Crain's Grand Rapids Business, Oct 30, 2023

CRAINSGRANDRAPIDS.COM I OCTOBER 30, 2023

‘Fighting fire with water’ Owners of Unicorn Tavern focus on acceptance in politically charged Ottawa County

By Abby Poirier

placing the dugouts, upgrading the roof and replacing the chain link fencing. Rockford Construction Co. is the construction manager and Integrated Architecture is designing the project.

Rockford Construction CEO Mike VanGessel said it was

Garry and Kristal Boyd, the husband-and-wife duo behind Unicorn Tavern, intended their Belgian-inspired, pub-style restaurant that opened this February in Grand Haven to go beyond putting good food on the table.

They also sought to focus on growing community and promoting acceptance.

In addition to offering a welcoming space for patrons, the restaurant, which is closed every Tuesday, invites local nonprofits and social justice groups like Grand Haven Pride and Progressive Lakeshore to use the space for meetings and public discussion.

The Boyds say the goal is to intentionally contribute to community conversations.

However, they also stand out for being outspoken business owners for inclusivity in a county embroiled in political

See BALLPARK on Page 28

See UNICORN on Page 28

Sullivan Field renovation plans call for refurbishing the iconic green grandstands, replacing the dugouts, upgrading the roof and replacing the chain link fencing. | IINTEGRATED ARCHITECTURE

VOLUNTEERS STEP TO PLATE

FOR SULLIVAN FIELD Group raising $4.2 million to restore iconic ballpark to its former glory

By Kate Carlson

A volunteer-led nonprofit group has kicked off the public phase of a capital campaign and released renderings of a $4.2 million plan to renovate the historic Sullivan Field on Grand Rapids’ west side.

The group, Fans of Valley Field, has raised $3.7 million of its $4.2 million goal to preserve and upgrade the aging ballpark that hosted numerous professional players during its 86-year history, including a few who attended a groundbreaking ceremony Oct.

18. The nonprofit aims to raise $500,000 more to close the funding gap after Bissell Inc. announced a $350,000 donation.

Construction started recently on the first phase of the project, which will include refurbishing the iconic green grandstands, re-

WMCAT aims to double enrollment in tech program Diverse graduates are finding success with local employers

By Kayleigh Van Wyk

The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology is expanding a cybersecurity training program with an additional focus on cloud security engineering and increased enrollment after the

diverse inaugural cohort graduated earlier this year.

Last year, WMCAT launched a new technology-focused pathway as part of its Adult Career Training Program, which provides Kent County adults experiencing under- and unemployment with tuition-free career training.

The new cybersecurity pathway debuted with learning tracks focused on governance, risk and compliance (GRC) in partner-

VOL. 40, NO. 22 l COPYRIGHT 2023 CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. l ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ship with national provider GRC for Intelligent Ecosystems, or GRCIE. The pathway offers virtual reality-based technical training, industry-aligned certifications, employer apprenticeship connections and job search assistance for graduates.

“Our vision for the region is equitable access to opportunity, and one of the ways that we pursue that vision is through our See WMCAT on Page 28

REAL ESTATE Factory Yards lands ‘transformational’ incentive plan PAGE 3

Stacia Mason graduated from WMCAT’s inaugural cohort in the cybersecurity career training pathway. | WMCAT

CRAIN’S FORUM ‘Missing in action’: Can Michigan get the young people it needs?

NOTABLES Leaders in health care PAGE 15

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Being a great place to work has its rewards.

And awards.

Because of our investments in industry-leading programs and resources, and our commitment to helping teammates achieve their personal and professional goals, we were awarded the Grand Stevie Award for Organization of the Year. I’m proud of this recognition, really proud of our dedicated employees, but most especially proud to be part of this community we all serve.

Renee Tabben President, Bank of America Grand Rapids

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/grandrapids

What would you like the power to do?®

The Stevie Awards recognize the achievements of businesses and professionals worldwide. Organizations self-nominate, providing data for various categories, and winners are determined by the average scores of more than 240 professionals worldwide serving as judges.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2023 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Developer proposes 92 units of single-family housing 27-acre site is former gravel pit on Grand Rapids’ west side

By Rachel Watson

A developer of single-family condos and townhomes next month will ask the city of Grand Rapids to rezone 27 acres on the west side in support of a proposed 92-unit housing development.

Grand Rapids Township-based Redstone Homes will go before the Grand Rapid City Planning Commission on Nov. 9 to request a rezoning of 959 Bristol Ave. NW in Grand Rapids from mid-century neighborhood-low density residential to multifamily planned re-

development district.

The rezoning would facilitate the construction of Condominiums at Bristol Valley, a community of 16 single-family homes and 76 townhomes that Redstone hopes to build on the 27-acre site, which is about a half-mile south of the intersection of Leonard Street and Walker Avenue NW. Redstone Homes’ other single-family developments include Cobblestones at the Ravines in Kentwood, RiverTown Park in Wyoming/Grandville, and Trillium Glen in Plainfield Township.

Planning Director Kristin Turkelson said that, per the city’s zoning ordinance, the development would be classified as multifamily even though all the units would be for sale as single-family units, because it’s more than three lots on a single parcel.

Still, she said the project appears to align with planning goals for the area.

“It’s pretty low-density, lowscale (and) I think that certainly low-density residential use See REDSTONE on Page 29

For years, property at 959 Bristol Ave. NW in Grand Rapids had been used for a sand and gravel mining operation. | RACHEL WATSON

Factory Yards lands ‘transformational’ incentive plan Grand Rapids, state approve $103M proposal; first of its kind in the city

By Kate Carlson

The latest site plan for the proposed Wilder Crossings housing development at Gracewil Country Club in Alpine Township includes 317 single-family lots, 137 single-family condos and 84 duplex condos. | NEDERVELD INC.

Voters to weigh in on zoning at Gracewil redevelopment Alpine Township housing project can go through regardless of results

By Rachel Watson

Following a citizen-led ballot drive, voters will decide Nov. 7 whether to overturn the rezoning of Gracewil Country Club for the 538-unit Wilder Crossings housing development that the Alpine Township board approved in April.

In May, a group of about 15 individuals called Residents for Responsible Alpine Township Growth, led by attorney and township resident Ken Sanders, submitted a petition with 1,161 signatures to put a referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot regarding the rezoning of Gracewil Country Club, at 2451 and 2555 Four Mile Road NW in southern Alpine Township.

The township board on April 17 approved the request from developers Dale Kraker and Howie Hehrer, of Wyoming-based JTB Homes and Interra Homes, to re-

zone the 206-acre golf course from R-1 low-density residential to open space neighborhood planned unit development (OSNPUD) to facilitate the construction of the 538-unit Wilder Crossings

surrounding neighborhood in the township of about 14,000 residents, Sanders said.

A “yes” vote would affirm the April rezoning decision and allow the developers to move forward with the plan as proposed. A “no” vote would overturn the rezoning, requiring the developers to rework their plans to fit within the R-1 zoning strictures.

The R-1 zoning district allows for a maximum density of 3.22 units of single- or two-family housing per acre. The OSN-PUD would allow for a similar density, but would give the developers more leeway on the mix and types of housing, as well as let them build shared recreational amenities like

Wilder Crossings has been in the works for a couple of years, with the first submitted plan calling for 567 units of single-family homes, detached condos and duplex condos. development.

The citizen group’s primary concerns are over density, traffic, woodland preservation and their view that the development does not fit with the character of the

See GRACEWIL on Page 29

The Grand Rapids City Commission has approved a $103 million tax incentive plan that is the first of its kind in the city, as well as an agreement to lock in affordable housing for 20 years at the massive Factory Yards project.

The city commission unanimously approved Grand Rapids’ first ever Transformational Brownfield Plan for the $147 million Factory Yards project that will encompass 15.5 acres on the city’s southwest side.

Metro Detroit-based developers Ben Smith, Scott Magaluk and Dennis Griffin requested $103 million in reimbursements through the state Transformational Brownfield Program tool, which lawmakers expanded this year to apply to more projects.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. recommended the funding amount, which was approved at the state level by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board on Oct. 24.

“This is obviously the first

Transformational Brownfield Plan for Grand Rapids,” Jono Klooster, Grand Rapids’ interim economic development director, said during a committee of the whole meeting earlier this month. “It has been a long process to get to this point, with a lot of cooperation from a lot of internal staff, external stakeholders and the developer, and we’re happy to be here requesting final approval of this project this morning.”

The massive project at and around 655 Godfrey Ave. SW would redevelop three buildings at varying heights as well as a boiler room on the site. A two-story building would be demolished while two new commercial buildings and a new residential apartment building would be added.

The plan calls for 467 apartment units, 31,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space, a 22,000-square-foot food hall, and 30,000 square feet of commercial office space. Nearly 30,000 square feet of fitness and recreation facilities would be onsite, as well as a 50,000-squarefoot self-storage facility, a halfacre courtyard and 825 parking spaces.

As well, the committee of the whole approved a long-term See FACTORY YARDS on Page 29

The nearly $150 million Factory Yards project aims to repurpose several former industrial buildings south of downtown Grand Rapids. | CONCEPT DESIGN STUDIO October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 3

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Crain’s Grand Rapids celebrates 40 Under 40 More than 400 people showed up on Oct. 18 to celebrate 40 young professionals who are showing up for their community.

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business honored its 40 Under 40 class with an evening of food, drink, awards, special visits from past honorees and 40-Second Stories videos that provided insight into what’s important to these 40 young leaders.

Photography by Michael Buck

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Kent County board pauses John Ball Zoo parking plan Neighborhood pushback seeks more transparency in engagement process

By Kate Carlson

Kent County officials have delayed a decision on John Ball Zoo’s proposed parking expansion plan amid neighborhood pushback.

The county Board of Commissioners’ Finance and Physical Resources Committee voted unanimously on Oct. 17 to table the zoo’s request, which would adjust the parking plan included in the zoo’s 2015 master plan. The committee plans to reconsider the request on Nov. 21.

The parking amendment proposes relocating the zoo exit from Park Street to Butterworth Street with the aim of improving traffic flow, and paving and adding hundreds of parking spaces at the adjacent John Ball Park.

County commissioners serving on the committee decided that postponing the meeting was the best step forward so zoo officials could provide at least one more community engagement session with neighbors to go over their parking plans.

In plans submitted to the county, John Ball Zoo proposes building surface parking lots over several phases on current green space immediately south of the administration building and spanning toward Butterworth Avenue. The plans also call for adding to and improving an existing lot immediately east of the zoo administration building.

The zoo’s long-term parking solution includes constructing an approximately $100 million, 900-space parking deck.

Kent County owns both the park and zoo properties. The proposed zoo master plan amendment also needs approval from the full county Board of Commissioners. Under the zoo’s operating agreement with the county, it is able to use the park for overflow, unpaved zoo parking.

This is a frequent occurrence, especially from May through August on the weekends when cars “fill up the park space,” John Ball Zoo CEO Peter D’Arienzo said during the committee meeting.

“If it were my neighborhood, I definitely would not appreciate that,” said Commissioner Michelle McCloud, referencing the hundreds of cars that park in John Ball Park when the zoo is busy. “It is really important to make sure the community that lives in that area has full input and feel like they are heard and that their concerns are genuinely addressed in the plan.”

Several other commissioners expressed similar sentiments to McCloud before voting to table the plan.

“The reality is, 10 years from now, if we pave the park, there still won’t be enough spots,” D’Arienzo said. “If I were to put myself in the shoes of a neighbor across the street (from John Ball Park), I would want assurances that this would always be a park.”

D’Arienzo said the zoo is open to permanently changing its operating agreement with Kent County to limit the amount of land the zoo can use as parking at John Ball Park.

“The neighbors want a guarantee regardless of how much our community grows, they want to know there will never be cars in some areas of the park,” D’Arienzo said.

D’Arienzo added that the zoo examined other options like creating off-site parking and shuttling people to the zoo, which would not be feasible because families with young children and strollers would have a harder time accessing those options. Zoo officials have committed to building a parking garage as attendance grows, and they are

also having long-term conversations about using a light rail or cable car method to shuttle people to the zoo, D’Arienzo said.

Two administrators from Sacred Heart Academy, which is located adjacent to John Ball Park at 1200 Dayton St. SW, spoke in support of the zoo’s plan during the public comment portion of the Tuesday meeting. Sacred Heart Academy officials said they think the plan will “enhance the safety” in the area for students.

Six community members said

Kent County officials have delayed a decision on John Ball Zoo’s proposed parking expansion plan amid neighborhood pushback. | KATE CARLSON

they were opposed to the zoo’s plan, and called for more transparency in the community engage-

ment process.

“The zoo did not adequately involve the community in their decision-making, and proceeding without (the neighborhood’s) knowledge is unconscionable,” Amy Hineman, who lives across the street from John Ball Park, said during the meeting. “Paving our park would exacerbate an already glaring disparity in a neighborhood that is bordered by a factory, a superfund site and a highway. It is unacceptable to remove a community resource that is available to everyone and turn it into a parking lot that only benefits one business.”

TELLING YOUR STORY ONE SERVICE AT A TIME fishbeck.com | info@fishbeck.com

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10/25/23 10:21 AM

Empty-nesters list luxury home in Kentwood Visbeen-designed structure is in Standing Stones neighborhood

By Rachel Watson

After modernizing their custom-built luxury home to the tune of $300,000, a local real estate executive and nursing educator are ready to hand off the property to a new family.

Mitch and Sherri Fannon listed their house in the Standing Stones Development in Kentwood for nearly $1.9 million on Oct. 11 through broker John Postma of Re/ Max Grand Rapids.

Mitch Fannon is founder and CEO of the Cascade Township-based commercial real estate firm The Principle Group. Sherri Fannon, who holds a doctorate in nursing practice, is an assistant professor of nursing and health care simulation educator at Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing.

The 6,400-square-foot mansion was designed by Wayne Visbeen, the founding architect at Grand Rapids-based Visbeen Architects.

Visbeen and his wife, Marcia Visbeen, lived there for a decade after it was completed in 2004 and sold it in 2014 to the second owner.

Constructed by DeHaan Builders, the home is in the Forest Hills Northern school district. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a three-car attached garage, a halfacre lot with a spacious yard and large back patio, a screened porch, and a basement fitness room, kitchenette, billiard room and home theater.

Property owners in Standing Stones pay an annual association fee of $975.

The Fannons, who have three children in their 20s and 30s, are the third family to live in the house after buying it in 2017. Their youngest child, who was 17 when they bought the property, has now left home.

“We became empty-nesters about five months ago, and so we were like, ‘Wow, we don’t use this floor, we don’t use this floor — maybe we should think about getting a smaller house,’” Mitch Fannon said. “This is a great house for a family, but for two people, it’s kind of silly.”

Not a ‘cookie cutter’ home Fannon said he was initially skeptical about owning a home in a subdivision in Kentwood, but upon touring it with Postma six years ago, he was drawn to the property’s innate beauty.

“We looked at a couple of other

homes, and they were just so cookie cutter,” he said. “We walked in (to this place), and the bones of the house, the curved doors, the trim — it was just so overwhelmingly hard to take in. That night, we wrote John the offer for the house.

I think Wayne did a really good job with creativity on this house.”

Fannon said he and his wife have found the place is roomier on the inside than it looks, which makes it perfect for entertaining.

“The home and outside patio area are just perfect if you want to entertain,” he said. “The double doors, around the back of the patio, lead down to the kitchenette in the basement, and we’d have our bartender down there, and it allows people to flow through the patio system, under the trellis, up on the patio, by the kitchen area here. It flows really well for entertaining. We would have 50, 60 people here, no problem at all.”

Fannon said his initial concern over the location melted away almost as soon as his family moved in.

“It’s the best location ever,” he said. “It is close to the malls, it’s close to the (Cascade Hills Country Club), shopping. It is so incredibly convenient. Anybody who wants to be anywhere in this area, this is a central location.”

Putting their stamp on it This home in Kentwood’s Standing Stones Development is for sale for $1,895,000. | JOHN POSTMA, RE/MAX OF GRAND RAPIDS

After about two years of owning the house, Fannon said his family decided it was “a little too closed off.”

They hired Grand Rapids interior designer Leslie Bowen to redesign the main floor in alignment with their preference for openspace living.

“We spent about $300,000 on modernizing it,” he said. “We pulled down a wall and some pillars, so it opened up the entire main level.”

The home became instantly brighter because nearly all of the windows on the main floor are now visible from most vantage points.

“You can be at the front door and see almost the entire main floor,” he said. “You can see the kitchen on your left, the dining on your left, you can see the living room on the right, the other dining room on the right, and see into our office.”

They removed the orange tile in the back of the house and all of the carpet, installing Brazilian cherry floors throughout the main floor.

They matched the hardwood to the original planks in the foyer, kitchen and dining room, using some extra boards they found in the attic. “(The flooring was) hard to get, because the original floors that

were in here, that manufacturer went out of business, and so I ended up finding a guy in Tennessee who specializes in matching floors,” Fannon said. “I sent him a sample of what I had, and about a month later, he called me and said, ‘OK, I know where I can get it. How much do you need?’”

The flooring took about eight months to arrive, including manufacturing, shipping, cutting, milling and scraping to match the original color, pattern and medium-gloss sheen.

As part of the main floor renovation, the Fannons also repainted all the walls, replaced the window draperies and blinds and changed out the lighting.

