made-in-the-mitten.myshopify.com.

Ann Cool, MPS, is a freelance writer who lives in Mason with her husband Bob.

Blust collects items from various Michigan vendors for her new business.

www.loomislaw.com

CELEBRATING

60 YEARS

OF PROVIDING LEGAL SOLUTIONS TO MICHIGAN BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS Loomis Law Firm lawyers have also been recognized as 2014 Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, and as AV Preeminent Lawyers and Distinguished Lawyers selected by Martindale Hubbell. 2014 Lawyers of the Year: Karl Gotting (Administrative/Regulatory Law); James R. Neal (Natural Resources Law); Michael H. Rhodes (Health Care Law); and Paula K. Manis (Arbitration and Mediation)

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Roundup: Greater Lansing Area Theater BY A N N H. KAMMERER

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two part feature describing the area’s theater community.

rofessional groups, community players, education-based ensembles and improvisational troupes are among the playhouses, theaters and performing arts centers calling Greater Lansing home. Mid-Michigan theater lovers can’t help but embrace the enriching options that run on seasonal and year-round schedules. Check out the list and set aside time in your calendar to enjoy the talent our region offers. And for an ever-evolving list of theater and groups in the area, check out Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre at www. greaterlansingtheatre.net. ALL-OF-US EXPRESS CHILDREN’S THEATRE P.O. BOX 1871 EAST LANSING, MI 48826 517-333-2580 WWW.ALLOFUSEXPRESS.ORG EVELYN WEYMOUTH, FOUNDER SARAH WILLIS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Volunteers: The number changes depending on the production. The theater board is made up of 13 volunteers. Unique features: All-of-us Express is by children and for children. The theater has adults guiding and teaching backstage, but youth participants do all the sets, costumes, props, makeup and take part in other crew activities. HOMEGROWN PRODUCTIONS 215 N. CLINTON AVE. ST. JOHNS, MI 48879 989-224-2429 WWW.CLINTONCOUNTYARTS.ORG/HOMEGROWN-PRODUCTIONS BETH WEBB AND SUSAN DEROSA, CO-FOUNDERS

Homegrown Productions brings community theater to Clinton County by producing a musical, play and a variety show each year. The theater looks for community members interested in all aspects of theater, from building sets to tackling dramatic roles on stage.

All-of-us Express supports and advises the theatre program of the City of East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts, and provides opportunity for youth to create and participate in quality theater. Founded: 1989

Founded: 2008 Sponsors and supporters: Co-founders Beth Webb and Susan DeRosa, and Tom Webb, representative to the Clinton County Arts Council.

Sponsors and supporters: Evelyn Weymouth, founder; City of East Lansing, owner. Major sponsors include Jackson National Life, Michigan Arts Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Capital Area United Way and Art Works.

Season: Year-round, with most productions October through April

Season: Fall through Summer

Annual ticket sales: Average attendance of 50 audience members per performance

Number of shows: Four per year with multiple performances. All-of-us Express also offers summer and fall classes, Girl Scout workshops and occasional traveling troupes. Annual ticket sales: The theater averaged 963 audience members per show for a total of 3,854 ticket buyers during their 24th season.

Number of shows: Two to three

Funding sources: Ticket sales, advertising revenue and donations. Homegrown Productions is a nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the Clinton County Arts Council. Number of employees: 0

Funding sources: Grants, ticket sales, participation fees, donations and sponsors. All-of-us Express is a nonprofit organization.

Volunteers: A core group of 12 technical support people and performers; others vary by performance

Number of employees: One part-time, four to eight contracted per production

Unique features: The Rodney B. Wilson Auditorium is available for auditions and performances; provides onsite storage for stage construction materials, props and costumes and allows

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Amanda McComber, Kayla Green and Devin Faught perform in LCC’s Ragtime.

access for building sets and rehearsals. In exchange, Homegrown Productions has shared profits from productions to help renovate the auditorium.

Number of employees: 0

IXION ENSEMBLE 517-775-4246 LANSING, MI WWW.ICARUSFALLING.COM JEFF CROFF, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Unique features: The Ixion focuses on small cast, rarely done or new works. The first show was a collaboration that encouraged new writers. The final show of the upcoming season will encourage writers to create new works and bring them to the stage. The theatre plans to expand the reach of Ixion by taking productions to other communities.

The Ixion Ensemble is committed to the magic of collaboration that is live theatre. The ensemble seeks storytellers of all disciplines to pursue interesting stories with unique perspectives and innovative styles. The Ixion contributes to the diverse cultural mix of greater Lansing by nurturing new work and perspectives, and reimagining the theatre experience. Founded: 2014; first production May 15, 2014 Sponsors and supporters: Founder Jeff Croff crowdfunded the first production with the help of volunteers. Kickstarter campaigns are in place for upcoming productions. Season: September through May Number of shows: 4; performances take place in the AA Creative Corridor in REO Town Annual ticket sales: N/A Funding sources: Kickstarter and ticket sales

Volunteers: About 24

LCC THEATRE PROGRAM GANNON BUILDING, ROOM 131 LANSING, MI 48933 517-483-1546 WWW.LCC.EDU/CMA/THEATER MELISSA KAPLAN, FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS COORDINATOR

Lansing Community College Theatre offers the community the opportunity to experience a wide variety of theater through professionally produced main stage events, many of which are free. Founded: LCC was founded in 1957. Performing arts became an increasing part of the college’s offerings in the early 60s and 70s. Sponsors and supporters: Lansing Community College Season: LCC Theatre and associated performing arts events run year-round. Summer Stage Under the Stars is a free outdoor festival in June and July. Ticket shows and end-of-semester theater productions are featured in the fall and spring in the Black Box and Dart Auditorium. w w w

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Number of shows: 12 to 14 a year Annual ticket sales: $5,000 average ticket sales per year, with 3,000 to 4,000 attendees Funding sources: The college supports theater productions through the Communication, Media and Arts department Number of employees: 10 theater faculty, 12 people in the production team (including the costume shop, scene shop and Dart Auditorium), and one administrator with part-time producing and management duties. Additional support hired per production for design, construction and technical work. Volunteers: No volunteers are involved from outside the college. Unique features: The theater program offers students a two-year intensive studio track, complete with performance opportunities on stage and in public. Other: Alumni from the LCC Theatre are finding work in professional theater and film. Recent alumni include Joel Reitsma, nominated for a Jefferson Award in professional acting; and Rudy Valdez, director of photography for a Sundance-presented documentary about Robert DeNiro’s father.

MSU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE 542 AUDITORIUM ROAD 117 AUDITORIUM EAST LANSING, MI 48824 517-355-6690 WWW.THEATRE.MSU.EDU KIRK DOMER, CHAIR

ADMIT ONE ADM ONEIT

The Department of Theatre at Michigan State University exists to provoke and sustain interest in theater as a source of truth and insight into the human condition and offers undergraduate and graduate programs of recognizable excellence. Founded: The first musical performance on campus was held in 1902 as an extension of the M.A.C. Chorus. The first theater courses were taught in 1907, while 1910 marked the first theatrical performance. In 1915, the M.A.C. Dramatic Club became the first organized theater group. The Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts formed in 1937, and evolved into the founding of today’s Department of Theatre in 1968. Sponsors and supporters: Michigan State University Season: September through April Number of shows: 8 shows, 73 performances Annual ticket sales: $110,000 and 10,000 audience members. Attendance and ticket sales vary based on the department’s mission to offer different styles of theater. Funding sources: MSU Provost, College of Arts and Letters, donations, grants, sponsors and ticket sales Number of employees: 30 faculty and staff, 15 graduate students, 12 undergraduate student employees

PH OTO PROVID ED

Volunteers: 25

LCC’s Odyssey directed by Deb Keller. 26

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Unique features: As an educational institution, the MSU Department of Theatre offers programs in general theater education (with minors in theater, dance, musical theater and a bachelor of arts), and preprofessional education (bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts). Students can also participate in study programs in London, New York City and Los Angeles.

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PHOTO PROV IDED

Unique features: The Summer Circle Theatre is the longest running professional theater company in the area that offers town and gown performance, marking 54 years in 2014. The company blends student and community actors, directors and designers.

Garrett McCord, Katie Dufort, Jesse Frawley, Ken Beachler and Cassie Little perform in LCC’s Prelude to a Kiss.

Other: The MSU Department of Theatre has an extensive guest artist series, and performs in six different spaces on the MSU campus including the Pasant Theatre, Fairchild Theatre, Concert Auditorium, Arena Theatre, Studio 60 Theatre and the RCAH Auditorium.

Other: The MSU Department of Theatre is currently in a $1.15 million campaign to fund a permanent space for the Summer Circle Theatre. MID MICHIGAN FAMILY THEATRE SCHMIDT COMMUNITY CENTER 5825 WISE ROAD LANSING, MI 48911 517-339-2145 WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/MIDMICHFAMILYTHEATRE BILL GORDON, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

The Mid Michigan Family Theatre provides quality educational and theatrical experiences for the whole family. Founded: 2006 Sponsors and supporters: Membership based

MSU SUMMER CIRCLE THEATRE 542 AUDITORIUM ROAD 117 AUDITORIUM EAST LANSING, MI 48824 517-355-6690 WWW.THEATRE.MSU.EDU KIRK DOMER, CHAIR

Season: August through July

The Summer Circle Theatre at Michigan State University presents free, quality theater that challenges and entertains individuals and families by presenting works of varying styles. Performances are held outside on the MSU campus during the month of June.

Funding sources: Ticket sales and tuition. The Mid Michigan Family Theatre is a nonprofit organization.

Founded: 1968

Volunteers: Numerous volunteers help throughout the year and on a per-show basis

Sponsors and supporters: Michigan State University, MSU Board of Directors, Friends of Theatre at MSU Season: June Number of shows: 5 shows, 24 performances

Number of shows: 6 main stage shows and a number of minor productions. The theater also offers a variety of summer drama camps. Annual ticket sales: N/A

Number of employees: One part-time employee

Unique features: The Mid Michigan Family Theatre uses an intergenerational approach to casting. Plays are of a family-nature so people will know what to expect content-wise when coming to see a show. Tickets are reasonably priced.

