Crain's Grand Rapids Business, July 22, 2024 by crainsgrandrapids.com

Saugatuck short-term rental owners decry upcoming cap

They fear new lottery method will clear out tourists and reduce property values

By Rachel Watson

More Saugatuck vacation rental owners soon may be listing their properties for sale over concerns the resale value will dip when the city’s new shortterm rental cap takes e ect later this year.

Michele Chitwood, of Green-

wood, Ind., said she and her wife met with a Realtor on July 11 to start the process of listing their vacation rental just north of downtown. Chitwood has owned and operated short-term rentals in Saugatuck since 2010.

e couple’s decision follows the Saugatuck City Council’s 4-2 vote on July 8 to set a 20% cap on

short-term rentals in R1 residential zone districts. If the city at any point dips below the number of allowable short-term rental licenses for R1 districts, applicants in the queue will be selected to receive licenses via a lottery system.

Despite pushback from shortterm rental owners, city o cials say the long-studied policy change

nds the “right balance” in regulating short-term rentals. Tourism-reliant communities across Michigan are struggling with the competing interests of private property rights and the potential unintended consequences of short-term rentals’ e ect on the

Flavor maker taps AI for unbiased testing

Kalsec uses tech to understand how people perceive food, avors

By Abby Poirier

By using a “disruptive” arti cial intelligence-fueled technology, a Southwest Michigan-based food ingredients manufacturer aims to better understand how people react to and experience avors. e new Italian technology has the potential to help Kalamazoo-based Kalsec Inc. reduce human error and produce more

consistent avor products, which is important when taking into account regional di erences and controlling for other variables among its panel of sensory analysts.

In particular, Kalsec aims to use the new T-Box technology from imus, an Italian neuroscience company that creates food and beverage solutions, to improve its approach to formulating

heat products like chili pepper extracts, one of its specialties. Currently, Kalsec uses a human sensory panel whose members are trained to taste products and describe them qualitatively and quantitatively, assigning value to every attribute of the avors they are experiencing.

“Often, we want to measure

Michigan

Aaron Miller brings experience in corporate development, M&A to new role

By Rachel Watson

Global insurance brokerage and ntech company Acrisure LLC has recruited a new chief nancial o cer as the growing rm explores going public. Grand Rapids-based Acrisure said in a July 8 statement it hired Aaron Miller as its new CFO, effective Sept. 1. Miller will report to Acrisure chair and CEO Greg Williams. He replaces current CFO Jason DeYonker, who will transition to the role of Acrisure’s chief acquisitions o cer and adviser to Williams, according to a statement. DeYonker joined Acrisure in September 2021 as chief acquisitions o cer and president of real estate services, later adding CFO duties in August 2023. Miller previously was head of nancial services in the private equities department at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, where he led deal origination and portfolio management within the nancial services sector.

e Abu Dhabi Investment Authority became one of Acrisure’s largest shareholders in May 2022 when one of its subsidiaries led a $725 million equity raise for Acrisure that increased its valuation to $23 billion.

Acrisure described Miller as “a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 CEOs and boards,” citing his 20plus years of experience in corporate development, strategy

The lakeshore community of Saugatuck has set a 20% cap on short-term rentals in designated residential areas. | GETTY IMAGES

A Kalsec sensory analyst wears a T-Box, an AI-fueled headset by Thimus that measures how the brain perceives food and avor. COURTESY PHOTO

Aaron Miller

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Developer plans several new projects at Health Village

The Granger Group eyes up to 250,000 square feet of construction

By Mark Sanchez

Commercial real estate developer The Granger Group plans to proceed with a trio of projects on University of Michigan HealthWest’s hospital campus south of Grand Rapids in Wyoming.

Additional independent senior living units, multifamily residential, more medical offices and retail spaces, a restaurant, and a site for a year-round farmers market are among the uses that The Granger Group has been planning

for company-owned parcels surrounding the hospital.