They redid the kitchen with a new tile backsplash, cabinet hardware and granite countertops, and pulled out a bench in the dining room to swap in a beverage station.

Outside, they replaced about half the landscaping, as some of the bushes were overgrown, and reinstalled the bluestone patio with new grouting and sealing.

Upstairs, they updated the primary bathroom and enlarged the primary suite by knocking down a wall of an adjoining office to make it bigger.

The second floor has two other bedrooms and a second bathroom, and the third floor has the remaining two bedrooms and full bathroom.

During COVID-19 lockdowns, the Fannons converted a basement guest room into a fitness center.

“We pulled out the beds, had the glass walls installed, put in a gymstyle flooring, and then ordered the equipment,” he said. “It’s just the perfect size for one to two people to be in there, either on the elliptical or lifting weights. And the room feels a lot bigger because of the mirrors.”

The property also features a home automation system for lighting, climate, security and video, as well as radiant heat, Loewen custom windows, a garage lift to the attic storage, and epoxy-coated garage floors.

‘Hanging tight’ for a sale Fannon said he and his wife are flexible about the length of time it will take to sell the home, as well as where they’ll live next.

“We’re just kind of hanging tight,” he said. “The market is changing so drastically and so frequently (that) the inventory is go-

ing to be changed out every couple of weeks. We’re pretty flexible, so it allows us to have some freedom to say when it sells, (then) we’ll figure out what we’re going to do.”

Postma, their broker who specializes in high-end homes, said he’s experienced a slowdown in sales this year, with homes at this price point staying on the market longer.

“There’s still a shortage of luxury homes, but interest rates have certainly impacted buying power,” he said, noting that this listing might “stay on the market a little bit longer.”

However, Postma said he hopes it will be a selling point that the home is priced low compared to the cost it would take to reproduce it with today’s “dramatically” higher construction costs.

“Today, if we had to build that home, we’d be pushing close to $4 million,” he said. “I think construction costs on a home like that would be close to $800 a square foot, and we have it on the market for just under $300.”

Fannon said he and his family will carry with them many fond memories of the place.

“We are going to miss it, but it is going to be a perfect home for a family,” he said.

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Kent County reports 21-year low in tax foreclosures Decline bucks both state and national trends

By Rachel Watson

Citing the success of enhanced efforts to prevent repossessions, Kent County reported this month that it auctioned off only 13 foreclosed properties this year, a 53% year-over-year decrease and a 21year low.

That’s according to a report from Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor that tracked foreclosure sales of vacant lots and commercial and residential properties.

The number of foreclosures is down from 116 in 2002 and a 21-year high of 309 foreclosed properties in 2012 following the housing market crash. In 2021 and 2022, the county foreclosed on 28 properties apiece.

Calling foreclosures a “tragedy” for property owners, MacGregor said his office redoubled outreach and education efforts after he took the job almost three years ago.

During that time frame, the treasurer’s office began sending statements and notices in both English and Spanish, which had never been done before.

“One of my No. 1 issues was making sure that we reach out to people who need help,” he told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.

“And boy, if you can open up that line of communication, most of the time, we can help out these people. … I think the people who are in trouble with their property taxes are probably in trouble with other financial issues, as well. So we just need to show them that there are resources, and there is some help out there.”

To help property owners avoid foreclosure, the treasurer’s office also conducts site visits, offers hardship extensions for up to one year, works with landowners on doable payment plans and connects them to nonprofits that can provide financial assistance.

Examples of financial resources include reduced-cost repairs and financial training from Home Repair Services of Kent County and free housing law advice from Legal Aid of Western Michigan.

The treasurer’s office also can connect homeowners to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF). Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created the program in 2021 with an allocation of nearly $243 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to benefit homeowners making less than 150% of area median income.

MacGregor said MIHAF funds are expected to run out by the end of this year, but for now, property owners can still apply.

Property tax delinquency follows a three-year pattern, MacGregor said.

Parcels become delinquent March 1 the year after being assessed and found to have unpaid taxes. In the second year of delinquency, parcels are forfeited, with added fees and retroactive interest from March 1 of the previous year.

If property taxes remain unpaid

by March 31 in the third year of delinquency, foreclosure occurs and the county auctions the properties

by the end of August.

Although MacGregor was not able to provide a full breakdown of how many of the county’s foreclosed properties since 2002 were homes, he said that in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Kent County foreclosed on seven, five and four residential properties, respectively.

Kent County’s decline in home foreclosures defies both a statewide and national trend, according to reports by the real estate data provider ATTOM. Its February foreclosures report

ranked Michigan as one of the top three states with the highest home foreclosure filing rates in January.

According to the report, one in every 2,617 housing units in Michigan had a foreclosure filing with the state, ranking third behind Delaware and Illinois.

The report also found that Detroit led the country’s major metro areas in completed home foreclosures that month, with 783 foreclosures, or one foreclosure for every 1,575 housing units.

Kent County was not included in that report. But MacGregor said out of the 231,824 commercial, resi-

This home in southeast Grand Rapids is one of the 13 properties Kent County foreclosed in 2023. It auctioned for $185,250 on Aug. 29. | RACHEL WATSON

dential and vacant parcels in the county, 1,300 parcels were forfeited as of March 1 and the county completed only 13 foreclosures that re-

sulted in an auction at the end of August. That’s a rate of about one foreclosure for every 17,832 properties, and a prevention rate of 99%.

Reached by email, the Michigan Department of Treasury said it will not have 2023 foreclosure data for all 83 counties until the end of this year.

In the U.S., one in every 4,425 housing units had a foreclosure filing in January 2023, according to the ATTOM report. There were a total of 31,557 U.S. properties with foreclosure activity, defined as default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions, an increase of 36% from a year ago.

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Low-cost airline Sun Country coming to Grand Rapids Carrier can facilitate travel to several international locations

By Kayleigh Van Wyk

Sun Country Airlines will begin scheduled route service next year to and from Gerald R. Ford International Airport, offering a new low-cost travel option for leisure passengers.

The airport and Minnesota-based Sun Country on Oct. 17 announced that the airline will begin service at Grand Rapids in June 2024, marking the seventh airline to now serve the airport.

Sun Country initially will operate a nonstop route from Grand Rapids to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport from June 13 to Sept. 1, 2024. Flights will be available biweekly on Sunday and Thursday afternoons and evenings, and travelers can connect to 98 destinations from Minneapolis.

“We’re excited to bring even more options to our guests by welcoming Sun Country to West Michigan,” Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, said in a statement. “Sun Country is well poised to serve our leisure passengers with access to the airline’s network of destinations. We look forward to our new partnership with the airline as we continue to grow and diversify options for our guests.”

Booking details on Sun Country’s website for the first available, one-way flight on Thursday, June

Sun Country Airlines will begin service in Grand Rapids next June. | COURTESY OF GERALD R. FORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

16, from Grand Rapids to Minneapolis costs $59 per passenger, including all applicable taxes and carrier-imposed charges apart from bag fees.

Operating as a low-cost passenger and cargo airline, Sun Country’s available flight destinations include 104 airports across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

The upcoming launch of service from Grand Rapids to Minneapolis marks the first scheduled route at the Grand Rapids airport for Sun Country, which previously has chartered aircraft through the airport.

“Minnesotans have a close connection to Michigan,” Grant Whitney, senior vice president and chief revenue officer of Sun Country Airlines, said in a statement.

“We are excited to expand our service in the state with seasonal service to Grand Rapids, and to bring additional opportunities to your

residents to fly Sun Country.”

The announcement from Sun Country also includes domestic, seasonal nonstop routes from Minneapolis to New York, Virginia/Washington D.C., Montana, Idaho, New Mexico and California.

Pending final approval, the airline now aims to launch new nonstop service in Canada to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport beginning June 2024.

The Sun Country announcement comes after the Grand Rapids airport this summer completed phase 1 of an expansion project for Concourse A, which now includes eight new gates, expanded gate space areas, new concession and retail options and more seating variety.

The area opened to the public in June and primarily serves travelers flying with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

The upgrade is part of a $110 million project to accommodate passenger growth.

“This investment positions us for our anticipated passenger growth trajectory for the next two decades — and ensures we continue to deliver a world-class experience as West Michigan’s gateway to the world,” Richardson said in June.

KEEPING MICHIGAN STRONG ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

(Left) Della Soul Records is taking the former South East Market space at 1220 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Grand Rapids. (Right) Della Marie Levi moonlights as DJ Della Soul. | COURTESY PHOTOS

DJ plans Grand Rapids’ first Black, womanowned record store Della Marie Levi is paying tribute to her late father

By Abby Poirier

Grand Rapids’ first Black, woman-owned record shop is coming to the city’s southeast side neighborhood with a targeted opening next month.

Della Soul Records will offer a space for vinyl enthusiasts to buy and sell records at 1220 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in what owner Della Marie Levi describes as a “quirky, eccentric and colorful” space.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Levi took her love of music to a new level, learning the art of DJing on vinyl records.

By becoming DJ Della Soul, Levi also found a new way to connect with her late father, who she described as an “avid vinyl listener.”

“When he was in his chair with his cocktail and his vinyl records playing, he was in such a beautiful zone,” Levi said of her father.

“That was his way of relaxation and rest, and I learned good music through him.”

Levi is a fan of old-school hip hop, which drew her to the art of DJing.

As she learned to DJ, Levi immersed herself in the culture of vinyl. She started amassing her own collection of records, connecting with local record shops and learning the stories behind the music she loved.

Levi has an entrepreneurial bent, including founding her own accessory line, Rock Candy Earrings & Things, as well as Dream Big Sister Circle and the Dream Big Fair, a resource group for women and businesses highlighting initiatives by women of color in West Michigan. Levi also has a small farm called Black Farmer Bae. After a year of collecting vinyl records and holding pop-up sales events, Levi realized her next dream was opening a record store.

“Music got me here,” she said.

“It was a no-brainer once I started DJing and collecting vinyl, that I wanted to provide a space where people could have a feeling of joy when they walked in, like I feel when I hear music and when I’m around people who enjoy music.

I just wanted to recreate a place

where we could build community and the community felt welcomed to be there.”

Della Soul Records will open Nov. 4 in a space that formerly housed South East Market, a sustainable grocery market focused on providing healthy, affordable food to underserved Grand Rapids communities. The market is planning to move and expand, according to a recent social media post by the organization.

Levi is leasing the 850-squarefoot space, which she envisions as a place for people to gather to share music and culture. She wants to curate a unique space like the ones that made her fall in love with records at the start of her journey.

“People who collect vinyl and sell vinyl have an absolute love for music, not just the sound of the music, but the stories behind the music, the musicianship, the concerts, the people, the band,” Levi said. “I want people to be able to come in and have an experience.”

Della Soul Records will have a lounge area for patrons to meet and network in addition to retail space for records and collectibles.

Levi also plans to offer merchandise made by Black-owned businesses.

The record store emerges at a time of resurgence for vinyl, especially among younger music fans.

According to data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), vinyl records sold 41 million units in 2022, the 16th consecutive year of growth for the format, outselling CDs at 33 million units. In 2022, vinyl accounted for nearly 71% of revenue from physical music formats, according to the RIAA. Levi herself attributes the vinyl record’s growing popularity to the increasing value of physical music in a digital era. Vinyl records give listeners the opportunity to enjoy music tangibly, through album cover art, liner notes and the look of the record itself.

“When you listen to vinyl, it just takes you back to a time where things were simple (and) there wasn’t a lot of technology,” she said. “It just reminds you a little bit about the simple life.”

8 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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POPULATION GROWTH

CRAIN’S PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/NIC ANTAYA PHOTO

Mic

‘Missing in action’: Can Michigan get the young people it needs?

As state strives to grow its population, finding quick fix to reverse a downward trend won’t be easy | By John Gallagher

E

mily Abramczyk, a senior at Albion College in south central Michigan majoring in political science and history, could easily see law school and future work in Washington, D.C., after she graduates next year.

“I’d love to go to D.C. being a poli-sci major,” she told Crain’s recently. “I did an internship down there two summers ago and loved the area, loved the opportunities with the think tanks and obviously Congress being right there. I’m more interested in the international side of things so that’s why D.C. is particularly appealing.”

A classmate, Albion junior Monika Rosas, is also thinking of leaving Michigan once she gets her degree

in psychology in a couple of years, aiming for work in the nonprofit field.

“Only one place that I find really appealing is Chicago,” she says. “I feel that there’s a lot of cultures there that I would like to be able to experience that I’m not able to experience here.”

Individual choices like these, writ large, illustrate the problem facing a state with stagnating population and a dwindling cohort of educated and talented young people. In June, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer established the Growing Michigan Together Council and tasked it with figuring out how to keep and attract more people to Michigan, especially tech-savvy young people.

Projection of Michigan population, 2020 to 2050 Michigan’s total population is projected to peak in 2046 at 10.54 million people, after which it will begin to decline.

The number of children is expected to rise and fall slightly before reaching its lowest level in decades by 2050.

Children 0-17 $10 million 8

Working age 18-64 1.81M

2.06M

2.26M

2.36M

2.37M

2.35M

2.35M

6.11M

6.00M

5.95M

6.00M

6.05M

6.12M

6.15M

2.15M

2.06M

2.04M

2.04M

2.07M

2.06M

2.01M

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

2045

2050

6 4 2 0

Source: University of Michigan Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, Citizens Research Council

SPONSORS

10 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | OCTOBER 30, 2023

Retired 65 ad older

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POPULATION GROWTH The group’s goal, in part, is to harness the plans and intentions of people like Albion junior Kearney Miller, who is setting her sights on nonprofit work in or near Detroit, where she spent this summer interning with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, which builds and maintains the famed RiverWalk.

“I can see myself on the east side of the state definitely,” she says. “I’m from Kalamazoo. Just being (in Detroit) this summer I can see myself there long term.

I’m definitely drawn to the Detroit area.”

Whitmer has appointed economic researcher Hilary Doe as the state’s first chief growth officer, overseeing and coordinating the work of the population commission and its advisory councils and work groups. In an interview, Doe said the work groups are expected to roll out recommendations beginning this fall and the commission will share the findings with Whitmer in early December.

“Obviously we’re wrestling with issues from infrastructure, placemaking, the pre-K-12 system, higher education. It’s a broad mandate,” Doe told Crain’s.

CRAIN’S PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/NIC ANTAYA PHOTO

Michigan growth slows

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.

The population question, especially the role of educated 25- to 34-year-olds, looms as crucial to the state’s future prosperity.

A May 2023 report published by the nonprofit Citizens Research Council lays out the problem in stark terms. Created with the research firm Altarum, the report, “Michigan’s Path to a Prosperous Future: Population and Demographic Challenges and Opportunities,” puts the problem in blunt terms: The state’s population growth has lagged the nation for 50 years.

Michigan’s population growth, once so robust early in the 20th century with the booming auto industry, began to slow in the 1970s as the state’s signature industry began its long, debilitating loss of market share. In the decades since the ’70s, Michigan has slid from the seventh most populous state to 10th.

Over the 20 years from 2000 to 2020, Michigan grew more slowly than all but one state.

Nor is a turnaround expected anytime soon. “This slow growth path is projected to continue,” the report notes. “Projections to 2050 show that Michigan is on a path to continue to grow more slowly than the rest of the country, and to begin to lose population in the 2040s.”

Moreover, Michigan’s population is older than average and getting older. By mid-century, Michigan’s population of children and young adults will shrink by an estimated 6%, while the cohort older than 65 will swell by 30%.

As Michigan gets older, it’s getting poorer relative to the rest of the nation. And the losses are particularly worrisome among the educated, talented young people who have the skills and ambition to go where opportunities take them.

As Glenn Stevens, head of MI-

Envisioning their future Four Michigan college students on where they see themselves after graduation:

Emily Abramczyk

Kearney Miller

Monika Rosas

Emily Hoyumpa

Senior, Albion College “I’d love to go to D.C. being a poli-sci major. I did an internship down there two summers ago and loved the area, loved the opportunities … .”

Junior, Albion College “I can see myself on the east side of the state, definitely. Just being (in Detroit) this summer I can see myself there long term. I’m definitely drawn to the Detroit area.”

Junior, Albion College “Only one place that I find really appealing is Chicago. I feel that there’s a lot of cultures there that I would like to be able to experience … .”

Third-year student, Michigan State University “When you graduate, you’re looking for something new, and for a lot of students these days it’s not settling in their hometown or settling in their state.”

CHAuto, an arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber dealing with mobility issues, puts it, “We’re not losing all the college grads we think we’re losing, but we are losing the ones that matter. We’re not retaining our tech talent and we’re not attracting it.”

Or as Lou Glazer, co-founder and president of the Michigan Future Inc. nonprofit, says, “Michigan will get younger and better educated, or it will get poorer.”

The question, of course, is what policies to pursue. There is little agreement.

fessionals, and Michigan has not good cities, end of story.”

That emphasis would translate into government fostering more public transit in cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids, more urban redevelopment, more support for education and more dollars for the arts and recreation, as well as a progressive political environment that welcomes all regardless of race or gender or immigrant status.

Major metros — Seattle, Washington, D.C., and others — are “talent magnets,” Glazer says. But he sees little if any attention to that in Michigan, citing the state’s dismal record on supporting public transit systems over many decades as emblematic of Michigan’s neglect of cities.

“That’s the lesson that neither party has ever understood,” he says. “The business community hasn’t understood that. Michigan is just missing in action with all this stuff.”