Annual ticket sales: $0 — all shows and performances are free. About 3,500 to 4,000 people attend each season. Funding sources: Donations, grants and sponsors Number of employees: 50 Volunteers: 25

Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer living in East Lansing. She has written extensively about business people, educators, artists and every day people doing good things in greater Lansing for a couple decades.

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HE SAID/SHE SAID

He Said She Said

Each month The Greater Lansing Business Monthly invites authors from two views — one conservative, one liberal — to share their thoughts on a rotating topic. This month’s topic: Should those who contribute money to fund issue-based commercials have to disclose that information?

Romney donors in 2012 by political operatives responding to a virtual “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” speech by the president of the United States.

JUSTICE BRANDEIS WAS RIGHT, THE ANSWER TO SPEECH YOU DON’T LIKE

government of a group of citizens who pooled resources to broadcast a movie critical of Hillary Clinton within 30 days of an election. Such activities are characterized by activists as “big money in politics” and “corporations buying elections.” Yet had their preferred policy been in place in 1860 it would have led to absurdities like forcing copies of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” off bookstore shelves during that year’s presidential campaign.

IS “MORE SPEECH, NOT POLITICAL FREE SPEECH ON THE ‘DOWN ESCALATOR’

ENFORCED SILENCE.”

By Jack McHugh

Prominent political philosopher Francis Fukuyama recently warned of a “down escalator” of institutional decay in developed democracies. A stark example in this country is the threat to political free speech represented by the “weaponization” of campaign finance law by political and government careerists practicing “politics by other means.” Recent examples include: The IRS abusing its power to silence opponents of the bipartisan political class; a campaign finance-related political witch hunt in Wisconsin orchestrated by the Milwaukee district attorney’s office; using donor disclosure mandates to persecute a prominent gay marriage opponent; and the bullying “investigations” of some 28

The latest threat is a constitutional amendment sponsored by 41 U.S. Senators that would give Congress unlimited authority to regulate “the raising and spending of money and inkind equivalents with respect to federal elections.” One prominent opponent noted how this could be used to ban Sierra Club ads criticizing politicians’ environmental policies, NRA voter guides or pastors urging their flock to get out and vote. Campaign finance regulations were originally pitched as prohibiting straightforward “quid pro quo” deals between special interests and politicians. How far they have expanded is seen in the 2008 prosecution by the federal

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Justice Brandeis was right, the answer to speech you don’t like is “more speech, not enforced silence.” The federal judge in a civil rights lawsuit filed by one of the targets in the Wisconsin abuse referenced above scolded the state with a warning. “The larger danger is giving government an expanded role in uprooting all forms of perceived corruption which may result in corruption of the First Amendment itself.” The growing labyrinth of government campaign finance regulation is an institutional “down escalator” for the political free speech rights at the core of this democracy.

Jack McHugh is senior legislative analyst at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a research and educational institute headquartered in Midland, Mich.

HE SAID/SHE SAID

deserve to know who is contributing to the organizations that are sponsoring these commercials. THE USE OF “DARK MONEY ” IN ADVERTISING IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS, AS BOTH PARTIES ARE GUILTY OF DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN POLITICAL MESSAGES

USING IT IN ELECTIONS, BUT IT IS CLEARLY TIME FOR IT

By Shaquila Myers

and U.S. Senate campaigns have come from independent sources and not directly from the campaigns themselves. Anyone who has seen these types of commercials knows that they are often misleading, overtly negative and do little to restore trust to the political process. There is no good that comes from allowing this “dark money” to so heavily pollute our political dialogue and arguments that we are powerless to stop it due to it being protected as “free speech” are simply false. We rightfully demand greater transparency from our government in almost every other aspect and it is long past time we do so when it comes to these political messages.

TO CHANGE. Since 2000, more than $80 million has been spent on issue-based advertising in Michigan alone with little of that money traceable to any particular person or organization. These ads differ from traditional political advertising by talking indirectly about a candidate and their positions rather than stating whether a voter should support the candidate or not.

According to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, in the first five months of this year, nearly $10 million of the $12.9 million spent on advertising for the Michigan gubernatorial

Due to a loophole in campaign finance law, this type of message is legally considered voter education rather than direct voter advocacy and therefore the donors behind them are not required to be disclosed. That ruling has opened the floodgates for millions of dollars to pour into these stealth organizations that exist for little or no other purpose than to serve as a legal means for billionaires and special interest groups to push their agenda outside the boundaries of campaign finance laws. Last year when Secretary of State Ruth Johnson proposed an administrative rule closing the loophole, Republicans in the Michigan Senate rewrote our laws within hours to both double existing campaign contributions and thwart her efforts to bring greater transparency to the political process. The use of “dark money” in advertising is not exclusive to Republicans or Democrats, as both parties are guilty of using it in elections, but it is clearly time for it to change. Citizens

Shaquila Myers is a Policy Analyst for the Michigan Senate Democrats. She is a graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Science and Masters of Public Administration.

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MAN ON THE STREET

M AN on the STR E ET What do you do locally for entertainment? COMP IL ED BY K YL E D O W L I N G

“I go shopping around Grand River. I’ll usually head out to the bar or go see a new movie.”

bridget clancy

“I usually go to bars and I go to a lot of Lugnuts games.”

kevin green

“I like to go to the movies and maybe go to a bar. I usually walk around Grand River.”

marissa kreutfeld

“I like to see a new movie over at the NCG cinema in East Lansing. I go out to eat at places like Los Tres or visit a hookah lounge.”

max pullano

“There was a jazz festival that I really enjoyed around MSU and I like to go to Lugnuts games.”

megan murphy

“I go to a lot of local bars and I really like concerts.”

Robert vankirk

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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NEWS

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FREE MATINEE SHOW JULY 12 FEATURING RYAN BEATTY & ACTION ITEM

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FA Q

Personal Property Tax and You

ith the August 5 vote right around the corner, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly turned to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the proposed changed to the Personal Property Tax (PPT). Here are the top questions and answers to help you make an informed decision later this summer. WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL?

The proposal, if approved on the August 5, 2014 ballot, will eliminate the personal property tax (PPT) on small businesses (including small manufacturers) and phase it out over several years for larger manufacturers. It also will ensure a stable funding source for Michigan communities to fund essential services such as police and fire. WHY DOESN’T THE BALLOT LANGUAGE SPECIFICALLY MENTION PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX?

The very term “personal property tax” can often be misleading to voters. The PPT is a tax that businesses must pay for machinery and equipment purchases. It is not the more common property tax that Michigan citizens pay on their homes. must include the percentage of FY 2012 General Fund revenue that was used by the local unit of government to fund essential services.

WILL THE PROPOSAL INCREASE TAXES?

No. The proposal will not increase taxes. WHAT IS THE NEW STATE ESSENTIAL SERVICES ASSESSMENT? WHAT IS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTION FOR SMALL TAXPAYERS?

Starting in 2014, all industrial and commercial personal property owned by a business within a local taxing unit will be exempt if the combined true cash value of all such property owned by, leased to or used by the business within the unit is less than $80,000. WILL ESSENTIAL SERVICES – LIKE POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE, ETC. – BE AFFECTED?

Reimbursements for essential services loss will be made with the authority’s share of use tax revenue. Loss includes personnel pension costs and future revenue from exemptions that would have expired. To calculate the amount of essential services loss, the FY 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financing Report (CAFR) 32

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The state ESA will be levied on all exempt EMPP starting in 2016. The tax base is the fair market value of EMPP at the time of acquisition. For property acquired one to five years before the tax year, the tax rate will be 2.4 mills. For property acquired six to 10 years before the tax year, it will be 1.25 mills. For property acquired more than 10 years before the tax year, the rate will be 0.9 mills. WHY IS THIS ALL ABOUT THE USE TAX?

The use tax will be the vehicle for providing reimbursement to communities for reduced personal property tax resulting from the exemptions. A portion of the current use tax is being dedicated to a new statewide authority to be used only to pay reimbursements. The proposal does not increase the use tax.

FA Q

WHAT IS ELIGIBLE MANUFACTURING PERSONAL PROPERTY?

2023 – All eligible manufacturing property will be exempt.

Eligible Manufacturing Personal Property (EMPP) consists of all personal property at a particular location if that personal property, in aggregate, is used at least 50 percent of the time in industrial processing or direct integrated support of industrial processing. If a business meets this threshold, all of the personal property at that location (whether owned by or leased to the business) will be exempt. Property used to generate, transmit or distribute electricity is not “used in industrial processing.”

A one-time exemption affidavit must be filed by February 10 in the year the property is first exempt. Assessors may deny the exemption for the current year. For more information visit www.michiganbusiness.org

HOW WILL THE PROPOSAL AFFECT MANUFACTURERS?

The proposal replaces the local Essential Services Assessment (ESA) with a statewide ESA that is paid by manufacturers that receive a PPT exemption for eligible manufacturing personal property. Beginning in 2016, manufacturers, except for those that qualify for the small taxpayer exemption, will see the PPT phased out over time.

Autumn Redman 14 years of service

WHAT IS THE PHASE-OUT PLAN FOR THE ELIGIBLE MANUFACTURING PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTION?

The personal property tax on EMPP will be phased out over the next 10 years under the following formula: 2016 – All personal property first placed in service before 2006 and after 2012 will be exempt. 2017 – Property first placed in service in 2006 also will be exempt 2018 – Property first placed in service in 2007 also will be exempt.

New name. Same friendly faces. Firstbank is becoming Mercantile.

2019 – Property first placed in service in 2008 also will be exempt. 2020 – Property first placed in service in 2009 also will be exempt.

