Arts group GR housing pilots new leader biz model to takes new reach public nonprofit role PAGE 10 PAGE 22

JUNE 7, 2021 • VOL. 33/NO. 17 • $3.00 SERVING WESTERN MICHIGAN BUSINESS SINCE 1988 www.mibiz.com GR startup finds ‘We have to go small’ purpose with urban Public health officials shift to a distributed approach air quality mapping

to ensure COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to grow By JAYSON BUSSA | MiBiz [email protected]

hen Darren Riley gradu- By MARK SANCHEZ | MiBiz Now that the DeVos Place clinic has ated from Carnegie Mellon [email protected] shut down operations becasue of slower University in 2014, he took demand and given that vaccine doses with him in-demand skills n the nearly four months between are far more readily available, the Kent rooted in software develop- late January and May this year, the County Health Department has been Wment and cybersecurity. West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at altering course to achieve a 70 percent After a couple of years applying those skills DeVos Place administered more than vaccination rate among residents. as a cyber risk consultant for professional ser- 230,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. “The strategy right now is to con- vices giant Deloitte, he quickly learned that IThe mass clinic in downtown Grand tinue putting vaccines where people are corporate America was not for him. Rapids significantly helped drive Kent already at and where they go on a regular “I was really at the County’s vaccination rate to 54 percent basis,” said Dr. Adam London, director intersection of how we of eligible residents fully vaccinated and of the Kent County Health Department. bring technology to 60 percent partially vaccinated when “During the last four months, we knew tackle some systematic it shut down last month, according to that the demand was so high that people issues and solve prob- county officials. See VACCINE STRATEGY on page 8 lems near and dear to my heart,” Riley said. That is exactly what Riley is attempting to do with his Grand Riley Rapids-based startup Rapids Air Quality LLC. The company, co-founded with James Meeks and Hasib Ikramullah, is working to operationalize the concept of mapping cities with a series STOCK PHOTO of air quality sensors. Rapids Air Quality deploys a network of sensors and feeds the data to its dashboard to create an in-depth map that allows users to get an accurate snapshot of the air quality in individual Short-term rental bills draw concern from local officials, housing advocates neighborhoods. Through a partnership with Downtown By KATE CARLSON | MiBiz Bills working their way through the state days. Under the legislation, short-term rent- Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), Rapids Air Quality [email protected] House and Senate would amend the Michigan als would be considered a residential use is wrapping up a full deployment in downtown Zoning Enabling Act and take away local gov- and exempt from special or conditional use Grand Rapids, which will serve as a proof of ocal officials and affordable hous- ernments’ ability to impose certain regula- permitting. concept for the new business. Meanwhile, ing advocates in Michigan have been tions on short-term rentals. Senate Bill 446 is Some municipalities have banned or capped Riley and his team look to quickly expand by vocally opposed to legislation that sponsored by Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, and the number of property owners who can rent working with their networks in both Detroit would make short-term rentals a per- House Bill 4722 is sponsored by Sarah Lightfoot, out their home on a short-term basis in spe- and Chicago. mitted use in all residential zones. R-Springport. cifically zoned areas. Other local regulations “We’re starting out with the first launch LUntil now, some local governments have The legislation defines a short-term rental have included buffer zones between short- and we’re learning how we can do better and banned or severely restricted the use of short- as the rental of a single-family home, a one- term rentals and requiring additional layers of how we can be better stewards of the data to term rentals made popular through sites like to four-family home, or any unit or group of inspections. the partners we work with,” Riley said. Airbnb and Vrbo. units in a condominium, for no more than 30 See SHORT-TERM RENTALS on page 18 See RAPIDS AIR QUALITY on page 3

PERIODICALS Michigan kombucha brewers INSIDE: scale up with Real Estate: demand Multifamily PAGE 19 SEE PAGE 15

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CEO Summit - MiBiz Ad.indd 1 5/4/21 2:40 PM 2 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com RAPIDS AIR genuine connections within the communities it serves. QUALITY “From a personal standpoint, I am always Continued from page 1 intrigued by female- and minority-owned tech startup entrepreneurs because usually they’re using Published since 1988 On a mission and applying tech in a way that’s solving problems MiBiz® is a registered trademark of that other people aren’t looking for,” Ross said. MiBiz, Inc. Riley came to Michigan in 2015 and has Ross also noted the way Rapids Air Quality pres- Publisher remained active in the state’s entrepreneurial ents data can be used as a competitive advantage Brian Edwards / [email protected] scene as a manager at Endeavor Detroit, a net- for cities and municipalities. Associate Publisher work of business leaders that mentors and accel- “We do see a day where, when you go to book Denise Montambo / [email protected] erates startups in Michigan and throughout the your flight to go somewhere, you can also track the Great Lakes region. air quality of that area where you’re going,” Ross said. Editor Riley attributed the connections made through Joe Boomgaard / [email protected] Endeavor Detroit, and eventually Grand Rapids- A boost to business Rapids Air Quality’s devices for testing air quality Managing Editor based entrepreneurial support organization Start in Grand Rapids. COURTESY PHOTO Andy Balaskovitz / [email protected] Garden Inc., for plugging him into the Grand Last month, Rapids Air Quality gained access (energy, policy) Rapids community. to a trove of resources when it was selected for and finer idea of what air quality is so we can think Senior Editor With a simple core mission that all residents of Accelerate Incubation, a program hosted by mHUB, about how to use the information we capture,” Van Jayson Bussa / [email protected] a city are entitled to clean air, Rapids Air Quality a Chicago-based hardtech and manufacturing inno- Landegem told MiBiz. (manufacturing, tech, sports) formed in April of last year with Riley and his part- vation center. Senior Writer Mark Sanchez / [email protected] ners currently serving as the only employees in the Rapids Air Quality was one of just nine startups Grand Rapids benefits company. The company could pursue a round of accepted into the inaugural cohort for the six-month, (finance, health care, life sciences) seed funding toward the end of the year, with a tar- hands-on accelerator that focuses on hardtech Rapids Air Quality plans to wrap up its deployment Staff Writer get of $1.5 million to $2 million, depending on how product development and commercialization. in downtown Grand Rapids this month. DGRI Kate Carlson / [email protected] it hits its milestones, Riley said. Along with the resources available through the funded the project, which Riley and his team com- (real estate & development, small biz) Meanwhile, the founders are working to build a program, mHUB issued Rapids Air Quality a $75,000 pleted at their cost. Contributing Reporter business model around their service. The full-ser- simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) note, While the DGRI staff will be able to access the Josh Spanninga vice model being deployed in Grand Rapids allows which is convertible for equity in the company. dashboard and its information a week after the VP of Production & cities, nonprofits and corporate donors to subsidize mHUB features one of the nation’s leading pro- deployment, it will need a full year of data to draw Audience Development the project implementation and ensuing services. totyping facilities. Through the program, Rapids Air any sort of conclusions, said Marion Bonneaux, Kristi Kortman / [email protected] Still, Riley sees value in providing air quality data Quality can explore what type of application-spe- DGRI’s data and information specialist. Digital Specialist to various stakeholders once a city has been fully cific sensors it will need for deployments and then “From my perspective, information like this is Danielle Affholter / [email protected] mapped. Those stakeholders may include nonprof- work to create them. As of now, Rapids Air Quality really only useful in its own context,” Bonneaux said. Graphic Designer its focused on erasing the inequalities associated uses off-the-shelf sensors, fastening them to light “We will be able to monitor overall changes as well Kaylee Van Tuinen / [email protected] with low-income areas of a community to socially poles throughout a city. as notice the impacts we’ve made year over year conscious businesses that want to protect the areas “(Rapid Air Quality’s) philosophy is game- related to projects in development around down- Senior Advertising Consultant around their production plants. changing and the challenge now is how can you town, changes we make to transit and the options Shelly Keel / [email protected] “Once we have a whole city, there is a business build such an infrastructure,” said Thierry Van people have to traverse our city, and of course our Sales & Marketing Associate model where we can package data for certain stake- Landegem, executive director of mHUB’s acceler- engagements in and around the river as those proj- Lauren Frailey / [email protected] holders and extract from that pool,” Riley said, add- ator program. “What is the technology you need? ects start to kick off.” ing that the company can provide context around Can you just take off-the-shelf sensors and put them Bonneaux also said that this information helps Director, Finance & Administration air quality information so interested parties can fully everywhere? The answer is probably no; that would Grand Rapids grow in an environmentally smart Tarah Buchan / [email protected] leverage the data. come with exorbitant costs. So, how can technology way. She encouraged additional neighborhoods “For us, it’s about engaging stakeholders where they build something that is deployable and at a cost-effi- and community partners to join the program and Circulation For address corrections or are at a neighborhood level and educating folks around cient manner? What is that business model? Those steadily expand the information system. subscriptions, contact MiBiz at the community to make the data valuable,” Riley said. are exactly two areas that we look at in the program.” “Integrating real-time information on air qual- 1-877-443-1977 or [email protected] “What I mean by valuable is they understand the read- Van Landegem said mHUB’s selection commit- ity will bolster our knowledge-based approach for MiBiz ing and understand what it means to their families … tee considered startups’ ability to solve social issues more daily operations, such as event planning and ISSN 1085-4916 • USPS 017-099 and to make sure those users are recipients of the data as it combed through nearly 500 submissions. reporting, environmental studies and development Established 1988 and the services that come after the data.” “The really disruptive idea is how can we now decisions, but its primary goal is to grow our data- Darel Ross, a director with Start Garden, high- build an infrastructure that is at the neighborhood inspired approach to policymaking and advance- MiBiz is published every other week by lighted Rapids Air Quality’s intention to make level — the community level — to get a much clearer ments for our community,” she said. MiBiz, Inc., P.O. Box 1629, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. Telephone (616) 608-6170. Fax (616) 608-6182. E-mail: [email protected]. Subscription changes: subscribe@mibiz. com. Periodicals Postage is paid at Grand Rapids, MI.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes BIZ BRIEFS to MiBiz, P.O. Box 1629, Grand Rapids, MI A recap of recent stories from MiBiz.com. 49501. Subscriptions are available without cost to qualified readers. Paid subscriptions are available to those not meeting qualified West Mich. hotel county of 40 percent, almost service more accessible and “will help ensure these efforts in 20 countries, altered its circulation requirements. Paid subscriptions stays expected to pick 10 points higher than the affordable in Michigan. are as coordinated, focused, production schedule last are $99/year. Single copy and back issues previous month, Small said. Part of the Michigan and effective as possible,” the week after a cyberattack (when available) are $3 each, plus first class up as biz travel lags “Our leisure travel is not Department of Labor and executive order states. brought down its systems. postage. Call 1-877-443-1977 to order. West Michigan tourism offi- what it’s been in the past, but Economic Opportunity, This included a complete cials are reporting upward it’s picking up,” Small said. the Michigan High-Speed shutdown of many North Cyberattack MIBIZ INC. trends in travel and hotel “Amateur sports are picking Internet Office is responsi- American plants. 1059 Wealthy St. SE, #202 stays as COVID-19 restric- up as well. We just don’t have ble for “convening and coor- disrupts meat supply The company reported to chain, Plainwell Grand Rapids, MI 49506 tions lift, and leaders are business travel back.” dinating departments and national media outlets that 616-608-6170 phone • 616-608-6182 fax optimistic about the local agencies in the advancement, facility reopens production would resume tourism economy for the rest Whitmer creates implementation, and fund- The meat supply chain is brac- last week at most of its plants, COPYRIGHT ©2021. All Rights Reserved. of the summer. statewide office ing of the state’s current and ing for potential fallout from but did not indicate when it Reproduction or use of any portion without So far this year, Kent future efforts to ensure that a disruption in production as would return to full capacity. permission of the publisher is prohibited. County has seen month-to- for internet every home and business in the world’s largest meat pro- The JBS plant in Plainwell, month gains in hotel stays, infrastructure Michigan can access high- ducer rebounds from a devas- which employs more than said Experience Grand Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speed internet services that tating cyberattack. 1,200 people, was among Rapids President and CEO recently announced the cre- meet their needs,” according JBS S.A., a Brazilian the facilities that closed last Doug Small. March 2021 ation of a statewide office to Whitmer’s executive order. meat processor that supplies week but would reportedly ended with an average that will coordinate efforts A dedicated state office on 275,000 customers world- resume full production in a occupancy rate across Kent to make high-speed internet high-speed internet access wide and operates facilities few days.

Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 3 TECHNOLOGY

Holland startup Diverse hiring needs Throughout the pandemic, Baxter found that com- panies encountered talent dilemmas in three dif- THE Wedge grows quickly ferent ways: Laying off existing employees, freezing hiring, and some that were forced to ramp up hir- TRANSFORMATION ing. This included industries related to supply chains and logistics. BEGINS HERE through pandemic, Wedge found opportunity in working with those businesses that saw a surge in hiring. As the U.S. lifts out of the pandemic, the company is leverages video for ready to help the other industries hire and rehire their workforces. Many of those empty positions are hourly talent recruitment workers. Baxter contends that Wedge streamlines the process by eliminating the time-consuming SEIDMAN GRADUATE PROGRAMS phone screening process that leads to the in-per- • Access hybrid and remote learning options By JAYSON BUSSA | MiBiz son interview. • Engage in personalized leadership development [email protected] “You’re just trying to make sure the candidate shows up and if they can have a reasonable conver- • Tap into valuable community and business connections s an entrepreneur, Matt Baxter acknowl- sation and then move them to (the) in-person (inter- edges that opportunities like the one in view),” Baxter said. “We can remove that whole thing • Executive MBA front of him rarely come along. and cut your time in fractions and then get to that • Professional MBA “There aren’t many moments in-person. Absolutely, I think in-person interviews where not only is the product valuable are important.” • Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) Abut the team is right, there is funding behind it and According to Baxter, Wedge’s work with a truck- • Master of Science in Taxation (MST) the timing could not be better,” said Baxter, CEO of ing company underscores its potential to help com- www.gvsu.edu/seidmangrad Competitive Wedge LLC, a one-way video interview panies looking to hire hourly workers en masse. platform designed to streamline recruiting. “It’s liter- “Every hourly worker doesn’t need to put on a ally no one else’s fault if we fail.” suit and tie and go into a formal interview,” Baxter The last 15 months of the said. “Being able to do a quick pre-screening by video COVID-19 pandemic haven’t and have it sent over to the hiring manager makes for OLLEGE OF USINESS C B slowed the Holland-based a really great candidate experience. The same thing startup’s hyper-growth jour- applies for retail and manufacturing.” ney. If anything, the pandemic Still, Wedge is competing among plenty of heavy fueled growth as Wedge built hitters to connect some of the 16 million unem- out its team and capitalized ployed Americans with their next job. This includes on working with clients that ZipRecruiter Inc., which recently went public using a encountered a hiring surge. direct listing. The recruiting giant uses artificial intel- Wedge has raised $2.6 mil- ligence to connect employees with jobs for which FOOD-GRADE OR PHARMACEUTICAL, Baxter lion to date. After closing on an they’re qualified — the user doesn’t have to formally initial round of $1 million in July of 2020, the com- apply. Solutions like Wedge use video. WE ARE CERTIFIED TO MEET ALL YOUR pany raised an additional $1.6 million in less than a The competition puts pressure on Wedge to stand year from both new and existing investors. out in the market, which Baxter says is accomplished WELDING AND FABRICATION NEEDS! Baxter brought on recruiting industry veteran with a user-friendly interface that seamlessly inte- Theo Rokos as Wedge’s new president earlier this grates with other application tracking systems (ATS). year as the company expanded both its sales and “We’re fast-growing, there is attention on us, and growth teams. Rokos previously served as chief rev- we’re up-to-date tech right now, but we have to make enue officer at Job.com and was the co-founder sure that continues to be the case,” Baxter said. and former CEO of video interviewing competitor GreenJobInterview LLC. On the cutting edge With virtually every professional industry facing talent and recruiting needs coming out of the pan- Steve Lowisz has been involved in the same space demic, Wedge is aiming for fast growth. as Wedge for more than two decades as the CEO of “From the beginning, we have said, ‘Let’s grow Livonia-based talent research and recruiting firm this thing as fast as we possibly can,’” Baxter said. Qualigence International Inc. Lowisz invested in “Obviously getting a startup off the ground has its Wedge in the most recent round of fundraising. (share) of things taking longer than you expect. As someone who keeps his finger on the pulse Before the pandemic, we were geared up to grow of the industry to keep his own business com- like crazy. Then, the pandemic was fuel on the fire.” petitive, Lowisz saw Wedge on the cutting edge of the industry. “We’re fast-growing, “The résumé is outdated in my opinion,” Lowisz said. “You get a heck of a lot more value by sitting there is attention on us, across from somebody and watching them as they answer questions and talk about themselves. To do it and we’re up-to-date in volume and in scale … leveraging video to do that, I think is absolutely the wave of the future.” tech right now, but we In fact, Lowisz said he has interacted with com- panies that are experimenting with doing away have to make sure that with traditional résumés completely and using only video. continues to be the case.” “You’ve got to give a guy like Matt a lot of credit,” Lowisz said. “This was kind of his brain- child, but he made the call to go out and get a — MATT BAXTER (president) like Theo, who has a lot more experi- EASTMUSKEGON.COM CEO of Competitive Wedge LLC ence and success. You don’t see a lot of startups do that unless they are forced to, and he wasn’t really forced to.”

4 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com FINANCE Sleeping Giant Capital marks first year with investment, developing students

By MARK SANCHEZ | MiBiz alumni, and sellers around our model. We’ve made with $1 million to $10 million in annual revenue, Abdella — after looking at more than a hundred [email protected] a lot of progress and (there’s) a lot still to do.” although “we have looked at things that are lower, prospects. Lepisto expects the fund to close one Lepisto formed Sleeping Giant Capital in the (and) we have looked at things that are bigger,” more deal in 2021. KALAMAZOO — The Western Michigan University summer of 2020 with Derrick McIver. Both are asso- Lepisto said. Sleeping Giant Capital will probably make two management professors behind an investment fund ciate professors of management at WMU’s Haworth The fund operates with a purpose beyond gen- or three investments a year, he said. The partners that looks to cultivate and support a new genera- College of Business and co-directors at the univer- erating financial returns. Investments will support will direct investments primarily toward companies tion of entrepreneurs hope to sity’s Center for Principled Leadership and Business prospective owner/operators who go through an based in West Michigan with up to 20 percent of complete fundraising by the Strategy. eight-week program, known as Acquire, that the the investments going to firms outside of the region. end of 2021. Fundraising has progressed as planned despite Haworth College of Business launched last fall. “Whenever there is an opportunity for the Sleeping Giant Capital starting in the “very uncertain environment” of Acquire trains WMU masters of business adminis- investment to increase in value through bringing it LLC recently closed on $21 the COVID-19 pandemic, Lepisto said. The social tration students and experienced business profes- to West Michigan and we can create more jobs and million raised from investors impact aspect and the fund’s unique focus have been sionals to become owner/operators. activity here, we would always be interested in that toward a $50 million goal for a selling point that’s drawn interest from prospective Acquire graduates can apply to go through a option,” Lepisto said. the Sleeping Giant Capital investors who are increasingly looking for more than process where they are offered data, resources Sleeping Giant Capital Principled Impact Fund I Principled Impact Fund I a financial return, according to the founders. and connections to search for a company to has attracted investors who are high net worth indi- Lepisto LLC that will back entrepre- “Whether it’s sellers, investors, alumni, business buy and run. They can then qualify for financ- viduals and from family offices, and has received neurs trained at WMU who executives or community partners, we have been ing through Sleeping Giant Capital to finance an “interest in conversations” from foundations and want to buy and run their own amazed by the enthusiasm for the innovative and acquisition. other institutional investors, Lepisto said. company. purpose-driven approach of this fund,” McIver said. Sleeping Giant executives say both the fund and The fund has a long-term focus and could hold The fund is gaining aware- “Investors today require both attractive returns and Acquire have received strong interest since they companies for several years, perhaps indefinitely, ness as fundraising continues true social impact. We see these two elements of our were formed. Acquire’s inaugural cohort earlier this with the owner/operator ideally buying out Sleeping to secure additional inves- approach as mutually reinforcing. This first close year was sold out, and the program has a list of 40 Giant Capital’s position. tors, Managing Partner Doug demonstrates investor confidence in our vision and to 50 people who are interested in participating in Volatility in the stock market, low interest rates Lepisto said. ability to execute.” the next cohort planned for this fall. and the emerging risk of inflation plays into Sleeping “I feel good. We’ve had a Giant’s favor as the fund seeks additional investors positive start on our fundrais- through 2021 who have interest in an alternative McIver Supporting students Starting investments ing,” Lepisto said. “There’s a investment option. lot of promising conversations that we’re having Sleeping Giant Capital Principled Impact Fund tar- The fund also recently made its first investment — in “We’re definitely a different asset class and our and I think there’s real enthusiasm from the busi- gets equity investments toward small businesses Chicago-based industrial sales company LineDrive, long-term focus and patient focus is something that ness community, Western (Michigan University), primarily based in West Michigan and generally which was acquired by WMU alumnus Michael folks are interested in,” Lepisto said.

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Grand Rapids is teeming with innovative people knew his team could provide the level of exper- and companies. Young professionals recognize tise and service needed to make GRIP a reality. the city as the ideal jumping off point for their careers. Entrepreneurs see the tremendous val- “In terms of the delivery model and our compre- ue in leveraging the ample resources available to hensive platform, which includes real estate de- bring their ideas to life. And along the Medical velopment, financing, construction and property Mile, which encompasses an expansive stretch management services, we were completely con- of Michigan Street east of the Grand River and fident in our ability to bring this to life,” Mraz said. just south of Interstate 196, groundbreaking re- search is transforming the healthcare industry. Recognizing the complexity of the work, Rock- ford helped form Health Innovation Partners It’s no surprise that Michigan State University (HIP), a real estate development joint venture (MSU) chose the Medical Mile as home base for (JV) between Rockford Construction/Rockford their College of Human Medicine at the Secchia Development, Walsh Construction/Walsh In- Center. That decision kickstarted the real estate vestors, Murphy Real Estate Services, Harrison development efforts that have led to the genesis of Street and MSU. Collectively, the group selected the Grand Rapids Innovation Park (GRIP). GRIP is a public-private partnership (P3) approach to de- a healthcare innovation hub that encompasses the velop the project. P3s allow public institutions, Grand Rapids Research Center, Doug Meijer Med- like universities, to team up with private industry has done throughout its history – give us a diffi- will provide more than $300 million in economic ical Innovation Building (DMMIB) and 430 Monroe partners who are well equipped to handle the sig- cult problem and we’ll find a solution.” Avenue, which will become home to Perrigo Com- nificant capital outlay and allocation of risk as- impact to Kent County each year. sociated with large-scale projects like GRIP. They pany plc’s new North American Corporate Head- Beyond engaging the partners in a P3 approach Looking forward, Rockford envisions an oppor- quarters after construction is completed in 2022. also allow work to be completed with enhanced to delivery, Rockford and the collective team also tunity to complete similar projects at additional speed and efficiency. The vision for GRIP is grand: Generate an envi- brought significant technical knowledge and ex- sites, leveraging the power of P3s to bring ad- ronment in which a variety of industries – edu- Without the P3, MSU may have had to engage in perience to the development portion of the work. vanced healthcare systems to the public quickly cation, healthcare, hospital systems and private other efforts to finance the work, such as a long- The development group successfully navigated and with the highest level of care and quality. industry – can collaborate to license, manufac- term fundraiser. But through the expertise of HIP the complex design needed to situate all three ture, distribute and commercialize health innova- and Rockford, the development kicked off success- buildings within GRIP to maximize visibility. tion with speed to market. Achieving such a bold fully and has been moving forward ever since. Additionally, the team was able to balance com- vision requires the perfect partner along with a plementary architecture; appropriate floor plans; bit of ingenuity. “P3s require plenty of innovation and creativity,” site infrastructure; mechanical, electrical and said Melissa Collar, Rockford’s chief counsel and plumbing systems; and more to establish a plan From the onset, Mike Mraz, president of real vice president of strategic partnerships. “But be- for the associated buildings and facilities that estate development at Rockford Construction, ing a thought leader is something that Rockford won’t just attract world-class tenants, but also rockfordconstruction.com

Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 5 FINANCE

As of June 2020, Horizon Bank had $927.1 mil- After the merger closes, Huntington will become lion in deposits, according to the FDIC’s most recent the 25th-largest bank in the U.S. and among the Branch acquisitions to expand annual Summary of Deposits. largest operating in Michigan with $170.8 billion in Future expansion in Michigan could include acquisi- assets and deposits of $138 billion across its foot- tion, Dwight said. Horizon Bank has been open to M&A print. Huntington will base commercial banking in Indiana, Michigan and northwest Ohio, he said. operations at the Detroit headquarters, with con- Buying the TCF offices in Michigan “does not take sumer banking headquartered in Columbus. Horizon Bank’s Michigan reach us out of the M&A game,” Dwight said. In West Michigan, Huntington will become the “Given the talent and resources we have in place, second-largest bank in the Grand Rapids-area mar- By MARK SANCHEZ | MiBiz Horizon agreed to pay $17.1 million for deposits we continue to have discussions around other M&A ket with $6.7 billion in deposits and a 20.7 percent [email protected] it’s acquiring, or a 1.75 percent premium. activity and will continue to actively evaluate poten- market share. Huntington would become the third- Targeted to close by the end of the third quar- tial transactions to enhance our positions within our largest bank in the Kalamazoo-area market with uying 14 offices in the central and northern ter pending regulatory approval, the planned sale is current footprint,” he said. 12 percent of the deposit market, or $646 million, Lower Peninsula from TCF Bank provides part of federal regulatory approval for Detroit-based according to the Federal Reserve. a broader stage for Horizon Bancorp Inc.’s TCF Financial Inc.’s $22 billion merger into the Banking powerhouse Huntington will lead the Battle Creek area further expansion in Michigan. Columbus, Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares with $396.1 million in deposits, or a 33.2 percent The TCF offices, which collectively Inc. (Nasdaq: HBAN), which is scheduled to TCF (Nasdaq: TCF) agreed to divest the offices market share. Bhave $976 million in deposits and $278 million in close by June 9. to secure regulatory approval for the Huntington TCF’s merger into Huntington will result in the loans, will double the Michigan City, Ind.-based Horizon Bank (Nasdaq: HBNC) expects some merger. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors closing of 198 branch offices mostly in Michigan, Horizon Bank’s presence in the state. attrition among customers and staff after the sale and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency including all of Huntington’s 97 branches at Meijer The branch acquisitions align “with Horizon’s closes. The bank for the first 12 to 18 months will approved the merger after a review by the U.S. Inc. stores. The banks say all offices targeted to close strategic objective” and rep- focus on stabilizing the customer base in each of Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. are located near an existing branch. resents “a natural extension of the 11 counties where the acquired offices are The Justice Department required TCF to sell 13 The planned sale of the TCF offices in Michigan our current footprint within located and are contiguous to the 10 counties where of the 14 offices because the merger would have represents one of the first peripheral market shifts from the state of Michigan,” said Horizon already has offices. resulted in Huntington having a market concentra- the merger. Executives at smaller banks have said the Craig Dwight, chairman and “After that 18-month period we’ll look at a build- tion in the affected market that exceeds a 35 per- combination of TCF and Huntington generates oppor- CEO of parent corporation out as we see it’s needed,” Dwight said. cent guideline, according to an order the Federal tunity for them to pick up both business and talent. Horizon Bancorp Inc. Horizon Bank has 81 offices in Indiana, Reserve issued on May 25 approving the deal. The “That’s definitely been an opportunity for us and Acquiring the TCF branches Michigan and Ohio with $6.1 billion in assets and sale is intended “to mitigate the potentially adverse there is disruption from that,” Mercantile Bank CEO will add “attractive growth mar- deposits of more than $4.72 billion. The bank’s competitive effects” of the merger in those markets, Robert Kaminski said when asked about the TCF- kets” of Cadillac and Big Rapids 17 locations in Michigan include Grand Rapids, according to the order. Huntington deal in an April call with analysts. Dwight and mass in the Midland mar- Holland, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, New Buffalo, The deal between TCF and Huntington will cre- Bank mergers often result in talent moving from ket, Dwight said in a conference call with analysts to Portage, Battle Creek, Three Rivers, Three Oaks ate a Midwest banking powerhouse with dual head- the merged institution to another bank, as MiBiz discuss the deal. and Union. quarters in Detroit and Columbus. reported earlier this spring.

S:20.75"

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6 BCB144280_MSG_Print_MiBiz_6-7-21_Insertion_F1.inddJUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz 1 Visit www.mibiz.com 5/26/21 1:07 PM The corporation presently has more than 7.8 “We’re interested in million shares of common stock outstanding, Share increase positions plus 72,907 shares reserved for issuance under expanding our presence various equity plans. That leaves ChoiceOne with more than 4.1 million authorized common within Michigan. With ChoiceOne Bank for shares available for future issuance. The corporation a year ago bought the former good-sized offices on Community Shores Bank Corp. in Muskegon in a $21.9 million cash-and-stock deal that closed both sides of the state potential acquisitions July 1, 2020, and added four offices in the lake- shore market and $245 million in assets. and the desire to grow, ChoiceOne at that time increased autho- By MARK SANCHEZ | MiBiz common stock available for future issuance to posi- rized shares of common stock from 7 million that is an option for us.” [email protected] tion ChoiceOne to be able to react quickly to strate- to 12 million. About 524,000 shares went to the gic opportunities that may arise in the future.” transaction. aising the number of authorized The corporation could issue the shares, if The Community Shores Bank acquisition fol- shares by 25 percent gives ChoiceOne needed. The additional authorized shares also could lowed the $89 million all-stock deal for County — KELLY POTES Financial Services Inc. greater ability to go to pay possible future dividends, equity compen- Bank Corp. in Lapeer, the parent company of CEO of ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. pursue another acquisition should the sation and “other corporate purposes that might be Lakestone Bank & Trust, in October 2019. Billed opportunity arise. considered,” according to the proxy. as a “merger of equals” because of the banks’ RShareholders at the Sparta-based ChoiceOne similar size and culture, the acquisition brought Financial Services (Nasdaq: Expanding Michigan presence ChoiceOne another $673 million in assets and 14 COFS), the holding company offices in Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties. M&A increasing, especially with the potential for ChoiceOne Bank, voted After two acquisitions in the last two years that ChoiceOne, with 34 offices in West and east- for federal tax code changes. overwhelmingly at their recent tripled ChoiceOne’s size, the corporation remains ern Michigan, had $2.07 billion in assets at the “We all are hearing that discussions are tak- annual meeting to raise the cor- open to potential future deals, CEO Kelly Potes said. end of the first quarter. ing place and the conversations are increasing,” poration’s number of autho- “We’re interested in expanding our presence As COVID-19 restrictions ease and in-person Horizon Chairman and CEO Craig Dwight said. rized shares of common stock within Michigan. With good-sized offices on both meetings ramp back up, “there’s a little more “There has definitely been a pickup in conversa- from 12 million to 15 million. sides of the state and the desire to grow, that is an chatter out there” about bank M&A, Potes said. tions between bank CEOs and bank chairmen, as ChoiceOne directors pro- option for us,” Potes said. “The desire is for the bank The CEO of Michigan City, Ind.-based well as investment bankers.” posed and recommended to grow both organically and, if possible, make Horizon Bancorp Inc., which is buying 14 offices One of the latest transactions in West Potes approval of the share increase. acquisitions within the state of Michigan.” that TCF Financial Corp. is divesting as part of Michigan was St. Joseph-based United Federal The corporation’s 2021 proxy statement noted “it is ChoiceOne, which dates back to 1898, wants its merger with Huntington Bancshares Inc., said Credit Union’s acquisition of the former advisable to have additional authorized shares of to remain independent. in an analyst call that he sees interest in bank Edgewater Bank that closed in April.

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We make it our business At Blue Cross, we understand fi nding the right health care coverage for your employees can be no simple task. Which is why we make it easier on them — and you. We do it by giving them the personal to help you with yours. attention your employees deserve and the help they need to make smart choices when it comes to enrollment and fi nding the right health care. Our robust data helps provide actionable insights to maximize benefi t value for your employees while minimizing costs for you. It all adds up to smarter, better health care. See what Blue Cross can do for your business. S:5.25" Learn more at bcbsm.com/employers

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCB144280_MSG_Print_MiBiz_6-7-21_Insertion_F1.indd 1 Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE5/26/21 7, 2021 1:07 PM7 HEALTH BIZ

VACCINE STRATEGY Continued from page 1 were going to go wherever the vaccine was avail- able. That’s why DeVos Place made so much sense for us,” London added. “We’re past that now. The theme now is to make the vaccine available where people are already going.” That’s now the general strategy in many communi- ties. More than five months after vaccinations started in December, health departments and health systems say reach- ing the 70 percent vaccination rate to achieve herd immu- nity requires evolving strate- Basser gies and tactics as vaccination rates slow. Rather than rely on large- scale clinics, health depart- ments and health systems now focus primarily on getting people vaccinated at physician offices, hospitals or pharma- cies, and working with churches, schools, community organi- Jameson zations, employers and even The Ottawa County Department of Public Health’s pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site at this year’s Tulip Time festival in Holland. COURTESY PHOTO summer events and festivals. Mercy Health, for example, will have a presence at the annual meeting the patients where they are and recogniz- “good, old fashioned bribery” may prove necessary In the city, some urban neighborhoods lack Seaway Run that it sponsors in ing the important relationship that occurs between for some people to get vaccinated. pharmacies that provide vaccines and there remains Muskegon on June 26. a physician and their patients. We know that there is Mercy Health still operates vaccine clinics at an a lingering resistance to the vaccine from the his- The Ottawa County a real challenge with hesitancy and that people have office building at 44th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue torical lack of trust and skepticism some people of Department of Public Health questions, and connecting with their medical pro- in Kentwood, and a Shape Corp. office in Spring color have toward the health system, London said. set up a tent at the Tulip Time vider is perhaps the most effective way to overcome Lake. Soon, both clinics will only offer second doses. To overcome that reluctance, health depart- festival in Holland in May to that hesitancy and get their questions answered.” In Ottawa County, the Department of Public ments have worked to partner with physicians, pas- Wieghmink offer vaccines. The department At its 14 hospitals, Spectrum Health offers a vac- Health has been encouraging employers to offer tors, local business leaders and organizations that provided 125 single doses of the Johnson & Johnson cine to any unvaccinated patient when they are dis- employees incentives to get vaccinated through people trust. vaccine. charged as an inpatient or from an emergency room added paid time off or a gift card of perhaps $100, Doctors are “the No. 1 trusted source from any- The focus on smaller “pop-up” clinics aims to visit, Basser said. Wieghmink said. body” for encouraging people to get vaccinated, reach “pockets in the community where we can help The health system has been scaling down opera- Federal laws allow employers to offer workers Wieghmink said. fill the need,” Ottawa County Public Information tions at a vaccine clinic on 60th Street, where it’s only incentives to get vaccinated as long as the incen- Reasons people cite for not getting vaccinated Officer Kristina Wieghmink said. doing second doses and has provided more than tives are not “coercive,” according to updated guid- range from a lack of trust of vaccines or the health The Ottawa County Department of Public Health 58,000 vaccinations. Spectrum Health continues to ance the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity system, to a lack of easy and convenient access, no longer operates a large clinic at the Holland Civic operate a drive-up vaccine site at 1300 Michigan St. Commission (EEOC) issued May 28. according to London. Center and for now still runs a vaccination site with NE in Grand Rapids. Sizable incentives could make employees feel Survey data indicate that 20 to 25 percent of peo- Holland Hospital at Grand Valley State University’s Mercy Health also offers vaccines to hospital pressured to disclose protected medical infor- ple in Kent County are willing to take time to get a Holland campus for second doses. patients and is now moving vaccinations into pri- mation as they answer disability-related screen- vaccine, but “they’re probably not willing to spend The Department of Public Health also partners mary care physician offices in Kent, Ottawa and ing questions before receiving a shot. Employers a lot of time or take a lot of special effort to go and with employers for workplace vaccination sites, as Muskegon counties. also may require workers to get vaccinated to enter pursue a vaccine, London said. well as with organizations that serve people who are “Many of the Grand Rapids offices are vaccinat- the workplace, “so long as employers comply with “They’re willing to take it if it’s brought to them and homebound, Wieghmink said. ing or will be vaccinating within the next few weeks the reasonable accommodation provisions” of the it’s made incredibly convenient, but they’re probably and we’ll follow suit in the Muskegon, Grand Haven Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the not going to make a special trip anywhere,” he said. Branching out and northern network offices,” said Judy Binns, EEOC. “That’s why it’s important to get it into pharmacies and vice president of clinical services at Mercy Health provider offices and it’s important to have it available Health departments hope to get as many people vac- Physician Partners. Access challenges in small clinics throughout the community.” cinated during the summer as possible to help meet Dr. Andrew Jameson, regional medical direc- The Kent County Health Department has been the 70 percent goal. tor for infection control at Mercy Health Physician In Kent County, pivoting from large-scale clinics considering working with employers and offering “We’re really focusing on accomplishing as much Partners, said getting another 10 to 15 percent of the means getting out more into Grand Rapids’ urban vaccines at the workplace. That’s an option that was as we can before the fall and before the school year population vaccinated will require locations that are core and rural townships where vaccination rates not previously workable, as the health department starts back up again. Having more inside activity is smaller and lower volume, but may offer more con- are the lowest, London said. and partners — Spectrum Health and Mercy Health going to be an opportunity for the virus to spread venience for unvaccinated people than going to a Six rural, northern townships and high-density — dedicated staff to the DeVos Place mass clinic that more quickly, so we want to try to make sure that we large clinic. neighborhoods in the city of Grand Rapids have the offered scale, efficiency and the capacity to do thou- combat that before fall,” Wieghmink said. “We have to go small,” Jameson said. lowest vaccine rates in Kent County and are below 50 sands of vaccinations a day when demand was high. Spectrum Health in May began offering vac- percent in some areas, London said. Communities The Kent County Health Department is looking cines at more than 60 outpatient urgent care and Incentivizing shots such as East Grand Rapids, Walker, Ada and Cascade at coordinating workplace vaccinations through a convenient care centers and physician offices have the highest rates that reach 70 to 80 percent or regional collaborative that can match requests with across 13 counties. The Grand Rapids-based health Mercy Health also now provides vaccines at work- more, he said. providers, London said. system last week also started to offer vaccines at places and wants to partner with businesses such as The low rates could stem from access issues. “Now we’re dealing with this portion of the workplaces with employers, said Chief Operating retailers or entertainment or sports venues on perks Rural communities don’t have the same density of population that might not go to a pharmacy or a Officer Brian Basser. such as tickets to an event or gift cards. clinics and available pharmacies as suburban com- clinic specifically for a vaccine, but they might do “It’s a much more distributed approach and “Those are some of the next steps to really munities, London said. Political views toward the it if it’s in the cafeteria or the break room at work,” a much more targeted approach. It’s leveraging incentivize people that may not be willing to (get vaccine have also played into the lower vaccination London said. “We are kicking the tires on that idea established infrastructure,” Basser said. “It’s really vaccinated) but are now,” said Jameson, who notes rates in those rural townships, he said. once again.”