Doe, the state’s growth officer, hints that the governor’s commission is more likely to recommend the approach Glazer outlines than the low-tax, low-regulation climate that Anderson favors.

“We’re really starting from data and looking at comparable states and cities that have done well like Colorado and Minnesota,” Doe told Crain’s. “We’re going to grow Michigan by being the best possible Michigan. Our own history points to a lot of strong growth when we had economic opportunity for everyone, pathways to economic growth. That paints a different picture than other states may have followed.”

Anderson remains skeptical of a more activist, urban-oriented program.

“Absolutely the last institution that you could rely upon to create a cool thing is the government,” he says. “Governments are notoriously bad at this.”

College’s Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, said 14 of the 19 graduates of his program last year remain in Michigan. And over the years, more of his graduates are gravitating toward Detroit as the Motor City’s reputation has recovered somewhat.

But interviews with students make clear that job opportunities and an appealing lifestyle rank above than any other considerations.

Emily Hoyumpa, president of student government at Michigan State University and a member of Whitmer’s population commission’s work groups, grew up in Shelby Township but is looking at a lot of opportunities including Washington, D.C. “It depends on a lot of different factors,” she says.

“When you graduate, you’re looking for something new, and for a lot of students these days it’s not settling in their hometown or settling in their state, it’s going out and seeing the world for what it is.

Going to college, getting a job, or taking a couple years to go and travel.”

And Albion students Abramczyk, Miller and Rosas all stress the importance of a walkable urban lifestyle in wherever they end up.

“I think a big one for me would be safety in a city, being able to walk around and feeling like I can be able to go out to places and don’t have to go with a big group all the time,” Abramczyk says. “I really enjoy walking around.

Something I liked about D.C. was how many green spaces they have.

It’s a very walkable city.”

Rosas seconds that. “I like being able to walk around downtown in those sorts of areas,” she says. And Miller adds, “I would definitely say somewhere where there’s always something to do, whether that’s a public event or just different places to go. I just want to be somewhere where I feel I belong and I can contribute to the community.”

However difficult it is, translating these students’ concerns into action with public policy will determine whether Michigan’s population starts to grow again.

Who to emulate

Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of Anderson Economic Group, argues that Michigan needs a lower tax, lower regulation political environment — in short, to become more business friendly. He cites states such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee as models.

A real cost “We’re losing people systematiMore than bragging rights are at cally to states that generally have lower taxes, that generally have a stake.

America apportions political freer government structure, and power by population, so states we’re gaining them from places growing faster than Michigan have like New York and Illinois that siphoned away some of Michi- have bigger government strucgan’s clout in Washington, D.C. tures. It’s not random. It’s systemMichigan sent 19 representatives atic. And we need to take that into account.”

Anderson credits Whitmer with focusing on the issue.

“It’s the right problem to ask about.

On this I agree with Gov. Whitmer and leaders — Hilary Doe, state’s chief growth officer business who say we need to look at this. Beto the U.S. House of Representatives in the cause your fundamental econom1960s; today it sends just 13, and ic asset is people. It’s always been the state stands to lose another that. Unambiguously Michigan has not been doing a good job beone after the 2030 Census.

Out-migration from Michigan to cause people are leaving the state.

“We need to do something difsunbelt states costs real dollars, too. A 2023 study by the East Lan- ferent.”

But Glazer of Michigan Future sing-based Anderson Economic Group found that a net loss of Inc. cites Minnesota as a state with 7,800 Michiganders moving to higher taxes and more governFlorida in 2020-21 cost the state ment involvement in the economy $1.4 billion in taxable income. that outperforms nearby states That translates directly into less and is gaining population. His conclusion: Talented young peomoney to pay for local services.

As the Citizens Research Coun- ple flock to metro areas like Mincil report emphasizes, these costs neapolis and Chicago that offer will grow only worse in an aging abundant jobs and youth-orientstate as “the shift to fewer workers ed lifestyles and ignore more talkper retiree presents challenges for ed-about concerns like weather. the workforce, customer base, and It’s a pitch for what a past Michigan program once called “cool cittax base.”

In a rare upbeat note, the report ies.”

“When you look at 25- to found that strategies to attract and retain more young people “offer 34-year-olds where they’ve conthe potential to shift the state’s centrated, it’s in the big metros all population and demographic over the country, Glazer says. “Cities trump weather for young propath.”

“We’re going to grow Michigan by being the best possible Michigan.”

What matters most Of course, many young people in Michigan do choose to remain in the state after school. Eddie Visco, executive director for Albion

October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 11

POPULATION GROWTH

Here’s how Michigan can reverse the trend

Th

Top 3 lowest: Keweenaw: -18.4% Top 3 lowest: Baraga: -18.2%

“

Changes can help attract people to move in, stay

By John Gallagher

Michigan has been losing population amid slowing birth rates that don’t replace deaths as people are aging. Post-pandemic, experts at the Citizens Research Council expect Michigan births to slightly outpace deaths over the next decade, but as the population ages, that gap will grow smaller and, by 2040-45, deaths are expected to routinely outnumber births.

How we can change the future: More births, more migration There are two ways to reverse that trajectory: retain young people and draw in new residents.

Younger people who are building their families will help stave off the increase in the death rate over births, and attracting newcomers from other states and other countries will both instantly add to the population, as well as put families in place for future increases.

While movement from and to other states varies each year, a report by the Citizens Research Council says Michigan tends to see a net loss of residents to Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and sees a net gain from Indiana. The fluctuation between Illinois and Michigan tends to even out to a net balance.

Michigan has been getting

about 2% of the net international migration to the U.S., according to CRC, or on the order of 20,000 people a year. That may increase slightly: It is expected to receive a steady 2% of a projected 1.2 million U.S. international immigrants from 2025 through 2050, for a gain of about 22,000 people per year.

What we can do to get there: Make Michigan more attractive Policies and investments that improve the state in the eyes of people in the Midwest, around the country and across the world could consistently help Michigan draw more people than it’s losing.

That requires showcasing and strengthening the benefits.

Hilary Doe, the state’s chief growth officer, believes the future jobs outlook is a big factor.

“One of the critical things to consider here isn’t just reversing losses but growing in important ways to take advantage of Michigan’s real economic opportunity in this era, to be at the tip of the spear in the green transformation, both EVs but also renewables and have a workforce that’s ready to take on some of those challenges,” she told Crain’s last month.

That’s a sentiment Glenn Stevens, executive director of MICHauto, agrees with — especially if it includes a new way to emphasize the future.

Top 3 highest: Benzie: 15.5%

Estimated population growth in Michigan, 2020-2050

Top 3 lowest: Arenac: -18.3%

The fastest-growing counties are in the suburban Detroit region, stretching across the middle of the state to Lake Michigan, as well as in the tourist-oriented and retiree-friendly northwestern region.

Top 3 highest: Clinton: 15.7%

4.0% or more 0 to 3.9% 0 to -3.9% -4.0 or more

Top 3 highest: Livingston: 21.9%

Source: UM Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, CRC

A survey conducted earlier this year by MICHauto, an arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber working on mobility issues, showed younger workers see the auto industry as staid and old-fashioned.

“Adults had a pretty favorable perception of the industry. Youth did not,” Stevens told Crain’s. “The word ‘automotive’ is just not relevant for young people. It’s an old word for them.”

He believes better career counseling would help. Nationally the ratio of counselors to students is about 450 to 1, but it’s 650 to 1 in Michigan, Stevens said: “So is it

any wonder that there’s a disconnect, a labor force participation rate problem when we have a pathways problem?”

Meanwhile, debates over tax credits to create manufacturing jobs may be the wrong discussion.

“We have to stop thinking about saving the analog jobs,” Stevens says, “and start thinking about how we’re going to create the digital future.”

And it’s more than just jobs.

A survey in August commissioned by Business Leaders for Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber asked Michigan respon-

dents aged 18-29 what factors would come into play when weighing whether to take a job in state against a similar one elsewhere.

They were asked to rank 12 factors on a scale of 1 to 10. The cost of housing/rent (8.6), low crime rates (8.3), and the affordability and availability of higher education or job training (7.9) were given greatest importance, while living around people their own age (6.2), the weather (6.3) and good public transportation and walkable communities (6.6) also were ranked.

With thought, ‘Shrinking Cities’ may have bright future

By John Gallagher

At mid-20th century many people worried about a population “bomb,” fearing the number of humans would swell past 10 billion, depleting resources and leading to widespread poverty and starvation. Little did they realize the ballooning human population would deflate in our own time.

China and Italy already see birth rates falling below replacement level. Japan got there a generation ago. And even the U.S., with the world’s most robust economy, would, in the absence of immigration, be nearing the level of a stable or even shrinking population soon.

There’s lots of reason for this, and more about that later, but the most important point here is that there are winners and losers when populations shrink. The winners

are the handful of metro regions in the world that attract the best and brightest young minds; think Seattle, Washington, D.C., Shanghai, London.

The losers are, well, everybody else.

In his important new book “Shrinking Cities in a Smaller World: Learning to Live Without Growth,” veteran urban theorist Alan Mallach offers a roadmap for all the losers — including such Michigan cities as Detroit, Flint, Jackson and more — to shake off the blues and reinvent themselves.

Not, he emphasizes, by chasing the dream of somehow reenergizing their growth. Rather, Mallach writes, these left-behind cities should try to “relocalize,” a task that includes everything from reinventing their food systems to greening their urban landscapes to make life better for residents.

12 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

Peoria, Illinois, is one of Mallach’s test cases. Surrounded by some of the most fertile farmland anywhere, Peoria residents see almost none of their food grown locally. Instead, nearly all the corn and soybeans grown nearby get funneled into the international food processing system, much of it for export.

Could Peoria, facing a shrinking population base, convert some of that rich farmland to growing food for local consumption? Yes, Mallach says, but it would take a concerted effort to convert farmland, develop distribution channels, and persuade at least some Peorians to shop at smaller greengrocers and farmers markets rather than at supermarket chain stores.

Detroit, happily, already follows another of Mallach’s prescriptions: converting vacant and abandoned land and factories to

productive new uses. These include urban farming, greenways and recreational corridors, “blue” infrastructure including stormwater retention ponds, and more. But even Detroit could do a lot more of this.

The pressures of climate change, added to shrinking populations, may soon force cities to adopt these and other greening strategies.

And why did the population bomb go bust? Among other reasons: Increasing urbanization around the world (urban families have fewer kids than farm families); rising rates of education for women (giving them more economic options); and the wide availability of birth control measures. Mallach’s book offers a host of compelling statistics to show these trends will not reverse anytime soon.

Mallach, who has consulted frequently in Detroit, doesn’t pretend that breaking the “globalization trap,” in which even smaller cities link their fates to impersonal global systems, will be easy. Many cities, in fact, may never begin to look inward to reinvent themselves and will face a long, painful slide into irrelevance.

But for cities willing to create more robust local food systems, reinvent their surplus land and buildings, and focus on a better quality of life for residents, the future could be brighter even with the smaller populations to come.

“Shrinking Cities in a Smaller World” is published by Island Press. John Gallagher covered Detroit’s revitalization efforts as a reporter and columnist for the Free Press from 1987 through 2019. He continues to do freelance writing and work on book projects.

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There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to find success

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about it, people don’t move to Tenlove Grand Rapids! Why nessee; they move to Nashville. doesn’t everyone live in They don’t move to Colorado; they Grand Rapids?” journalist move to Denver. And they don’t and author Malcolm Gladwell move to North Carolina; they move asked on a recent “Revisionist to Raleigh. To be clear, of TennesHistory” podcast following his see’s growth since 2010, 59% ocpresentation at Tech Week Grand curred in its two largest metros Rapids.

There is certainly a lot to love Randy Thelen (Nashville and Memphis); Coloraabout Greater Grand Rapids and is president and do’s was 69% (Denver and Colorado Springs); and North Carolina other vibrant regions across our CEO of The state. Having industrialized rela- Right Place, an was 76% (Charlotte and Raleigh).

And if you are curious, Greater tively early and having built one of economic Grand Rapids accounted for 64% of the largest economic clusters in development Michigan’s growth in that same peworld history, Michigan is home agency in riod. to incredible quality of life assets Grand Rapids.

In other words, people don’t — numerous colleges and universities, beautiful downtowns, almost count- move to a state. They move to dynamic, less waterfront communities, remarkable growing regions that offer a combination of variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, exciting career-growth prospects and exunparalleled museums, zoos and perform- ceptional quality of life attributes.

Each Michigan region has unique ing arts venues, and so much more.

And we are a large state, one of only 10 strengths. Building on these while growing states with more than 10 million people. the industry clusters of the future will offer We have plenty of advantages in Michigan. quality jobs to retain our world-class gradEven with these many advantages, Mich- uates and attract talent. And it’s not enough igan has been stuck in neutral for nearly 50 to merely participate in these high growth years without meaningful population sectors, we must lead them. This requires a growth. As Michigan tackles its population robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that challenges with renewed energy, we can helps propel early-stage companies to belearn from our thriving regions and other come great success stories.

As we push forward on growing our aspirational regions across our country. We can reverse course and return Michigan to state’s population, there is no magical onebeing a population growth state by focusing size-fits-all strategy. We must focus on reon a collection of regional strategies. And in gional efforts to create career opportunities doing so, we will be applying a lesson from and quality of life amenities that will spark robust growth. For regions across the state Gladwell.

Why a regional approach? If you think that have suffered population loss, we need

strategies to stem those losses and begin to rebuild. For regions that have gained in population, we need strategies that benchmark the highest growth regions across the country to help reach new, higher levels of performance.

In Gladwell’s famous TED Talk on spaghetti, he tells the story of a food scientist, Howard Moscowitz, tasked with creating the “perfect Pepsi” recipe — how much sweetener is needed to create the perfect taste profile. After a year of testing various recipes, Moscowitz went back to PepsiCo and informed them there is no perfect Pepsi, but instead there are numerous perfect

Pepsis — customers did not want one single flavor profile, but instead customer tastes could be found up and down the sweetness spectrum. Since that realization, Pepsi has rolled out countless perfect Pepsis that are found on store shelves today, appealing to a much wider collection of consumer segments than any one flavor could ever please.

Similarly, Michigan’s population growth strategy must steer clear of a singular perfect Pepsi approach and instead pursue a wide variety of regional strategies to find our sweet spots, finding a way to treat each region as one of many perfect Pepsis.

Imagine profound investment in teachers, allowing them to be compensated for time spent inside and outside the classroom.

Imagine giving teachers more time to invest in their own learning to prepare for classwork, learn new ways of teaching, and mentor (or be mentored) in small groups.

Imagine communities ripe with well-funded after-school programs where young people gather, connect, study, and compete in teams.

Imagine a deeply humane system that embraces the innovation and optimism of Gen Z, the most diverse and civically engaged generation in our nation’s history.

Imagine creating a vision for the state and aligning all Michiganders around it. Schools and state leaders have been advancing important improvements but there is no collective vision. We have 850 school districts,

each with its own infrastructure, priorities, and strategies — all competing against each other for a diminishing pool of resources and attention. It’s the “Hunger Games” model of education, and it’s killing Michigan’s future.

Want to make this America’s No. 1 state for economic and population growth? Don’t worry so much about business incentives, marketing campaigns and other pothole filling. Demand transformational change in public education because no other effort to grow population can succeed without this.

For state to succeed, fix the damn schools F

When we see these or all the ways we abysmal scores, we need could answer Gov. to realize they are not a Gretchen Whitmer’s measure of our students call to grow Michigan’s but of our state’s educapopulation — by winning tion system. The educajobs and investment and tion equivalent to filling launching a national potholes on crumbling marketing campaign, to highways is what we’re name just a few you’ll Angelique Power is the doing now — increasing hear about — there is one president & CEO of The Skillman millages in suburban disresponse that stands Foundation. Imani Foster is tricts while blaming stuabove the rest: A total re- communication lead for dents, parents and teachthink of our education 482Forward. ers for the results of system.

In a respectful twist to the governor’s road systemic decline.

Michigan’s outdated and underfunded repair slogan, the single best way to attract education system is the root cause of all that and keep people is to fix the damn schools.

The facts are indisputable. While Michi- ails our state’s growth.

As members of the governor’s population gan passed a robust education budget this year, our schools have been underinvested council PreK-12 workgroup, we are urging in for 40 years. Our state ranks 36th in K-12 state leaders to advance and fund massive education outcomes, according to the Citi- structural changes that make Michigan a zens Research Council. Results of the 2023 national leader in the design of an excepMichigan Student Test of Education Prog- tional and equitable education system. ress, known as M-STEP, released this month What would that look like?

Imagine a statewide curriculum that rathshow just 40.9% of third graders statewide er than teaching young people how to pass passed the English language arts test.

Michigan ranks 11th worst in the perfor- tests, teaches them how to learn and adapt.

Imagine a system that doesn’t punish mance of students from low-income backgrounds, according to Education Trust-Mid- third graders for reading poorly but gives all west, falling to the bottom five states for students and teachers the tools they need to fourth grade reading among Black students. produce lifetime readers and leaders.

Imagine a system that focuses on the The group estimates Michigan is underfunding students from low-income back- whole child, knowing that a student’s mengrounds and English learners by more than tal and physical health is critical to their academic success. $5 billion.