The best relationships get better with time. They grow. Become stronger. That’s true in banking too. At Firstbank, we’re growing. In fact, we’re getting a new name. Mercantile Bank. As Mercantile Bank, we’re bringing great new things to your banking relationship, while staying committed to the personal

2021 – Property first placed in service in 2010 also will be exempt.

service you enjoy. Firstbank is becoming Mercantile Bank, and we’re still all about you.

2022 – Property first placed in service in 2011 also will be exempt. For more information about the merger, visit Merc-FirstMerger.com. w w w

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Y WE CARE

Mentoring Can Have a Lasting Impact on the Entire Community BY CHAD BADGERO

hen I started a business, I didn’t know that’s what I was doing at the time. I just knew I was following my passion for theater. And while that passion is a necessary ingredient for anyone attempting to start something new, I was also fortunate enough to have an entire community of people who believed in and supported me.

hadn’t been buy-in by all of these groups, the entire thing most likely would have been the last play I ever directed. But there was validity in the support from all of those entities that made me feel unique, important and like someone who could contribute to our family, neighborhood, congregation, community and society as a whole. That has stayed with me.

I have been running Peppermint Creek Theatre, a nonprofit That first experience directing a play has led me to a life immersed theatre company, for the last 11 years. As in some of the best in education and the arts. I’ve taught our youth in k-12 and the stories of creation, I stumbled into running a business by a mix college classrooms. I’ve acted on tour across the country and of necessity and naïveté. I had been involved in community Off-Broadway. I’ve offered two years of my life to a term of theater as an actor, but there wasn’t anything going on service with AmeriCorps, revitalizing a downtown the summer before I started school at Michigan neighborhood community. And I now work for State. So, without much more than the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural enthusiasm, I decided Affairs awarding grants to to direct a show on my support arts education in own. For those of you schools across the state. who aren’t involved This all started because THIS ALL STARTED BECAUSE SOMEONE in theater, this is the someone believed that I equivalent of never was important enough BELIEVED THAT I HAD SOMETHING IMPORTANT having gone swimming to believe in and that I TO SAY AND CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING OUR and launching into had something important rocky waters expecting to say and contribute to COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. to be successful making our community a at surfboarding. better place. That first production could have gone about as far as the plays I had put on in my parents’ backyard if it hadn’t been for two important things that happened. First, my choir and drama teacher, Helen Hansens, listened to what I wanted to do, smiled and handed me a catalogue full of plays to choose from. I had no idea how to pick a play, where we were going to perform it, and most importantly, how to head up an entire production. But Ms. Hansens handed over that book of thousands of plays with such a confidence and belief in me that I felt I couldn’t fail. This attitude that I could take part in the creation of something new and that I might have something to offer to the world of art and culture, despite my young age and my lack of experience, made a lasting impression on me that still drives the way I approach difficult, new or daunting tasks. Secondly — people came! Once I said I was directing a show, actors and designers (ok, the designers were my parents) agreed to take part, my church agreed to let us use their sanctuary for performances, newspapers accepted my feebly-constructed press releases and ran stories and audiences came to the show. If there 36

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As members of our community, the best we can do is speak loud about what we’re passionate about and look for opportunities to support or mentor those around us, especially our younger generation. When we give people resources to explore their interests and ideas, amazing things can happen. And the ripple effects that will have can only lead to something amazing that we could never predict.

Chad Badgero serves as the Arts Education Program Manager for the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs. He also serves as the Artistic Director for Peppermint Creek Theatre Company, Co-producer of the Renegade Theatre Festival, teaches theatre at Lansing Community College and is a proud Big Brother in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. He is ecstatic to be getting married in October.

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GLBM LIST

Production Companies

Production Company

Phone

Address

Advanced Multimedia Inc.

517-332-3456

416 Frandor Ave.

Ahptic Productions

517-482-8070

901 Cleveland St.

Altaprime Media LLC

517-909-0102

1351 E South St.

Cheeney Media Concepts

517-337-2622

East Lake Lansing Road

CrossRoad Productions

517-402-9331

213 S Grace St.

Designly

862-4385482

500 Filley St.

Future Media Corporation

517-332-5560

2853 Jolly Road

Good Fruit Video

517-708-3809

1131 South Washington, Suite 105

Gud Marketing

517-267-9800

1223 Turner St.

Harvest Creative Services

517-512-3547

1011 North Washington

M3 Group

517-203-3333

614 Seymour Ave.

MessageMakers

517-482-3333

1217 Turner St.

Michigan Creative

517-899-4533

934 Clark St.

Moore Voices/Events & Moore

517-862-6089

420 Tarleton Ave.

Paul Starr Productions

517-331-0528

602 North Grace St.

Rizzi Designs

517-DESIGN-9

1141 North Pine St.

Such Media Inc.

517-349-5554

4665 Dobie Road

Such Video Inc.

517-484-0800

111 E Grand River Ave.

UnoDeuce Multimedia

517-292-0095

1131 South Washington Ave., Suite 104

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GLBM LIST

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

City

Zip Code

Website

Lansing Charter Township

48912

www.advrentals.com

Lansing Charter Township

48906

www.ahptic.com

Dansville

48819

www.altaprimemedia.com

East Lansing

48823

www.cmc2.tv

Lansing

48917

www.crossroadproductions.net

Lansing Charter Township

48906

www.designly.net

Okemos

48864

www.futuremediafmc.com

Lansing

48910

www.goodfruitvideo.com

Lansing

48906

www.gudmarketing.com

Lansing

48906

www.harvestcreativeservices.com

Lansing

48933

www.m3group.biz

Lansing Charter Township

48906

www.messagemakers.com

Lansing Charter Township

48906

www.lansingmarketinggroup.com

East Lansing

48823

www.moorevoicesmichigan.com

Lansing

48917

www.paulstarrproductions.com

Lansing

48906

www.rizzidesigns.com

Okemos

48864

www.suchmedia.com

Lansing Charter Township

48906

www.suchvideo.com

Lansing Charter Township

48910

www.unodeuce.com

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E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T

LEAP Year End Numbers Support Regional Growth BY BOB TREZIS E

ou can feel it — a shift in the air. A shift from rust belt to the new economy. A shift from a mostly domestic economy to one that is interlinked and successfully competing in the global economy. What are we? A major international region. LEAP and other community groups alongside the private sector are working hard to transform the Lansing region into a strong and stable economy. An economy to be envied by other regions and communities. As this work continues, it is important to always keep the numbers in mind. A person can feel the shift in the economy, but if the numbers aren’t there to back it up, the feelings will remain feelings. Earlier this spring, LEAP released its 2013 Year End Project Report. In 2013 alone, LEAP projects helped the private sector create 2,105 direct jobs and $466,824,000 in direct investment for the Lansing area.

In 2012 and 2013 combined, LEAP projects helped the private sector create a total of 2,885 direct jobs and $565,064,000 in total direct investment throughout Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. These figures are only direct numbers. They do not include retention, indirect or construction jobs. All of these projects required LEAP’s close work, from start to finish. Oftentimes, these projects required a minimum of several months of nearly full time work to complete and, in some cases, well over a year of work to call it a success. Do a little math with our quite small staff and you will see the kind of night and day work we put into properly winning these projects over national and globally competitive forces, sites and incentives.

ARE

AGGRESSIVE

ABOUT

THE

REGION’S

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, BECAUSE WE WISH TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES,

NEIGHBORHOODS

AND

LOCAL

SCHOOLS. WE ARE BUILDING A BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS RETAIN AND ATTRACT WORLD CLASS TALENT. AND, WE CAN ONLY INDIVIDUALLY SUCCEED BY COMPETING ON

THE

GLOBAL

STAGE,

ONE

UNITED,

EFFECTIVE REGION.

The Lansing region is becoming one of the strongest economies in the state and country. We’re supporting the expansion or addition of: Fortune 500 national headquarters, tier one auto suppliers, car assembly expansions, world leading medical isotope production facilities, as well as a plethora of startup and expanding high tech companies. It’s important to thank our local partners and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as every project is ultimately put together with a team approach. Beyond just the bottom line numbers for LEAP, there is the important programming. We are rapidly building a region-wide incubation system, a business start-up ecosystem, developing an entrepreneurial mindset throughout our K-12 youth and Michigan State University students and professor communities, 40

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E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T

strengthening our talent development strategy, and the development of a placemaking initiative. This is just the tip of the iceberg for what is a very focused, but very comprehensive LEAP organization. We are aggressive about the region’s economic development efforts, because we wish to improve the lives of employees, families, neighborhoods and local schools. We are building a business and community environment that helps retain and attract world class talent. And, we can only individually succeed by competing on the global stage, as one united, effective region.

the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Michigan State University and Lansing Community College, as well as so many others, this work can and is being completed with greater success than ever. Stronger together.

Our work is important. It’s hard work without a doubt, but with the support of the LEAP Board of Directors and partners like private sector CEOs,

Bob Trezise is the President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

YEAR

JOBS

INVESTMENT ($)

2012

780

98,240,000

2013

2,105

466,824,000

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INVESTMENTS

Avoid the Hidden Costs of Investing BY ST EPHEN L . HICKS , RO GE R L . MI L L B RO OK, W. J O S EP H I R IS H A N D ZACH A R Y H . A R M S TRO N G

ow do you make money in the stock market? Well, a good start is to avoid excessive and often hidden brokerage and insurance fees, costs and expenses. If you think that you are working with an independent and objective fiduciary adviser or planner and not a broker, you are likely mistaken, as brokers often use every name to describe their work except the name “broker.” Below are common and often hidden, or at least hard to find, costs of investing.

that is often 125 percent or more per year. Such high turnover creates many serious problems for investors, including but not limited to excessive fees, bid/ask spread or market impact losses, excess avoidable taxes and style drift. Investors should avoid most actively managed funds. Despite the abundant evidence that simple index funds outperform the vast majority of actively managed funds in the long term, actively managed funds continue to be sold due to commissions. This is hardly independent and objective advice.

