A long-discussed plan for a large solar project at the former Butterworth landfill in Grand Rapids could be moving forward under a recent settlement agreement approved by state energy regulators.

GRAND RAPIDS — Lansing-based construction management firm Clark Construction Co. will expand its West Michigan presence with a new office at the McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids.

Steelcase Inc. and MillerKnoll Inc. — the two largest players in office furniture manufacturing — are experiencing lower order volumes as corporations delay return-to-office plans, and are both responding with cost-cutting measures in the coming weeks.

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, or Gun Lake Tribe, will receive a $1.5 million federal grant from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration for infrastructure investments to support economic growth.

GRANDVILLE — The owners of vegetation management company Integrity Tree Services LLC have sold the business to its workers via a new employee stock ownership plan.

Local officials in Mecosta County on Monday night approved long-term tax incentives for a potential electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant eyed for the Big Rapids area.

TRAVERSE CITY — Technology startup incubator 20Fathoms has received a $50,000 state grant to help fund a position that can provide additional support services in the tech entrepreneurial space.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for September 26, 2022:

People in the News: A roundup of new hires, promotions and awards in West Michigan.

Eight West Michigan companies will each receive $25,000 grants under a state program that helps small manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies.

CASCADE TWP. — An Italian manufacturer of luxury RV and boat fixtures plans to open its North American headquarters in Cascade Township with a $7.3 million investment that could create 130 jobs.

GRAND RAPIDS — Longtime family-owned window covering retailer The Shade Shop Inc. has sold to another family-owned company in the Grand Rapids area.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids-based fintech and global insurance broker Acrisure LLC has acquired an Illinois company that helps small businesses obtain quotes and buy customized coverage online. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Tribal Business News, a national publication headquartered in Grand Rapids that covers the $130 billion tribal economy, is hosting the first-ever Great Lakes Tribal Economic Summit on Oct. 6.

MUSKEGON — Waséyabek Development Co., the non-gaming economic development arm of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, has purchased the manufacturing facility that houses one of its portfolio companies, RSI of West Michigan.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is turning to a veteran law enforcement professional to run the Cannabis Regulatory Agency as the state embarks on a national search to select a permanent executive director.

GRAND RAPIDS — Third-party data center maintenance provider Service Express Inc. has acquired the similarly focused, Beaverton, Ohio-based Sherlock Services Inc.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for September 12, 2022:

People in the News: A roundup of new hires, promotions and awards in West Michigan.

HOLLAND — Independent Bank has opened a branch office in Holland at 12368 Riley St., off U.S.-31 near a Meijer Inc. store.

GRAND RAPIDS — Mutually Human LLC, a Grand Rapids-based digital transformation and software consultant, acquired Mirrorlytics LLC, a respected data and business analytics firm also based in Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS — The Huizenga Group has bolstered its capabilities in the automation sector in a deal for supplier Bulldog Factory Service LLC based in Madison Heights.

Public projects across Kent, Barry, Mason and Oceana counties will receive a funding boost following today’s approval of more than $3.4 million in state funding from the Revitalization and Placemaking Program. 

NORTON SHORES — Private equity-backed AGS Company Automotive Solutions LLC, a maker of automotive aftermarket parts, has acquired a California-based manufacturer and distributor of auto and motorcycle tools and equipment.

ALPINE TWP. — A division of global automotive parts supplier NBHX Trim Group will close its Alpine Township facility and begin to lay off 74 employees next month as it transfers operations to Mexico.

KENTWOOD — A European manufacturer of natural snack food products will invest nearly $42 million to establish a U.S. headquarters in Kentwood and create up to 185 jobs in the process, state officials announced today.

GRAND RAPIDS — Crain Communications Inc. has acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal from Troy-based Gemini Media LLC, publication executives announced today.

KENTWOOD — Montage Inc., a provider of protection plans for residential furniture, jewelry and watches, has sold to One80 Intermediaries Inc., a Boston-based specialty insurance broker.

Recent sales of major West Michigan craft breweries has led to new financial assets — as well as institutional knowledge — being redeployed as investments in startup companies and philanthropic programs.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for August 29, 2022: