THE GOAL: An artist’s rendering shows a section of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids after a nearly $28 million river improvement project is finished. (courtesy image) Michigan may be the Great Lakes State, but its 36,000 miles of rivers are becoming popular commodities for cities looking to revitalize downtowns, attract visitors and lure […]
Grand Rapids
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
In Michigan, small things add up to life writ large
NOT THE GOAL: The teeming sidewalks and streets of New York and other major coastal cities may draw young people from Michigan now, but the state can reverse the trend if it shows its young people that pursuit of no limits is no path to freedom, writes Conor Dugan. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) […]
Posted inMichigan Government
ID gap makes streets meaner for ex-cons
GRAND RAPIDS — Jeff Lowery figured it was going to be a tough road as he left state prison in late February, hoping to find work and housing. But without proper identification, he feared it would be impossible: “There is nothing you can do. It’s absolutely horrible.” Six months before was discharged, Lowery said, he […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
* The complaint that lawmakers don’t even read all the bills that pass over their desks is as hoary as it is true. Well, the Tennessee House of Representatives has taken action to perhaps ease the problem. No member can file more than 15 bills. “Figures compiled by Harwell’s office show that the 132-member Tennessee […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
What’s up, who’s down in state economy?
While the Holland area may be better known to outsiders for its Dutch heritage and pristine Lake Michigan beaches, the locals know its economy is driven by manufacturing. The area suffered as manufacturing output fell by a third during the Great Recession. Unemployment exceeded 13 percent. But a strong rebound by auto suppliers, office furniture […]
Posted inSuccess
Leader of Grand Rapids homeless shelter keeps the focus on accountability
NO FREEBIES: Stuart Ray’s philosophy in leading the Guiding Light Mission in Grand Rapids is that giving a homeless people food and shelter without requiring work or effort in exchange is self-destructive to the men he’s trying to help. (Bridge photo/Lance Wynn) GRAND RAPIDS — A decade back, Stuart Ray was immersed in the business […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Which Mich. schools add most value for students?
At first blush, Godwin Heights Public Schools isn’t anything special. Only 6 percent of its juniors were considered “college ready” on their ACTs in 2012, about one-third of the state’s median rate. Fourth- and eighth-grade MEAP scores were middling, at best. On the other hand, Bloomfield Hills has the highest percentage of students deemed “college […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Citizen input sought on Michigan’s to-do list
By John Austin/Michigan Economic Center All of us who live in — and love – Michigan have some deep-rooted sense of what makes the state special. Our great outdoors and spectacular lakes. Our cars, the open road, hauling the camper or snowmobile Up North. Great colleges and universities that bring us together on football Saturdays […]
Posted inPhil's Column
West Michigan gets serious about global race for talent
Anybody who still thinks Grand Rapids is a stodgy and unexciting city either hasn’t been there lately; is in need of a big attitude adjustment; or both. I got a powerful dose of the new Grand Rapids last week, when I was there for the West Michigan Policy Forum’s annual conference. The town was jumping […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Dutch titans left their mark on West Michigan
Rich DeVos and the late Jay Van Andel were known as the “gold dust twins” as they built Amway, the direct-selling consumer products giant they founded in 1959 near Grand Rapids. They spread a lot of that gold around West Michigan to support the construction of hospitals, sports and entertainment facilities, research institutions and many […]
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