GRAND RAPIDS — Native News Online, a Grand Rapids-based, Indigenous-led news outlet covering tribal issues nationally, has been selected as the 10th member of URL Media, a national network of media organizations owned and operated by Black, Indigenous and People of Color. 

West Michigan is poised to experience multiple cold storage and food supply chain expansions totaling tens of millions of dollars as the region’s agribusiness sector continues to thrive.

West Michigan hospitals are delaying care, shifting staff and repurposing spaces — among other measures — in response to the latest COVID-19 surge that’s pushing systems and workers. 

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for January 17, 2022.

LAWTON — Global food manufacturer Welch Foods Inc. plans to invest $26.2 million and add up to 57 jobs for a new bottling line planned at its facility in Van Buren County, state officials announced today.

WYOMING — Vander Kodde Construction Co. was recently acquired by the third generation in the firm’s family ownership. 

Officials with Kalamazoo-based Bell’s Brewery Inc. are exploring new efficiencies with New Belgium Brewing Co. after the two craft beer staples formally completed a merger on Dec. 31.

KALAMAZOO — SPARK Business Works in Kalamazoo has acquired Houston, Texas-based digital marketing agency Convergent1.

Gun Lake Investments — the non-gaming economic development arm of the Match-E-Be-NashShe-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, or Gun Lake Tribe — has named Monica King as permanent CEO of the organization effective Jan. 1.

In a year dominated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, West Michigan’s business community experienced a mix of highs and lows.

Here's the MiBiz growth report for January 3, 2022.

The planned merger between Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health sent shockwaves through Michigan’s health care community, and aspects of the blockbuster proposal accounted for half of MiBiz’s 10 most-read health care stories in 2021.

West Michigan’s lakeshore is in the midst of several major redevelopment projects that include grandiose plans for lakefront reconfigurations spanning Manistee to Grand Haven.

GRAND RAPIDS TWP. — Global wood products manufacturer UFP Industries Inc. capped off a frenzied calendar year of dealmaking this week, announcing yet another acquisition to close out 2021.

The past year has brought a variety of challenges for West Michigan’s manufacturers as labor shortages continue to be a shared theme across sectors.

GRAND RAPIDS — Mercy Health and behavioral health care provider Network180 are partnering to open a new Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Grand Rapids next year.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has issued more than $2 million in grants designed to build a more robust pipeline between adult education and workforce training programs and local businesses that are looking to hire.

State lawmakers moved quickly last week to advance new economic development incentives, with the House and Senate passing legislation to create new funds and programs to attract major advanced manufacturing projects.

BYRON TWP. — Rohr Gasoline Equipment Inc. — a longtime provider of petroleum equipment sales, installation and service work — has been sold to an eastern Michigan company.

CADILLAC — A decades-old Northern Michigan fireplace and chimney business was recently purchased by four of its own employees.

Major investor-owned utilities Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are seeking expedited approval from state regulators to create new economic development electricity rates aimed at attracting major manufacturing projects.

The Michigan Nonprofit Association last week named longtime Vice President Kelley Kuhn as its next president and CEO.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for December 5, 2021.

GRAND RAPIDS — Regional economic development organization The Right Place Inc. recently announced new partnerships that would bring its services and expertise to Mason and Mecosta counties in West Michigan.

LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has appointed four officials to lead in new roles aimed at business attraction, real estate development and site readiness as the state competes for transformational projects. 

LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has appointed four officials to lead in new roles aimed at business attraction, real estate development and site readiness as the state competes for transformational projects. 

DETROIT — Vertically integrated cannabis company Gage Growth Corp. has secured a $55 million senior secured term loan to support retail acquisitions in Michigan and provide working capital.

GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health is planning to spend $117 million in the coming months on pay raises and bonuses as health systems across the country deal with widespread staffing shortages.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for November 21, 2021.

GRAND RAPIDS — City officials will leverage more than $1.4 million in state grant funding to buy 12 new diesel- and compressed natural gas-powered fleet vehicles as part of a climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.