The projects have always been part of The Granger Group’s longterm vision for the 180-acre Health Village that the company developed over the years around the former Metro Health Hospital that opened in 2007. The 208-bed hospital anchors the Health Village, along the north side of the M-6 freeway at Byron Center Avenue and south of Gezon Parkway.

Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Health acquired Metro

Health seven years ago and The Granger Group has been planning the latest projects to fit with the health system’s long-term growth plans, said Jason Granger, who leads investments for the Granger family office.

“It’s always been the plan. It’s just been making sure that U of M’s vision and our vision coincide together for the rest of the community. That’s been the most important piece,” Granger said.

East Grand Rapids’ downtown is on the cusp of entering its third act

By Rachel Watson

Greg Gilmore remembers growing up in East Grand Rapids visiting the Rose’s hamburger stand and marina in the 1960s when his father, John Gilmore, was hard at work trying to bring a Jacobson’s department store to town.

Now, the younger Gilmore, second-generation owner and CEO of the Grand Rapids-based Gilmore Collection restaurant group, is watching plans roll back into motion that could inject new life into the site where Jacobson’s once stood.

Scott Wierda and Brian DeVries, doing business as Gaslight Investors LLC, went before the East Grand Rapids Planning Commission on July 9 seeking approval for their plans at 515 Lakeside Drive SE and 2255 Wealthy St. SE, in the city’s Gaslight Village business district. The planners opted not to

vote on the project immediately and instead will gather more information on the developers’ new proposal for housing and commercial space on a mostly vacant

lives adjacent to the proposed site at Lakewood Hills Apartments, where there’s “always a waiting list” to get in, he said.

“More (housing) in East Grand Rapids would keep a lot of people from moving out of the community and I think it’d be great for the community to have more residential right in that area.”

Greg Gilmore, owner and CEO of the Grand Rapidsbased Gilmore Collection restaurant group

8.6-acre lot.

Gilmore, who owns Rose’s Restaurant across the street overlooking Reeds Lake, said he’s eager to see how the housing plan could unfold. His elderly mother

Ottawa Impact’s power at stake in primary vote

Far-right political faction gained majority on county board with sweeping win in 2023

By Andy Balaskovitz

The Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce hopes to serve as the nonpartisan, “sane center” in the upcoming Ottawa County primaries following nearly two years of “turmoil” and less-than-predictable local government.

That’s according to Jodi Owczarski, who has served for more than seven years, including the past two as president and CEO, with the organization that represents businesses in the greater Holland and Zeeland area.

While political and social fragmentation has been growing on a national scale, Ottawa County has represented a hotbed since January 2023. That’s when the far-right political faction known as Ottawa Impact took office with a large majority on the 11-member Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.

“More (housing) in East Grand Rapids would keep a lot of people from moving out of the community — empty-nesters and such — and I think it’d be great for the community to have more residential right in that area,” he said.

The developers, who have long worked together as Jade Pig Ventures, want to construct seven new buildings that would include 180 units of

A key storyline emerging ahead of the Aug. 6 primary is whether Ottawa Impact can maintain its county board majority, which already has narrowed over the past 18 months as members broke away or were recalled. Ottawa

Impact also is affiliated with candidates in contested Republican primary races for county prosecutor, sheriff and treasurer.

Indeed, nine of the 11 county commission seats in which Ottawa Impact is engaged this election feature GOP primaries, pitting an Ottawa Impact-backed candidate against a more moderate Republican challenger. Whether or not that represents a referendum against Ottawa Impact, Owczarski said it’s a “very intentional” move by citizens to re-engage in politics following the group’s controversial approach to governing.

“The last year and a half, things have been in turmoil. It’s a concept that I think has been pretty unfamiliar along the lakeshore,” Owczarski said. “Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, it seems like the government structure here has been pretty stable over time, predictable. … We certainly don’t feel that same sense (now).