C OMM I S S I ONS AVO I D MO S T A N N U ITIE S

Commissions (or loads) are a real and significant drag on a portfolio’s performance. Commissions are common with actively managed mutual funds and are often classified as Class A, B or C. These fund designations have nothing to do with the quality of the fund; instead, they merely signify how the commission will be paid to the broker. For example, Class A funds charge an upfront fee (typically as large as 3.5–5.75 percent. If an investor invests $10,000 in a Class A mutual fund with a broker, the actual amount invested under a typical scenario would be a mere $9,425. What happened to 5.75 percent of your money? It went into the broker’s pocket as a commission. AVOID M OS T AC TI V E LY M AN AG E D MUTUA L FU ND S

An actively managed fund attempts to time the market and/or identify the “right” stocks. Despite the fact that this is almost always an unsuccessful endeavor over the long term, the investment public is inundated with these funds due to commissions. Actively managed funds may be identified as Class “A,” “B” or “C,” etc. In addition to the fees associated with these funds, as described above, other challenges abound, such as high turnover. Actively managed funds have turnover 42

Annuities are insurance products, not pure investments. As insurance, these products can be extremely expensive with substantial surrender charges (often 6-14 percent or more) lasting several years to cover the outsized commissions paid to brokers. In a typical commission scenario, you buy a $100,000 annuity and your broker makes $10,000 up front. This is hardly independent and objective advice. Don’t be fooled, despite what your broker may suggest; ultimately, you pay this commission and not the insurance company. Insurance companies often entice investors with enhancements or signing bonuses for buying an annuity. That’s money for nothing, right? Wrong. Beware as you probably bought yourself a very expensive annuity that you cannot get out of for several years without a substantial penalty and that enhancement or signing bonus is not free when you consider the various annual expenses. It is no gift to you. In addition to such annual charges, there are annual separate account fees with variable and other similar annuities. Annuities should be highly scrutinized before purchase by a professional not otherwise engaged in selling annuities. Indeed, the Michigan Attorney General

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issued a “CONSUMER ALERT,” in regard to annuities. We highly recommend that anyone contemplating the purchase of an annuity read the Michigan Attorney General’s consumer alert which can be found on the AG’s website. To be certain, the Michigan AG’s office is one in a chorus of governmental agencies issuing consumer alerts or warnings about annuities to the public. FINRA issued an alert regarding equityindex annuities (curiously, FINRA is the federal licensing agency for the very brokers who sell the product that the agency is warning about). In late 2005, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging issued a warning entitled, “Seniors Beware: Variable Annuities May Not Make Sense For You!” and the SEC began its review to issue warnings on annuities way back in 2000. A S IMPL E S O L U TIO N…

A simple solution for most high-net worth investors or those aspiring to be such is a Fee-Only Adviser (not merely fee-based) with no loads or commissions that serves all clients as a fiduciary and represents the client and not the investment firm. They invest in institutional investments as opposed to retail and possess substantial education, training and experience, not merely industry designations. We are by no means alone in suggesting such a solution. Indeed, in his well-regarded and top selling book, The Millionaire Mind, Dr. Thomas J. Stanley, professor and prolific author on the affluent, makes clear that wealthy investors almost always look to investment advisers who are lawyers and/or CPAs and seldom engage financial planners and brokers. Editor’s Note: The ideas expressed in this article are those of the author(s) only.

Congratulations! To the innovative students who participated in LEAP’s First Annual Lansing Celebrates Youth Entrepreneurship event!

Stephen L. Hicks, JD, MBA, MS, CPA, Roger L. Millbrook, JD, CPA/PFS, W. Joseph Irish, CPA/PFS, and Zachary H. Armstrong are Fee-Only Fiduciary Investment Advisers with Siena Wealth Advisors in Grand Ledge. Siena is consistently recognized by leading national publications as one of the top investment advisory firms in the United States. They can be reached at info@sienainvestor.com.

in the your of

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L A W AT W O R K

20 Reasons to Have an Entertainment Attorney in Lansing BY J OHN MAS HNI

any people need the skills of an entertainment attorney without necessarily realizing it. The list is bigger than you might think. An entertainment attorney has specialized industry knowledge and a wide array of industry contacts that can multiply your efforts. Michigan’s rebounding economy has sparked a resurgence in the state’s entertainment business. Many companies and artists have obvious and not so obvious needs where an entertainment lawyer adds value and understanding. Here’s a list of some fairly common situations where consulting with an entertainment lawyer instead of your general counsel may be advantageous to you:

1 2 3 4 5 6 44

You are giving up valuable intellectual property, such as a copyright in a book or a trademark, in exchange for money or a valuable right. You have created some type of creative work and you wish to monetize that work in some way. You are responsible to hire an individual or company to create some type of work or content for your business. You need to attract investors for a feature film, television show, music or other endeavor. You need an attorney that understands the details of film, television, music, book publishing, or marketing. You are involved in a creative endeavor, and you wish to perform such creative work on a professional basis.

7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15

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You have disposable cash, and you are contemplating investing in a creative project, whether it is a film, band, or other similar endeavor. You currently own multiple intangible assets, such as copyrights and trademarks, and you wish to hold those assets in the most tax-advantaged manner. You are writing a book, or any other piece of literary nonfiction or fiction, and you wish to do so in a manner that does not violate the rights of other people or expose you to risks of defamation or violation of someone’s privacy rights. You wish to use your identity as a source of income for yourself or your business. You have created, or are in the process of creating, a valuable brand. You run a traditional business, and you wish to play movies, music, or some other type of audiovisual work in your waiting room or in your business. You are an artist and are considering entering into a contract with a recording studio. You are a filmmaker and wish to profit from your film endeavors. You have written a song, and a company or person wishes to sing, play, or record your song.

J U LY 2 0 1 4

are a part of a church, and you 16 You want to develop a music program with artists. are attempting to negotiate any 17 You rights associated with intellectual property, including publication or distribution rights for a book or film. are starting a business that has 18 You a significant web component. are personally 19 You products or services.

endorsing

need to meet professionals who 20 You have specialized knowledge about your particular entertainment industry, whether it is film, television, music, video, audio, books, art, or publishing. The good news is you don’t have to go to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, The State Bar of Michigan has an active Arts, Communications, Entertainment & Sports section filled with skilled and talented attorneys in this area. John Mashni is an attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC where he practices in business and corporate, intellectual property and entertainment law. Prior to attending Thomas M Cooley law school, John attended film school in New York and owned and operated his own video production company for several years. John has extensive experience in the film, television, music, and publishing industries, and he loves working with creative individuals who have a vision to share and a story to tell.

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L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E

News, Notes and a Few Comments from the State Capitol BY ROB BAYKIAN

NET N E UTR A LI TY T H RE AT E N S EV EN PL AYI NG FI E L D F O R O N L I N E RETAIL E R S

I remember doing a radio story many years ago about downtown development here in Lansing. It was in the early ‘80s, and I had struck up a conversation about the importance of a location on “Main Street,” and how it can be a huge advantage for those who can afford to buy or rent in such locations. My source noted that he wished everybody could have the best location, but that would be physically impossible. Fast forward about a quarter century. I’m talking to an internet retailer who boasted that the new “world wide web” presented the ultimate in fairness regarding “location.” That is, the website of a small shop loads at the same speed of a website at a large shop. Everyone was essentially in the same “location,” meaning the little guys (with good ideas/products/services) could compete with the big guys (with good ideas/products/services), and you didn’t have to pay a higher rent for a better “location.” The debate over net neutrality, which includes the argument that you should be able to get a faster loading site if you’ve got the bucks, potentially changes that debate. That itself indeed generates revenue, for someone. But it also could, according to critics, stifle innovation and young web-based entrepreneurs. ACLU AND OTHE RS F IG HT AGAIN ST PHO NE TR AC KI NG T E CH N O LO G Y

technology in the home. It’s even harder to keep up with technology others can use to spy on your home. That’s how I read things following recent testimony in a Michigan House committee, which discussed “Stingray” and “Hailstorm.” Say what, you ask? I asked the same thing. This is apparently technology that’s been around quite a while now, and has been used to blanket areas by scanning and intercepting all incoming and outgoing calls. Not just the calls dealing with criminal or domestic terror activity, but also the daily, and private activity of innocent, law abiding citizens.

It’s hard enough to keep track of 46

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And that’s where the American Civil Liberties Union, and many others, both conservative and liberal, are locking arms in protest, citing the huge potential for abuse here on the home front. For the record, the devices have been sold on the international market for some time and usage in that arena has become commonplace. Chris Soghoian of the ACLU told the legislative committee that they can not only intercept your calls, but they can be used to jam calls, block specific numbers and block calls. This could be done by law enforcement, your nosy neighbor and, of course, corporate versus corporate espionage.

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The devices are very good if you’re fighting crime and terror. Not so good if you’re an innocent victim having your privacy invaded, or worse, having a cell phone call fail while making an important familyrelated call, or the like. (Apparently 9-11 calls specifically are not jammed when these devices are used). REAL E S TATE C ONT I N U E S TO B OUN C E B AC K

Michigan State Housing Development Authority Executive Director Scott Woosley is bullish on Michigan’s housing market. He says they’re seeing more buyers, and 2014 through 2016 should be “very positive” years. Also, he adds, “banks are cooperating,” in terms of home loans. However, there are still issues. Notably, Woosley says, appraisals are still sometimes based on a history (historical comparables, or comps) that can go back two years. It’s resulted in situations where, for example, an agreed-to price of $150,000 for a home hits a bump in the road with a bank only appraises the house at $80,000 (remember the bust?). That can result in a loan approved at say, only $50,000 or so.

of the workforce and the quality of the living environment.

There have been some who have suggested registration or other fees for bikers.

In that study, Michigan came out among the worst states in the nation, at 45th, and that was also down a notch from the previous study, which had Michigan in 44th place.

But John Lindenmayer of the Michigan League for Bicyclists says they “are not necessarily in support (of that).” But he adds that many bike lanes carry minimal costs since the needs often involve lane paint.

Overall, Texas was No. 1 and California was 50th. But a different publication not that long ago, Site Selection magazine, placed Michigan 8th overall. What gives? Doug Rothwell, CEO of “Business Leaders for Michigan,” says it’s pretty simple. The “Chief Executive” survey, he says was based on perception, not specific numbers. But he notes, Michigan scores better in surveys that deal in hard data, such as job growth and gross domestic product. B I CYCL IS TS ’ F E E S A N D TO L L ROAD S IN MICH IGA N ?

Should bicyclists also pay a user fee for Michigan roadways?

Woosley says they’re working with banks to try and convince them that they “just need to be a bit more myopic in (the) appraisal process.”

Some have said they should, but bicyclists are quick to point out that they already support roads, through taxes that supply revenue to the state’s General Fund, which in recent years has helped to support roads.

HARD NU M B E R S M AT T E R WH E N TA LKING A B OU T M I CH I G AN ’ S B USIN E S S C L I M ATE

Others have questioned if that’s enough, since motorists pay both the gas tax as well as taxes that go into the General Fund.

With all those “best and worst” surveys out there dealing with Michigan’s business climate, it’s become virtually impossible for the average adult to know what any of it means. One recent survey from “Chief Executive” magazine, questioned CEOs about a variety of “critical measures” including tax and regulatory “climate,” the quality 48

In the meantime, the idea of toll roads has surfaced now and then in Michigan for decades, but it never gets off the ground. While you can easily get into the complications regarding toll roads and the federal government, in that special application is required under federal law to allow tolls to be collected on highways that get federal aid, let’s just say that many continue to support tolls as a way to help pay for roads in Michigan. Still others have said that Michigan is not a prime candidate for toll roads, because it’s not the kind of “pass through” state, like Indiana and Ohio is, meaning that a higher percentage of motorists paying tolls will either be Michiganders, or tourists whose destination is Michigan. After all, it must have been easier for those states to sell the toll road idea, since so many of those paying in were just outof-staters passing through. But Mike Nystrom of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association says toll roads can and should be considered a piece of the long-term road funding puzzle. Motorists accustomed to traveling Michigan freeways for “free,” might not agree however.

The question was briefly raised during a recent legislative committee in Lansing, during testimony on bike trails in the state. Michigan House Republican Ken Goike of Macomb County, noted “I’m not opposed to bicyclists, but there’s significant costs to our transportation funding on (bike lanes and trails).”

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Rob Baykian is director of news and operations at the 67-station Michigan Radio Network. He has been covering the Capitol since 1981.

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Is There Still Pent-up Demand for Real Estate? BY CURT NURENBERG

eal estate sales in greater Lansing had a slow start this year and we were concerned that rising mortgage interest rates and shrinking affordability had finally cooled the very strong growth we experienced over the past two years. Of course we were sure having one of the worst winters in decades didn’t help. So was demand for housing shrinking or just being pent-up? We were puzzled with the slow start because we knew the fundamentals of a strong housing market were good. Housing markets tend to do well when job prospects improve and very well when interest rates decline at the same time. Our local job picture is good and though interest rates are higher than last year, they have stalled at a very low rate from an historical standpoint. Also, with refinance activity declining, lenders were seemingly beginning to relax lending standards. Would potential buyers take the higher interest rates in stride? We expected that the strong local economy would contribute to accelerated household formations. The Urban Land Institute issued a report earlier this year projecting that 4.48 million new households will be formed over the next three years and Millennials will make up a large portion of them. With an improving economy and the economics of buying versus renting clearly in the favor of buying, would more and more young people move out of their parent’s basements and choose to be a part of the American Dream of home ownership? After two years of increasing average selling prices, were potential buyers losing faith in housing as an investment in an appreciating asset? We felt better when we read a recently released study by a national real estate company showing that 77 percent of consumers and 85 percent of Millennials have a favorable view of housing and 79 percent of people 50

and 83 percent of Millennials believe housing is on the right track. Were declining foreclosures and large investors’ loss of interest in rental housing putting a chill on the market? With the stock market at lofty levels, would individuals move out of volatile paper assets into income properties? We were encouraged when the Nobel Prize-winning Yale University professor Robert Schiller in a recent CNBC interview said, “There is a certain, substantial amount of momentum in the housing market-much more than in the stock market.” WITH AN IMPROVING ECONOMY AND THE ECONOMICS OF BUYING VERSUS RENTING CLEARLY IN THE FAVOR OF BUYING, WOULD MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE MOVE OUT OF THEIR PARENT’S BASEMENTS AND CHOOSE TO BE A PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP? So here’s what we know now. The extremely bad winter did delay real estate transactions since many more people than normal waited until spring to list their homes for sale and house hunting was put off until spring. Buyer confidence in the housing market is strong and traffic to the major property search sites and open houses is very high.

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Because the listing inventory remains below historical levels for this time of year, buyer activity has caused an increase in average price to a level higher than it’s been since 2007. The rise in average selling prices is stimulating some potential buyers who had been delaying buying to buy sooner, further heating up the market. Cash offers from individual buyers of income property are common and the desirability of owning investment property remains strong. The number of foreclosures and short sales are dropping as rising prices have moved more homeowners out of a negative equity situation. More homeowners can move on with their lives since they are no longer trapped in underwater mortgages, thus stimulating the market. The rise in interest rates has not been a depressant to sales. The chief economist at Fannie Mae recently said: “Consumers have taken the interest rate rise in stride. Expectations for continued improvement in housing persist, and sentiment toward the current buying and selling environment is back on track.” Additionally, many lenders are relaxing their lending standards and more buyers are now qualified for a variety of mortgage products. There are many indications that the real estate market in greater Lansing will thrive again this year. The pent-up demand will continue to be released throughout the summer and will continue to gain momentum as more and more people realize this is a great time to make their move.

Curt Nurenberg is principal-in-charge of Rehmann’s Lansing office and works specifically with clients in the dental industry. He can be reached at curt.nurenberg@rehmann.com.

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Resounding Golf Clap Please... As we thank our 2014 Sparrow Health Classic sponsors and golfers, whose support is an investment in the health of our region. Presenting Sponsor SEI Investments Platinum Sponsors Cisco Systems Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company Sentinel Technologies Cart Sponsor Auto-Owners Insurance 19th Hole Dinner & Awards Sponsor Computerized Facility Integration, LLC Lunch Sponsor Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbook Flag Sponsors Gunthorpe Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Milliman Beverage Cart Sponsor Dewpoint Gold Sponsors Afga Healthcare The Christman Company/Hobbs+Black Architects Client Financial Services Comprehensive Pharmacy Services Coretek Services Foresight Group Kronos Incorporated Lansing Sanitary Supply Skytron

Silver Sponsors Aramark Healthcare Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardinal Health Center for Business Innovation / MERU Networks Coverys Insurance Services Data Strategy Demmer Corporation / Caddis Development Group Dykema G/S Solutions GlobalCare The Huntington National Bank John E. Green Company Logicalis Michigan Health & Hospital Association MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Regency Group Sparrow Physicians Health Network Superior Electric Putt-Putt Challenge Sponsor AT&T Volunteer Sponsor ProAssurance Casualty Company

Driving Range Sponsor Tri-Star Trust Putting Contest Sponsor MSU Federal Credit Union Hole-In-One Sponsor Okemos Auto Collection

See you June 17, 2015 Visit SparrowFoundation.org/HealthClassic for a complete list of our sponsors and a photo gallery from this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event.

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ACCOUNTING

Tax Tips for Your Growing Business BY HE ATHER CONWAY

re you an Entrepreneur? What’s it like? Are you able to enjoy the work/ life balance? As a business owner, going on eight years, I find it a challenge to balance work with being a wife, mother and taking the time to run to train for half and full marathons. Training means reduced stress, more rest and rest means less time for work and family time. Are you working as a sole proprietor or limited liability company completely on your own? This means more work for you doing administrative duties. If you are busy working IN your business you may not be working ON your business, causing you to lose money. There are creative ways to bring aboard staff to assist with some of the day-to-day administrative work that needs to be done. Do you also struggle with the question “what is my tax bill going to look like this year?” You need to be proactive by doing tax planning throughout the year versus waiting until filing season to know how much you owe. Remember every financial decision you make has a tax consequence. Once the year is over there is very little that can be done to assist in reducing or planning for what tax liability may be owed. Being proactive during the tax year allows you to make sure you are making the amount necessary for your quarterly estimated payments and manage cash flow. Are you one of those business owners who struggle to make your quarterly estimated tax payments and then when your tax return is completed you owe more money than you can pay? You then get notices from the IRS. The first notice will be a friendly reminder about the balance due on your tax return and what is owed. The second notice will be a Certified Letter stating “Notice of intent to seize (“levy”) your state tax refund or other property.” These letters are not to be ignored.

YOU NEED TO BE PROACTIVE BY DOING TAX PLANNING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR VERSUS WAITING UNTIL FILING SEASON TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU OWE. REMEMBER EVERY FINANCIAL DECISION YOU MAKE HAS A TAX CONSEQUENCE. The IRS is willing to work with you on a payment plan or if you have accumulated a significant amount of taxes owed there may be a chance you can file for an Offer in Compromise. An Offer in Compromise allows you to offer the IRS payment on the total tax due at an amount lower than what is really owed. This process is not an easy process. You need to make sure you have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other person who can represent you who is experienced in doing an Offer in Compromise. Large corporations often struggle with the same issues as small business owners. They

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may rely on working capital from the bank while managing their day-to-day activities. The large publicly traded corporations are under even more scrutiny. They are required to follow SEC Regulations and abide by the Sarbanes Oxley Rules. These companies have their own tax and legal departments, but you don’t want to work for someone else. That is why you are a small business owner and every company whether big or small has its challenges. If you are in the growing stages of your business where you’re spending too much time on administrative work or are seasonal, consider hiring a student from either, Michigan State University, Davenport University, Baker Collage or Capital Area Michigan Works!. Many of these students or are eager to get the experience they need to work in the area of study they are studying for. Giving them hands-on working experience will assist them in knowing that their goals are in line with what they are meant to do.

