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Displaying items tagged: First Companies Inc

Thursday, 09 March 2023 19:44

Grand Rapids neighborhood rebounds from failed developments with new sense of optimism

GRAND RAPIDS — Less than a decade ago, the Creston Neighborhood was positioned to be “that next hot spot” in the city of Grand Rapids. A developer planned two mixed-use housing projects in the neighborhood’s business district, spurring other businesses to plan for expansion or relocating to the neighborhood.

Tuesday, 06 December 2022 19:52

Grand Rapids OKs incentives for 4 mixed-use developments totaling 200 housing units

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids city commissioners have approved tax incentives for four mixed-use projects that would add 200 housing units across the city.

Wednesday, 29 June 2022 09:33

Developers plan 4-story, mixed-use project in GR’s Creston Neighborhood

GRAND RAPIDS — Developers plan to demolish two aging structures to make way for a four-story, mixed-use apartment building in Grand Rapids’ Creston Neighborhood, where business owners for years have clamored for projects but have often seen developers fail. 


Wednesday, 03 November 2021 18:03

School of Rock music school coming to Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS — A music school that operates under the same name and a similar style to the movie “School of Rock” is coming to Grand Rapids. 

Tuesday, 23 February 2021 14:14

Nonprofit converts former Aldi into warehouse, offices to help deliver more food to students in need

GEORGETOWN TWP. — Hudsonville-based nonprofit Hand2Hand recently purchased a former Aldi grocery store to consolidate its office and warehouse space into one location.

Published in Nonprofits
Sunday, 16 August 2020 17:10

West Michigan industrial market stays healthy during pandemic

The industrial sector in West Michigan has been the quickest in the real estate market to bounce back from the pandemic, nearly returning to where it was pre-COVID-19.



Sunday, 24 May 2020 18:30

Brokers make adjustments, brace for market changes in wake of COVID-19

After a day filled with showing commercial space to a potential client, Bryan Bench felt like his professional life had briefly returned to what it was before the disruption that came with the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, 26 May 2020 21:35

MiBiz Growth Report: May 27, 2020

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for May 27, 2020.

Published in Economic Development
Friday, 15 May 2020 14:01

Navigating Commercial Real Estate in West Michigan Post COVID-19

While we’ve all been anticipating what the “new normal” might look like post COVID-19, many commercial real estate investors in West Michigan are optimistic about opportunities ahead.  In the short-term, the focus will be on assisting existing tenants; however, wise investors can look forward to new real estate opportunities in a market that remains well positioned for long-term success.

Published in Sponsored content

Tuesday, 18 February 2020 14:49

JetCo expanding to Cascade Township

CASCADE TOWNSHIP — Supply chain management and warehouse supply company JetCo Federal Supply is expanding with a new space in the Grand Rapids area. 

Published in Manufacturing
Sunday, 08 December 2019 13:45

5 notable construction projects from West Michigan

Contractors are capping off another busy year for developments across West Michigan. From the largest mixed-use project in downtown Grand Rapids history, to new modern buildings in historic areas, these are five notable projects from around the region on the radar for MiBiz this year. Here’s a closer look at them.

Sunday, 08 December 2019 12:32

West Michigan construction industry finds optimism ahead for 2020

Construction and development professionals in West Michigan remain optimistic as they look toward 2020, even though the upcoming presidential election and ongoing talent issues are causing headwinds. While some markets might slightly change next year, industry experts who spoke with MiBiz during a recent executive roundtable said they are interested to see how downtown Grand Rapids developments will spark additional new projects. Many also noted that collaboration and partnerships are becoming key to the industry’s success.



Sunday, 10 November 2019 18:29

Ada gains steam with new businesses

ADA — After observing the revitalization of the Ada Village Business District, outdoor retailer Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus is expanding in the suburban community with a new 3,669-square-foot store. 

Saturday, 26 October 2019 08:47

Growth Report: Oct. 26, 2019

MiBiz Growth Report for Oct. 26, 2019.

Published in Economic Development
Monday, 14 October 2019 15:16

Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus expanding in Ada

ADA — Retailer Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus is expanding in Ada with Beyond by Bill & Paul’s, an outdoor lifestyle, clothing, footwear and accessories store.


