
Kate Carlson
Staff Writer, covers real estate and development and small businesses
Twitter: @BizCarlson
Email: [email protected]
Pinnacle Construction plans $13M historic renovation for riverside apartment, office development
GRAND RAPIDS — Pinnacle Construction Group Inc. plans to renovate historic buildings next to its Grand Rapids headquarters along the Grand River to create a 12-unit affordable apartment building with office space.
City-created nonprofit to help achieve cannabis equity goals faces pushback
GRAND RAPIDS — A proposal that would allow a newly created nonprofit to help Grand Rapids cannabis companies meet their social equity pledges is facing pushback from some business owners and city officials who see it as diluting social justice efforts.
Fuel, housing costs underscore public transportation access at affordable housing
Historically high housing and fuel prices have made access to public transportation an increasingly important piece to developing much-needed affordable housing.
Community leaders push for connectivity at congested U.S.-131 interchange
GRAND RAPIDS — Despite numerous complexities involved with improving the congested Wealthy Street interchange at U.S.-131, city and community leaders seek to create more connectivity with $10 million recently allocated to upgrade the aging infrastructure.
Gun Lake Casino breaks ground on $300M expansion with resort-style ‘aquadome’ venue
WAYLAND — Gun Lake Casino today officially broke ground on its $300 million expansion that includes a 15-story hotel and multi-purpose “aquadome” enclosed pool space that will double as a nightlife venue.
Walters Gardens plans $9.15M expansion at Zeeland Twp. nursery
ZEELAND TWP. — Walters Gardens Inc. is investing $9.15 million to expand its operations in Zeeland Charter Township with a new 40,000-square-foot greenhouse.
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Hospitality industry still struggling through staffing, supply chain shortages
A recent survey of nearly 150 Michigan restaurant and hotel owners shows that most are still struggling with inadequate staffing and supply chain disruptions, and almost all employers are raising wages for their workers to address staffing shortages.
After recent acquisitions, Chicago property management firm sees ‘lot of opportunities’ in Grand Rapids
A Chicago-based property management firm sees long-term opportunity in the Grand Rapids market following a pair of apartment building acquisitions in the past six months totaling more than $17 million in investment.
Grand Rapids builder sells carbon-neutral apartment building for $4.65M
GRAND RAPIDS — Bazzani Building Co. has sold its recently constructed, all-electric Bradford Station apartment building in Grand Rapids for $4.65 million to a Chicago-based property management firm.
GR nonprofit relocates to renovated farmhouse after split from church
GRAND RAPIDS — New City Neighbors is set to unveil its new location at a renovated urban farmhouse that sits on a 1-acre plot in the city’s Creston neighborhood.
Grand Rapids approves 90-day grace period for non-complying cannabis operators; licensing dispute attracts state attention
GRAND RAPIDS — A divided Grand Rapids City Commission is granting a 90-day grace period to cannabis operators that are failing to meet social equity goals they promised three years ago while city staff determine a path forward.
World Renew nonprofit moves into newly constructed headquarters
BYRON CENTER — A nonprofit that helps rebuild homes following natural disasters has moved into a newly constructed building in Byron Center after previously working from two separate locations.
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Grand Rapids officials back plan to redesign Wealthy Street, U.S.-131 interchange
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials are backing plans that would redesign the Wealthy Street interchange at U.S.-131 to bring the street to grade level while elevating the highway.
Nonprofit works to build ‘deep relationships’ in construction industry to help minority contractors
Nate Beene’s decision to join the leadership team at Construction Allies in Action was driven by his passion to remove barriers for local women and minority business owners in the construction industry.
Increasing home energy efficiency funding confronts lack of available contractors
Clean energy and housing advocates in Michigan are working to spend down an increasing amount of weatherization funds with a shrinking pool of contractors at their disposal.
GR cannabis equity program in disarray with noncompliance, ‘unattainable’ goals
GRAND RAPIDS — Just three out of 11 cannabis dispensaries are fully complying with voluntary social equity commitments they made three years ago to improve their chances of obtaining a license in a highly competitive lottery system, MiBiz has learned.
Greater Muskegon Economic Development names new CEO after 3-year reorganization
Muskegon County’s economic development organization has named Marla Schneider as its new president and CEO following a three-year restructuring the organization took on to attract new corporate funders and revamp strategic planning.
Business owners, housing advocates call for $1.65B to meet affordable housing goals
A group of business owners and environmental and housing advocates are calling on the state to invest $1.65 billion in affordable, energy efficient homes as the Whitmer administration also pursues a statewide housing plan.
New GR construction management firm aims to diversify the industry
Two entrepreneurs and a construction industry veteran are launching a new Grand Rapids-based construction management firm.
Gazelle Sports expansion a ‘monster bonus’ for downtown Grand Rapids retail
GRAND RAPIDS — When Richard App started his role as retail retention and attraction specialist at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce in January 2020, Gazelle Sports was on his list of retailers he hoped to bring downtown.
Start Garden opens registration for $300K startup pitch competition
Start Garden Inc. is now accepting pitches from entrepreneurs competing in The 100, a business competition with $300,000 in funding for startups.
The Rowe building in downtown GR sold for $19.6M to California firm
GRAND RAPIDS — The Rowe, a downtown Grand Rapids mixed-use building formerly owned by the DeVos family office, recently sold for $19.6 million to a California-based real estate firm.
Grand Rapids approves incentives for 16-story, $52M Studio Park addition
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials have approved a 12-year Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax incentive for the $52 million second construction phase of the Studio Park development downtown.
Kalamazoo mixed-use development receives additional state loan as construction costs spike
KALAMAZOO — The developer planning a 52-unit, mixed-use project at a former industrial site north of downtown Kalamazoo will receive $1.2 million in additional state loans as construction costs escalate.
Nonprofit works to launch hub for underrepresented contractors in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS — A new nonprofit organization is working to create a membership-based program to provide resources for minority-owned, women-owned and micro-local construction contractors.
Small biz experts, owners stress smooth transition efforts with ownership changes
After sharply declining at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of small business deals is nearing 2019 levels again as owners find reasons to exit and sellers see companies that have weathered a two-year storm.
Sligh factory redevelopment remains on track; co-developer brought on
GRAND RAPIDS — The developer proposing a massive redesign of a former Grand Rapids furniture factory recently acquired the sprawling building, brought on a partnering development firm and received a six-month zoning-related extension from city planners.
Lyoya killing raises questions about Boston Square developments, immigrant welcome plan
GRAND RAPIDS — Patrick Lyoya’s death took place in a Grand Rapids neighborhood long traumatized by icy police-community relations that’s also in the process of a major redevelopment to help overcome long standing underinvestment.
Auto parts manufacturer Kenona Industries plans Walker expansion amid growth
WALKER — City officials have approved automotive parts manufacturer Kenona Industries Inc.’s plan for a new 90,500-square-foot industrial building adjacent to the company’s current location south of I-96.
Colliers, Advantage Commercial Real Estate resolve breach of contract, other claims involving staffers
Former executives at Colliers International’s West Michigan office that left the real estate group in January 2021 to start their own firm breached non-solicitation obligations in the process, according to an arbitration resolution announced this week.