Heather L. Conway, CPA received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Davenport University in 1993. She established Conway CPA & Associates in 2006.

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BUSINESS CALENDAR

July 2014 BUSINESS EVENTS

Attendees at the Lansing Regional Chamber Grub Crawl last month.

7/8

JULY MEMBER MIXER, LANSING. Join the Lansing

Chamber for their July Mixer at Midtown Brewing Company, located at 402 S. Washington. Enjoy their new patio, food and craft beer. Call (517) 853-6463, email trichardson@ lansingchamber.org or visit www.lansingchamber.org.

event will be held at the University Club of MSU from 8 to 9 a.m. Call (517) 203-3333 or email virginia@m3group.biz.

7/31

OSHA COMPLIANCE 2014, LANSING. Would you

in business this in July. To celebrate, DBI is having a customer appreciation luncheon on July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The luncheon is a thank you to members and customers for their loyalty, patronage and wonderful relationships. RSVP at www. dbiyes.com.

pass an OSHA inspection tomorrow? This one-day intensive session will help anyone who is in charge of overseeing the safety and training of their organization’s employees so that you can pass with flying colors. Learn all of the ins and outs of OSHA and how to stay compliant. This session will take place at Best Western Plus, located at 6820 S. Cedar St. The cost for this course is $179/person or $169/person for groups of five or more. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. and the session runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.pryor.com.

7/22

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7/18

DBI CUSTOMER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON, LANSING. DBI...We do Office celebrates 30 years

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CONNECTIONS AND COFFEE, LANSING. Join the Greater

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Lansing Business Monthly, The University Club and presenting sponsors MSUFCU and Mark’s Gourmet Dogs for Connections and Coffee. Spend your morning N D F networking, enjoying a light breakfast and COF listening to a short presentation. This free

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FUNDAMENTALS OF SUCCESSFUL PROJECT MANAGEMENT, LANSING. Managers and

supervisors, project leaders, self-directed work groups, team leaders — what do all of these have in common? These are people who need project management training. Learn to plan, schedule and control all of your projects. In this extensive two-day workshop, you will learn how to plan projects, keep things moving, establish timelines, manage many projects, monitor and control projects and solve

BUSINESS CALENDAR

problems. Attend this session at Comfort Inn Lansing, located at 525 N. Canal Road, to gain the knowledge you need to succeed. Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The cost to attend is $399/person. Call (800) 873-7545 or visit www.skillpath.com.

8/19

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND STRATEGIC THINKING, LANSING. Are you looking to spark

innovation and think outside the box? If so, this is a seminar for you. In just one day, you will gain much-needed information including: how to make the correct decision, how to problem solve strategically, how to brainstorm creatively and much more. This session will be held at Best Western Plus Lansing Hotel, located at 6820 S. Cedar St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check-in is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. The cost is $149/person or $139/person for groups of five or more. Call (800) 556-2998 or visit http://events.pryor.com/289769 to register today.

8/27

DINNER & SEMINAR, EAST LANSING. The

Great Lakes Paralegal Association will host an informative seminar and dinner discussing “Obamacare” and You. Join Lauren B. Dunn, associate attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., as she leads this important discussion. There will be a cash bar reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. dinner and 6:45 p.m. program. The cost to attend is $30/ person for GLPA members and students or $45/person for non-members. The price includes both dinner and the seminar. Don’t miss this opportunity at Spartan Hall of Fame, located at 1601 W. Lake Lansing Road. Email Elisabeth.mowen@greenstonefcs.com for more information or visit www.glpa-michigan.org.

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MSUFCU CELEBRATES MERIDIAN CROSSING BRANCH GROUND BREAKING

MSU Federal Credit Union recently celebrated the ground breaking of its future MSUFCU Meridian Crossing branch, located at 2300 Jolly Road in Okemos, near the corner of Jolly and Okemos roads. Representatives from MSUFCU and Meridian Township were in attendance to make formal remarks regarding the new branch, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015.

NEW LINGERIE BOUTIQUE COMES TO OLD TOWN Curvaceous has succeeded in building a market big enough to expand into its own space. No longer sharing a store with The Wedding Bell in Okemos, Curvaceous’ new location is at 509 E. Grand River Ave. in Old Town, next to the new location of Grace Boutique. Proprietor and owner of Curvaceous, Lauren Long, said the store found its true spot in Old Town. The new retail location offers triple the space and in turn supplies a larger variety of merchandise to customers. The local company offers a more extensive range of sizes than larger department stores by offering bra sizes 28-46 band, A-KK cup and lingerie from small to plus. CBRE|MARTIN NEGOTIATES TWO LEASES TO FILL REMAINING SPACE WITHIN HAGADORN PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CBRE|Martin (CBRE) is pleased to 56

The Meridian Crossing Branch will be a full service location with drive-up tellers and 24-hour ATMs. It will also offer a range of services, including mortgages. Upon completion, the branch will also create 15 jobs, employing members of the local community.

announce that both OtterBase, Inc. and Morrison, Nordmann and Associates, LLC have leased space within the Hagadorn Professional Building at 1504 Grand River Ave. in East Lansing. Located at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road, the twostory red brick office building is now 100 percent occupied. OtterBase, Inc. leased 2,524 sq. ft. within the building to open its first Lansing area office. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, OtterBase is a fast-growing supplemental staffing company providing staffing services in the areas of Enterprise IT, Digital and Interactive, Engineering, Scientific, Professional and Executive. While a new addition to the Lansing market, OtterBase is a nationally recognized name in staffing with offices across the country including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Nashville, Los Angeles and Madison. Jeff Bennett, co-founder and Chairman of OtterBase, is happy to strengthen his company’s presence within the Michigan market. In addition, financial advisors Morrison,

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Nordmann and Associates, Inc. have leased 1,329 sq. ft. within the building. Formerly located in Charlotte, the firm first enlisted CBRE to sell their existing building, with the subsequent sale enabling them to make the move to East Lansing. CBRE Senior Associate and Office Advisor Thomas Jamieson represented both tenants in their search for leased space. WILLIAMSTON CHAMBER HONORS 2014 CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR The Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce announces the selection of Teresa Wood as their 2014 Chamber Member of the Year. Teresa and her husband of 37 years, Dave Wood, have owned Wood and Sons Corn Bin since 2004. They previously owned Wood and Sons Parts Plus and Williamston Glass. They have two children, Robert Wood, age 25, of Florida, and Ethan Wood, age 23, of Williamston. Teresa came to Williamston

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in 1962 and attended Williamston schools, graduating from Williamston High School in 1973. Teresa served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors from May 2007 through December 2013. Teresa volunteers her time with many local events and activities, such as First Fridays, Cool Car Night, Dog Days, Light Parade, Craft Show and more. PM ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDERS ARE ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2014 AWARD FINALISTS Ernst & Young (EY) recently announced that Peter S. Bosanic, Founder and President, and Michael T. Kulka, Founder and CEO of PM Environmental, Inc. are finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 Award in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

announce that Amanda Toy, CMP, CTA has been promoted to Associate Director of Sales for the organization.

TRANSNATION TITLE AGENCY OF MICHIGAN HONORED BY INC. MAGAZINE

A staff member since 2011, Toy will continue in her role in Association Group Sales while taking on the development of third party accounts and strategic planning as well as training and relationship development within the local hospitality community. Previous to her employment with the GLCVB, Toy was a Sales Manager with the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit working in the State Association, Entertainment and Pharmaceutical markets.

INC. Magazine recognizes Transnation Title Agency of Michigan as being one of the premier mid-sized companies in the United States.

For more information on the GLCVB Destination Sales department, visit www. lansing.org.

The magazine did a one year study of over 100,000 American companies that had more than 85 employees but less than 1,000. Their focus was to determine which of those mid-sized companies demonstrated sustained and noticeable growth during and immediately after the so-called Great Recession. Transnation Title Agency of Michigan more than doubled its workforce in the last five years and grew revenues to $13 million in the real estate business, one of the nation’s hardest hit industries during this time period. Transnation Title Agency was one of only four Michigan

Kulka and Bosanic began their environmental consulting firm, PM Environmental, Inc., in 1992 with a single truck and business cards. The two began working in the Lansing, Mich. market, where they established the company headquarters. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2014. AMANDA TOY, CMP, CTA PROMOTED TO GLCVB, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SALES The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is pleased to

Going beyond four walls, a roof, and a lease. Delivering functionality, value, and dependability.

DISTINCTIVE QUALITY. www.dartdevelopment.com

3120 Sovereign Dr., Suite 4B, Lansing, MI 48911 • 888.DART.001

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companies selected by INC. Magazine for their Build 100 list. NEW TEAM MEMBER AT LEZOTTE MILLER Alex Barhorst, a former member of Michigan State University’s Communications and Brand Strategy department, has joined Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as a writer and media coordinator. Barhorst was a member of the university’s media communications team where he produced content for MSU’s online news publication, MSU TODAY. His writing and videos highlighted the research, work and achievements of Michigan State’s students, staff and faculty for local, regional and national news outlets. BUSINESS CONSULTANT JOINS BURCHAM HILLS’ FOUNDATION BOARD Tom Hamp, founder of AdviCoach Business Consultants, has been appointed to the Burcham Hills Foundation board of directors. Hamp Prior to launching his own business, Hamp was an executive sales manager for Metro Imaging, an office support products dealer in Michigan, working with companies such as IBM, Eastman Kodak Co. and CBI Copy Products. Hamp earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Oakland University. His business, which provides systems, tools, processes and training to improve profitability for businesses, is based in DeWitt. Burcham Hills is a continuum-of-care retirement community providing quality retirement living in its Resident Center and short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care in its Center for Health and Rehabilitation. 58