MEGAN LEE/UNSPLASH

3 hest: on: %

COMMENTARY | POPULATION GROWTH

Power, whose Detroit-based foundation puts its resources toward Detroit youth, and Foster, whose nonprofit is dedicated to empowering residents in marginalized communities to transform low-performing schools, serve together on the PreK-12 Education Workgroup of the Growing Michigan Together Council.

October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 13

POPULATION GROWTH | COMMENTARY

All Michiganders play a role in improving state’s growth KYLE E/UNSPLASH

M

tion and projected to get older. ichigan government and That affects our workforce and our civic leaders are in a time prospects for economic growth. of reckoning. It was reBefore this period of stagnant vealed this month that Michigan’s growth, Michigan’s rankings on per capita personal income hit a many measures of well-being were new low relative to the national avamong the leading states. Good erage. This came on top of earlier paying manufacturing jobs benefitfocus on Michigan’s stagnant poped the working middle class to ulation growth.

To understand how the state has Eric Lupher is make our income levels among the highest in the nation. Our K-12 fallen so far and think about pre- president of schools fed some of the best public scriptive actions to remedy the de- Citizens universities. We found ways for incline, it is useful to recall the story Research dustry and our beautiful landscapes of how to boil a frog.

Council of of lakes and forests to coexist.

For those not familiar with this Michigan.

Michigan’s relatively high tax metaphor: Because amphibians are cold-blooded, they react poorly to im- rankings prior to this period of stagnant mediate temperature changes. If you at- growth was seen as a detriment to attracting tempt to boil a frog by bringing water to a businesses and people. Tax policy changes boil and placing a frog in it, the frog jumps were implemented at the same time popuout. But if you place the frog in cold water lation growth was slowing. Now Michigan’s and slowly turn up the heat, it doesn’t know state and local relative tax burden ranks 46th among the states. it is being boiled and sits there passively.

Taxes pay for public services. The decline Michigan’s population has been about 10 million people for the past 50 years and ex- in tax effort directly affected the ability of perts tell us it will stay there, and perhaps state and local governments to provide pubdecrease some, given our current demo- lic services.

So, it should not be surprising that the degraphics. This matters because many of our younger population has left the state look- cline in tax burden has resulted in similar ing for opportunities elsewhere. Michigan’s declines in our competitiveness on several population is among the oldest in the na- measures of the well-being of Michigan’s

citizens or the infrastructure that serves them. We find ourselves in the bottom third of national rankings for many measures, including 36th in K-12 educational outcomes, 39th in household income, 39th in health outcomes, 45th in electric service reliability, and 47th in road condition. Our surrounding, competitor states have better balanced tax competitiveness and efforts to provide quality services.

Like the frog, those of us who have been here have accepted that conditions have marginally worsened a little at a time. We have not raised flags to say the deterioration is not acceptable and is contrary to our ability to compete. The heat was slowly being turned up and we didn’t feel it becoming uncomfortable.

But with increasing awareness of our lost competitiveness, we shouldn’t be surprised that businesses and individuals considering

Michigan as a home have found the state less than attractive. They are the frogs being placed in the hot water and they see that things are better elsewhere.

The first step to fixing a fault is recognizing that there is a problem. We must turn down the heat. The papers published by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and Altarum over the summer help to identify these problems and the interconnectedness among them.

Recognition of these issues is not new.

Groups, often focused on their single issues, have been working to improve service delivery, but their efforts have been hampered sometimes by the general, widespread lack of recognition that we’re falling behind and it matters.

Perhaps now, more will recognize the need to invest in ourselves if we want others to invest in Michigan.

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John Kuiper

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CEO & PRINCIPAL

CEO

Grand Action 2.0

Advantage Commercial Real Estate

Honor Construction

14 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER

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Fishbeck

NOTABLE LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE These health care experts are executives, allied health workers, physicians, social workers and other professionals who provide high-quality, whole-person care by collaborating with governments, health care agencies, employers and nonprofits. They work with integrated care teams to provide services to people with issues related to personal health, mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities. And they advocate within industry groups and local and state government and support their communities through volunteerism.

METHODOLOGY: The honorees featured in this Notable Leaders in Health Care report were nominated by their peers, companies or family members.

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business editors selected nominated honorees based on their career accomplishments, track record of success in their field and contributions to their industry and community, as outlined in the detailed eligibility forms.

Special Projects Editor Tim Gortsema, tim.gortsema@crain. com, managed this Notable Leaders in Health Care report, and Elyse Wild wrote the honoree profiles based on the nomination forms. Crain’s Grand Rapids Business currently is accepting nominations for its 2024 Notable Leaders program.

For questions about how to nominate someone for a future Notable award program, or to find out which industries will be highlighted in 2024, visit our Nomination Page or email notablesgrandrapids@crain.com.

Nathan Baar

Amanda Barbour

Dr. Norman Beauchamp

Dr. Deborah Brown

Founder and CEO

Founder and CEO

CEO

HealthBar

Children’s Healing Center

Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

Nathan Baar, founder and CEO of HealthBar, embarked on a transformative health care journey, shifting from an ER nurse to director of emergency and urgent care services within an extensive health system. Recognizing the crisis in primary and preventive care, he created HealthBar, a game-changing health care venture now three years strong, affecting more than 50,000 lives.

HealthBar offers care to employers, students and their families via concierge, onsite, virtual and direct primary care services. The results include enhanced health, significant cost savings for businesses, and improved academic outcomes for students.

His leadership has led to impressive growth, with 40 clinicians and $3 million in revenue. HealthBar bridges the gap between traditional and modern health care models, making care accessible and customizable.

Amanda Barbour’s life took an unexpected turn in 2009 when diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 21. While at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, she met young kids in similar situations, yearning to lead normal lives without health concerns. Inspired by their plight, she founded the Children’s Healing Center, raising $3.2 million over five years to launch it in 2015. The center secured $5 million in state appropriations, enabling expansion to a second location and a pilot program with Priority Health, paving the way for health insurance reimbursement.

Membership soared from 50 families to 275, significantly improving the mental and emotional well-being of young patients. Barbour’s commitment, leadership and big-hearted approach inspire support for her cause.

Mark Contreras

Michigan State University

My Community Dental Centers

Norman Beauchamp has built an illustrious career marked by scholarly excellence, passionate education, clinical expertise and transformative leadership in the field of health care and academia. Serving as dean of the College of Human Medicine, his visionary initiatives, such as the Grand Rapids Research Center and Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building, have redefined health care and innovation. In his role as EVP and associate provost of health sciences, Beauchamp oversees multiple health colleges, championing the reduction of health disparities and the promotion of diversity in medical careers. He played a pivotal role in steering the COVID-19 response in West Michigan, establishing testing sites, providing protective equipment and implementing evidence-based guidelines.

Deborah Brown is a dedicated advocate for public health dentistry, actively engaged in grassroots initiatives to reform oral health care. She played a pivotal role in restructuring Michigan’s adult Medicaid dental program and serves on the Michigan Board of Dentistry, contributing actively to the Michigan Dental Association. In Grand Rapids, she is involved with the Walter Durkee American Legion Post and the Kent County Honor Guard. As the CEO of My Community Dental Centers Inc. since 2006, she oversees the organization’s mission, primarily serving patients covered through Medicaid, Healthy Kids Dental, the Healthy Michigan Plan, and private dental insurance. In 2022, MCDC served over 90,000 unique patients with 192,936 office visits, generating $40 million in revenue.

Jaime Counterman

Steve Hartnett

Robert Hughes

Medical Director

Foundation Director University of Michigan Health-West

Director of New Business Sales

Founder and President

Catherine’s Health Center As an executive in a nonprofit community health clinic, Mark Contreras leads a clinical team focused on delivering excellence and accountability. His clinic often serves patients with complex medical needs and challenging social determinants of health. He has spearheaded initiatives to provide primary care to the unhoused population in Grand Rapids, including pop-up clinics and street medicine programs. He advocates for equitable, accessible and high-quality care, actively engaging with local government, health care systems and nonprofits. As the medical director at Catherine’s Health Center, Contreras oversees all clinical operations and directly cares for over 300 patients. His vision and strategy have expanded the center’s services to include psychiatric medicine, substance use disorder treatment and specialized care for underserved populations.

Jaime Counterman serves as director of the University of Michigan Health-West Foundation. Her work has been instrumental in securing funding for various hospital advancements, including a new heart center and nursing scholarships. With a team of more than 10 staff members, she plays a pivotal role in shaping health care in West Michigan.

Notably, she successfully fundraised the largest donation ever received by UMHW and has ensured that these funds benefit the community in a sustainable way. Her efforts have enhanced health care access and reduced costs for patients across the state, demonstrating her commitment to community well-being.

Counterman’s philanthropic spirit extends beyond her professional responsibilities, as she actively supports numerous charities and nonprofits.

Advantage Benefits Group

Health Alliance Plan With 28-plus years of health care leadership experience, Steve Hartnett serves as the director of new business sales at Health Alliance Plan, a nonprofit health plan based in Michigan. His dedication to transparency and trust-building with the agent community has been instrumental in driving growth for HAP and its third-party administrator, ASR. Hartnett played a pivotal role in HAP’s successful commercial launch in West Michigan. Overseeing a team of 20 employees and managing relationships with over 3,000 brokers, consultants and agents, his leadership has been fundamental to maintaining and expanding client relationships. His strategic initiatives have not only driven revenue growth but also enhanced access to health care services while maintaining affordability and quality in Michigan.

Robert Hughes is the founder and president of Advantage Benefits Group and a tireless advocate for affordable health care. He champions transparency and independent ownership, uniquely positioning ABG to foster change with local health care providers. Hughes is a Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce board member and Armed Forces Thanksgiving co-chair, with past leadership roles on the Grand Rapids Chamber Healthcare and HR Committee and the Michigan Certificate of Need (CON) Commission. His founding of the MSU Gran Fondo cycling event raised $1.2 million for skin cancer research. As ABG’s president, he invested in analytics to help employers manage costs and secure quality benefits and is profoundly aware of the health care system’s crucial issues.

October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 15

NOTABLE LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE

Gretchen Johnson

Brendan Kelly

Dr. Dean Kindler

Scott King

Dr. Colleen Lane

Ja

Chief Nurse Executive

Owner and CEO

Regional President and CEO

Chief Technology Officer

Director of Addiction Medicine

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

The Well Being LLC

Ascension Michigan, Southwest Region

eVideon

Corewell Health West

Pro Tra

Scott King is a health care technology leader devoted to enhancing the patient experience. As eVideon’s chief technology officer, he has pioneered the development of a health care platform that’s reshaping patient care through the use of smart room technology that streamlines clinical workflows, ensuring safe, high-quality care. King manages the integration of Vibe Health, a comprehensive platform delivering real-time information through in-room TVs, digital whiteboards, digital door signs and bedside tablets. With more than two decades of experience in health care technology, King advises various health care organizations, from large integrated medical groups to small rural facilities.

His dedication to improving the patient experience has solidified eVideon’s role as a local and national contributor to health care.

Since joining Corewell Health’s Addiction Clinics, Colleen Lane has transformed their approach to treatment. She brought lessons learned from her years working in HIV medicine where harm reduction and low barrier care were the standard, and she used this knowledge to develop Michigan’s first low barrier walk-in clinic for the highest risk patients suffering from substance use disorders. Her approach to substance use treatment aims to meet patients where they are by providing access to life saving addiction care whenever patients are ready. This approach has been so successful that the Corewell Health West Addiction Clinics have already treated over 770 high risk patients in under two years through the walk-in clinics.

Gretchen Johnson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, Pine Rest’s chief nurse executive since 2020, is a nursing visionary. She created the Pine Rest Academy for Nursing Students in spring 2022, forging partnerships with 10 educational institutions. The program offers students up to $10,000 per semester, ensuring an adequate nursing workforce by securing a two-year commitment to Pine Rest. She also introduced a formal nursing review process, commenced the elimination of mandatory nursing overtime and initiated research in patient fall prevention. Her dedication expanded access to care, from working with a multidisciplinary team to open the groundbreaking COVID-positive mental health inpatient unit to planning for the upcoming Pediatric Behavioral Health Center in fall 2025.

Brendan Kelly, co-founder and CEO of The Well Being LLC, has transformed mental health treatment by seamlessly incorporating physical exercise into therapy since the organization’s inception in 2011. His unyielding dedication led to impactful presentations at esteemed institutions and collaborations with local organizations like Girls On The Run and Still I Run. He supervises The Well Being’s operations and staff, continually refining programming to enhance client mental well-being. In 2021, his crowning achievement was the launch of The Well Being Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to boosting exercise’s role in mental health while removing financial barriers to access.

Under his leadership, The Well Being’s groundbreaking approach significantly reduced the reliance on psychotropic medications and improved physical health.

Dean D. Kindler is regional president and CEO of Ascension Michigan, Southwest Region, overseeing Ascension Borgess hospitals and care sites. A board-certified physician in neurology, vascular neurology, and neuroimaging, he joined Ascension in 2021. His transformative approach has earned Borgess multiple accolades, including Healthgrades America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award and recognition

by U.S. News & World Report.

Kindler, who is responsible for more than 2,600 associates and 900 providers, emphasizes clinical excellence and fiscal responsibility. He advocates that clinical models should drive operational and fiscal models, safeguarding patient health and elevating the human condition. He chairs the 2023 AHA Kalamazoo Heart Walk and is chair of the West Michigan Cancer Center board.

MS

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Dr. Deborah Brown Chief Executive Officer When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Dr. Brown led MCDC, one of the few dental providers offering emergency and palliative care, to help alleviate the burden on emergency rooms and dental clearance for lifesaving surgeries and treatments.

With 34 dental centers and coverage across 82 counties in Michigan, MCDC serves over 90,000 patients annually, including 73,000+ with State-Funded Dental Insurance, 7,000+ uninsured, 23,000+ children, and 2,000+ veterans. It's no surprise that MCDC is one of Michigan's largest non-profit organizations.

Brown's career in public health dentistry began following a four-year stint in the U.S. Army. She boasts nearly a decade in public health dentistry leadership leading up to taking on the role of CEO, Dr. Brown.

She has continued to serve chairside at MCDC and maintain her dental license.

In recognition of her accomplishments, Dr. Brown was appointed to serve on the Michigan Board of Dentistry by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and has presented to both the Michigan House and Senate on several occasions regarding the importance of oral health.

mydental.org 16 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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’s ne ch

s e er he op

isk

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n ell

o ics.

Jack Lipton

Bill Manns

Kasie Pickart

Dr. Alejandro Quiroga

Dr. Matthew Sevensma

Professor and Founding Chair, Translational Neuroscience

President and CEO

Zero Suicide Initiative Project Director

President

Clinical Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine

MSU College of Human Medicine Jack Lipton is an influential advocate who played a vital role in COVID-19 response and health care equity during the pandemic. He actively worked on changing FDA and CDC policies to enable universities to assist overwhelmed clinical labs in conducting COVID-19 testing.

He developed an innovative saliva testing strategy at Michigan State University, resulting in significant cost savings and effective mass testing. Lipton leads the Department of Translational Neuroscience at MSU, significantly advancing research in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease with over $100M in research grants. Lipton’s dedication extends to advocacy in governance as chair of the Faculty Senate at MSU and as president of the Association of Medical School Neuroscience Department Chairpersons.

Bronson Healthcare Bill Manns is a visionary leader with a strong background in health care administration and LEAN and Six Sigma methodologies. Manns leads Bronson Healthcare, a community-governed health system that’s the largest employer and health care provider in Southwest Michigan, providing a comprehensive range of services across more than 100 locations. He also serves on multiple boards and is actively involved in community organizations. Manns is dedicated to continuous improvement and making a positive impact on the health care landscape. He has revolutionized Bronson’s direction in enhancing the work environment and promoting equitable health care access. His leadership is widely admired in the health care management community, where he is held in high esteem for his contributions and accomplishments.

Corewell Health West

Hope Network Kasie Pickart’s expertise in suicide prevention has been widely recognized through her presentations at multiple conferences and leadership of training sessions, positively impacting over 1,000 individuals. In her role as program director for the Zero Suicide Initiative at Hope Network, she oversees a team of three employees. She also is an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University and a member of the Grand Rapids Grant Writing Roundtable. Her grant writing efforts have secured over $2.5 million in federal funding to expand mental health access and quality care, significantly improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to suicide prevention and mental health across the state. Her dedication to her community extends to numerous coalition memberships and volunteering roles.

Alejandro Quiroga, MD, MBA, is a transformation catalyst, skilled in identifying value-based care models that enhance health care.

As president of Corewell Health in West Michigan, he oversees a vast network of health care facilities and services. Quiroga has been instrumental in transforming behavioral health access and enhancing care delivery models. His key achievements include establishing a population health infrastructure, decreasing unnecessary care costs by $27 million annually, improving access to behavioral health services and fostering partnerships to extend care for vulnerable populations. His expertise is widely recognized, and he serves on several committees and boards. He’s a relentless champion of transformation, dedicated to optimizing health care teams’ performance and improving the well-being of patients.

University of Michigan Health-West Matthew Sevensma is a dedicated cardiovascular physician and adept administrative leader committed to enhancing health care in West Michigan.

With a wealth of experience in hospital leadership and health care administration, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan to bring a new open heart surgery program to UMHW, offering choice in the Grand Rapids market. He also is a member of the Frankel Cardiovascular Center National Advisory Board and president of Metro Health Integrated Network. He has helped shape the program at UMHW and built collaboration across hospital systems. Widely respected for his expertise, he has held various hospital leadership roles, including chief of staff at UMHW.

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NOTABLE SPOTLIGHT with Dale Sowders Transforming the face of community-based care What has been your proudest accomplishment as CEO of Holland Hospital?

Throughout his 21-year tenure as CEO, Dale Sowders guided Holland Hospital’s transformation from a wellregarded community hospital to a regional health care leader nationally recognized for quality, patient satisfaction and financial performance. Under Sowders’ leadership, Holland Hospital maintained its solid financial strength while making strategic investments in new services, advanced technology, expert medical staff and expanded facilities — particularly through a $45.7 million expansion project, the largest in the hospital’s 105-year history.

In an era of consolidation and mergers, Sowders’ leadership kept Holland Hospital independent and steadfast in its vision of being the preeminent standalone hospital in West Michigan. Today, Holland Hospital is one of only five independent, full-service, acute care hospitals in Michigan offering exceptional care and convenient access to the communities it serves.

Sowders has served as president and CEO of Holland Hospital since February 2002. Sowders remains active in the community by serving on the boards of the West Coast Chamber, the Michigan Hospital Association and the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, among others.

The opportunity to work with an excellent management team to build a culture based on trust, respect, and dedication to excellence. Altogether, these have created lasting value as reflected in benchmark quality, service and financial metrics.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in this role, and how did you approach it?

Economic forces in health care have forced many independent hospitals to merge with larger systems. We have overcome these pressures by defining our strengths with our medical staff in order to be the best local option for the services we provide.

Holland Hospital’s net assets have quadrupled during your tenure. What was key in managing this growth?

Focus was most important to this outcome. It starts with having the best people working toward the

same objective. We have honed a very disciplined approach to the budget process throughout the organization. Technology and capital investments need to enhance care, but also must be cost-effective over time.

How are you positioning Holland Hospital for continued growth in the future?

Over the last 20 years, we have consistently met or exceeded our performance objectives. In spite of many challenges that hospitals face on a daily basis, we expect to succeed. We are well-positioned to invest in growth opportunities that make sense for us.

How have you maintained quality and value while extending the hospital’s reach across the region?

Since our commitment to quality and value runs across the organization, maintaining that performance is always paramount. Expansion across the region has come from opportunities created by our physician partners who

have added new services or successfully recruited new staff. Our ability to attract new physicians to this region has been a strength.

Why is it so important to you to volunteer your time at various community organizations, advisory boards and foundations?

The time I have to live has been given to me. If my time is well spent, it cannot merely be to meet my own needs.

What’s the most important leadership advice you have for others?

If we are given the opportunity to lead, it should be seen as a gift we’re given to improve lives around us. It’s a good idea not to waste it trying to impress ourselves.

602 Michigan Ave., Holland, MI 616-392-5141 hollandhospital.org

October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 17

NOTABLE LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE

Congratulations to Dale Sowders, one of Michigan’s longest-serving hospital CEOs, for recognition as a Notable Leader in Health Care!

Thank you, Dale, for your leadership over the last 21 years — making Holland Hospital the Lakeshore leader in quality, value and patient experience.

Dale Sowders

Brina Tiemeyer

CEO and Board Vice Chair

Director of Clinical Services

Holland Hospital

Wedgwood Christian Services

For 21 years, Dale Sowders served as CEO, leading Holland Hospital’s transformation from a community hospital to a regional health care leader on the lakeshore. Under his guidance, the hospital achieved numerous accolades, including a 5-star CMS rating since 2016, Healthgrades awards for patient experience, surgical care, and being among the nation’s top 1%, and designations as a Best Place to Work. Sowders facilitated growth in net assets and maintained financial stability through strategic investments. As a result, Ottawa and Allegan counties became known for their excellent health. Despite industry consolidation, Holland Hospital remained independent, ensuring accessible care for lakeshore communities. His leadership has expanded hospital services, improved local access to health care and formed essential partnerships.

Brina Tiemeyer, LMSW, CAADCDP, is currently the director of clinical services at Wedgwood Christian Services. She is nationally certified in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and she oversees the following clinical programs: traditional outpatient counseling, trauma informed parenting caregiver education, community care management, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, substance use disorder services, and recently added dialectical behavioral therapy.

She manages 20 master level clinicians, three recovery coaches, one case manager and a BSW clinician in her current role. These clinicians encompass LMSW, LPC, LLPC and LLMSW credentials. On a weekly basis, these clinicians can serve at minimum 520-plus clients within the clinical setting to meet the mental health crisis in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties.

Get in The Book.

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COUNSELING SERVICES. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. RESIDENTIAL CARE.

Wherever life finds you

Shannon Wilson VP of Population Health and Health Equity Priority Health

is here to help.

Brina Tiemeyer, LMSW, CAADC-DP Director of Clinical Services Crain’s 2023 Notable Leader in Healthcare Meet the rest of our excellent team and learn more at

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18 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

Shannon Wilson’s leadership at Priority Health has consistently delivered outstanding quality in health care. In 2023, the organization achieved the highest recognition, being the only Michigan-based health plan to receive a 5-star Medicare product rating and a 4-apple Medicaid product rating. Priority Health also earned health equity accreditation in the same year.

Wilson leads the Population Health and Health Equity team, overseeing development and execution of their strategy. She serves as executive champion for Corewell Health Black Professional Collective. She played a pivotal role in launching a data-driven social determinants of health program. Leadership roles include the Foster McGaw Selection Committee, Bernard Tyson Health Equity Award Selection Committee and Alliance for Health Plans Equity Committee.

NOTEWORTHY Mean average earnings in health care in Grand Rapids for 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians/family medicine: $254,217 Optometrists: $149,634 Physician assistants: $112,184 Physical therapists: $87,569 Speech language pathologists: $78,063

Marathon Health opens its first employee health center in state Organization now eyes expansion to Grand Rapids, Detroit

By Mark Sanchez

Payload CMS invested $875,000 to expand its office on Grand Rapids’ west side. | COURTESY PHOTO

Startup Payload CMS expands its Grand Rapids office Firm intentionally chose West Michigan over other high-tech ecosystems

By Kayleigh Van Wyk

Grand Rapids-based tech startup Payload CMS is expanding its new office space on the city’s west side with plans to create 55 jobs after a recent growth spurt.

The 1,600-square-foot addition to Payload’s recently renovated office at 624 Stocking Ave. NW represents a capital investment of $875,000 and an intentional choice to expand within the region’s growing tech landscape.

Founded in 2018 by James Mikrut, Dan Ribbens and Elliot DeNolf, Payload CMS is a headless content management solution that caters specifically to developers building accessible digital content. The platform launched for public use in early 2021.

While the current 10-person team has worked remotely since the pandemic, Mikrut said the startup’s recent growth spurred a decision to return to a physical office space.

“We made it work through COVID remotely, but I miss working with my team in-person and I think that our bandwidth has become limited working remotely,” Mikrut said. “We’re still very productive remotely, but I look at things like optimization as a bunch of bars, like bar graphs. If I can improve optimization in any given category, as a founder, I’m going to try to do that.”

Mikrut said he purchased the building at Stocking Avenue before Payload’s launch to serve as a future office space and clubhouse-style hangout. Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuaries previously owned the building, which had been unoccupied for more than a decade, according to Mikrut.

Now, the Payload team expects to move into the newly renovated space soon. The new addition comes from an existing garage attached to the building and will house additional employees.

Last year proved to be a pivotal

time for Payload, which was accepted into the renowned California tech accelerator Y Combinator and received a $500,000 investment.

Payload also raised nearly $5 million in a seed round that included support from Grand Rapids-based Grand Ventures and Gradient Ventures, the Google-backed AI fund.

The firm’s current clients include some Fortune 500 companies, like Microsoft. Mikrut said the application has grown to 22,000 downloads per week, up from 5,000 per week at this time last year.

“We’ve seen incredible traction; people love it,” Mikrut said.

“They see the value in what we’ve built, and we’re getting new users very quickly.”

Given the success, Payload chose to invest and expand in Grand Rapids over competing sites in California, Florida and New York. Mikrut said this decision to double down in West Michigan came from the local talent base and the regional strategy to transform Grand Rapids into a Midwest tech hub.

“There’s a lot of gravity that’s pulling me all the time to San Francisco, frankly, for good reason, because that’s where all my peers are. That’s where all the large enterprises that would likely use my software are, but I see a lot of value in Grand Rapids,” Mikrut said. “I’ve been able to build a world-class team here that has the shared values and shared goals that Payload needs to succeed. I don’t see a reason why I have to move out to San Francisco, at least right now.”

Mikrut also said the startup is actively seeking out partnerships with notable West Michigan companies to support the application’s growth to what he hopes to be a global stage.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. supported the new expansion project with a $302,500 performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program.

As well, local economic development agency The Right Place Inc. is lending staff time and resources to assist with Payload’s expansion.

An Indianapolis-area operator of primary care health centers for employers wants to grow across Michigan after opening a location near Kalamazoo.

Marathon Health LLC’s first employee health center in the state opened for more than 850 employees who work for Kalamazoo County. The company is seeking out additional private and public sector employers to use the center to offer primary care to employees as part of their health benefits.

The company also wants to open more locations in the Kalamazoo area and locate employee health centers in other markets in Michigan.

Grand Rapids and Detroit are among the metropolitan areas that Marathon Health wants to enter and enlist companies that adopt a direct-to-employer primary care model.

Adding more health centers in Michigan would create a network for Marathon Health that could accommodate employers with multiple locations in the state and employees who work in one market and live in another, said Kristin Vargo, regional vice president in the Midwest for Marathon Health.

“What we like to do is when we grow in a market, we really think about distributing ourselves within a radius of locations and we network our networks,” Vargo said.

“We like to have multiple markets

in the same state and offer a very uniform benefit to provide statewide coverage, and really coast-tocoast coverage nationwide.”

Based in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers, Marathon Health operates more than 300 health centers in 43 states that have more than 1.2 million members.

The centers provide employees at participating employers and their families free access to primary care services, including health screenings, blood work, medication management, behavioral health, physical therapy and health coaching, with a focus on prevention and wellness.

Marathon Health generally targets self-funded employers with 100 or more employees. The company charges employers a per-employee, per-month fee and will refer patients who need specialty care to local providers when necessary and collaborate with local health systems and practices.

The Kalamazoo-area employee health center is located in Oshtemo Township on South 11th Street, off of Stadium Drive and the U.S. 131 interchange.

“Our motto is ‘in pursuit of extraordinary governance.’ We believe that for our employees to be extraordinary, they have to take ownership of their health. Offering this health clinic as a free benefit to employees really elevates our motto and mission to produce extraordinary re-

sults in Kalamazoo County,” said County Administrator Kevin Catlin.

Employers have been giving onsite and near-site medical clinics greater attention in recent years as they try to manage the ever-rising cost of employee health benefits, said Amy McCulloch, a strategic consultant for benefits and people solutions at the Grand Rapids office of Lockton Companies LLC. McCulloch works with mid- and large-market employers that generally have self-insured health benefits. She typically introduces the idea of an on-site and near-site medical clinic to clients when discussing future health plan designs.

Employers have long exhausted cost-control options through higher copays, deductibles and cost-sharing that have been passed down to employees for years. As employers continue to face rising benefit costs, inflation and paying higher wages in a tight labor market, they are increasingly open to new ideas to control costs, such as becoming involved in an on-site and near-site medical clinic that provides primary care for employees and can help to manage highcost chronic medical conditions, McCulloch said.

“The levers have all been pulled and they’re looking to say, ‘What now? How do you help us now?’” she said. “If they’re of the right size, it absolutely should be part of the consideration.”

University of Michigan Health-West congratulates Jaime Counterman and Matthew Sevensma, DO for being named Notable Leaders in Healthcare in recognition of their dedication to our patients, their families and our community.

Jaime Counterman

UM Health-West Foundation Director

Matthew Sevensma, DO UM Health-West Cardiologist

October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 19

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CRAIN’S LIST TOP AREA ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS

CR

1

Ranked by 2022 gross annual billings

Ran Year est. in 2022 West 2021 Mich. gross annual billings

No. W. Mich. licensed architects

Total no. W. Mich. employees

42

1953 $37.19M $31.18M

Tom Buteyn 1962 $14.3M AE 3 PROGRESSIVE $14.87M 1811 Four Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids, Bradley Thomas

W. Mich. managing partner(s)

Jeff Schumaker 1956 $108.5M 1 FISHBECK $104.94M 1515 Arboretum Drive SE, Grand Rapids,

Types of services offered

Major W. Mich. projects

309

Architecture; interior design; parking design and planning; civil, mechanical, electrical, and more

Feeding America West Michigan Headquarters, Gerald R. Ford International Airport ConRAC Facility, City of Grand Rapids Facility Master Plan, among others

1

32

100

Architecture; mechanical, Grand Rapids Public Museum electrical and structural renovation and expansion; engineering and more Kalamazoo Event Center; and others

1

35

192

Architecture, MEP engineering, structural engineering, traffic engineering, municipal engineering and more

Acrisure Amphitheater, Grand Rapids Soccer Stadium, Lyon Square Park, Amway 77 "Treehouse" Building, and more

1

MI 49546 p (616) 575-3824 fishbeck.com Bjorn Green 2 TOWERPINKSTER 4 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 456-9944 f 456-5936 towerpinkster.com

MI 49525 p (616) 361-2664 f 361-1493 progressiveae.com DESIGN 4 PARADIGM 415 Leonard St. NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 p (616) 785-5656 f 785-5657 paradigmae.com

Bill Hadlock Aaron Jenks Joe Greco

1974 $13.5M DND

1988 $10.2M Michael Corby ARCHITECTURE, LLC 5 INTEGRATED $9M 840 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI Timothy Mustert 49503 p (616) 574-0220 f 616-574-0953 intarch.com

Randy Pease Darrel DeHaan

AMDG ARCHITECTS INC. 25 Commerce Ave. SW, Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 454-1600 amdgarchitects.com

Peter Baldwin

ASSOCIATES, LLC 7 GHAFARI 37 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 700, Grand

6

19

55

Architecture, civil engineering, interior design, pre-design, design, and more

40

Architecture; master planning; interior design; landscape design

Academy Manor, Calvin Theological Seminary Student Housing, Cascade Hills Country Club, Grand Rapids Division Fire Station, and more

Architectural design; site and master planning; landscape architecture; interior design; and more

Hope College Economics + Business Building, Holland, Cornerstone University, Care Resources, Ada Christian School, and more

1992 $6.98M $6M

9

Andrew Eckert Thomas Tooley

1989 $4.6M $4.6M

11

25

Architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering, and more

Kent Country Club Renovation, American Seating New Headquarters, Tribune Lofts, Kentwood Fire Department and more

Matthew Tipping P.E. Craig Nicely

2000 $4.5M $3.8M

5

35

Architecture; civil, structural, HVAC/ mechanical, electrical and more

Godwin Heights Public Schools bond issue improvements, King Milling Company - new flour mill and truck load out facilities and more

Denise Gerard Holly Kuck Wayne Visbeen

1992 $3.82M $3.82M

17

Architecture, planning, interior design

Lakefront transitional home, traditional lakefront residence, contemporary residence, contemporary residence and entertainment barn and more

Zachary Verhulst

2020 $2.81M $1.36M

7

17

Pre-design and development services (site selection, master planning, code analysis, feasibility studies, development services, facility assessing) and more

Jay Miedema Evert Vande Zande

1978 $1.8M DND

4

7

Architectural, master planning, interior design

Porter Hills Ravines, Allendale Fire Station, Muskegon Surgery Center, Bykerk Financial Office Building

Tom Nemitz John Dancer

1989 $1.78M $1.3M

8

8

Interior design, master planning, urban revitalization, LEED, historic preservation, K-12 educational, higher education, adaptive reuse

K-12 schools, historic renovations, bars/restaurants, community colleges, hotels, corporate

Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 771-0909 f 771-0912 ghafari.com A&E 8 CENTURY 277 Crahen Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 p (616) 456-5227 f 456-5228 centuryae.com ARCHITECTS INC. 9 VISBEEN 3331 Claystone St. Suite G22, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 p (616) 285-9901 visbeen.com ARCHITECTS 10 PURE 180 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 3E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 263-1950 purearchitects.com

ARCHITECTURAL GROUP INC. 11 THE 3100 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418 p (616) 531-7040 f 531-0221 thearchitecturalgroup.com ARCHITECTS INC. 12 CORNERSTONE 440 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 p (616) 774-0100 f 774-2956 cornerstone-arch.com

Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of Top Area Architectural Firms, ranked by gross annual billings is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveys. To be considered for future lists, email danielle.nelson@crain.com. DND = Did not disclose 1. Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveyed 81 companies, 19 returned surveys and 16 are listed.

LIST STORE: Download this list now at crainsgrandrapids.com in Excel or PDF format. | The Book of Lists and other lists are also available.