“This isn’t something that’s limited to just our area. From a chamber and industry

The Granger Group plans multiple new projects at the Health Village in Wyoming, which is anchored by University of Michigan Health-West’s hospital that opened in 2007 as Metro Health Hospital. | COuRTESy PHOTO Gaslight Village district would

Pro- and anti-Ottawa Impact signs in Ottawa County. MARK SANCHEZ, CRAIN’S GRAND RAPIDS BuSINESS

Mayoral frontrunners focus on housing, public safety

By Kate Carlson

The race to replace outgoing Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is shaping into a matchup between a pair of former city commissioners who each say public safety and housing are key policy priorities.

A field of four candidates is set for the Aug. 6 primary to narrow the field down to two contenders who will replace the term-limited Bliss.

The nonpartisan field features Hailey Lynch-Bastion, Steve Owens, Senita Lenear and David LaGrand, who bring varied levels of government experience. Lenear and LaGrand each previously served on the city commission.

Lynch-Bastion describes themselves as a philosopher and artist on their campaign website, with goals that include helping the homeless population and creating more gardens across the city.

Owens served two tours in Afghanistan in the U.S. Marine Corps., according to his campaign website, and his platform includes opposition to using tax revenue for Grand Action 2.0’s amphitheater and soccer stadium projects. Owens also supports incentivizing businesses to provide onsite child care for employees, and incorporating more mixed-use zoning to help drive down the cost of housing.

LaGrand has garnered the most endorsements from local leaders, organized labor and business

groups ahead of the primary. If elected, he said he plans to hold weekly standing town hall events that will focus on policy issues such as policing, housing and neighborhood development, he told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.

“People are really tired of hyper-partisan fighting, so I really hope to be a consensus builder and uniter as mayor,” LaGrand said.

LaGrand is a Grand Rapids native and an attorney. He previously served as assistant prosecutor in Kent County, a Second Ward Grand Rapids city commissioner, and three-term state representative. He unsuccessfully ran for the state Senate in 2022, losing the 30th District seat to Sen. Mark Huizenga.

LaGrand has ownership in several properties and businesses across West Michigan, including Long Road Distillers LLC.

The lack of housing has been a “forefront issue in my mind,” LaGrand said, adding that he has talked to many advocacy groups and policy experts to study the issue.

“There are a lot of strategies we have to employ here,” LaGrand said. “Complex problems always take complex solutions — there will not be one thing, there will be 20 things we have to do. The other thing that’s worth pointing out is I really think we have to have a regional response. It’s not a Grand Rapids-specific problem, this has to be addressed regionally.”

LaGrand also said he would work with law enforcement to improve policing practices and out-

comes if elected.

“I’m a big fan of our current police chief, so the fact that something is not implemented today doesn’t mean it’s not on his radar or the city manager’s radar,” LaGrand said. “We can always do better with policing. There are situations where we want to encourage our police to maximize the safety of everyone involved, which means examining policies to make sure we get to those goals rather than maximizing the number of arrests.”

Bliss has endorsed LaGrand to take her place. LaGrand has also gained endorsements from state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, state Rep. Rachel Hood, several current city and county commissioners, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of

Commerce’s political action committee, the Grand Rapids Firefighters Local 366, Teamsters Local 406, UAW-CAP Region 1D, and the Michigan Laborers District Council.

Lenear said she hopes to continue some of the work she started as a Grand Rapids city commissioner representing the Third Ward on the city’s southeast side, including driving funding to the Third Ward Equity Fund, which she helped establish.

“I would like to first of all fund the Third Ward Equity Fund to the degree it really can make meaningful change, and look at other areas of our city where there is also disinvestment,” Lenear said. “Our city deserves every neighborhood and business district to have the same investment and care as other parts of the city.”

Lenear grew up in Grand Rapids starting when she was 9 years old, and previously served on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education and the city commission. She co-owns Genesis Consulting Group with her husband, Dallas Lenear, and previously worked in community relations and human resources at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Lenear also hopes to grow the efforts of the Safe Alliances For Everyone (SAFE) Task Force, which is an anti-violence initiative she serves on to help reduce violent crime in the city and provide services to young adults.