DEWPOINT NAMED TO CRN’S 2014 SOLUTION PROVIDER 500 LIST Dewpoint, a leading provider of technology consulting and implementation solutions, recently announced it has been named to the 2014 Solution Provider 500 (SP500) list by The Channel Company’s CRN. The list ranks the top revenue-generating technology integrators in the U.S. and Canada whose forward-thinking approach to the channel has helped them evolve and thrive in today’s cloud and services-driven IT era. The list spans eight categories from hardware and software sales, to managed IT services. Dewpoint placed 384 in the annual ranking, up 38 spots from 2013. Founded in 1996, Dewpoint experts have a long success record of helping to develop short- or long-term strategic technology plans to maximize current resources and better position your organization for the future. Additional information is available at www.dewpoint.com. DICKINSON WRIGHT RECEIVES TOP RANKINGS BY CHAMBERS USA; ATTORNEY ROBERT STOCKER RECOGNIZED AS LEADER IN FIELD Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Chambers USA, publisher of the world’s leading guides to the legal profession, has named Dickinson Stocker Wright’s Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, General Commercial Litigation, Labor & Employment, and Real Estate practices as “Top Ranked” practices in Michigan. Chambers also named the firm’s General Commercial Litigation and Real Estate practices in Arizona as “Top Ranked” practices. Attorney Robert W. Stocker, II from Dickinson Wright’s Lansing office

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was named a “Leaders in their Fields.” London-based publisher Chambers & Partners conducts research into the strengths and reputations of U.S. law firms by state, through in-depth interviews with peer and competing firm attorneys, in-house counsel and significant purchases of legal services. Of the “Top Ranked” practices, Dickinson Wright’s General Commercial Litigation practice in Michigan received a Band 1 ranking. Of the attorneys ranked by Chambers, the following attorneys received a Band 1 ranking: Robert W. Stocker, II, Gaming & Licensing. Robert W. Stocker II is the firm’s Gaming Practice Leader and is recognized for his expertise in gaming and regulatory compliance. Dickinson Wright PLLC is a full-service law firm with more than 40 practice areas. Founded in 1878, Dickinson Wright PLLC has over 350 lawyers in offices located in Detroit, Troy, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Saginaw, Mich.; Columbus, Ohio; Las Vegas, Nev.; Nashville, Tenn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Washington, D.C. Dickinson Wright LLP has over 35 lawyers in Toronto, Canada. ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS BREAKS RECORDS DURING ITS 29TH ANNUAL MAKE-AWISH FUNDRAISER Associated Builders and Contractors — Greater Michigan Chapter is pleased to announce having raised a record $28,000 at the 2014 dinner/dance benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Since the chapter began working with Make-A-Wish as part of its ABC Cares initiative, they have raised nearly $500,000 allowing wishes to be granted to more than 90 area children. To learn more about the event or become involved, contact Rebecca Kaiser at (989) 832-8879 or via email at rkaiser@abcgmc. org; online at www.abcgmc.org.

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CASE CREDIT UNION DONATES OVER $3,000 TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LANSING CASE Credit Union employees, lead by their Community Activity Team, raised $3,685 for Boys & Girls Club, Lansing MI. The check was presented to the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing Representative, Director of Operations, Joseph Yang during the credit union’s May allstaff meeting. The Boys & Girls Club of Lansing’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

LEGAL SERVICES OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN RECOGNIZES CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE Legal Services of South Central Michigan would like to thank the Circle of Excellence Firms that made significant contributions in 2013 to provide access to justice to low income families in the Lansing area community. Leadership Level (Each lawyer donated $500 or 30 hours of pro bono) Dykema, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, Miller Canfield and Thrun Law Firm, P.C. Excellence Level (Each lawyer donated $300 or 30 hours of pro bono) Bodman PLC, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., Sinas, Dramis, Brake, Boughton & McIntyre, P.C., Warner Norcross & Judd LLP and Willingham & Coté, P.C.

HIGHFIELDS NAMES NEW OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS

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Sheila Brake of Accident Fund Insurance Co. of America has been elected chair of the Highfields Inc. Board of Directors, and four other officers were also appointed:

Sara Bennett, Two Men and a Truck, chairelect; Mike Zamiara, independent consultant, treasurer; Anethia Brewer, 54A District Court, secretary; and Brian Gallagher, Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C. law firm, past chair.

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Five new members were elected to the board: Karen Johns, formerly of Jackson County Department of Human Services, Mark Kellogg, Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C., Katie Rexrode, Jackson National Life Insurance Co., Tanda Reynolds, formerly of Jackson County Department of Human Services, and Marlon Roberts, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

Re-elected to the Endowment Committee were: Gary Climes, independent financial consultant; Ken Frankland, attorney; Mike Zamiara; Richard Martin, Wells Fargo Advisors; Thomas Hacker, Summit Community Bank of Michigan and Mark Emmert, Dart Bank. Highfields elected the officers and new board members at its annual meeting on April 30. Terms begin May 1. Three board members were recognized for completing terms of board service: Carl Thelen of LorAnn Oils; Sam Davis of the Ingham County Sheriff’s office, who served as chair in 2011/2012; and Milton Scales of M.L. Scales and Associates. Founded in 1962, Highfields Inc. is a notfor-profit organization in its 52nd year of providing home-based counseling, residential care, experiential education and support programs for families, youth and communities throughout mid-Michigan.

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EMILY MAGYAR JOINS KING MEDIA AS MARKETING COORDINATOR King Media is pleased to announce that Emily Magyar has recently joined the agency as Marketing Coordinator. Magyar brings two years of marketing and social media management experience to King Media. Magyar

Most recently, Magyar was both the Brand Ambassador for Cat Footwear, a Wolverine World Wide lifestyle brand, and the Director of Social Media at The Odyssey, a Michigan State University campus publication. KELLY LAGRAVE, ACP, RECEIVES FIRST “KELLY A. LAGRAVE ACP PRESIDENT’S AWARD”

The Great Lakes Paralegal Association (GLPA) created and awarded the first “Kelly A. LaGrave President’s Award” in honor of Kelly LaGrave LaGrave, an Advanced Certified Paralegal in Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC’s Lansing office. LaGrave received the award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the growth and future of the paralegal profession and for her contributions to GLPA. LaGrave has served as the President of the State Bar of Michigan Paralegal Section, and is the elected President of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), to be installed at NALA’s annual meeting in July 2014. LaGrave serves Foster Swift in the practice areas of Tax Exempt Organizations; Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Transactions & Alliances; Entity Selection, Organization & Planning; Non-Profit Corporate Law; Insurance Regulatory & Compliance; Business & Corporate; Agri-Business; and Banking,

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Finance, & Real Estate. She was presented with the “Kelly A. LaGrave President’s Award” at GLPA’s First Annual Meeting on June 11, 2014.

The president of Michigan Association of REALTORS, Carol Griffith, appointed Dean to a one-year term to fill a vacant seat. When her one-year term is up, Dean plans to run for a three-year term.

working extensively on various Martin Waymire clients, including Potter Park Zoo, Michigan Future and Kewadin Casinos.

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In addition to GLAR, Dean is an active member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS national executive committee, Michigan Association of REALTORS, REALTOR Political Action Committee and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Ledge.

MSUFCU NAMED FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OF THE YEAR

The Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS is a member organization committed to serving its members and community by providing progressive leadership, education, and knowledge in the expanding real estate industry. The Association is the leading resource for accurate real estate information in Mid-Michigan.

MSU Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that it was named 2014 Federal Credit Union of the Year by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions

LAFCU has announced the promotion of Jordan McNeilly to marketing analyst and has hired Alyssa Sliger as marketing intern. McNeilly

In his new position, McNeilly, of Holt, is responsible for LAFCU’s market research, communication of LAFCU services, and search engine content for LAFCU.com. As marketing intern, Sliger, of Grand Ledge, manages LAFCU’s social media accounts, writes content for LAFCU’s youth website Sliger ( L A F C U M y Wa y. co m ) , maximizes search engine optimization, and provides other marketing and promotional assistance. To learn more about LAFCU’s services, visit www.LAFCU.com or call (517) 6226600. DEAN APPOINTED TO NAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Dean of Gateway to Homes at Keller Williams has been appointed to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) board of directors. Dean has been a member of the local chapter, the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS (GLAR), for 27 years where she serves on the board of directors, is a past president and has participated on many committees. She is decorated with seven professional designations awarded by the National Association of REALTORS.

(NAFCU) among credit unions with more than $250 million in assets.

MARTIN WAYMIRE ADDS TWO TO STAFF

MSUFCU and other winners in NAFCU’s 2014 Annual Awards Competition will be honored in conjunction with NAFCU’s 47th Annual Conference and Solutions Expo in Las Vegas, July 22-26.

A social media and technology marketing expert with strong design and writing skills and an assistant account executive join the staff of Martin Waymire, a Lansing- based, full-service public relations and social media marketing firm.

In the past year, MSUFCU has reached many milestones. From reaching $2.5 billion in assets, to saving members more than $7.7 million in interest, the year has been full of successes.

Andrea Poole adds another senior-level social media expert to the Martin Waymire team. Andrea, who comes to Martin Waymire from one of Poole Michigan’s leading technology companies, also brings strong graphic design and writing skills. As senior account executive, marketing and new media, she will provide strategic and tactical support to the firm’s clients.

Rokisky

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Greg Rokisky, who joined Martin Waymire in 2013 as a student practitioner, will become an assistant account executive, to support the firm’s senior staff as needed. He has been J U LY 2 0 1 4

MSUFCU also expanded a longtime partnership with Oakland University to establish Oakland University Credit Union, a registered trade name of MSUFCU, and merged with Eaton County Educational Credit Union (ECECU), gaining the MSUFCU Charlotte Branch this year. On top of providing superior service to members throughout the year, MSUFCU employees also worked to make a difference in the community through financial education, charitable giving and volunteering. MSUFCU hosted financial education seminars for more than 3,000 individuals, including members, students, and local youth, promoting financial wellness in the community. In the past year, Credit Union employees also supported local charities, including the Help A Willing Kid Foundation (H.A.W.K.), Capital Area United Way and

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Relay for Life. Employees raised more than $110,000 in total through raffles, cookie sales, supply drives and payroll deductions. In addition to fundraising activities, Credit Union employees also donated countless hours of their time, volunteering in a number of different ways throughout the year.

WILX Media is comprised of market leading news and information outlets WILX-TV, WILX.com, WILX Mobile and The Weather Authority weather channel. WILX Media also recently launched entertainment channel Antenna TV on digital sub-channel10.3. Petersmark has served as a Senior

Account Executive for the organization since 2000. She will now be responsible for management and oversight of all local, national, regional and digital sales and marketing initiatives for the company. WILX Media specializes in creating customized advertising and marketing

NEW FROZEN YOGURT SHOP OPENS AT MERIDIAN MALL Blue Mango, a new locally-owned premium frozen yogurt shop, has opened its doors in the Meridian Mall Food Court. Blue Mango serves gourmet frozen yogurts that are low-fat, gluten-free, lactose friendly and made with real fruit sugars. In addition to the standard fare frozen yogurt flavors like vanilla and chocolate, Blue Mango can offer 110 different flavors and has custom blended flavors such as dreamsicle and Nutella. The topping bar offers more than 50 custom toppings every day, which are changed regularly to make your favorite frozen yogurt creation unique with every visit. Blue Mango is located in the Meridian Mall Food Court near Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sporting Goods. The store is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Visit BlueMangoFroYo.com to find out what each weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custom blend flavors are being featured. PETERSMARK TAPPED TO LEAD WILX MEDIA

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WILX Media announced recently that long-time sales veteran, Debbie Petersmark, has been named General Sales Manager of the multiplatform media organization. w w w

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HBA OF GREATER LANSING AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HELP DESERVING FAMILY The Home Builders Association of Greater Lansing and Habitat for Humanity Lansing recently completed a five-day build of a home on Wayne Street in Lansing for a deserving family during the 2014 Home Builders Blitz. HBA members worked around the clock from Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13 to build a house for the Konwerski family.

Jay Nyboer of Nyboer Builders, Gary Hengesbach of Westphalia Builders, LLC and Brent Forsberg of T.A. Forsberg, Inc. Many other local businesses have also supported this important effort. A home dedication ceremony was held on Monday, June 16 and the family is scheduled to move in late summer.

Tim and Ashley have four children, Taylor, “11”; Elliott, “8”; Xander, “7” and Madisyn, “4”. The parents have always dreamed of owning a home that accommodates the needs of their children with disabilities as well as one that offers stability for the whole family. Both Elliot and Xander have cerebral palsy and are wheelchair bound. The HBA Builder members that made this family’s dreams come true are Aaron Tobias of Century Construction, Ray Evert of Evert Construction,

solutions across television, internet and mobile platforms for businesses large and small. WILX is owned by Gray Television, Inc and is the NBC Television affiliate serving the Mid-Michigan market area. According to the most recent television ratings available, WILX produces the highest viewed television newscasts in the market and most visited broadcast media digital platforms. CBRE|MARTIN WELCOMES CBRE VALUATION ADVISORY SERVICES

CBRE|Martin is pleased to announce of the CBRE affiliate network thatPart CBRE Valuation & Advisory Services (VAS) is expanding their Michigan presence and will establish a local office in the greater Lansing Area, to be located within the CBRE|Martin office. Part of the CBRE affiliate Previously located within network the Detroit CBRE office, CBRE VAS Senior Appraiser David Mielnicki, SRA will provide 64

professional appraisal and consulting services to the greater Lansing market. Mielnicki is a candidate for MAI designation and possesses 10 years of experience in the real estate appraisal industry. He can be reached at (517) 3199270 or at dave.mielnicki@cbre.com. With valuation offices across the country, CBRE VAS also has offices in Southfield and Grand Rapids, which are staffed by 19 appraisal professionals, with six holding the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. CBRE Valuation & Advisory Services delivers high-quality valuations that help clients make the right real estate decisions. The Valuation & Advisory Services Group is a nationwide organization of experienced professionals, providing appraisal and consulting services to a broad-based local and national clientele. With a professional staff of more than 450 appraisers and a local presence in more than 60 major metro areas, CBRE focuses on the needs of our clients with a commitment to providing a high-quality product produced in a timely manner at a reasonable cost.

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JONATHAN LUM JOINS KELLER WILLIAMS, LANSING Jonathan Lum, a real estate sales professional in Lansing, has joined the Keller Williams Realty-Lansing. Lum has an extensive background in finance and has been in the real estate industry for four years. Since returning to his hometown, Lum has become deeply involved with the community. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board for Allen Neighborhood Center and Chairman of the Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority for the City of Lansing. Lum has a passion for placemaking and works diligently to make the Lansing region a top choice for people to live, work and play. Keller Williams Realty-Lansing, located at 3490 Belle Chase Way, Suite 130, Lansing MI 48910, has been serving the Lansing market for 11 years and has 99 associates. To learn more about Keller Williams, call Susan Dickinson at (517)-853-6383 or visit www.realestatecareerslansing.com.

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THIRTEEN NEW EMPLOYEES JOIN WORLDWIDE MOVING COMPANY Two Men and a Truck is pleased to announce the addition of 13 new employees at its corporate headquarters located in Lansing, Mich. These employees will support more than 270 U.S. locations and represent several areas of the business. Emily Holley, of Mason, is the new payroll support specialist; Kristin Watkins is the new training and development manager at the corporate office; Douglas Bushard, of Perry, recently joined the team as franchise business consultant; Charlene Bush was also hired as a franchise business consultant at Two Men and a Truck International, Inc.; Joseph Turbeville, of Jackson, is the new franchise business consultant; Dawn Adkins is now the employee services specialist at Two Men and a Truck International, Inc.; Brian Lee, of Howell, was recently named

junior business intelligence analyst; Jennifer Moran, of Lansing, is the new junior business analyst. Chris Munsell is the new application developer at Two Men and a Truck International, Inc.; Stephen Ostrander, of Delhi Township, is now the after hours team lead; Toni Williams is the new after hours customer service representative at Two Men and a Truck International, Inc.; Shaquina Carrington is the new after hours customer response representative at Two Men and a Truck International, Inc.; Jenifer Luna, of Lansing, was also recently hired as an after hours customer service representative. Two Men and a Truck is the largest franchised moving company both in the United States and internationally. Currently there are more than 270 national locations and 1,800 trucks operating in the U.S.; in total, the company operates 290 locations and

1,900 trucks. Two Men and a Truck® has performed more than 4.7 million moves since its inception in 1985. The company has seen consistent monthly growth dating back to December 2009 and more than 35 consecutive months of record growth. Each location is independently owned and operated. For franchising opportunities, visit www.twomenandatruckfranchising. com. BERNICK, RADNER & OUELLETTE, P.C. ADDS ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY Bernick, Radner & Ouellette, P.C., is pleased to announce the addition of Carrie E. Huff as an associate attorney. Huff focuses her practice in the areas of domestic relations/family law, personal protection litigation and general civil litigation. She was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Michigan in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and was named one of the top 5 attorneys under the age of 35 for Ingham County in 2013. Huff is a graduate of Belmont University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School and is licensed to practice in Michigan and New York. Bernick, Radner & Ouellette, P.C. is a law firm specializing in family law and estate planning, serving Lansing and the surrounding community since 1986.

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THE MERIDIAN COMPANY SPONSORS LITTLE FEATS 5K RUN/ WALK The

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TheMeridianAdvantage.net Little Feats 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Meridian Township office complex (5151 Marsh Road in Okemos) to benefit Mott Children’s Hospital for pediatric brain tumor research. Registration is $25 in advance or $30 on the day of the race. Register today at https://runsignup.com/LittleFeats. The 66

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race benefits children such as Sevren Farhat, who in 2011 was diagnosed with an Optic Pathway Glioma, a slow growing, low-grade tumor that had grown on his left optic nerve, and who is being treated at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.themeridianadvantage.net.

CATA ELECTS NEW BOARD OFFICERS The Capital Area Transportation Authority elected a new slate of officers to serve on its board of directors, effective June 18, 2014. Patrick Cannon, Chair Cannon is a long-standing member of

CATA’s board. He has represented Meridian Township since 1991. He was elected vice-chair in October 2013. Prior to that, he had served as the board’s secretarytreasurer since 2009. Cannon’s leadership experience includes two presidential appointments, one by President Barack Obama in March 2014 to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board; the other by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Access Board in 1995. Robert Swanson, Vice-Chair Swanson has been a member of CATA’s board since 2008, representing the city of Lansing. Following more than 34 years in state and government service, Swanson retired in 2007 as director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth and a member of Governor Jennifer Granholm’s cabinet. In 2010, Granholm appointed Swanson to the Michigan Civil Service Commission; his term expires Dec. 31, 2018. Douglas Lecato, Secretary-Treasurer Lecato has represented Delhi Township on the CATA board since 2009. He is also the board liaison for the Local Advisory Committee. He has worked for the American Cancer Society’s information technology department for more than 15 years. Lecato utilizes CATA’s services on a daily basis. CATA’s board consists of 12 members, representing the cities of Lansing and East Lansing; Meridian, Delhi and Lansing townships; Ingham County; and Michigan State University, as follows: Peter Kuhnmuench, City of Lansing Robin Lewis, City of Lansing Anne Wilson, City of Lansing Robert Swanson, City of Lansing Ralph Monsma, City of East Lansing Nathan Triplett, City of East Lansing Julie Brixie, Meridian Township Patrick Cannon, Meridian Township Douglas Lecato, Delhi Township Joseph Sambaer, Lansing Township Mark Grebner, Ingham County John Prush, Michigan State University

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scene. heard. Amazing things happen when you listen. A connection is formed. At AT&T, we’re all about connections. And we’d like to thank the Greater Lansing Business Monthly for giving us something to talk about.

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For more information on how CBRE|Martin can assist you with your real estate needs Part of the CBRE affiliate network please contact: CBRE|Martin +1 517 351 2200 www.cbrelansing.com Part of the CBRE affiliate network

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