GRAND RAPIDS — Laura Aikens has been named Grand Valley State University's vice president for University Development and executive director of the Grand Valley University Foundation. President Philomena V. Mantella said Aikens brings rich fundraising experience and proven leadership skills to the position. Aikens most recently served as senior vice president for CCS Fundraising, one
GRAND RAPIDS—Compliance Systems, provider of digital compliance documentation, announced a mobile-enabled online account openings, which allows financial institution customers and members to open accounts up to 10 times faster. The software streamlines documents and hosts unique content such as embedded videos and tutorials to help financial institutions build relationships that consumer and commercial deposit customers
GRAND RAPIDS - After taking a year off, Start Garden is bringing back a business pitch competition that awards $1,000 to 100 contestants and $20,000 to 10 finalists. The Start Garden 100 begins accepting pitches from entrepreneurs who are asked to submit a 90-second video describing their idea. Start Garden will accept entries through July 26. Judges
ADA — Global direct selling giant Amway Corp. is cutting 6 percent of its global workforce or about 900 people, most of whom are based at the company’s world headquarters in Ada, MiBiz has learned. A spokesperson confirmed that Amway notified eligible employees today about a “voluntary separation plan” aimed at helping the company to better focus on its
GRAND RAPIDS — Former Lakeshore Advantage CEO Randy Thelen is returning to West Michigan to lead regional economic development firm The Right Place Inc. Thelen will replace long-time President and CEO Birgit Klohs, who is planning to retire at the end of January after 33 years with the organization. Thelen starts March 1. The Right Place board
GRAND RAPIDS—Officials at T-Mobile US Inc. announced the expansion of the T-Mobile Home Internet pilot project in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties, where residents can sign up whether they’re a T-Mobile wireless phone customer or not. T-Mobile Home Internet costs $50 a month, taxes and fees included, and requires no annual service contracts, and a pledge
GRAND RAPIDS. – After a decade of operating out of an office space in Grand Rapids, The KR Group opened a second location in Spring Lake. CEO Matt Keeler explained this move was something the company has been considering for a while. As the company’s customer base grew to include more customers along the lakeshore,
GRAND RAPIDS— In 2020, the West Michigan economy will see flat employment growth, weakening sales growth and strengthening export growth, according to a Grand Valley State University economics professor. Paul Isely, professor of economics and associate dean in the Seidman College of Business, unveiled his benchmark survey of the regional economy January 23, during the 2020 Colliers
EAST LANSING - Grand Rapids is home to nearly 40 popular breweries. The first and most well-known is Founders Brewing Company, which was established in 1997. Over the next decade and a half, a number of breweries opened, and the city was voted Beer City USA in 2012 and 2013. In 2016 and 2017, USA
MUSKEGON - Two West Michigan cities, Muskegon and Grand Rapids, opted-in for adult-use cannabis on October 8. City Commissioners in Muskegon voted on two ordinances that will bring recreational cannabis to the City. The first ordinance to opt-in follows the guidelines and language within MRTMA and includes licensing fees, the application process, permit renewal, and