“We have been able to pour in more than $600,000 into small grassroots organizations who are making impacts and reducing violence in our city and I’d like to see how we can expand SAFE and implement all the components of SAFE,” Lenear said.

Lenear also was part of a group of city commissioners in 2014 that formed the Great Housing Strategies review of housing issues across the city. She is supportive of policy changes that attract developers to create more housing and believes the issue needs to be tackled regionally.

“We are a landlocked city so we don’t have a whole lot of space in our city where you can build neighborhoods of housing,” Lenear said. “With infill (development) it’s important for it to reflect the character of the neighborhood.”

Voters to decide early childhood development funding

By Mark Sanchez

A property tax levy that supports early childhood services in Kent County is on the Aug. 6 ballot for renewal with the backing of a leading business group that views the issue as supporting a future workforce in Kent County.

The 0.25-mill, six-year renewal Ready by Five levy that appears on the countywide primary election ballot would generate nearly $8.8 million in the first year, if renewed by Kent County voters.

Since Kent County voters first approved the tax in 2018 for six years, the revenue the Ready by Five millage generated has provided funding to about 20 community organizations annually that run more than 30 different early childhood services. Kent County commissioners last fall awarded more than $11 million to 18 community organizations that operate 34 programs. The funding runs through September.

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce first supported the millage six years ago. The chamber’s board of directors unanimously endorsed this year’s renewal and urges members to support the Ready by Five millage as a long-term investment in workforce development starting at a young age.

“The business community recognizes the importance of early childhood education and well-being as critical to building a strong community and a strong talent pipeline,” said Andy Johnston, senior vice president of advocacy and strategic engagement.

“Early childhood education is important because it’s what creates a great start. The research is irrefutable that having healthy babies and getting kids prepared for kindergarten leads to better outcomes,” Johnston said. “It builds a stronger talent pipeline and a healthy and prepared workforce, and that will be our competitive advantage in the future.”

The proposal on the primary election ballot asks voters whether to renew the millage levy “for the purpose planning, evaluating, and providing services to persons through age 5 and their parents for early childhood development, and services to improve (the) quality of childcare and to increase public information regarding available childcare.”

Kent County voters first enacted the Ready by Five millage in the November 2018 general election. The ballot question won with 56.7% of the vote, a margin of 13.4 percentage points.

First Steps Kent administers the Ready by Five grants on behalf of

Kent County. Funding requests from organizations are reviewed by a resident review board that recommends grant awards to county commissioners for final approval.

The revenue from the levy goes for services in four categories: Parent education and support, healthy child development that includes screenings for developmental disabilities and delays, early learning outreach, and assistance to navigate the early childhood system, such as finding daycare openings in Kent County.

The funding does not go to directly support or subsidize child care or preschool.

In 2023, early-childhood services supported by the Ready by Five millage served more than 13,600 individuals and families, an increase of 1,200 from 2022.

Nearly 60% of the families benefiting from services the Ready by Five millage supports were from historically marginalized groups, and 35% were in households with incomes below $40,000 a year, according to an annual report from First Steps Kent.

Investments in early childhood development services are intended to assure that “our children are healthy and able to learn by the time they reach school,” First Steps Kent President Jennifer Headley-Nordman said.

“It’s really about what kind of programs and services are going to create healthy environments and also set a child on the right path for being ready to learn by the time they hit kindergarten,” she said. “It’s very difficult if a child falls behind to be able to catch up.”

Earlier this year, First Steps Kent led a push to nearly double the Ready by Five millage, which could have led to up to $20 million annually over the next six years. However, the Republican-majority Kent County Board of Commissioners resisted the request, based in part on what leaders said was a lack of data on the program’s effectiveness because of pandemic-related disruptions.

Polling that First Steps Kent conducted last fall indicated that the Ready by Five millage has even broader support today than when it passed in 2018, Headley-Nordman said. Despite that showing, a campaign committee is “running a full campaign” to promote voter passage of the renewal, Headley-Nordman said.

The Comprehensive Therapy Center playgroup. | FIRST STEPS KENT/ISABEl MEDIA STUDIOS

David LaGrand and Senita Lenear | COURTESy PHOTOS

Lodging tax proposal would generate an additional $8M

By Rachel Watson

Kent County voters will be asked on Aug. 6 whether to approve a visitor-funded lodging tax that could raise an additional $8 million in the first year for several planned “destination assets.”

Under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on April 2, Kent County is one of eight counties that can raise its lodging tax up to 8% to fund entertainment facilities such as the planned Acrisure Amphitheater, soccer stadium and aquarium.

If voters approve an increase of up to 8% in the primary election, the Kent County Board of Commissioners would then consider amending the lodging ordinance and raising the tax up to 8%. It would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Kara Wood, executive director of Grand Action 2.0, the group leading the development of the amphitheater and soccer stadium, said if the proposal passes, Grand Action would likely ask for most of the funding to go toward the soccer stadium project.

“It’s looking like it’s roughly about $100 million that (is left to be raised) for the soccer stadium and approximately $20 million for the amphitheater,” she said, noting the funds would back bonds over time to pay off debt on the facilities.

“It would help to fund those destination assets that Kent County wants to provide not only to its residents, but also to visitors,” Wood said.

Excise tax

The county’s lodging excise tax, which has been set at 5% since 1989, is levied on hotels and motels that lodge guests for less than 30 consecutive days. The 5% levy is forecasted to generate $13 million in 2025.

If the measure passes and the board raises the tax by 3%, it could generate an estimated $8 million in additional revenue in 2025, said Kent County Assistant Administrator Lori Latham.

Latham said the total tax on a hotel room in Kent County would rise from 15% to 18%, which includes a 6% sales tax, a 4% marketing assessment provided to the Kent County convention and visitors’ bureau Experience Grand Rapids, the current 5% county tax, and the 3-percentage point hike.

According to Experience Grand Rapids, which backs the measure, the average daily room rate across Kent County was $123.82 last year. The proposal would increase that cost by less than $4 per night, the group said.

Wood said backers do not expect the increase — which could push Grand Rapids’ lodging tax rate above several Midwestern cities’, including Chicago’s at about 17% — to hamper Grand Rapids’ visitor attraction efforts.

“We did talk about that at length,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that we weren’t putting ourselves at a disadvantage when it comes to the competitiveness of visitor travel and business travel, and we feel as though it’s not going to have a negative impact on the convention business or tourism and travel.”

The ballot initiative is supported by leaders and business groups including Mayor Rosalynn Bliss,

The Right Place Inc., the West Michigan Sports Commission, AHC Hospitality, ASM Global and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

No formal groups have emerged to oppose the measure, despite some opposition from individual commissioners — including some who expressed an interest in investing in projects outside of downtown — when the county deliberated over the issue.

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Grand Action 2.0 is simultaneously developing the Acrisure Amphitheater (right) and a soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids. PROGRESSIVE COMPANIES

Adventure course manufacturer expands globally

By Rachel Watson

A 35-year-old West Michigan manufacturer specializing in outdoor recreation equipment and attractions is eyeing more in-state growth while tapping into global markets just catching on to its products.

Allegan-based RCI Adventure Products makes and installs indoor and outdoor ropes courses, ziplines, climbing walls and mazes, filling a manufacturing niche in an otherwise diverse and growing outdoor recreation economy. In Michigan alone, outdoor recreation supports nearly 120,000 jobs and contributes $12.4 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.

Most recently, the manufacturer is behind a three-story indoor ropes course at an $80 million expansion that launched in late 2022 at Frankenmuth-based Bavarian Inn Lodge’s Bavarian Blast Waterpark.