20 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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CRAIN’S LIST TOP AREA ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS

1

Ranked by 2022 gross annual billings

STUDIO, LLC 13 INTERACTIVE 100 Cesar E Chavez Ave., Suite 201,

W. Mich. managing partner(s)

Year est. in 2022 West 2021 Mich. gross annual billings

Dwayne Masselink

No. W. Mich. licensed architects

Total no. W. Mich. employees

2003 $1.7M $1.3M

2

Ken Dixon

2004 $1.2M DND

2

Nate Gillette

2014 $1.1M $1.1M

Michael Belisle Neale Bauman

1961 $575,000 $505,000

Types of services offered

Major W. Mich. projects

6

Architecture and Interior Design

Gentex Discovery Pre-School, Tommy's Express Carwash HQ, Gentex NRC3 Manufacturing, Ferris State Early Learning Center

5

Architectural services, historically-inspired building design

Envision Ada Redevelopment, Ada Hotel, EHTC Offices

6

Due diligence investigation of commercial and multifamily real estate development properties with a heavy concentration on LIHTC and affordable housing

Consulting to the developers of: Union Suites on Coit, 2080 Union, Hartford Terrace, Lincoln Park Apartments, Lexington Apartments.

2

Architecture, planning and interiors

Animal Emergency Hospital, Grand Rapids and Byron Center

Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 458-2488 ia-studio.com ARCHITECTURE 14 DIXON 523 Ada Drive SE, Suite 200, Ada, MI 49301 p (616) 682-4570 dixonarch.com ARCHITECTURAL 15 NATURA CONSULTING 2812 East Beltline Lane NE, Suite A, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 p (616) 431-4772 naturaconsultingllc.com

DESIGN FORUM INC. 16 THE P.O. Box 561, Belmont, MI 49306

2

p (616) 454-1398 thedesignforum.com Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of Top Area Architectural Firms, ranked by gross annual billings is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveys. To be considered for future lists, email danielle.nelson@crain.com. DND = Did not disclose 1. Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveyed 81 companies, 19 returned surveys and 16 are listed.

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CRAIN’S LIST TOP AREA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRMS

1

Ranked by square footage managed 2022 2021 W. Mich. property management revenue

2022 2021 W. Mich. square footage managed

2016

DND DND

9,200,000 7,420,000

1995

DND DND

8,100,000 10,875,040

2011 Tom Kilgore Kurt Kunst Chris Prins Brad Bruinsma

DND DND

$3.5M $2.87M

Top Executive(s)

Jeff Karger 1 JLL 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI Scott Rantala 49503 p (616) 649-3552 us.jll.com WEST MICHIGAN 2 COLLIERS 333 Bridge St. NW, Suite 1010,

Year est. in West Mich.

% total square footage (retail, office, No. of W. Mich. licensed warehouse, multiunit, agents other)

Names or types of major W. Mich. properties managed

7

Retail 75% Office 10% Warehouse 15% Multiunit 0%

Meijer Inc., Stryker

4,100,000 4,000,000

30

Retail 15% Office 19% Warehouse 59% Multiunit 7%

330 Ionia: 100 Cesar E Chavez: 3235-3290 Wellness Dr, Holland MI: 3165 Alpine

3,750,000 3,750,000

7

Retail 12% Office 32% Warehouse 38% Multiunit 18%

Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building, Liner Building, Bridge and Stocking, LLC, MCPC Building, The Morton

John Cullen Bob Horn Mike Lisagor

Grand Rapids, MI 49504 p (616) 454-7700 f 774-3600 colliers.com/westmichigan WISINSKI OF WEST 3 NAI MICHIGAN 100 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 p (616) 776-0100 f 776-0101 naiwwm.com

Mike CONSTRUCTION 4 ROCKFORD 601 First St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI VanGessel

1987

49512 p (616) 285-6933 rockfordconstruction.com

Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of Top Area Property Management Firms, ranked by square footage managed is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveys. To be considered for future lists, email danielle.nelson@crain.com. DND = Did not disclose 1. Crain's Grand Rapids surveyed 72 companies; 17 returned surveys and 13 are listed.

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22 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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1.

jor

aged

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REALTY HOLDINGS 5 CORE MANAGEMENT INC.

2022 2021 W. Mich. property management revenue

2022 2021 W. Mich. square footage managed

Top Executive(s)

Year est. in West Mich.

Jill Hemmes

2006

DND DND

2,944,884 2,944,884

Shaun Biel

2021

DND DND

2,644,012 2,225,971

Scott Wierda Sam Cummings Dan DeVos

2008

DND DND

2,340,000

Charlie Hoats Charlie Secchia

2017

DND DND

2,100,000 2,100,000

% total square footage (retail, office, No. of W. Mich. licensed warehouse, multiunit, agents other)

Names or types of major W. Mich. properties managed

20

1040 40th St. SE

4503 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 p (616) 540-1109 f 554-4963 corerealtyholdings.com COMMERCIAL REAL 6 ADVANTAGE ESTATE 3333 Deposit Drive NE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 p (616) 327-2800 f 327-2801 advantagecre.com REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 7 CWD 50 Louis St. NW, Suite 600, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 726-1700 cwdrealestate.com PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 8 SIBSCO 220 Lyon St. NW, Suite 510, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 235-0012 f 235-0014 sibsco.com

Retail 1% Office 11% Warehouse 85% Multiunit 0%

5200 Cascade, 37 Ottawa, Breton Village, Breton South Village, and others 2

Patterson Industrial Campus

Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of Top Area Property Management Firms, ranked by square footage managed is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveys. To be considered for future lists, email danielle.nelson@crain.com. DND = Did not disclose 1. Crain's Grand Rapids surveyed 72 companies; 17 returned surveys and 13 are listed.

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October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 23

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CRAIN’S LIST TOP AREA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRMS

1

Ranked by square footage managed

COMPANY 9 BRADLEY 220 Lyon St., Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Year est. in Top Executive(s) West Mich.

2022 2021 W. Mich. property management revenue

2022 2021 W. Mich. square footage managed

Chad Phillips

1978

DND DND

1,975,000 1,500,000

17

Anne Ficeli Ryan Wheeler Michael Maier

2018

$1.85M $1.21M

1,907,230 1,380,000

5

Gary Granger

1997

DND DND

1,500,000 1,500,000

1986

DND DND

1,120,000

Tim 2006 VandenToorn

DND DND

1,080,000

% total square footage (retail, office, No. of W. Mich. licensed warehouse, multiunit, Names or types of major W. agents other) Mich. properties managed

Exhibitors Building, 401 Hall, Grand Rapids Corporate Center, and more

p (616) 254-0005 bradleyco.com REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT 10 PURE 32 Market Ave. SW, Suite 500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p (616) 631 7769 purerealestatemanagement.com - A GRANGER GROUP COMPANY 11 IPM 2380 Health Drive SW, Suite 210, Wyoming, MI

Retail 10% Office 23% Warehouse 0% Multiunit 56%

Village East of Ada, Evergreen Townhomes, The Knoll Townhomes of Ada, and others

49519 p (616) 248-3566 grangeripm.us Michael R. PREFERRED MANAGEMENT CO. 12 AMERICAN 6140 28th St., Suite 220, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Woodrow John Murphy

p (616) 942-1792 f 942-5465 americanpfrd.com PROPERTIES OF WEST MICHIGAN 13 UNITED 1348 Front Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

12

p (616) 965-2300 f 965-2310 rentupm.com Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of Top Area Property Management Firms, ranked by square footage managed is the most comprehensive available. The list is based on responses to Crain's Grand Rapids Business surveys. To be considered for future lists, email danielle.nelson@crain.com. DND = Did not disclose 1. Crain's Grand Rapids surveyed 72 companies; 17 returned surveys and 13 are listed.

SPONSORED CONTENT

2023 MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

By Crain’s Content Studio Cowburn will serve as one of two keynote speakers during the event. She plans to address how manufacturers can create a workplace culture that better incorporates flexibility and fun.

DENISE COWBURN Senior Client Executive and Workforce Development Consultant Tooling U-SME

BILL PINK President Ferris State University

F

or manufacturing leaders, pursuing customers, designing products, evaluating equipment and solving problems tend to be top priorities. Finding time to work on the business, rather than in the business, often comes at a premium.

This year’s Manufacturing Leadership Summit provides a forum for manufacturing executives from across the region to collaborate and discuss prominent issues impacting the sector. The event, held in collaboration by The Right Place Inc. and the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center.

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Attracting and retaining talent continues to be one of the most substantial pain points for manufacturers across industries.

Increasingly, manufacturers are competing with sectors including distribution centers and hospitality for workers. Meanwhile, declining birthrates also threaten to shrink the available pool of talent even further in coming years.

“You can’t ride this out, folks,” said Denise Cowburn, senior client executive and workforce development consultant at Tooling U-SME, regarding the talent shortage. “We’ve raised this generation to love what they do so they never work in a day in their life and that’s ingrained in their brain. Are we creating places they love to work?”

“I’ll be discussing what other companies are doing across the country to up their game so that they can attract the talent they want and also retain who they have,” Cowburn said. “It’s a very different game for many of the people who are running today’s companies — when they joined the workforce, they had to go through the school of hard knocks. The younger generations are not putting up with that.”

The summit also features a keynote discussion on change management led by Dr. Bill Pink, president of Ferris State University. Two separate breakout sessions will also allow participants to choose from additional discussions, including implementing artificial intelligence, navigating the contemporary workspace and robotic process automation.

For the final breakout session, participants will have the choice of

attending a discussion on supply chain sustainability or a discussion on cybercrime conducted by Special Agent Tom Peller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Cheryl Wilson, a computer science consultant with the Michigan Department of Education, will give a primer on how new artificial intelligence technologies can be implemented throughout an organization quickly and without investing millions into state-of-theart systems. Wilson plans to treat the discussion as a level-setting exercise that will give manufacturers a baseline understanding of the technology and expose them to tools they can integrate into their operations, including data analytics and human resources.

For example, Wilson said hiring managers can leverage ChatGPT, a popular chat tool built on a natural language processing model to craft interview questions that can then be

honed to fit the organization.

“I encourage people to learn more about it before you make judgment calls,” Wilson said of implementing artificial intelligence in their operations. “Become informed, try it and see is it something you think you could use.”

MMTC-West The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – West (Center West) offers personalized consulting services to manufacturers across West Michigan. The Center West provides a no-cost Industry 4.0 Assessment Program to level-up companies operational efficiencies, improve quality and drive revenue. The Center West also offers leadership and culture training to bolster employee retention and attraction.

CRAIN’S CONTENT STUDIO 24 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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MANUFAC

Wedn Grand Valley 301 Fulton 10/25/23 12:13 PM

The city of Grand Rapids soon will begin to relocate various departments to 1500 Scriber Ave. NW. | GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Grand Rapids buys former county property on Scribner Avenue Relocation of some services will clear the way for downtown amphitheater

By Kate Carlson

The city of Grand Rapids recently closed on a $7.45 million property, where it will relocate city services from a site that’s being developed for Acrisure Amphitheater.

In yet another step forward for the $184 million amphitheater project, the city on Sept. 22 closed on the purchase of riverfront property in the West Grand neighborhood formerly occupied by the Kent County Road Commission. Eventually, the city will move various operations from 201 Market Ave. SW — the site of the anticipated Acrisure Amphitheater — to the former road commission property at 1500 Scribner Ave. The road commission relocated to a site in Walker.

Final design and permitting is underway for the city’s new offices at the Scribner site, and construction could begin this coming winter, according to a recent city memo. As Crain’s Grand Rapids previously reported, the city is working with Clark Construction Co., which is authorized to do pre-construction services and put early bid packages together for the relocation.

The city-owned Market Avenue property currently houses a range of city services, including a portion of public works, parks and recreation, forestry, fleet and facilities management.

However, because the city can’t immediately vacate 201 Market and move all services to Scribner, local officials have approved a

temporary plan to keep city services operating. Earlier this month, the Grand Rapids City Commission approved an agreement with amphitheater developer Grand Action 2.0 involving the temporary relocation of city services.

The agreement allows construction to start on the $184 million Acrisure Amphitheater project — which is expected to begin in spring 2024 — while work on the city’s permanent location on Scribner is still in the planning phase.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time, so it’s about time we see some action on this,” Grand Rapids City Commissioner Nathaniel Moody said during a recent committee meeting.

The plan calls for temporary tent shelters, showers and office trailers for city employees to be installed at the southern portion of the 201 Market site, and for some city operations to be temporarily relocated to the city’s Water Resource Recovery Facility at 1300 Market Ave. SW. Meanwhile, Grand Action 2.0 announced last month that Grand Rapids-based insurance brokerage and fintech Acrisure LLC secured the naming rights for the amphitheater project with a $30 million donation to the project. Progressive AE serves as the architect, and Pioneer Construction and Barton Malow are leading the construction of the Acrisure Amphitheater, which is expected to open for events in 2026.

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October 30, 2023 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | 25

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COMMENTARY

Clean energy policy creates certainty for businesses

GETTY IMAGES

W

e’re at a pivotal moment for Michigan’s clean energy industry. Thanks to federal climate investment, billions of dollars are available for states to advance their clean energy goals and clean energy jobs are poised to grow like never before. How much or how little depends on whether our leaders in Lansing can pass bold clean energy policy in the next month.

At my company, Foresight Management, we work with large industrial energy users to track, analyze and identify opportunities for reducing their energy, cost and carbon footprint.

Our customers save millions of dollars when they identify ways to be more energy efficient and switch to clean energy options like wind Mike Troupos and solar. Whether it’s is vice president fixing compressed air leaks to reduce energy of Foresight Management in waste or installing a solar array on the roof of a Grand Rapids. warehouse, these are investments that pay dividends for our business customers.

Sustainability reporting has become mandatory for companies who are supplying materials and components to the major retailers and manufacturers in the U.S. Additionally, investors like Blackrock are calling for companies to offer more trans-

parency around ESG metrics and show a plan for ESG improvement. Finally, consumers are voting with their dollars and choosing more sustainable and transparent products in the marketplace. Clean energy policy creates the certainty businesses need to make long-term plans and investments on everything, including building sustainable operations.

There is nothing partisan about clean energy or energy efficiency. No matter the reason our customers are originally interested in energy efficiency investments, they follow through with their emission reduction plans because of the cost sav-

ings and additional sales that come with clean energy. It’s just good business.

When my company creates a sustainability roadmap for our customers, we consider how state policies and energy deregulation will support or inhibit a company’s ability to make the investments in clean energy options that they demand. I don’t want to see companies choose other states over Michigan because there are more options to hit their clean energy goals.

Strong clean energy legislation will make clean energy options more accessible to Michiganders, which will save con-

sumers and businesses money on their electric bill. We will also attract new investment to the state.

In addition to the cost savings and private investment at stake, a strong clean energy package will support an important and growing workforce in our state. Michigan is already home to almost 124,000 clean energy jobs, and the industry is growing almost twice as fast as the overall economy.

Foresight employs about 50 employees and over 40 live here in Michigan. We’ve doubled in size and employees over the past 18 months, and anticipate continued growth in the future. Other states in the region have not made investments into the clean economy, and they have a dearth of companies like Foresight. This has allowed us to be a regional and even a national provider of our services into the marketplace. Having a clean economy friendly state has given us the support to grow and make investments here in Michigan.

Michigan lawmakers should pass a package that includes a requirement that sets our state on a path to transition to 100% clean energy and strengthens our energy efficiency programs. These policies will provide a supportive environment for companies to invest and grow in our state.

The choice is clear: Michigan can capitalize on the financial opportunities of clean energy to attract more jobs and business — or allow these benefits to go to other states.

COMMENTARY

Michigan needs a community solar program

O

ur state is moving forward with his- now is the time to move forward with comtoric investments in clean energy munity solar.

Under the IRA and, specifically, the and strategic economic growth opportunities to boot. Gov. Gretchen Whit- EPA’s Solar for All Competitive Grant Promer continues expanding pieces of the gram, states can receive up to $400 million in funding to reduce emissions and furlong overdue MI Healthy Climate Plan. ther mobilize private funding Yet, look around the country at and capital toward clean energy other states like California, Illidevelopment. Michigan can take nois and Minnesota, and you can advantage of federal tax incensee a key piece of our clean enertives to bolster the growth of gy economy missing — commucommunity solar and provide evnity solar. ery household with clean, lowAnd on the one-year annivercost energy. Michigan legislators sary of the historic passage of the and regulators must ensure and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), our state risks losing out on bil- Rachel Hood, prioritize the creation of an equitable and functional community lions in potential funding and D-Grand solar program and have it in place private capital.

Rapids, is a as early as possible. If no legislaMichigan has the opportunity member of the tion is passed this session, Michito provide all consumers with the Michigan gan stands to lose out on these right to choose how they get ener- House of gy, all while bringing cost savings Representatives hundreds of millions and the many multiples of private fundto consumers and bringing sustainable jobs and economic growth to areas ing that they would spur.

Through community solar, customers of throughout our state. Let’s take this unique opportunity and hundreds of millions in all types — households, small and large federal incentives from the IRA to work to- businesses, schools, religious institutions, gether this session to enable community and hospitals — can enjoy equal access to solar policy to contribute to Michigan’s the economic and environmental benefits of solar generation by subscribing to small, clean energy future.

Given the current clean energy commit- local solar arrays. They then receive a credit ment and priority in our state leadership, on their utility bill for their share of the

power that is produced, just as if the panels were on their own roof. Yet as it stands today, there is no community solar program in Michigan. Community solar continues to be a proven, innovative clean energy business model that can meet multiple state climate policy goals all at once. There’s already been a groundswell of bipartisan support for community solar this year. As Michiganders continue to deal with power outages from extreme weather events, balancing the grid and optimizing use of energy resources will continue to be vital to keeping our day-to-day lives going.

Indirectly, community solar can further help our state’s “economic engine” as we push for electrification. As more of our state’s auto manufacturers look to build EVs to power a greener mobility future, demand will increase for electricity from the state grid. Instead of waiting for supply shortfalls, we should prepare now with distributed energy resources, such as community solar. Community solar can come online quickly, often faster than utility-scale solar, to provide local, clean energy close to where increased demand will be required. It’s a win-win for the community and manufacturers.

Skeptics may bristle at the name — scared off by “community” and “solar” — but look around the country. We are seeing unprecedented support from the majority of Michiganders, and a movement to introduce community solar in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Legislation enabling community solar has already been proposed in our state Senate and House. The bipartisan nature of all these proposed laws shows that, as our

Given the current clean energy commitment and priority in our state leadership, now is the time to move forward with community solar. responsibility as legislators, we listen to our communities and are ready to kickstart the community solar movement in our state.

To hit our state’s ambitious clean energy and climate goals quickly will require all types of clean energy resources. Manufacturers and consumers stand ready to welcome community solar to the Great Lakes State. With hundreds of millions of dollars in available grants from the Inflation Reduction Act soon to expire, the time is now.

Sound off: Send a column for the Opinion page to tim.gortsema@crain.com. Please include a phone number for verification purposes, and limit submissions to 500 words or fewer. Please include a headshot, title and organization name with the submission.

26 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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Eastern Kille anticipates new distillery opening Site near Rockford also will include a restaurant, cocktail garden

By Abby Poirier

Almost a year after breaking ground on a new $4.2 million distillery and restaurant, Eastern Kille is anticipating opening the doors to its relocated home by the end of 2023.

The project, which will include a restaurant, an approximately 8,000-square-foot distillery and production space and an outdoor cocktail garden, broke ground in January. According to co-owner Brandon Voorhees, the restaurant and distillery are nearing completion, and crews recently installed new signage for the project at 7755 Childsdale Ave. NE in Plainfield Township, near Rockford.

“It’s been a long process and it feels a little surreal to now walk into a building that looks very much like a finished product,” Voorhees said.

“We’re getting close.”

While the distillery has not yet set an opening date, Voorhees said the company hopes to open the doors in December.

The restaurant, which will include approximately 4,000 square feet of dining space, marks a new venture for Eastern Kille. Guests will be treated to a variety of small plates and appetizers, while pizza takes the bulk of the main menu.

The philosophy for Eastern Kille is simple but polished, said Voorhees, who co-founded the company with Steve Vander Pol. “One thing that really drew us to pizza is very similar to what drew us to spirits: the right ingredients, and you don’t need many of them,” Voorhees said. “Whiskey is corn, rye, barley, water and yeast, and you can transform a spirit into something awesome. That’s what we loved about pizza. Pizza dough is a few ingredients, and we want to

use the best toppings and ingredients that we can to turn something simple into something delicious.”

The dining space will feature soaring ceilings and a 32-foot wall of windows overlooking Eastern Kille’s 16-acre plot of field and forest. Voorhees said the space was designed with high ceilings for both functionality, creating more storage space in production, and to offer a unique view for customers.

“You feel like you’re in the woods even though you’re indoors,” he said.

Eastern Kille worked with Mathison | Mathison Architects to design the project, while Wolverine Building Group served as general contractor.

“I think they nailed it,” Voorhees said. “We’re super proud of the way that it’s turned out and we hope that patrons enjoy it when they get to step foot in as well.”

The atmosphere will be “upscale, but casual,” offering a dining experience that the company hopes will be unlike any other in West Michigan.

“Pizza is casual, but pizza done well can be mind-blowing, and we really want to make the best pizza that we possibly can and pair that with what we think is a really great cocktail program,” Voorhees said.

The kitchen at Eastern Kille will be led by Stephen Kolavo, formerly the head chef at Tex-Mex restaurant Anemel in Benton Harbor. Kolavo, who Voorhees said was looking to move back to the Grand Rapids area, comes with a “wealth of knowledge and a passion for kitchens” that makes him a great choice to lead Eastern Kille into its next chapter.

Altogether, the restaurant will seat approximately 100 customers

when it opens this winter. Eastern Kille will add outdoor dining options as the weather warms, seating an estimated 100 more.

The restaurant will serve cocktails made with Eastern Kille’s spirits, but eventually, the company plans to apply for additional licenses to serve a range of wine, beers and ciders.

The new Eastern Kille facility, which adjoins White Pine Trail, will also feature fire pits and space for diners to explore and enjoy the outdoor space. The location also may eventually host weddings and events on the property’s open field.

Located directly next door to Third Nature Brewing Company, Eastern Kille will offer a space for hikers, joggers and bikers on White Pine Trail to enjoy a cocktail and a meal.

“We’re hoping to create a really cool destination on Childsdale,” Voorhees said. “I think people are really going to love (the space.) It’s unique, it feels a little bit different and being there in the woods, you can have an indoor/outdoor experience surrounded by nature. People have really gravitated toward that style of restaurant and that style of service.”

A rendering of Eastern Kille Distillery’s new production facility, restaurant and bar in Plainfield Township. Credit: Mathison | Mathison Architects

More booze ahead In addition to a new suite of guest experiences, the move also allows Eastern Kille to increase its spirits production. With a new 1,000-gallon stripping still and a larger kettle, Voorhees said he anticipates producing three to four times more spirits annually.

Large windows will give a view of the outdoors from inside Eastern Kille Distillery’s new location in Plainfield Township. | COURTESY PHOTO

The owners believe the future of Eastern Kille lies in its whiskey portfolio. As such, the company plans to lean into whiskey production at the new facility, introducing new items and starting a barrel finishing program while increasing production of staple spirits.

Credit: Eastern Kille Distillery “Right now, we’re just a little tight with it when it comes to inventory and it doesn’t provide a whole lot of flexibility when we go to enter a new market, or if at some point we want to expand outside of Michigan,” Voorhees said. “This is just going to give us flexibility.

“Whiskey takes a while, so even though we’ll be scaling up production next year, that product won’t be available for another four or five years, so we’ve got some time to figure out where the market trends are (and) see if we’re going to add a completely new product line, or if we want to expand into other markets, or just grow the market that we have here in our home state.”

Production at the new location is

slated to begin by early next year, contingent on the transfer of Easter Kille’s production license from its distillery at 700 Ottawa Ave. NW. Eastern Kille’s Ottawa Avenue cocktail bar remains open through the end of the year, but the company has moved the distilling equipment to the new location.

The property sold to Corewell Health in June 2021 for $3.75 million, more than 10 times the amount of the distillery’s initial property investment, and is slated for demolition to create parking spaces for the health system’s new campus in Grand Rapids’ Monroe North neighborhood.

The distillery also operates a tasting room at 634 Wealthy Street, which is unaffected by these changes.

“We’re really excited,” Voorhees said. “We think (this is) going to be something pretty cool for the area and we hope a lot of our customers from Grand Rapids are willing to make that drive north to come find us up here.”

104-year-old Proos Manufacturing emerges from receivership Private investment group is partner with other manufacturers in state

By Mark Sanchez

Proos Manufacturing LLC has emerged from court-appointed receivership in a sale to a private investor.

The Grand Rapids-based maker of material handling equipment closed Oct. 13 on the sale to a private investment group that’s a partner in MS Metal Solutions in Grand Haven, Great Lakes Metal Stamping Inc. in Bridgman and three other manufacturers in Michigan.

The acquisition from Chicago-based private equity firm Westbourne Capital Partners, which acquired a majority stake in Proos Manufacturing in 2020 alongside Samson Investment Partners, and the emergence from receivership marks what CEO Tyler McCoy calls “an exciting new chapter” for the 104-year-old company.

“It’s great for our team to know that there’s a strong path forward with a strong new ownership

group,” McCoy said. “We’re really much better positioned to just handle the ups and downs of markets and care for our team well. In the end, I think it’s going to be a real blessing for the company, but it’s been a tenuous few months here while we got it all figured out.”

Terms of the sale were undisclosed in a public announcement of the deal.

Proos Manufacturing landed in receivership in July when Kent County Circuit Court Judge Curt Benson appointed Cascade Partners LLC as a receiver. The move came after the company defaulted on a $10.5 million loan that it secured in 2020 from First Merchants Bank. Court records indicated that Proos Manufacturing owed $7.6 million on the loan, plus $50,542 in unpaid interest, when First Merchants Bank filed the court case on July 14 requesting the court appoint a receiver for the company.

The receivership occurred after

the e-commerce industry, a key segment of Proos Manufacturing’s business, declined “fairly abruptly” in mid-2022, leaving the company over-leveraged and “pretty exposed,” McCoy said.

“Now, we have a very strong capital structure and have some inherent market diversification within this new group of companies, and we’re going to be much more resilient moving forward,” he said.

In seeking a buyer for Proos Manufacturing, Cascade Partners identified multiple potential strategic partners. The investment group that includes MS Metal Solutions emerged “as the best strategic fit for the company,” McCoy said.

A tube and metal fabricator, MS Metal Solutions has been experiencing good growth and the markets the two companies serve have little overlap, McCoy said. The two companies’ core competencies also complement each other.

“Backed by Proos’ engineering

expertise and reputation for strong client-focused relationships, this partnership brings a wealth of opportunity to our team of companies that we’re looking forward to leveraging for further advancement network wide,” MS Metal Solutions CEO Leon Span said a statement.

Proos Manufacturing remains a standalone company within the investment group’s holdings, although “partners such as the MS Metal Solutions team allow us to

combine our strengths in custom engineering, program management, and sheet metal manufacturing with the group’s enhanced scale and market presence,” McCoy said.

Proos Manufacturing began in 1919 by producing casket hardware and cookie die stamps and at one point manufactured fishing downriggers. The company presently employs about 60 people at its facility in Oak Industrial Drive NE in Grand Rapids.

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BALLPARK From Page 1

important for his company, which also is based on the city’s west side, to be involved in the project.

He also grew up near the field and played there in high school.

“I learned a lot here. Just seeing competitive baseball and when you grew up on the west side, this was big time,” VanGessel said during the groundbreaking.

“That’s what we want to continue on for the next generation and that’s what’s important.”

Fans of Valley Field leaders announced Oct. 18 that the Bissell family, which owns Walker-based Bissell Inc., donated $350,000 to the project, securing naming rights

UNICORN From Page 1

controversy stemming from recently elected far-right conservative leaders, and where many employers stay mum on such issues.

“We both think that silence is acceptance,” Kristal Boyd said.

“It’s not in our nature to sit by quietly and just say we don’t have an opinion when we think that what is being said or done is just fundamentally wrong. We will always speak up. We’ll always try to be a voice for a positive change that we believe in.”

When the Boyds opened the Unicorn, they wanted to let their beliefs guide their vision of the business.

“We’re for a lot of things,” Garry Boyd said. “For me to tell someone that I’m against them, that just seems against the message that we’re trying to put out there, that there’s a way for us all to have a good time. I’m not going to tell anybody they’re not welcome. Just because of the way somebody voted doesn’t mean that they’re neces-

WMCAT From Page 1

best-practice Adult Career Training model, which combines technical career pathway learning with holistic supports to meet emerging needs,” said Jamon Alexander, president and CEO of WMCAT. For the cybersecurity pathway, 126 individuals expressed interest in the inaugural cohort, which executives say was a record for the organization. Twelve adults began the program in December 2022, and 11 graduated at the end of June this year.

WMCAT now is adding a new learning track focused on cloud security engineering and is increasing enrollment to 15 adults for the next cohort. The goal is to increase enrollment to 30 adults in 2024.

“The interest for this pathway was very high,” Alexander said. “We had 126 people submit applications to join (the first cohort), so that tells us that people have a hunger to connect into this field.”

The addition of the cloud security engineering track aims to align

for the planned gateway entrance to the park. The entrance will be located on the corner of Valley Avenue NW and Sixth Street NW. “We’re happy to participate in this incredible, historic fixture,” Bissell Inc. CEO and Chairman Mark Bissell said during the groundbreaking. “It does stand out as a jewel and it could run the risk of falling between the cracks with all the bigger projects that are happening in downtown Grand Rapids.”

The Sullivan Field restoration project is also receiving $680,000 in RAP 2.0 funding that the Michigan Economic Development Corp. recently awarded to The Right Place Inc. As well, the city of Grand Rapids is using $1.2 million from a 2019 parks millage to fund the first

phase of construction work. The project also received a $1.05 million allocation from the latest state budget.

After the grandstands are refurbished, the next priority will be upgrading the infield, installing a new main entrance to the park along Valley Avenue, and refurbishing the locker rooms. Fans of Valley Field also plans to install a walk-through museum that will contain historic photos and display boxes highlighting players and teams that have played on the field over the years.

Owned by the city of Grand Rapids, the baseball diamond is classified as a neighborhood park and serves as the home field for Union High School as well as several men’s leagues. Fans of Valley

Field has been hosting a wide range of events over the past couple of years at the field to assist with operating and renovation costs, but also to activate the space with community events outside of just baseball games.

Sullivan Field, originally named “Valley Field,” is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood at 650 Valley Ave. NW. The field was constructed in 1937 using Work Projects Administration funds and has hosted at least 70 players who went on to the major leagues, including the likes of famed pitcher Satchel Paige and Detroit Tigers legends Al Kaline, Mickey Stanley, Kirk Gibson and Dave Rozema.

Several local legends were at the ballpark for the groundbreaking,

including Dan Groce and Johnny Walker, who both played on the Grand Rapids Black Sox in the late 1950s, and the field’s namesake, Bob Sullivan, who owned and managed the Grand Rapids Sullivans.

Walker is a Grand Rapids resident and played on the field when he was in high school and for several other teams including the Black Sox. He hopes the upgrades will bring more leagues back to the field.

“It means a lot to see that something is coming about on the field.

It’s a great field and you can see what’s growing and that makes me feel real good,” Walker told Crain’s Grand Rapids. “It was a dynamic field at one time, and I think it can be again.”

sarily a bad person. It means they have different ideas.”

The Boyds’ approach to hospitality is particularly relevant in Ottawa County, where the far-right slate of candidates, known as Ottawa Impact, took control of the county board of commissioners at the start of 2023. Unicorn Tavern opened the month after Ottawa Impact candidates took office in January.

At the commissioners’ first board meeting, the group eliminated the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion department and changed the county slogan from “You belong here” to “Where freedom rings.” In a recent statement on a separate issue, Ottawa County Board Chairman Joe Moss characterized the moves as “conservative leaders doing conservative things.”

As well, Ottawa Impact’s “Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, (Critical Race Theory) and Racial Equity” states: “Diversity and inclusion, as traditionally defined, are beautiful words and bring value and richness to our relationships, homes, and communities. However, these words have been co-opted by the progressive

left with divisive teachings which are being ushered into our county through the DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) office.”

to show their young children, Charlie Rae and CJ, and their community what happens when businesses put their beliefs at the forefront.

“When we decided to open a business, we realized we wanted to step up and be a leader and let other businesses know that no matter what side of an issue you fall on, it’s OK to speak your mind,” Kristal Boyd said. “It was important to us to be true to who we are. We didn’t want to be the kind of people that would say one thing in a quiet room when we couldn’t be held accountable and say another thing in a public space.”

Ottawa County has been at the center of political upheaval in West Michigan in recent years, making national headlines for multiple disputes, from DEI to parents’ rights.

That includes residents in Jamestown Township — which is situated east of Zeeland and south of I-196 — voting 62% to 37% to remove taxpayer funding from the township’s public library. The vote stemmed from outcry over the library owning

a 2019 memoir exploring gender identity titled, “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” by Maia Kobabe. Media reports from 2022 featured residents who accused the library of promoting pedophilic material based on graphic content and exploration of sexual identity in the book.

Meanwhile, Ottawa Impact’s actions since taking over the board 10 months ago have resulted in an ongoing stream of criticism, including about local leaders’ alleged lack of transparency and attempts to cut funding to the county Health Department.

Despite the ongoing political upheaval around her, Grand Haven Pride Festival co-chair Jessica Cole Robison feels optimistic about the future of her city. She compares the open promotion of progressive ideals in Ottawa County as “fighting fire with water, and the water for us is that love and inclusivity and building community for people who are interested in diversity and equity and inclusion and want to be a part of that. It’s really just being more forward and open and visible with our love and support of diversity.”

with industry demand and help meet talent needs from local employers.

“There is broad appeal and growing demand for cloud security engineers, with a number of positions in the field available now in West Michigan,” Scott Dresen, senior vice president and chief information security officer for Corewell Health and WMCAT board member, said in a statement. “This is a field that will continue to grow.”

The decision to launch a cybersecurity program as an additional career training offering — which builds on WMCAT’s existing health information and pharmacy technician pathways within the Adult Career Training Program — came from a desire to contribute to and diversify the region’s growing tech talent pipeline, according to Alexander.

“We wanted to find another pathway to complement the health information and pharmacy technician work we’ve been doing that is in-demand, that offers the possibility of thriving wages, (and) that meets not only today’s demands, but what we project will be high-

growth careers for the future. So, we landed on cybersecurity,” Alexander said. ’Game-changing wages’ The 11 graduates in the first cohort are all Black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). Within two months of graduation, six of the graduates became employed as GRC analysts or security analysts at local companies, or doing work on a national scale while working remotely here. The six graduates’ annual salaries range from $60,000 to $115,000.