8 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com Kalamazoo startup’s medical device fills unmet needs for diabetic patients

By MARK SANCHEZ | MiBiz when seeking regulatory approval from the U.S. Food Lawson, Adlore’s chief scientific officer. “A physi- [email protected] and Drug Administration. That could lead to selling cian or a wound clinic can see the blood perfusion the intellectual property and an exit for investors by in the foot every day and then be notified if it goes KALAMAZOO — A Kalamazoo startup seeks to raise the end 2023, although Adlore could take SenLore significantly down and call in someone right away.” $5.1 million over two capital rounds to commercial- to market on its own if it’s unable to find a suitable The remote monitoring also can help compli- ize a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers that cost bil- buyer, said President and CEO Eli Thomssen said. ance in a patient’s use of the device, said Lawson, lions of dollars annually to treat in the U.S. The company has “been getting a lot of irons in an associate professor at Western Michigan Adlore Inc.’s SenLore ther- the fire” and attracting interest from prospective University’s Department of Physical Therapy who apeutic boot combines heat investors, Thomssen said. has expertise with wound management, electro- and electrical stimulation to “This is an unmet medical need,” he said. physiology and orthopedics. improve blood flow and heal “People recognize this is a problem and it’s in need SenLore’s cost-saving potential within the wounds from foot ulcers. of a better solution than what we have had.” Medicare market for senior citizens who develop a Sensors embedded in the foot ulcer is “huge,” Lawson said. Treating a diabetic boot’s insole monitor a patient’s Unmet need foot ulcer costs an average of $12,858, according to blood flow in the foot. A Wi-Fi the National Center for Biotechnology Information, connection can remotely mon- In developing SenLore, Adlore looks to tap a mas- a part of the National Institutes for Health. Adlore Inc.’s SenLore therapeutic boot that’s itor progress, while the device sive $327 billion annual market in the U.S. for treat- Four in 10 foot ulcers recur within a year. Nearly meant to improve care for diabetic patients. Lawson alerts a doctor if a patient expe- ing diabetics, $11 billion of which goes to treat foot two-thirds recur within five years, according to a COURTESY RENDERING riences reduced blood flow that ulcers that can lead to an amputation. More than 8 2017 study published in the New England Journal of hinders healing. percent of the U.S. population, or 26.8 million people, Medicine that Adlore cites in its investor presentation. where five years ago I don’t think that was the case. Presently backed by are diabetic and a quarter of the diabetic population It wasn’t as accepted.” $500,000 raised from convert- will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their life. Matching telehealth growth Estimating a $3.2 billion U.S. market potential ible notes issued in 2020 that One in five diabetics will get will get a moderate to for SenLore, Adlore projects sales of up to $9.2 mil- paid to develop a prototype and severe infection and undergo amputation, according Adlore prepares to commercialize SenLore amid lion in the first year on the market in 2024. Sales conduct a pilot study, Adlore to data in an Adlore investor presentation. a greater use of telemedicine that has grown could quickly grow to a projected $150.8 million by now wants to raise another SenLore can enable foot ulcer patients to receive exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic 2028. The company would target sales to podiatrists, $2.5 million in a Series A capi- treatment and allow physicians to remotely monitor and can lead to the potential market acceptance, wound care clinics, endocrinologists, vascular sur- Thomssen tal round to complete develop- their progress at home or a care center and intervene Lawson said. geons, and family practitioners. ment on a final product design. quickly if their condition deteriorates. “It’s greeted now much more with open arms,” “I think with the cost savings, the telemedicine and A follow-up $2.6 million Series B capital round “The idea is that we can monitor these wounds he said. “Physicians are getting paid for it and on the efficacy of how this will work with healing a wound, would pay for a clinical study needed to generate data every day so we don’t have to wait,” said Daryl the other end the patients trust it much more now, it has great, great potential,” Lawson said.

ADVERTISEMENT REDUCING THE HUMAN STRUGGLE Second installment in manufacturing series focuses on process improvements through Lean 3P

n today’s fast-paced environment, manufacturers can passes problems from department to department without easily be tempted to implement technology and other solving the issue. That can result in opportunity loss, Isolutions without fully examining the “why” and “how” conflicts of interest and a loss of focus on the customer. that drives their operation. That’s where Lean 3P comes in. Instead of focusing on one-off solutions, the Lean 3P THE HUMAN STRUGGLE philosophy – which stands for production, preparation When working with manufacturing customers, Orka and process – takes a more holistic approach to improving Automation begins by analyzing ways to reduce the “human manufacturers’ operations. struggle” associated with their processes and suggesting Lean 3P was the topic at hand during the second solutions both upstream and downstream of the process. installment of a 2021 webinar series hosted by the Michigan For example, the firm worked with a customer to Manufacturing Technology Center–West (The Center-West), streamline the inspection process for large pieces of cut foam The Right Place and MiBiz. The webinar brought together to reduce repetitive and wasted movement during quality industry experts and insiders to discuss the benefits of the control. As a result, workers avoided moving the heavy work Lean 3P system and advice to successfully implement those pieces between stations multiple times. Orka also installed process changes in an organization. an in-line quality control technology, which shifted the During the webinar, Michael Ramierz, president and customer’s QC process to omore proactive than reactive. partner with Wyoming-based automation service provider Orka Automation, framed Lean 3P in the context of talent “For us it’s not about the technology,” said John Amrhein, executive vice president and partner at Orka Automation. attraction and development. structure of Lean 3P encourages talent development and that this work is only done ... to drive profitability and “Some people see automation as an end. For us, we really “In today’s environment where labor is at a premium... helps create a culture where employees take ownership of productivity at the expense of the worker.” think our product is the process itself. We are very focused the ability to use automation and Lean 3P in conjunction the process improvements, he said. Instead, Ramierz believes that Lean 3P and automation on understanding a company’s processes, understanding with each other to improve your process is really about “Invite your team members at any level of the creates an environment where workers feel empowered how people engage in those processes – and once we have a improving your environment for your people,” Ramirez said. organization to be part of your process development cycle,” through meaningful work. good understanding of how things are and how they should “It’s about improving their ability to do meaningful work, Cruz said during the webinar. “Teaching the leaders and the “In essence it’s about how do (you) look at really crappy be, then we start thinking about what technology can help.” their ability to see themselves as part of something really technical front line how to do this, how to work with people, jobs within your four walls and eliminate them, and then special and want to stay with you as an employer.” CULTIVATING EMPLOYEE BUY IN work within the rules, brings the real value of Lean 3P to the take those people who are doing them, upskill them and On the contrary, poor processes can lead to unsafe forefront.” create more meaningful work for them.” work environments, unsatisfied and underutilized talent, Webinar participants were quick to point out that Lean 3P increased turnover and a host of other negative impacts to a and other process improvements are not nearly as successful REFRAMING TECHNOLOGY without buy in from employees. Find the webinar recap company’s bottom line and margin, Ramirez said. While automation and other technology can be powerful “Lean is about bringing the team together in that work Overall, Lean 3P represents a powerful means of tools for manufacturers, Lean 3P experts suggest viewing at mibiz.com/3pwebinars area, cell or business because they know more about that examining how a project is designed and manufactured, process improvement in holistic terms, rather work than anyone,” Ramierz said. and guides teams through the creative process of generating than attempting to solve it through technology The Center-West’s Cruz emphasized the importance ideas and implementing those ideas, said Jess Cruz, business alone. of treating everyone as equals when discussing and development manager at The Center-West. The system can “Lean 3P and automation go together,” implementing Lean 3P strategies into an organization. The also eliminate the “throw it over the fence” mentality that Ramierz said. “We have to change that paradigm

Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 9 SMALL BIZ New community supported arts program breaks down barriers between artists, public

By JOSH SPANNINGA | MiBiz [email protected]

rt collecting is often seen as only accessible to people The owners of Beacon Corner Bar are preparing to open the casual willing to invest substan- seafood restaurant concept in downtown Grand Rapids later this year. PHOTO tial funds, and an activity BY KATE CARLSON generally reserved for the Aextremely wealthy. San Chez, ROAM owner resumes In an effort to combat this stereotype and make the process of collecting art more plans for casual seafood accessible to the general public, Grand Rapids-based Avenue for the Arts LLC restaurant in downtown GR has put together its first-ever Community Supported Art (CSArt) program. By KATE CARLSON | MiBiz Grand Rapids-based Maxam The program is based on the Prints by artist Snicka that are featured in Avenue for the Arts’ new CSArt [email protected] Architecture PLLC and Pinnacle Community Supported Agriculture program. COURTESY PHOTO Construction Group Inc. are work- (CSA) business model in which com- GRAND RAPIDS — Cindy Schneider ing on the renovations. munity members Avenue for the Arts issued an ini- Eliza Fernand is among the artists was ready to apply for a small busi- Schneider was raised in Long purchase shares tial call for artists this past winter and featured in the program. Fernand is a ness loan in March 2020 to open a Island, N.Y., which is providing inspira- from local farmers, received applications from 25 local art- multidisciplinary artist who has worked new restaurant in downtown Grand tion for the menu with popular coastal who in turn supply ists. A jury that included an art profes- in a variety of mediums including Rapids when COVID-19 put her plans fare like seafood boils and clam bakes. the purchaser with sor, muralist and the owner of a local murals, quilts, ceramics and video. She on hold. She also plans to have a New York-style a designated por- screen printing shop selected nine is also a teaching artist at Grand Rapids- More than a year later, Schneider has pastrami sandwich and a selection of tion of their crop artists who would provide a variety of based West Michigan Center for Arts resumed work on renovations and com- chowders on the menu. over time. mediums and styles. and Technology (WMCAT). Fernand’s pleting the menu for the casual seafood Schneider is aiming for a Instead of pro- “They spent an afternoon looking submissions to the program are minia- restaurant Beacon Corner Bar, which is September opening — around ArtPrize duce, the CSArt at the 25 and trying to decide not only ture slip cast ceramic ghost sculptures, Trebellas expected to open later this year. Beacon 2021, which is scheduled from Sept. program provides who could successfully do this project, which patrons will receive along with Corner Bar will be located in the same 16 to Oct. 4 — as renovations, menu the purchaser with a small collection of but also what nine artists would work access to a video that she animated using building as one of Schneider’s other development and staffing proceed as artwork from local artists. well together,” Trebellas said. “If some- the artworks. restaurants, San Chez Bistro, at 38 W. planned. Avenue for the Arts Director Zachary one were to receive work from nine art- By paying the artists up front, the Fulton St. “We have been talking a little bit Trebellas says he was inspired by simi- ists, you don’t want nine screenprints of CSArt program has provided Fernand “We’re going to have some fun about a ghost kitchen and doing sea- lar CSArt programs in dozens of cities nature or something. They tried to pick with more freedom to create something and introduce Grand Rapids to food boils out the door — we’ll see,” across the U.S. and Canada. to allow variety and quality.” truly unique. casual dining seafood,” Schneider Schneider said. “It’s been such a long “I thought, ‘OK, Grand Rapids isn’t The selected artists include two pho- “I like the opportunity to make some- told MiBiz. “No white linens, we’ll haul with Beacon, but we’re in no on that map. Let’s bring that idea here if tographers, a painter who specializes in thing that someone can own and appre- have rolled out paper. We have some hurry. There are usually more vari- it’s something that’s really working across miniature watercolors, a ceramicist, ciate as a work of art,” she said. “It’s a really great recipes and have some ables you have to deal with when it the country,’” Trebellas told MiBiz. multiple illustrators and printmakers, small sculpture instead of a cup.” really talented chefs.” comes to opening a new place, but we The COVID-19 pandemic helped and an artist who creates cyanotypes. Snicka, another local artist featured Securing financing for a new res- don’t have a lot of that; this is really a Trebellas advance the idea after it The idea was to include works that are in the program, is excited to meet com- taurant concept during the pandemic remodel for us.” became apparent that both local artists enticing to a diverse audience. munity members who will be receiving was challenging, but Schneider — Staffing also remains an ongoing and community members would greatly In addition to receiving the artwork, her work. like many small business owners — challenge for Schneider at her two benefit from the program. CSArt shareholders will also be invited “I’ve gone to different events at local had picked up the skill of applying current restaurants as well as Beacon “The public and artists were interact- to events where they can interact with galleries in Grand Rapids, but I haven’t for COVID-19 relief loans for her two Corner Bar. ing less than ever as everyone was inter- the artists who made the work. This gotten to interact with our community other restaurants, San Chez Bistro and She is piloting a program in which acting less, so I thought that this would again mirrors the more common CSA with my art before, so I’m definitely look- ROAM by San Chez. employees are given a $300 paycheck be a good opportunity to sort of recon- program in which purchasers pick up ing forward to that,” Snicka said. Locating Beacon in the same build- bonus if they are fully vaccinated and nect local artists with the general pub- their produce directly from the farm Snicka’s submission to the CSArt pro- ing as San Chez Bistro will also mean work at least 30 hours per week at any lic,” he said, adding that the model has they are supporting. gram will consist of a limited series of art less overhead costs than typically of the restaurants. the potential to reach people who don’t prints. While Snicka has done this type of come with opening new restaurants, “What we need is to take the typically visit art fairs or galleries. “I’ve Increasing artistic freedom printmaking before, this will be her first she said. people that we have and get them to lived here for six years and I’ve seen how time working on a project of this size. Beacon Corner Bar, which will work 30 hours,” Schneider said. “If difficult it is for the general public to find While the CSArt program benefits the Trebellas is hopeful that Avenue for seat about 100 people, was half- we had that, we would not have a job and buy art locally.” general public by making art collect- the Arts can make the CSArt program a built with all of the kitchen equip- crisis. We hope that inspires other ing easier and more affordable, it also regular occurrence. As with many of the ment purchased before the industry people in the business to work for How it works benefits the artists with guaranteed pay- organization’s projects, the CSArt pro- came to a grinding halt in early 2020, us, too, because that’s a really great ments up front. gram will act as a sort of pilot that may Schneider said. incentive.” The first shares became available for “Over half of the money made goes be replicated in the future if successful. “We restored a lot in the building Schneider previously operated purchase on June 3. For its inaugural straight to the artists,” Trebellas said. Organizers expect the 50 shares to sell and have the original tin ceilings, San Chez Cafe in the future Beacon CSArt program, Avenue for the Arts is “Each artist was paid $1,000 to make 50 out quickly based on early interest from doors and windows, and were able space. The cafe merged with San Chez offering a full share consisting of nine artworks, which isn’t really a lot when pre-registrations. to restore half of the wooden floor,” Bistro in 2015 to accommodate space. pieces of art from nine different local you think about it. They have to be pretty “My hope is that this will be a suc- Schneider said. “It’s an amazing cor- “Once we knew the Residence Inn artists for $300. The program also offers economical with that.” cessful way for non-art people to sup- ner in downtown Grand Rapids. We’re project was coming across the street, a fraction share option for three works Shares became available for pur- port the arts scene,” Trebellas said. “I’m excited to have people walk in, see it we decided that real estate wasn’t of art for $100. Each option can be pur- chase on June 3, and all artwork is to hoping that this is an accessible way for and enjoy something they probably being used to its full potential, which chased directly through Avenue for the be completed by July. The first CSArt people who haven’t really dipped their haven’t had the chance to in this com- is when we came up with the Beacon Arts’ website, which also features sam- pick-up event is tentatively scheduled toes into buying local art to be able to do munity before.” Corner Bar,” Schneider said. ples of the artists’ works. for late August. it easily.”

10 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com SPECIAL TO MIBIZ • JUNE 7, 2021

Q: HOW DO COMPANIES ATTRACT TALENT AND GROW THEIR BRAND?

A: By leading with their values and becoming

THESE COMPANIES ARE ALREADY WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER BUSINESS FUTURE.

2 Fish Company, LLC DWH John Ball Zoo Snoots in Cahoots 5 Lakes Energy E+L Salon JourniTech Corporation Social Good Promotions The Image Shoppe EB Coaching International, LLC Next Door Photos Spectrum Health Alpine Events Gold Coast Doulas, LLC. Koki Life Stingray Advisory Group LLC Anderson’s Homestead Workit Health Koops, Inc. Stitch Kustoms Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company LLC Educated Style Kuyper College Broad Leaf Local Beer Archival Brewing Eighth Day Farm Lacor Consultants Sylvia’s Nails Array of Engineers, LLC El Granjero Mexican Grill Lean & Green Michigan Symposia Labs Art of the Table Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano The Art Of Dreams And Divination Revalue EuzenConnect Lions & Rabbits The Closed Loop Collection Bazzani Building Company Fishladder Inc. Little Space Studio Higher Grounds Trading Company Atypical Assistance, LLC FlexTech Education Local First The Harbor Agency Inc Ball Park Floral & Gifts Foresight Management Malamiah Juice Bar The GFB Bare All Clothing/ BAC Print Forgive Everyone Co Mallowfields The Meanwhile Bar Catalyst Partners Forward Exposure LLC Menuha Studios The Nines Gentleman’s Shoppe EDSI Glamour and Grit Floral Michigan Center for Holistic Medicine The Playful Preservationist Bentley Hill Bakehouse, LLC Global Infusion Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) The Pyramid Scheme Swift Printing & Communications, Inc. Cascade Engineering Mindset Meals The Sparrows Coffee, Tea, and Newsstand Bold Endeavors LLC Good Impacts Modern Hardware, Inc The StorRoom EcoLogic Solutions Gordon Water Systems Motawi Tileworks, Inc The Sunday Dinner Group Bridge Street Blooms Grand Metal Design My Grandmother’s Table The Workshop Brewing Company Atomic Object LLC Grand Rapids Community Media Center My Lovely Muse TUGA-Global, Inc. cafe de miro Graped Out Aldea Coffee United Bank Carnevale Graydon’s Crossing Pack Elephant Urban Pharm, LLC Valley City Electronic Recycling Green Giftz Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry Athleta Bear Creek Organic Farm Gun Lake Investments Priority Health Value Added 616 Cellar Door Preserves Kalsec Propeller Better Way Designs Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants Highland Group Reink Media Group Walker-Miller Energy City of Grand Rapids Hire For Hope Renewed Legacy Properties, LLC Well House Clark Communications & Marketing LLC Holdsworth Communications Brewery Vivant West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Computer Rescue 911, LLC Holland Board of Public Works Root Functional Medicine Vine Ride Wine Tours Congregation Ahavas Israel Hustle Grand Rapids San Chez Bistro Country Winds Creamery LLC Hydroz SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers Doorganics, LLC Innereactive Shinka Sustainability Consultants Double O, Inc Internet Service, Inc Silver Lining Computer Services WHO WE ARE WE DO THIS BY: Good For Michigan is helping companies across the state create a better • Providing technical assistance using the SDG Action Manager and B Impact business future. We’re building a more profitable and resilient place- Assessment tools, two of the world’s leading assessments in measuring based economy by working with small businesses, global companies, the impacts of social and environmental practices. business associations, and state and global economic development • Offering tailored engagement opportunities such as educational agencies, to measure and improve social and environmental impacts. presentations, hackathon events, and cohort models designed to help communicate the value of using business as a force for good. • Honoring those who achieve the biggest impact.

Arts & Entertainment Specialty Services Automotive BUSINESSES Banking & Finance GOOD FOR MICHIGAN Building Services & Suppliers Specialty Retail

Salons & Spas Business Services

Restaurants, Food & Beverages 136BUSINESSES Cleaning

Community Organizations Real Estate and Relocation Photography Computers, Web & Telecom Marketing, Advertising & PR Farms & Producers Manufacturing Floral & Garden Jewelers Grocery Insurance Home Products & Services Health & Wellness

Women Owned Minority Owned Family-Owned Employee-owned

Assessment Performance 15

12

9

6

3

0 Community Customer Environment Governance Workers

Good For Michigan Business Average Business

GET INVOLVED The best way to know where you’re going is to first know where you are. The journey towards a better business future is different for everyone and it’s not about perfection. Whether you’re just beginning or well on your way, a regenerative economy starts with measuring and benchmarking your current impacts. The SDG Action Manager and the B Impact Assessment are free online tools that outline your current impacts, areas for growth, and pathways to that growth.

POWERED BY: 2021 GOOD FOR MICHIGAN AWARDS Out of all the businesses that participate in Good For Michigan each year, these businesses are making the most positive impact.

AWARDEES

Little Space Studio FlexTech Education

Little Space Studio started as a small “The front-facing piece of us is FlexTech Education is a teacher-powered Our company exists to change the future coworking space and have grown into coworking, but the deeper level is that education consulting company. They of education and the assessment allowed a dynamic support system for area we are this holistic business support that provide professional development to us to place ourselves within a local and creatives. They provide affordable access you just can’t find anywhere else.” schools who want to offer project-based global context and think about all the to technology and resources, education learning experiences to students. Their ways our work can make life better for and mentorship opportunities, and a robust – Alysha Lache-White, hands-on curriculum is rooted in real- educators, students, and families.” network of creatives for area businesses. Founder & CEO world problems that mirror the way we live and work. – Sarah Pazur, Co-Founder, President, & CEO

Walker-Miller Energy Mallowfields

Walker-Miller Energy is Detroit-based, “The B Corp assessment represents Mallowfields is an employee-owned, “Everyone has a vote. Everyone has Black Woman-owned energy efficiency our commitment to drive energy corporate republic, software engineering equal voice in the company.” contractor. They design and implement equity, empower people and enrich company. Each employee-owner has equal programs for utility companies who are communities. It is totally in keeping with voting rights and equal access to company – Jessa Challa, Software Engineer seeking to provide energy savings to our belief that businesses can drive both legal and financial records. Even before their customers. They are a values-driven purpose and profit.” the company started, the founders knew company that strives to empower people they wanted to champion values such as and uplift communities and believe that – Carla Walker-Miller, transparency, fair and equal pay, and the energy efficiency equally addresses a social Founder & CEO democratic process. and environmental need.

EuzenConnect

EuzenConnect is a social impact start-up that works to connect employers to the “I really hope other organizations take robust talent pool in Michigan. They use the advantage of this assessment because SDG Baseline and Action Manager to not it’s a great way to figure out where to only measure their own impacts, but as a get started.” tool for the employers they work with. Their programs target an underutilized talent – Blythe Kazmierczak, CEO pool and help employers create holistically welcoming environments for their new hires. As Michigan’s B Local, we create connections, increase the positive impact of our B Corps, and raise awareness of the B Economy. B Corps have not only measured their impacts, they have reached a minimum performance score and have been certified by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that believes in unifying companies around the world with a goal of making high ethical standards for business practices When you see this logo, you know you’re supporting a company that puts people and planet first. the new norm.