Sunday, 13 October 2019 15:00

Studio Park juggles multiple contractors to meet aggressive construction timeline

GRAND RAPIDS — In the case of the $160 million Studio Park project, it took a city to build one of the largest developments in the recent history of downtown Grand Rapids.

Friday, 20 September 2019 09:19

ABC announces winners of Excellence in Construction awards

GRAND RAPIDS — Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Michigan has announced the winners of its 33rd annual Excellence in Construction awards.

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 11:05

West Michigan Community Bank to open new Grand Rapids office

GRAND RAPIDS — West Michigan Community Bank plans to open a new regional office in Grand Rapids Township.

Published in Finance

Sunday, 21 July 2019 19:20

Creston neighborhood hopes for renewed investment, despite stalled developments

GRAND RAPIDS — Three years ago when Central District Cyclery owner Nate Phelps moved his business from downtown Grand Rapids into the Creston business district, he was banking on an influx of new residents and activity that would support his bicycle shop.

Sunday, 07 July 2019 19:00

‘FLIGHT TO QUALITY:’ Amenity-rich Class A office space still in demand in GR, suburban markets

GRAND RAPIDS — The opportunity to lease brand new office space in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids offered Van Wyk Risk Solutions the chance to grow into a new location. 

Sunday, 23 June 2019 19:00

‘Perfect fit:’ Gun Lake Investments invests in Stockbridge project amid push into real estate deals

GRAND RAPIDS — Tribally-owned Gun Lake Investments is making an active push into the West Michigan commercial real estate market with an investment in a high-profile redevelopment and three property acquisitions so far this year, MiBiz has learned. 


Sunday, 14 April 2019 22:45

Office Renovations: The ROI Businesses Gain and What They Learn

Brandon Marquoit, owner of a commercial printing services business, had reached a breaking point.  “We were totally hamstrung and had no more space to grow or run our business,” he stated.

Published in Sponsored content
Sunday, 09 December 2018 16:06

WalkerView continues growth spurt as industrial vacancy remains low

WALKER — Falk North America Inc. is the latest company to plan a move into WalkerView Industrial Park. 

Friday, 06 July 2018 14:16

Investor group seeks new developers for Creston neighborhood site in Grand Rapids

A long-stalled development proposal in the Creston neighborhood north of downtown Grand Rapids is on the hunt for new owners.


Sunday, 29 April 2018 15:47

MiBiz Growth Report: April 30, 2018

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for April 30, 2018.

• M&A: New York City-based Standard Media Group LLC, a new investor-backed media company, has entered into a definitive agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. of Hunt Valley, Md. to acquire Grand Rapids-based Fox 17 WXMI and eight other stations around the country. The $441.7 million cash deal would create a new media company affiliated with Standard General LP, an SEC-registered investment adviser that manages capital for public and private pension plans, endowments, foundations, and high net worth individuals. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in conjunction with the Sinclair-Tribune transaction. As MiBiz previously reported, Sinclair is trying to appease government regulators in a bid to finalize its $3.9 billion acquisition of Chicago-based Tribune Media Co., which currently owns Fox 17. 

Published in Breaking News
Tuesday, 17 October 2017 08:30

First Companies plans more medical office space in SE Grand Rapids

The East Paris Avenue corridor continues to act as a magnet for the development of new medical office buildings.

Published in Breaking News
Monday, 17 July 2017 10:18

Two industrial buildings completed near Ford Airport

Amid a tight industrial real estate market, new construction continues to take hold.

Published in Breaking News

Sunday, 13 November 2016 13:29

New medical buildings spur suburban Grand Rapids office rebound

Large amounts of new office space, particularly for medical uses, will come online in suburban Grand Rapids in the near future, and it’s not expected to last long on the market. 

Wednesday, 10 August 2016 14:06

First Companies completes Grand Rapids medical office building

First Companies Inc., a development and general contracting firm based in Grand Rapids, continues to grow a medical office campus on the city’s southeast side.

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 20 March 2016 17:03

Ada hopes village redevelopment will spur business, residential growth

ADA — The future of the quaint village of Ada lies in creating a moderately dense, mixed-use downtown where residents and visitors alike can live, work, play and eat.