Displaying items by tag: economic development

Here is the MiBiz Growth report for July 5, 2022:

A Q&A with Landon Bartley, interim president of the West Michigan Cannabis Guild and principal and CEO of Proxima Collective

As Michigan emerges as one of the top cannabis markets in the U.S., industry experts and operators still face the growing pains of a sector with high barriers to entry and increasing consolidation.

GRAND RAPIDS — A major economic development project to build a 12,000-capacity amphitheater along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids has secured $30 million in state funding.

State officials have approved a $7.5 million loan for the redevelopment of the former McCamly Plaza hotel in downtown Battle Creek that’s being led by an affiliate of the city’s economic development arm.

Holland-based digital consulting firm Twisthink LLC is expanding with a new headquarters at the Michigan State University Grand Rapids Innovation Park.

Grand Haven will join dozens of communities statewide that allow cannabis sales for adult recreational use, though local officials have placed significant zoning restrictions on where retailers and other facilities could operate.

Here is the MiBiz Growth report for June 20, 2022

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she is unable to approve the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed $180 million off-reservation casino project in Fruitport Township near Muskegon. 

The West Michigan Railroad Co. will receive up to $8.7 million in federal funding to upgrade and rebuild 5.6 miles of track in Southwest Michigan that railroad officials say will help spur economic development.

Kent County has appointed Hollin De La Cruz as its welcome plan coordinator, a newly created position to oversee the county’s formal efforts to welcome immigrants and refugees.

West Michigan colleges and universities saw significant leadership turnover during the spring, bringing in a new crop of presidents as workforce development proves crucial during a widespread talent crunch.

However lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reach consensus over billions in one-time federal pandemic funds and budget surpluses with investments, tax cuts or a combination of the two, Jeff Donofrio wants Michigan to be far more competitive in the long term.

Whether the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians will secure the necessary approval from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to open a casino in Fruitport Township remains an open question, but the answer will likely emerge within a matter of days.

MUSKEGON — Community leaders and environmental advocates say a recent cleanup milestone will continue to spur development projects around Muskegon Lake and help the city’s ability to attract new residents.

Lena Scoby considered her inability to have biological children as a sign to take her call to motherhood in a new direction. She accepted her first foster care placement, a young girl named Summer, in 2018. At the time, Scoby was single and working full time. 

The state intends to steer $100 million to support a goal of opening 1,000 new child care programs over the next two and a half years.

Gold officials this week announced that the team will play its 24 home games at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids this coming season.

Cruise the Great Lakes — a consortium of local tourism agencies, cruise lines, port authorities, U.S. states and Canadian provinces — has launched a sustainability pledge for ship operators and local communities in response to increasing demand for sustainable travel options.

Grand Action 2.0, the revamped group of executives behind some of the largest downtown Grand Rapids developments over the past couple of decades, has named a new executive director.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently appealed to the U.S. Department of the Interior for help in resolving an “unworkable” timeline as two tribes separately make economic development efforts.

Here is the MiBiz Growth report for May 23, 2022:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer finds herself in a “particularly unworkable” situation regarding two American Indian tribes in West Michigan, Tribal Business News reports. 

MUSKEGON — Local, state and federal officials gathered today to celebrate a recent environmental cleanup milestone at Muskegon Lake, clearing the way for the body of water to be removed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Area of Concern list.

ACanadian app developer focused on removing mobility barriers for people with disabilities and the elderly is launching its first commercial deployment in West Michigan.

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.

University of Michigan economists expect second-quarter growth for the U.S. economy, although momentum may wane in the latter half of the year as interest rates rise.

Republicans in Lansing have passed another election-year tax cut plan that would reduce the personal income tax, raise Michigan’s earned income tax credit, and create a $500 per-child tax credit.

After a seven-year career in tribal economic development at Waséyabek Development Co. LLC for his tribe, Jimmy TenBrink now finds himself heading up operations for a familiar tribal partner. 

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.