MEET MICHIGAN’S B CORPS! THESE B CORPS ARE ACTIVE IN OUR B LOCAL COMMUNITY AND RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACK YARD. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT B CORPS AROUND THE WORLD, VISIT BCORPORATION.NET.

Specialty Services Arts & Entertainment These graphs reflect the combined average scores of the 24 B Corps in Michigan. The scores are compared to the combined average scores of those who have taken Specialty Retail Banking & Finance the same B Impact Assessment, but have not certified. Building Services & Suppliers

Assessment Performance Business Services Restaurants, Food & Beverages 30 25 BUSINESSES24 Cleaning 20 15 Computers, Web & Telecom 10 Photography 5 Farms & Producers Marketing, Advertising & PR 0 Manufacturing Health & Wellness Community Customer Environment Governance Workers

Women Owned Family-Owned Employee-owned B Corp Businesses Average Business FOCUS: REAL ESTATE: MULTIFAMILY State seeks to expand access to key housing tax credit, but funding remains scarce

By KATE CARLSON | MiBiz shift to focusing on the production of new units, People who are making 80 to 120 percent of the “There is no way [email protected] Benson said. area median income are still being priced out of the market in northern Michigan, creating a need for the for it to be perfect roposed changes to the Low Income Rural communities “missing middle” in the housing stock, Yarrow said. Housing Tax Credit program adminis- because LIHTC is an tered by the Michigan State Housing The QAP has used a “walk score” metric to award ‘Environment of scarcity’ Development Authority seek to Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which underfunded resource increase access to the funding tool to considers densely populated areas throughout the Meanwhile, developers have seen fundamental Pcommunities beyond downtowns and city centers. state, generally downtowns, Benson said. challenges around the LIHTC process for years. and is an environment The Qualified Allocation Plans that determine The QAP would now rely less on walk score and “For a long time there has been a pretty vocal how the credits are awarded are typically amended more on proposed developments’ proximity to critical sentiment from rural areas — particularly from of scarcity.” every two years. The funding program is the main amenities such as grocery stores or doctors’ offices. northern Michigan — that Detroit and Grand tool available for developers in Michigan to cre- “If a development is located outside of a city cen- Rapids were soaking up a disproportionate ate affordable housing developments. The draft ter but is located next to critical amenities, it opens amount of the resources,” said Matt Hollander, changes are expected to be approved this month. up more opportunities,” Benson said. managing principal of Portage-based Hollander —MATT HOLLANDER MSHDA delayed the pro- Housing North Executive Director Yarrow Development Corp. “In that sense MSHDA has Managing Principal of Hollander Development posed amendment process Brown doesn’t expect the “small changes” in the done things that will help open up access where Corp. when the COVID-19 pan- QAP to make a huge difference for the communi- it’s needed, but those communities still need more demic hit last year, and only ties her organization serves, which span 10 counties affordable housing, too.” had one funding round in in the northwest Lower Peninsula. Hollander Development is familiar with the 2020 in June instead of its “MSHDA has a huge task ahead of them to meet LIHTC application and changes over the years usual two rounds. Developers the needs of many communities,” Brown said. “In because of the firm’s focus on acquiring, develop- and housing advocates raised rural communities, we don’t meet a lot of the scor- ing and owning affordable and mixed-income hous- While developers welcome more flexibility in concerns that the single ing with walkability and access and proximity to ing developments. qualifications for funding, the program is likely round format would be per- transportation. We really want to see more flexibil- “There is no way for it to be perfect because to remain competitive even if more funding is Brown manent, though MSHDA ity, and that’s what we’re pushing for in general.” LIHTC is an underfunded resource and is an envi- allocated based on housing demand, officials expects to return to two fund- Brown at times discourages developers from ronment of scarcity,” Hollander said. “Only around say. ing rounds this year. The first even applying for LIHTC funding because of the 25 percent of projects that apply are likely to get “There is so much need out there that it will still round took place in February unlikelihood that they’d qualify, she said. funded, and we don’t have any hard data to say be a very competitive process,” Benson said. “I don’t and the second is set to take However, a Traverse City project was recently how many projects never even get to the applica- think we expect there to be any change in that.” place on Oct. 1, said Chad awarded incentives, and multiple projects in Emmet tion process because they don’t apply because it’s About 40 to 60 applications are submitted in the Benson, acting director of County are considering applying, she said. so competitive.” twice-yearly funding rounds though available fund- development for MSHDA. “We have people across all kinds of income lev- Typically those projects that avoid applying are ing only supports 16 to 20 projects, Benson said. “That’s still under the draft els in all kinds of communities,” Yarrow said. “What in rural areas, Hollander said. “With this round, MSHDA has done a nice job (Qualified Allocation Plans) we’ve been seeing is while wages have only increased “Manistee is where we are working on a proj- of engaging with a lot of different stakeholders and Hollander we’re working on and that’s by 6 percent, real estate has increased by 60 percent. ect currently,” Hollander said. “I think areas like weighing the pros and cons of the changes,” said what we’re planning for the next funding round,” There is a huge imbalance and you can barely find Manistee — smaller farm communities and a lot Ryan Kilpatrick, executive director of Housing Next. Benson said. a place to purchase for less than $250,000. We at of the communities that are major tourist com- “The primary issue is MSHDA tends to have $10 mil- The proposed changes to the 2022-2023 Housing North want to focus on everybody that lives munities along the lakeshore — will benefit from lion in requests for funding for every $1 million they Qualified Allocation Plans (QAP) will be used to and works in a community year round.” the changes.” can dole out.” score the first funding round in October this year. Key changes include a focus on incentivizing envi- ronmentally friendly building practices and on mak- ing the credits more available to rural communities. In the past, the QAP had also been split between Property Owners — NOW is a great time to SELL your property funding the production of new housing units and the restoration of existing units. The plan is to now on West Michigan’s

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Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 15 FOCUS: REAL ESTATE: MULTIFAMILY

Developers plan more than 800 housing units at former Walker golf courses

By KATE CARLSON | MiBiz planning commission or council and pretty much [email protected] no negative feedback from the public,” Avis said. “We did a lot of outreach with the neighbors and worked WALKER — Two former golf courses in the city of with staff ahead of time to take into account a lot of John C. Arndts Walker are poised to be redeveloped into large-scale questions and concerns.” housing projects with a combined total of 757 rental Average unit size will be 1,000 square feet with units and 67 single-family homes. price points expected to range from $1,400 to $1,500 Benjamin A. Zainea The projects at the former Lincoln Country Club a month. and English Hills Country Club would also boost the Redhawk also plans to donate the southeast por- Daniel J. Parmeter Grand Rapids area’s increas- tion of the property to the city of Walker to expand ingly in-demand housing stock. English Hills Park. “There continues to be an “It’s a great amenity for our residents, yet we increasing demand for not could definitely use more land, and with the growth just single-family, but multi- that’s taking place there, this will be able to allow family developments as well,” for more people to use amenities there,” Carey said. said Walker Mayor Gary Carey. Redhawk is also planning to keep most of the “There are demographics that existing trees at the golf course by constructing hous- don’t necessarily want to own ing units on former fairways. Adding a home at this point in time, “They’re keeping the green space Walker is known Avis and it’s not always that they for but addressing the needs of the market for multi- aren’t able to, so it’s important family homes,” Carey said. “We’re excited about that, to have those choices in our adding another neighborhood to our community.” community.” value Multifamily housing can Lincoln Country Club also be an attractive option for course owners looking to sell as The rezoning and redevelopment of Lincoln Country maintaining a course becomes Club has been more challenging for developers, in to your less economically viable, while part because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on also providing a template to rei- in-person city meetings and notifying the public Carey magine large greenspaces. about the project. “We have to reimagine how Illinois-based Stoneleigh Companies LLC plans our land is currently being uti- to build 67 single-family home lots and 214 single- real estate lized by the city,” Carey said. story rental units on the former golf course located “It’s not just our golf courses, at 3485 Lake Michigan Drive NW. which are huge financial drains The approval process was paused following city on our owners, but it’s also the staff concerns about accessibility and public safety, large shopping complexes. I’d but the planning commission is expected to approve transactions also like to see some of these the plan this month with the city commission follow- big concrete jungles and park- ing suit in July, said Stoneleigh CEO Rick Cavenaugh. Cavenaugh ing lots not being used for any- “The revision was more driven by the city com- thing. Why would we not find a way to reimagine those mission’s comments as it related to their master John Arndts, Ben Zainea, Dan Parmeter and our to something more purposeful?” plan, so we shuffled the site around a little but did other real estate attorneys analyze and address The metropolitan area’s housing supply is tight not change the main concept of the development,” as the region continues to grow, noted Matt Jones, Cavenaugh said. your real estate matters with your best interests in associate vice president at Colliers International’s The final connection points into the develop- mind to give you a competitive edge. West Michigan office. ment have been moved slightly from where they “All of the low-hanging fruit is already being were initially planned to address public safety con- developed, so people have to naturally get creative cerns, Carey said. • Purchase and Sale • Lease Agreements when they think about where and what they develop “I give the developer a ton of credit. They’ve bent Agreements • Easements into housing out of necessity,” Jones said. over backwards and made the needed changes to • Option Agreements • Construction Agreements make this a workable solution for us,” Carey said. A Stoneleigh Companies affiliate struck an • Condominium Documents English Hills arm’s length deal with AMF Bowling Centers Inc. in The former English Hills Country Club located north October 2019 to buy the property and closed on the We help your business thrive. of I-96 between M-37 and Bristol Avenue NW has been acquisition in January 2021. The golf course was los- eyed for redevelopment in the past, and was rezoned ing about $200,000 a year, Cavenaugh said, and is to high-density residential in 2003 for a multifamily now closed permanently. The bowling alley on the project that never came to fruition. The golf course site also closed permanently last year because of the reopened after that, but closed down again in 2020. pandemic. Illinois-based Redhawk Multifamily LLC is plan- However, the site plan received an outpouring of ning a 552-unit apartment complex on the property negative feedback from some surrounding residents that would include one-, two- and three-bedroom at city meetings, with most comments expressing units. The development is set to take up about 30 per- concern about increased traffic and the potential cent of the 142-acre site, which also includes property loss of green space. adjacent to the golf course at 1470 Four Mile Road NW. “There is a unique dynamic: We know we need The Walker City Commission approved prelimi- more housing, and people in the city know and nary site plans and is expected to soon sign off on want that too, but not necessarily in their back- the project, said Mark Avis, managing member of yards,” Carey said. “There is a fine balance of what mikameyers.com (616) 632-8000 Redhawk Multifamily. Redhawk’s acquisition of the makes sense. We’ve taken the approach with our property is dependent on the approval from the city. industrial development of full speed ahead, but “The development process was great. It was one with these developments it’s a more controlled of my first projects with no opposition from staff, growth.”

