Regional Business

Jeffrey Mosher catches up with Matt Jung, Co-Founder of Comfort Research, of Grand Rapids, MI.

• History of the company/how it began
• Where it currently stands today
• Business stats
• Company culture
• How businesses can retain/recruit employees
• Innovation in products
• How these products have driven sales
• Company growth
• What is the company positioned for and what can businesses learn from this.

Newaygo is one of nine communities to use Michigan Land Bank Rural Community Demolition Grant funds for community development

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority is seeking proposals for demolition and abatement services for three blighted homes in Newaygo.

• Business expansions statewide, in a variety of industries, involve creation of 395 jobs and $130M in investment
• Woman-owned, leading AV and event tech business establishing headquarters in Novi, involves investment of $34M, creation of 81 jobs
• Supply chain design company expands in Ann Arbor, creates 70 jobs
• Fabricating company in Baraga wins support to expand, add jobs

• German insulation manufacturer Knauf Insulation expanding in Albion
• MSF approves Transformational Brownfield Plan for paper mill redevelopment project in Kalamazoo region
• Brownfield redevelopment plan approved for FCA’s Mack Engine Plant in Detroit
• Community revitalization projects in Holland, Detroit expand scope to add more jobs, investment

Chris Holman welcomes Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on to the Michigan Business Beat. They discuss infrastructure, adjustment to her first term leading the state, the prime business topic surrounding talent, and small business.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in 16 of Michigan’s 17 regional labor markets during the month of June, according to data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment and total labor force levels moved up in most regions over the month.

Jeffrey Mosher catches up with John Inserra, President, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. With Cooper's Hawk, he oversees the Development Team AND Operations Team. The pair discuss an upcoming location set to open next week in Grand Rapids vicinity -- 
A Kentwood, Michigan site. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is set to Open First West Michigan Location This Summer the newly-built restaurant located on 28th street Kentwood, MI, will open its doors to the public on Monday, July 29.

Grand opening of facility in Ironwood expected to generate investment of $4.3 million, create 61 jobs

Monday, Waupaca Foundry, a Hitachi Metals company, opened operations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The new facility will process iron castings produced at its Waupaca, Wis. plants. The company’s expansion into the city of Ironwood is expected to generate an investment of $4.3 million and create 61 new jobs.

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The city of Durand will transform an underused space at Durand Union Station into a green space and picnic area to create a campus at the “Queen of the Rails” through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local nonprofit Durand Union Station Inc. announced yesterday. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent in June, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment inched up by 2,000 while unemployment rose by 3,000 over the month. The state’s workforce edged up slightly in June.