“Those are game-changing wages for families here locally,” Alexander said.

Stacia Mason, one of the graduates, now works as a GRC analyst at Acrisure LLC. The Grand Rapids-based insurance brokerage and fintech is one of several local employers lending financial support and engagement with the graduates of the program.

“Now that I’ve completed the program, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride, excitement, and accomplishment,” Mason said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the fortunate chain of

events that led me here, proving that you don’t need a college degree to succeed in tech.”

Other local employers that lent financial support and employee engagement include Corewell Health, Amway Corp., Consumers Energy, Varnum LLP and Farmers Insurance. The cybersecurity pathway also has received grant funding from Google and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Going forward, Alexander said WMCAT will continue to meet and seek out local businesses to partner with and embed into the curriculum. He said Acrisure and Corewell Health in particular have supported the program thus far.

“They’ve supported learning along the way,” Alexander said.

“They’ve done panel discussions, they’ve done interview practice with students, they’ve done networking events with students — all with the goal of hiring folks.”

WMCAT also will continue to pursue additional funding to sustain the pathway, which provides participants with a stipend and equipment as well as access to an emergency fund for income stabili-

ty while working through the program.

“When we look at Kent County, 60% of Black households are at the ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) threshold and 30% of Hispanic households are at that threshold,” Alexander said.

“Our belief is that by connecting families to career pathways in the tech economy, they can pursue income stability now and security for the future. And we can move from survival to thriving.”

WMCAT also will continue to partner with GRCIE and conduct both the GRC track and the new cloud engineering security track in a virtual learning format. With this format, Alexander said participants have the virtual-reality based training three days a week and one day each week of in-person professional and personal development.

“If we look at the signals around us and the direction everything is headed, from how we learn to how we work to how we pay for things to how we store information, it’s all moving,” Alexander said. “We want the learning to mirror what the work is to look like.”

Hospitality backgrounds Maintaining a community presence comes as second nature to the Boyds.

Before bringing Unicorn Tavern to Grand Haven, Garry Boyd worked for a number of years in the Grand Rapids bar and food scene, most notably as the co-founder of BarFly Ventures LLC, the parent company behind HopCat, Stella’s Lounge and Grand Rapids Brewing Co. As well, Kristal Boyd has a background in hospitality, and also was appointed last fall to serve on the Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education, where she is currently serving a two-year term as trustee.

As the Boyds assembled their plan for Unicorn Tavern, they knew it would be unlike anything they’d been involved in before. Unicorn Tavern would offer good food and drinks while also serving as a space

Political hotbed

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agreement requires the affordabili- Detroit and Vicksburg have been formational Brownfield Plan is able is ripe for redevelopment.

The affordable housing agree- ty rates to be locked in for 20 years. approved in Michigan since the in- to capture 50% of the income and FACTORY YARDS ridor “There is a need to preserve af- centive tool was created in 2017. withholding income tax increment ment calls for 10% of each apartFrom Page 3

affordable housing agreement and a 12-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act district tied to the project.

Preliminary plans for Factory Yards did not include below-market-rate apartment units, said City Commissioner Milinda Ysasi, who noted that the Godfrey Avenue cor-

GRACEWIL From Page 3

a pickleball court, splash pad, clubhouse and playground.

It also would facilitate a compact layout and a road design that provides connections throughout the development while still preserving a minimum of 35% of the property as open space, per the township’s zoning ordinance.

Wilder Crossings has been in the works for a couple of years, with the first submitted plan calling for 567 units of single-family homes, detached condos and duplex condos.

Hehrer and Kraker retooled their plan in January in response to resident feedback. The current plan calls for a mix of 317 single-family homes, 137 single-family condos and 84 duplex condos, with 151 of the condos designated for senior housing.

Hehrer previously told Crain’s they expect the project will take at least 20 years to complete, with a target end date of 2045. The golf course, originally built in 1929, is expected to remain open on a year-by-year lease as the project progresses.

Neighborhood concerns Sanders, whose property adjoins the west side of the golf course, said he wasn’t opposed to Gracewil owner John Wilson sell-

REDSTONE From Page 3

generally makes sense for this area,” she said.

Dating back to at least the 1960s, the property at 959 Bristol was owned by DeVries & Sons and used for sand and gravel mining.

Grand Rapids-based Dykema Excavators Inc. acquired the acreage in 1998 and still owns it. The site is currently vacant.

It was unclear from Redstone’s application whether the developer plans to acquire the property from Dykema, whose president Jim Dykema did not immediately return calls for comment.

David Stebbins, vice president of land development for Redstone Homes and the applicant for this project, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In the project narrative filed with the city, Stebbins wrote that he believes the proposal is consistent with the city’s master plan and would be a “continuation of the single-family homes” that sur-

fordability after a certain amount of time,” said City Commissioner Kelsey Perdue. “I hope to see this body have conversations in that area so we’re not moving around affordability from project to project, but continuing to support (affordability) long-term.”

Only three Transformational Brownfield Plans for projects in

The powerful incentive tool lets developers apply to keep income and withholding taxes from people who work and live at certain sites associated with their project, along with sales taxes on construction materials and income taxes from construction crews on projects.

Without a component of below-market-rate housing, a Trans-

revenues from a project. Because Factory Yards has a binding agreement detailing a below-market rate housing plan, up to 100% of those revenues can be captured.

Grand Rapids-based Wolverine Building Group is the general contractor on the project, and Norton Shores-based Concept Design Studio serves as the architect.

come in at a density of 2.6 units per acre, less than what is allowed. But Sanders believes only about 108 acres of the course are “buildable land” because of ponds and wetlands, a claim Kraker contests.

Sanders said the other primary concern is traffic, with the development having access points from Four Mile Road and Walker and Peach Ridge avenues. He said he sees those as “heavily traveled roadways” that are getting more congested as time goes on, between schools, the FedEx main terminal, the Michigan State Police Sixth District headquarters and Amazon’s warehouse just south of Four Mile.

“Alpine Township wants to drop in 538 houses to this golf course and think that, ‘Well, with a couple of traffic lights and maybe some right turn lanes, we should be just fine,’” he said.

Hehrer said that — Ken Sanders, attorney and township resident because the latest site plan contains so Sanders said his group’s first much senior housing, he expects main concern is density, as the it to generate fewer trips per day bulk of the property on all sides of and at non-peak times, which the golf course is zoned as R-A ru- combined with the site design ral agricultural, with a density of should head off any bottlenecks.

The group’s final concerns are one single-family home per 1.5 about providing proper drainacres.

As currently planned, the hous- age and protecting the golf ing on the golf course would course’s existing trees, accord-

ing to Sanders.

“If your ordinances say that you need to protect the woodlands, then protect the woodlands and don’t let ‘scorched Earth’ clearcutting take place and protect the natural environment, the topography,” Sanders said.

He said if the rezoning is overturned, he would prefer to see a development plan that would keep 18 holes of the golf course open and build about 100 homes on the other half.

To show an example of what that might look like, Kraker and Hehrer submitted a sample, unofficial plan to the township that would meet the R-1 zoning requirement. It contained 457 single-family homes and no shared amenities.

Both Kraker and Hehrer emphasized that they will move forward with development regardless of what happens with the zoning referendum. They have already purchased half the land from Wilson and are under contract to buy the rest within the next year or so.

“It will be developed,” Kraker said. “What we’re trying to provide is a wide range of housing for all ages and incomes. … We’re providing open space and amenities, a clubhouse and splash pad, pickleball courts and playgrounds and things like that, which (are) items that you don’t get in a straight R-1 zoning.”

Kraker said the township master plan has indicated a need for senior housing and entry-level and family for-sale housing, which is partly why he and his partners chose to go this route.

“What you have is a community that is right near downtown Grand Rapids, but yet hasn’t had any real (for-sale) development in 25, 30 years. That’s why we felt there was a need for it, for not only the community, but also the businesses within the community.”

ment unit type in the project to be rented out to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Another 10% of all the apartments would be rented to households earning at or below 60% of the area median income.

This means 20% — or about 94 of the 467 units — would include below-market rents. The housing

ing the property for development.

He just would like to see less density. Given that he was able to gather about 300 more signatures than the minimum required number to get the question on the ballot, he believes other residents feel the same way.

“I never think — ever — that this is going to be a golf course forever,” Sanders said. “The property is valued now more for development than it is for green fees; I get all that. But the development should be consistent with the neighborhood, and it should be flowing with the same aesthetics that our neighborhoods have all around this property.”

“Alpine Township wants to drop in 538 houses to this golf course and think that, ‘Well, with a couple of traffic lights and maybe some right turn lanes, we should be just fine.’”

round the property in all directions.

Stebbins also noted the site plan is designed with setbacks and buffers from the neighbors by putting all the density in the center of the property, with open space on the perimeter.

Redstone is working on the project with Robert Lamer, owner of Exxel Engineering. Lamer said the proposed development would “fit the neighborhood well.”

“It’s going to be a really nice asset to the neighborhood,” he said.

“There’s lots of walking paths. It’s a use of single family, which is what’s all around there, (and) people are going to own the (townhomes) or own the condos, so it’s not a rental project. It should be a good development.”

Lamer said the site, which has a bowl shape in the center and treelined slopes on the exterior due to the past use, will require “some” regrading. He does not expect the location to require any significant environmental remediation.

The development would have additional screening from existing

‘It will be developed’ Sue Becker, planning director for Alpine Township, said it’s been decades since rural Alpine Township has had any significant residential development, so she wasn’t surprised at the objections coming from the same group of about 40 residents who attended each meeting when the project was under review.

“I knew this would happen, just in general, meaning lots of energy from residents, because we haven’t had any significant residential development and the last subdivision, if you will, was 20 years ago,” she said. “This is a big project. It represents a lot of change.”

If the rezoning is overturned, she said the developers could come back with a new plan under the R-1 zoning and have it approved by right, as long as it meets the density limitations.

Redstone Homes will seek rezoning approval from the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission for a 92-unit community of single-family homes and townhomes at 959 Bristol Ave. NW. | CREDIT: REDSTONE HOMES

neighbors because all of the buildings would be set in the valley of the property.

Project details According to the project application, the developer’s plan calls for 16 detached single-family homes and 18 townhome buildings with anywhere from four to six units each.

The single-family homes will have 2,257 square feet of living space, with living space and two bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main floor and a third bedroom and bathroom with additional living space upstairs.

The townhomes will be about 1,723 square feet, with the living space on the main level and three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.

Both the single-family houses and townhomes will have twostall garages and driveways that can fit an additional two cars. The development also will have guest parking scattered throughout the site.

The development will have all private interior streets accessed by two entrances off Bristol Avenue to the west — one at the intersection of Patton Avenue and the other between Woodrow Avenue and 10th Street NW. Plans call for a series of walking paths and sidewalks that would connect to the Bristol Avenue sidewalks, as well as a shared pavilion. A pair of year-round stormwater detention ponds would also be located in the development.

Single-family home prices are expected to be in the $395,000 range, and the townhomes are expected to be marketed in the $340,000 range.

Pending approvals, Redstone hopes to start site work in spring 2024, with building construction beginning in the summer.

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THE CONVERSATION

New nonprofit leader preps for rollout of regional housing strategy Housing Next’s efforts to remove barriers to residential development are considered a model for housing policy change statewide, and Brooke Oosterman is preparing to make her next big push in that work. Oosterman was promoted from director of policy and communications to executive director of Housing Next in July, a title change that reflects the leadership she’s taken on since April 2022, when former Executive Director Ryan Kilpatrick moved into a consulting position to pursue other projects. Housing Next works to increase the housing supply in Kent and Ottawa counties. The nonprofit collaborates with other organizations, developers and state and local governments to advocate for policy changes including zoning reform, gap financing, incentives and more. Oosterman, who holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Michigan State University, started her career in the Michigan Senate as a legislative intern. From there, she worked in business development and policy at Lakeshore Advantage Corp., the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Michigan First. Oosterman joined Housing Next in March 2022 to assist with the organization’s expansion to Kent County. Since then, she’s worked alongside other groups like Housing North and the Housing Michigan Coalition to advance statewide, developer-friendly legislation. She’s also attended countless local government meetings to help shape discussions around zoning reform.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. | Rachel Watson

What ‘wins’ are you most proud of thus far?

The successful setup of the revolving loan funds in both Ottawa and Kent counties. That was an initiative that was started before me, but that I was largely a part of finalizing.

We’ve had huge wins in state legislation, as well, that will allow for-profit and nonprofit developers to utilize state and local tools to move forward projects that were ready to go, but with all of the changes in the market, are struggling.

We’ve also seen a great regional partnership between Ottawa County and Kent County partners (with) the zoning reforms that have happened and the interest from our municipality partners to be a part of the solution.

And the last one is the statewide housing plan and the West Michigan regional partnership. I am really proud of the work the stakeholders did in that process. Being chosen (with The Right Place and the Urban League of West Michigan) to represent 13 counties was just a huge success. It was communicated to us that, for the statewide housing plan, the decision to move forward with regional hubs and regional prioritization in how it was implemented — Housing Next and Housing North were looked at as models for that.

What stage are you in with crafting the regional strategy?

We just submitted our final plan

and measurables for each strategy under each goal that we laid out in our plan. Those KPIs are what we spent our last month of engagement working on to ensure they widely represented both the urban and rural communities.

Brooke Oosterman, executive director of Housing Next.

JUSTIN RAZMUS

How did you get into housing advocacy?

In economic development, we continue to hear and see the need for housing as it relates to wanting our community to grow, wanting it to thrive, and continue to see that access to housing affordability. For me, that really became where I felt the opportunity was to create great communities, and so the transition to Housing Next was kind of born out of that.

a few days before it was due Sept.

29. Now, it will be reviewed by MSHDA, and they will be using it alongside the other 14 regional housing partnerships to identify trends and opportunities and where there are specific needs in West Michigan. Then, there will be recommendations as they go through the budget cycle in October. We will get word back on that, and then we’ll be moving into the implementation phase.

What is in the regional plan?

The statewide housing plan lays out different priorities: housing stock, preventing and ending homelessness, equity and racial justice, rental and homeownership. We tried to be really intentional about ensuring that all of those things showed up in our plan. Those all will be a priority in ensuring that we have access and affordability in the market for everyone.

What challenges are unique to West Michigan?

One is that our regional housing partnership is the largest, with 13

counties, and is also incredibly geographically diverse. What we saw come up in a lot of the conversations was the urban versus rural challenges and concerns about programs that support certain communities over other communities.

We also have the largest population of all the regional housing partnerships. I’m proud to say that we had engagement from all 13 counties, and we had multiple ways for folks to engage, whether it was in person or via a survey, or opportunities with work groups, and those will continue on. We have urban, rural, suburban folks all part of those work groups, and I think that means we’re solving the issue more holistically than trying to make recommendations and assuming they’ll fit in every community.

It sounds like there will be accountability surrounding how everything turns out?

Yes, we will have to report back, and we had to create our own (key performance indicators)

What are your other goals at Housing Next?

We’ve heard over the last year and a half that our message is being heard, that housing is foundational and is a huge barrier for so many in our community. Now that they’ve heard that message, folks are saying, ‘That feels like a really big number. You’re telling me 35,000 units are needed in just Kent County alone, and 50,000 between Ottawa and Kent counties?’

And so we are going to be moving forward with a more comprehensive strategy for how we hit that number. The high point of it is that we can hit that number, we can show the math on how, with specific zoning reforms, that can look different in each community.

What is the strategy?

In a few months, we’ll have more to share on the plan. But the high-level summary of it is that on our key corridors here in Kent County, we have an opportunity to increase housing supply, create diverse housing typologies that are more affordable, and create opportunities for access to the market that are on key transit corridors. They’re where infrastructure already exists, which helps when we talk about cost, but also create really amazing, walkable, amenityrich neighborhoods. In order to see development on those key corridors, our developers will need to access gap financing that we set up in the revolving loan funds, they will need to see the zoning reforms come to fruition in our local municipalities, and they will need to have the TIF support and all those other things as they move forward.

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30 | CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS | October 30, 2023

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10/25/23 9:06 AM

On September 18, 2023, Samaritas held our annual “Be the Rock, A World of Difference” Gala. We had an amazing night!

The event was a great success, raising nearly $200,000 for those who are the most vulnerable in the greater West Michigan area. The night created wonderful memories, and was filled with opportunities to learn more about the many cultures from the regions of the world where we help welcome refugees. From playing along with the music of Africa, to the artistry of henna tattoos, dancing to the sounds of the Ukrainian accordion, experiencing the thrill of live birds, the new taste of grasshopper salt, or trying salsa, there was something for everyone.

2023 Event Chair Krista Flynn Midwest Regional Executive PNC Bank

2024 Event Chair Lauren Davis President West MI Region Huntington Bank

2023 Keynote Speaker Carter Oosterhouse HGTV

Top left: Exotic birds were brought in for an exciting photo opp!

Top right: Samuel Nalangira showcasing a traditional African dance.

Bottom: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss accepting the World of Difference Award.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

44 North • CareLinc • Chesapeake Community Advisors • Cinnaire • Dave & Linda Morin • Gordon Food Service • Grand Rapids First Church • Grand Valley State University • Innovia Wealth • Interphase Interiors • Jim and Jean Kocher • Job.com • Trinity Lutheran Church • West Michigan Asian American Association

KNAPP ORTHODONTICS