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Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 17 REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT

SHORT-TERM RENTALS Continued from page 1

The bills as drafted would strip municipalities’ ability to adopt these types of local regulations, which also include rules on noise and traffic and occupancy levels. Realtors on board Brian Westrin, general coun- sel for trade group Michigan Realtors, told MiBiz the leg- islation would restore home- owners’ private property rights in municipalities that severely restrict short-term rentals as well as attract investments in Travis Hanko renovated a house in Benton Harbor that’s been converted into a lucrative short-term rental. COURTESY PHOTO Van Beek second homes. “When people are look- April 2021 in Allegan, Berrien, Cass counties and the in place,” said Holland City Manager Keith Van Beek. ing at investing in our state, western two-thirds of Van Buren County, with sell- “This isn’t just about the property rights of the folks “When you start to have especially with second-home ing prices continuing to “set new record levels each that have a short-term rental, we’re also worried about ownership, they do ask those month in 2021,” according to the organization. The the property rights of people living around them.” a lot of housing stock questions of: Can I rent on a previous record was 965 houses sold in April 2018. The city of Holland launched a short-term rental short-term basis or at all?” pilot program in 2018 that has since been adopted tied up in short-term Westrin said. Local opposition as part of its local zoning ordinance. The city has a The legislation also comes limit of 25 short-term rentals allowed in its tradi- rentals, it’s hard to have amid an active housing market However, local officials who have regulated short- tional neighborhoods and imposed a 500-foot buf- Winter in Michigan as realtors report term rentals say the legislation strips away local fer between each short-term rental. The city also people move here.” record sales and houses quickly selling above ask- power and ignores neighborhood concerns. requires rental property owners to keep contact ing prices. “What we found when we did our evaluation last information on file with the city in case problems The Southwestern Michigan Association of year was that (our regulations) met the market need arise during a rental period. — SHAWN WINTER Realtors reported a record 1,044 houses sold in and we thought we put pretty reasonable restrictions “We put a lot of work into this and had a lot of Traverse City Planning Director citizens provide feedback,” Van Beek said. “This additional assurance belongs at the local level of how to allow something and do it in such a way that matches the needs of our local community and local neighbors. That’s why we object to the legislation.” in Michigan and short-term rentals are the least of those concerns,” Westrin said. “The bigger issue is Housing implications the cost of materials, low interest rates, and the avail- ability of the housing stock is currently very low.” Local officials are not only concerned about poten- Yarrow Brown, executive director of Traverse tial nuisance issues with short-term rentals, but also City-based advocacy group Housing North, said with the risk of further straining the housing supply. short-term rentals aren’t necessarily a problem, In cities like Traverse City, short-term rent- but communities should be able to regulate them als are part of the local tourism economy but as they see fit. are already having detrimental effects on the “We’d like our local units of government to be availability of housing stock, said Traverse City able to make that decision,” Brown said. Planning Director Shawn Winter. He believes the proposed legislation could contribute to the rising Renting an Airbnb cost of housing. As of mid May, Traverse City had 31 licensed Travis Hanko explored Airbnb during the COVID-19 owner-occupied short-term rentals and two appli- pandemic as a way to earn extra income. Business cations pending, along with 165 short-term rental has been scarce during the winter months for his We handle commercial real estate, properties licensed that are not owner-occupied landscaping company, Precision Cutz LLC, so he and 14 with applications pending. bought a house in August of 2020 in Benton Harbor so you can get back to business. Winter also raised concerns about ownership near his home in Coloma. changing at developments that receive state and “I needed to figure out something to do to keep When you partner with NAI Wisinski of West Michigan, local incentives to serve as workforce housing. The my (employees) busy and have supplemental fear is that these developments will be changed to income as well,” Hanko said, adding that he origi- you gain access to a global network with the best tools and condos, making it possible for owners to turn units nally intended to buy a house “to flip and sell it.” techniques in the industry. We combine this global reach with into short-term rentals, Winter said. Hanko invested about $130,000 to gut and ren- local expertise as we remain independently owned, providing “When you start to have a lot of housing stock ovate the Benton Harbor property. After learning our clients with a wealth of West Michigan market knowledge. tied up in short-term rentals, it’s hard to have people about Airbnb from a neighbor, Hanko opted to rent With the most experienced commercial real estate move here,” Winter said. “Our service industry work- his property on a short-term basis instead of imme- professionals in the market, our team of agents and property ers can’t find any housing at a reasonable price any- diately selling it. managers are equipped to serve our clients every day. where in town and are forced to live outside of town He also says short-term renting is less stressful and have time and travel expenses, which ends up and more lucrative than having long-term tenants, being pretty significant. A lot of places have a hard while eviction bans during the pandemic further Grand Rapids Office time retaining workers, and not just service indus- dissuaded him from long term rentals. 616 776 0100 tries, but manufacturers, too.” Hanko is now in the process of buying another naiwwm.com Westrin disputes arguments that the legisla- home to renovate and convert to a short-term rental tion would have a detrimental effect on afford- after a promising start with his first attempt. Kalamazoo Office able housing. “We had our first renter two weekends ago and 269 353 0311 “There are so many other variables that we’re are booked through August every weekend and dur- working against to make sure housing is affordable ing every week,” Hanko said.

18 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com FOOD BIZ

Michigan kombucha producers expand as consumer demand spikes

By JAYSON BUSSA | MiBiz as a more refreshing, alcohol-free version of an IPA. Lively Up and Cultured are both proof of how [email protected] “You can have these crafted beverages but don’t the drink has crept into the mainstream just within have to consume the alcohol,” Lorenz said. the last decade. hen Courtney Lorenz launched “Our goal was to create a crafted alternative for “Even 10 years ago, it was this health tonic that her business in 2015 brewing and people who don’t want an alcoholic beverage.” some people may have been afraid of or did not selling kombucha, she started Cultured plans to cover consumers that do prefer know of,” Smith said. “It was something that your working with just three 5-gallon an alcoholic beverage as it develops a hard kombu- hippie cousin had in their closet or your weird friend containers. cha, a variety with a longer fermentation process drank it. I think now, especially in the last five years, WHer Traverse City-based Cultured Kombucha and added sugars to increase alcohol content. kombucha is becoming more acceptable as an over- Co. now occupies a sprawling 5,000-square-foot Cultured Kombucha recently received a $10,000 all functional beverage and just a common bever- facility where a dozen 500-gallon brewing tanks are Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grant from age. It’s still a niche product.” running at any given time. the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Smith credited local kombucha makers across Cultured isn’t the only Michigan-based kombu- Development, which Lorenz said will be used to the state and country for helping the beverage make cha brewer that is finding steady growth in a quickly create the infrastructure for that expansion. this transition. expanding industry that centers on this fermented, She also said that Cultured Kombucha’s hop tea “I think a lot of it has to do with us spreading sweetened tea with a centuries-old history. should be available in the fall with the hard kombu- the word and making it taste good and warming Kombucha Brewers International, the indus- cha coming in mid winter. Cultured plans to use its up the market,” Smith said. “Also, people are feel- try’s primary trade association, identified kombu- existing distribution network for the products while ing good from it.” cha as a $1.8 billion dollar industry and growing. opening new markets. As the market continues to grow and attracts Brewers throughout Michigan are carving out their With the recent moves, Lorenz and her team additional players — including large, national niche in this quickly expanding market. are striving to carve out a significant presence for brands — Smith says he’s not worried about Cultured throughout the region. oversaturation, and stressed the importance Steady growth “I think Cultured Kombucha could really be one of authenticity when it comes to a product like of the greater kombuchas of the Midwest,” Lorenz kombucha. Cultured Kombucha distributes to 180 locations said. “I think it’s a highly underserved market and is “I think if you’re making a really good product throughout Michigan, including restaurants, gas- dominated by national brands right now, but con- and are authentic, you’re going to stick around,” he Cultured Kombucha Co. has scaled up tropubs, breweries and independent grocers. sumers are really asking for something that is more said. “Those who are not in alignment with that will production over the last few years to meet Just recently, the brewer inked a 22-store distri- crafted and less Pepsi or Coke.” end up phasing out. … Craft beer teaches us that and growing market demand. COURTESY PHOTO bution deal with Meijer Inc., allowing it to break really any of these niche industries.” into the big box retail environment and furthering New demand out this year with a distribution that reaches into Cultured’s reach throughout Michigan while also The next kombucha frontier 25 different states. emerging into parts of Indiana and Ohio. Muskegon-based Lively Up Kombucha LLC is “All of these hard kombucha companies saw The deal was the result of two years of lobbying another prime example of a kombucha brewer that While the kombucha market continues to expand as the opportunity in a segment that we were the only with Meijer buyers. has grown quickly and completely organically. a whole, hard kombucha is emerging as a popular company in for years — they got a lot of funding and “(The Meijer deal) is allowing us to really cre- Founded by Brenna Kelley and Zack Smith in alternative to both beer and hard seltzers. took off,” Tarek Kanaan said. ate steady jobs throughout the entire June of 2017, Smith recalled the early Kombucha Brewers International reported that The hard kombucha space is another area where course of the year,” said Lorenz, years when his startup worked out of sales of hard kombucha have grown from $1.7 mil- authenticity is key — not only in the way a company whose business employs three cur- FOOD BIZ a rental kitchen while he had pallets lion in 2017 to more than $12 million in 2019. conducts business, but in the product itself. rently but could use additional staff- NEWS of bottles and a chef’s freezer stashed National names like Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tarek Kanaan said that many of the national ing. “Beverage is a seasonal market — in his living room. (which brews Strainge Beast), San Diego-based brands align with seltzer makers in their approach no matter what beverage you’re in. Sponsored by: Despite no investor backing, JuneShine Inc. and Wild Tonic of Arizona have capi- to production. We’ll have some consistency with DAN VOS Lively Up just recently moved into talized on the surge in popularity while local makers Unity Vibration aligns with, and piggybacks on, CONSTRUCTION our ability to employ people, which COMPANY its new 2,600-square-foot produc- like Cultured Kombucha get in the game. the state’s thriving craft beer industry. Not only is is great. It will also allow us to have a tion space at 1945 Stebbins Road in However, the entire market originated in Unity Vibration a member of the Michigan Brewers really solid brand awareness.” Muskegon Township where 2,000 Michigan, which is home to Ypsilanti-based Unity Guild and Brewers Association, but it regularly Cultured Kombucha is also developing two new gallons of kombucha are constantly brewing. Vibration Kombucha LLC. Founders Rachel and participates in local beer festivals and even refers products, including a hop tea and hard kombucha, Already with a patchwork of retailers across Tarek Kanaan refer to Unity Vibration as “the O.G. to its hard kombuchas as “beers.” a particularly hot segment of the kombucha market. Michigan that carry Lively Up’s kombucha, which of hard kombucha” after developing the first kom- “People want something that is authentic and For its hop tea, Cultured Kombucha will leverage is a low-sugar, dry variety with raw fruit and herbs, bucha beer, which is never diluted, pasteurized, dis- they can tell you’re not full of crap,” Rachel Kanaan the availability of home-grown hops made available Smith said his company just signed a deal with tilled or bottled before being fully fermented. said. “We’re really a heritage brand. We’ve been through Traverse City-based of MI Local Hops LLC Whole Foods Market Inc. to distribute to all of its Unity Vibration continues to expand in a mar- doing this for a long time and have been authentic to create a sparkling beverage that Lorenz described Michigan stores. ket it essentially created, and is expected to finish since the beginning.”

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Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 19 INFORMED IMPACT To overcome racial, social and economic inequities we must respond with intention and care. Grand Rapids Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to answer community needs.

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Kalamazoo Institute of Arts receives $65,000 grant for temporary exhibition

KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts recently received a $65,000 grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art as part of a nationwide initiative. The Chicago-based Terra Foundation — which supports American art exhibitions, projects, academic research and publi- cations — awarded the funds to support a temporary exhibition titled “Art, Music, Feminism & the Mid-Century Quest for C h a n g e .” The exhibit, which will be displayed in The Frauenthal Center in downtown Muskegon seeks to raise an additional $7 million from the public for capital improvements at the 2022, focuses on the music industry in the historic landmark. PHOTO: MIBIZ STAFF 1950s when women were starting to find their voice in a male-dominated industry and society. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts was one of 35 organizations across 30 different Frauenthal launches new $7M public fundraising states to receive a portion of the $2.5 million in grant money. The funds are tied to Terra Foundation’s two-year Re-envisioning Permanent campaign for capital improvements Collections initiative aimed at encouraging museums to explore their collections more deeply to reveal the artworks and voices that By JAYSON BUSSA | MiBiz organizations like the West Michigan Symphony have shaped the cultural heritage, with a pri- [email protected] Orchestra and the Muskegon Civic Theater, in “We’re looking to the ority on equity and inclusion, according to addition to hosting its own series and events. a statement. MUSKEGON — Leadership at the Frauenthal The campaign has so far raised $4.1 mil- community to join us in The grants support the reinstallation of Center stepped back in 2019 to administer a full lion from local donors and corporate partners. permanent collections as well as the devel- architectural assessment of the historic perform- Messing said that the initial success in raising preserving this gem for opment of temporary exhibitions drawn ing and events center, which has endured nine money was a testament to what the venue means from museum collections. decades of consistent wear and tear. to the community. the next 90 years.” “These projects reflect the important Partnering with Ada-based Erhardt At the beginning of June, the campaign turned work being done in the field to expand nar- Construction Co. for the assessment, Frauenthal to the general public in Muskegon County to bring ratives of American art in order to embrace Center Executive Director Eric Messing and his team it across the finish line. ERIC MESSING more inclusive histories that reflect a diver- identified several millions of dollars in critical repairs “We’ll continue our efforts speaking to public Executive Director, Frauenthal Center sity of voices and experiences in the tell- and upgrades in order to keep the Muskegon County and private foundations, but in the public phase ing of those stories,” Terra Foundation staple in proper shape for future programming. of this, we’re looking to the community to join President and CEO Sharon Corwin said in That’s when leaders decided to raise some cash us in preserving this gem for the next 90 years,” a statement. “We share this commitment — and also when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Messing said. to re-envisioning American art history and Despite the economic hardships that came While summer is dotted with occasional are honored to support these grant recipi- with the ensuing 15 months of the pandemic, the A COVID facelift event rentals, in addition to a free family ents from across the country in realizing Frauenthal Center, which operates as part of the movie night available to limited audiences, their projects.” Community Foundation for Muskegon County, With the initial money raised, the Frauenthal the bulk of the Frauenthal’s season begins late Terra Foundation considers this latest was effective in raising initial funds and address- Center was able to address some of its more in the fall. initiative as phase two of its recovery grant ing the facility’s more pressing needs. pressing needs. This included 102 new, histori- Installing heated sidewalks along the perim- program aimed at providing support for “Because of the pandemic, we cally accurate and energy efficient eter of the facility as well as updating its digital museums and arts organizations that have were able to really focus on this windows that are expected to save display screen and marquee are the next steps. encountered financial hardships during the campaign, which is an interest- NONPROFITS the center on energy costs. Another Upgraded sound and video systems that are also COVID-19 pandemic. ing time to be fundraising, but it NEWS portion of the funds was devoted to crucial for the center will follow. Throughout the pandemic, and sub- enabled us to make several signif- — repairing and reinforcing the cen- “Our technical equipment is so dated that sequent museum closures, the Terra Sponsored by: icant improvements to the building GRAND RAPIDS ter’s fire escapes. we have to rent sound equipment and bring it Foundation has provided immediate assis- during our closure,” Messing said. COMMUNITY Perhaps the most significant in,” Messer said. “Some touring shows will pass tance for many organizations around the Dubbed the “Next 90 FOUNDATION upgrade, especially in light of the over our facility because of some of our outdated country. This is the KIA’s first grant from the Years Frauenthal Preservation pandemic, was a new HVAC sys- technical equipment. By upgrading and updat- Terra Foundation. Campaign,” the campaign by tem designed to enhance and pro- ing sound, video and eventually lighting, it’s not the Frauenthal Center and the Community tect air quality in the theater and lobby areas. only going to enhance the patron experience but Compiled by MiBiz staff Foundation aims to raise $7 million to make the “We hope that everyone feels safe in returning also artist experience and be more attractive to upgrades to a venue that is regularly used by here,” Messing said. clients.”

Visit www.mibiz.com MiBiz / JUNE 7, 2021 21 Affordable housing remains IN THE NEWS in focus as M&A foot global headquarters and production facility at n Grand Rapids Venture Capital has acquired Broadmoor Avenue and 36th Street in Kentwood. nonprofit exec Professional Courier Services, a same-day, Autocam Medical is working with Grand Rapids- small-package delivery and errand service in Grand based AMDG Architects Inc. to design the Rapids. Small Business Deal Advisors LLC facility. Pioneer Construction Co., also of Grand takes new role represented Professional Courier Services owner Rapids, will handle the build-out. The company Cathy Smith in the sale. Smith founded Professional expects the expansion will create an additional Courier Services in 1978 and sold the business to 250 jobs. Autocam Medical has already started retire. Grand Rapids Venture Capital plans to add hiring and expects to increase its recruiting efforts A Q&A with Jeremy DeRoo, warehouse space to offer more logistics services, significantly over the next year. including warehousing and fulfillment, last-mile delivery and transportation options to customers. BANKING incoming CEO of Dwelling Place Steve Barnes created Grand Rapids Venture Capital n Lake Michigan Credit Union opened a new during the pandemic to find new investment branch at 496 Ada Drive SE in Ada and an office For nearly 13 years, Jeremy DeRoo has played an integral role in seeking equity within disadvantaged Grand opportunities. on Robbins Road in Grand Haven. Rapids neighborhoods, particularly when it comes to housing and development opportunities. Last month, offi- n Public relations and investor relations firm The Grand Rapids-based credit cials announced that DeRoo would depart neighborhood development organization LINC UP to lead Dwelling Lambert & Co. has sold its Lansing political union has 59 offices, including Place, another Grand Rapids nonprofit that focuses on housing affordability in the region. DeRoo is set to take business formerly known as Sterling Corp. to 13 in Florida, with assets of about over Dwelling Place next month from Dennis Sturtevant, who led the organization for 33 of its 41-year existence. Brightspark Strategies, the three-person team $10 billion and more than 406,000 The leadership change also comes at a crucial time as Grand Rapids and the surrounding area experiences a running Sterling’s conservative fundraising unit. members. n crisis in affordable housing availability. DeRoo spoke with MiBiz about the challenges ahead and the policies Lambert President Don Hunt said in a statement Mercantile Bank of Michigan transferred that the firm is focused on its “growing and ownership of a former office on Lincoln Street in that could help move the needle on housing access. profitable practice areas” and is “shedding non- downtown Lakeview to the Hough-Pontius VFW core operations.” He added that the sale provides Post No. 3701, which plans to renovate the building As you prepare to leave LINC UP, what do you see as the biggest ongoing challenges for the organi- a “significant return” while also “eliminating the to include a large event space, commercial kitchen, zation and the community it serves? potential for conflicts inherent with a political private offices and meeting spaces. There continues to be a major challenge in Grand Rapids around affordable housing. It’s one of the driving practice.” Lambert, which has offices in Grand n Honor Credit Union will add an office in the forces since LINC UP started and continues to be. It has significantly impacted the neighborhoods that LINC Rapids, Detroit and New York City, will retain its Grand Rapids area with the planned acquisition of the serves. The demographics are shifting as gentrification comes in, property values are significantly increasing Lansing office. smaller ATL Federal Credit Union. The acquisition n and home ownership levels are very low. It continues to be a concern and a problem LINC is trying to address. BluJay Solutions, a global provider of supply will give ATL’s 1,767 members access to a far larger chain software with a major presence in Holland, branch network in the Grand Rapids area and more With that are also racial equity implications. With ownership rates so low and property prices going up, there’s has been sold to Austin, Texas-based E2open in a financial services, including business lending and a widening of the racial wealth gap. deal valued at around “robust” mortgage lending, ATL President and CEO $1.7 billion. The deal, Robert Shane said. ATL has a single office on 36th How did you see the COVID-19 pandemic affect the communities you serve at LINC UP? which was announced Street in Wyoming with $15.1 million in assets. The I think most people are familiar with the disparities that COVID-19 brought to the surface that have been facing late last month, Berrien Springs-based Honor Credit Union has communities that LINC serves for a long time. It just really exacerbated them: Unemployment rates skyrocketed brings together two 23 offices in Southwest Michigan and the Upper and the lowest earners could not or did not have the option to stay at home. It increased sickness rates because complementary software as a service (SaaS) Peninsula with $1.14 billion in total assets and nearly providers. BluJay Solutions works with 50,000 92,000 members. The present ATL location would of that, or people lost their jobs and there was a huge economic loss to the community, as well as all of the addi- network participants that will enhance E2open’s become Honor’s first office in Kent County. tional stress and dynamics that go along with job loss. network of more than 220,000 network participants. n Tom Lampen, senior vice president and CFO at The deal also helps expand E2open’s supply chain Sparta-based ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc., How can Grand Rapids effectively tackle its shortage of affordable housing? execution capabilities, namely with transportation plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2021. ChoiceOne I think the housing crisis is predominantly caused by housing policies. There are a lot of things that contribute to it, management. The deal is expected to close in the directors approved a succession plan and expect but we need to build more and different types of homes in the city of Grand Rapids and the greater Grand Rapids third quarter. to name senior vice president and COO Adom area, which means we need to have things other than single-family homes available for purchase. There’s an Greenland to succeed Lampen as CFO. Lampen will under-built townhome market. Even co-housing or land trusts — we just don’t have a lot of options on the spec- EXPANSION retire after 34 years in the banking industry, which includes service as ChoiceOne’s CFO since 1992. trum of owning opportunities. The same is true on the rental side: We just don’t have enough rentals in the city. n Industrial Magnetics Inc. plans to more than double its manufacturing space in Boyne City with a 36,000-square-foot addition, according to What roles do you see for the city, state and federal governments? HEALTH CARE a statement. The additional room will allow the n Bronson Healthcare has opened its new $22 I think the city plays a significant role in ensuring that it updates its master plan in a way that produces more company to support its organic business growth million, 52,000-square-foot South Haven Hospital. equitable outcomes for housing. and to handle production of products stemming The two-story facility I think the state of Michigan can do more to promote home ownership for low-income families. There from its recent acquisition of Walker Magnetics. was developed east of are some specific programs they could bring back to encourage more home ownership development. Construction on the project started last fall and is the existing hospital There just needs to be subsidies in creating affordable housing options. The state can direct more par- expected to wrap up by July 1. Industrial Magnetics between Blue Star ticularly to the home ownership side of the equation. is a manufacturer of permanent and electromagnetic Highway and Bailey Avenue. The 8-bed facility solutions for industrial applications. In February There’s a significant amount of federal spending going on right now across the board. Directing that includes significantly less inpatient capacity 2021, the company acquired the assets of than the existing 49-bed hospital to reflect toward addressing some of these housing challenges is really critical to a full recovery from what we’re Worcester, Mass.-based Walker Magnetics Group low inpatient volumes, and focuses mainly on experiencing here. Inc., a manufacturer of highly engineered industrial primary care, wellness, disease management magnetic products that’s been in business since and the most-used medical services. Bronson What led to your decision to join Dwelling Place, and how might the new position overlap with your 1896. South Haven Hospital is the second new facility previous work? n Industrial automation and robotics integrator the Kalamazoo-based health system opened this Dwelling Place provides me an opportunity to continue to work around equity and housing and maybe take Mission Design and Automation LLC is building year. Bronson in February opened the $60 million a broader, more regional perspective. LINC focuses heavily on neighborhoods and neighborhood solutions. a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility Frank J. Sardone Pavilion in Kalamazoo adjacent at 9696 Black River Court in Holland Charter to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Dwelling Place is an opportunity to take a more housing focus. Given the housing crisis that Grand Rapids and Township. The $5.3 million project is expected n Spectrum Health will rebrand Health West Michigan is facing, we have a unique opportunity. There’s increased awareness on the importance of to create 109 jobs over a two-year period by Pointe, an outpatient medical campus in Grand housing and how it’s a significant factor to shift systemic outcomes. We can use this time to craft a new hous- increasing the company’s engineering and machine Haven developed jointly with Holland Hospital, as ing strategy in the region. build capacity. State officials said the project aligns Spectrum Health Grand Haven Center. The name with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s change will occur over the next six months and As a nonprofit leader, how has fundraising changed over the years and, in particular, over the past year? strategic goal of growing advanced manufacturing comes after Spectrum Health bought out Holland I think it’s a little early to know the full implications of the pandemic on philanthropy. At LINC, we have seen and Industry 4.0 jobs statewide. Grand Rapids- Hospital’s share of the joint venture to become based Pioneer Construction Co. serves as the increased interest in our community organizing and advocacy work in promoting racial equity. That’s a strong sole owner. The new name “aligns with Spectrum general contractor on the project, which is expected Health’s branding in West Michigan and identifies trend that will probably stick around long term for philanthropy — a willingness to take on systemic issues and to be move-in ready by the end of the month. the Grand Haven Center as part of the health root causes. And that’s key to resolving the affordable housing crisis. n Autocam Medical Devices LLC plans to invest system’s family of services,” the health system said $60 million over the next three years to expand in a statement. What kind of legacy does Denny Sturtevant leave behind at Dwelling Place? production capacity n Holland Hospital added a specialty care Denny has contributed to an amazing organization that has a great reputation of doing really good work. They’re in West Michigan. practice in pulmonary and sleep medicine with Dr. known across the state and really nationally as taking on complicated housing projects and doing them very The producer of Dale Coller, who specializes in the diagnosis and well. It’s definitely some big shoes to try to fill on my part, but he’s left behind a group of extremely talented indi- surgical and medical treatment of lung conditions, breathing problems components and viduals and staff who are really good at what they do. and sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep devices expects to build a new 100,000-square- apnea. Interview conducted and condensed by Andy Balaskovitz. Courtesy photo.

22 JUNE 7, 2021 / MiBiz Visit www.mibiz.com To transport the same amount of energy Line 5 delivers by rail, barge or truck means more traffic, more emissions, more risk and higher fuel costs.

Governor Whitmer wants Line 5 shut down with no plan to replace the essential energy it delivers.

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