CEO Jim Liggett, who founded RCI in 1989, said the Frankenmuth ropes course installation is slated to be installed in September after a few construction delays.

“The Bavarian Inn is going to have a great ropes course with Sky Rails on it that’s going to be indoors, so that’s really fun,” he said.

The Sky Rail is one of RCI’s patented products. It’s a rigid zip track that seamlessly integrates into RCI’s patented Sky Trail steelframed high ropes course structures, allowing users to transfer onto it without having to unhook and rehook harnesses. The zip

lines have no “sag” in the metal track like traditional zip lines do, allowing them to stretch safely between buildings or over water.

RCI’s other product lines include smaller Sky Tykes play equipment, Clip ‘N Climb indoor self-belay climbing structures, Adventure Trail “net play” courses, and Amaze’N Mazes indoor and outdoor mazes.

Liggett said the ropes course planned at Bavarian Blast Waterpark exemplifies the “niche” indoor and outdoor recreation markets RCI has tapped in Michigan and around the world during the past few decades.

Early on, when RCI was making wooden ropes course structures, the company did a lot of summer camp installations in northwestern Michigan, he said. Since making the shift several years ago to steel structures for greater durability, RCI is doing more installations for entities with larger budgets. The company generates $20 million in annual revenue and employs 70 people at locations in Allegan and Destin, Fla., as well as overseas in London and Malaysia.

The company’s products are increasingly in demand at zoos, malls, entertainment centers, resort chains, cruise ships, museums, aquariums, and cave and cavern attractions, Liggett said.

“Ropes courses go anywhere families go,” Liggett said. “Anywhere there’s people that just want to have fun … it’s a great place for a ropes course, and specifically ours, because they’re very easy to

operate, and they’re very safe.”

Liggett said the company has built and installed more than 800 courses in the past 20 years that have garnered about 25 million to 30 million visitors annually. Technology like computerized safety gates and decelerator systems allow the equipment to accommodate high volumes of guests with minimal staff operators, he said.

John Ball Zoo was among the earliest of the approximately 15 zoos that hired RCI to build their attractions, putting in a zip line in 2007 and an elevated ropes course in 2008.

In 2022, RCI installed about $2 million worth of ropes courses and zip lines at Binder Park Zoo in Newton Township near Battle Creek. The project, called the Charles and Lynn Zhang SkyLark Ridge, named after its lead donors

who contributed $1 million, has a separate entrance from the zoo and operates outside normal zoo hours.

Last year, RCI installed a ropes course and zip line for the Bamboo Forest Adventure Play attraction at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in Indiana. The company also has completed courses at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky and Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi, among others.

RCI also recently installed ropes courses at two Great Wolf Lodge locations, one in Naples, Fla., and the other in Webster, Texas.

Other popular installations include what was billed as the longest indoor zipline in the U.S. at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., in 2015, and a four-story ropes course at Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, Texas, in 2019.

“When we do one, then they talk, and if it’s successful, then we end up doing several,” Liggett said of the word-of-mouth spread among zoos, malls, cruise ships and cavern destinations. He said RCI’s early work in those spaces has spun out into several dozen such installations around the world.

Liggett said more than half of the demand for RCI’s installations right now is coming from outside the U.S. Some of the strongest growth is occurring in the Middle East, in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as in other parts of Asia.

Saudi Arabia, for example, is trying to diversify its economy to become less reliant on oil exports amid geopolitical uncertainty. The Saudi government is investing “several billion dollars into developing the country’s entertainment offerings,” Liggett said.

“We just landed a contract to build a ropes course in every major city in the whole country,” he said of the deal with the Saudi government.

With the growth in the Middle East and Asia, Liggett said RCI is scouting locations in Asia where it can add manufacturing plants, which would be in addition to its Allegan production facility.

He said business in the state has leveled off as overseas “copycat” manufacturers have entered the market, bringing cheaper alternatives to what his company produces.

Michigan VC deals dip through first half of 2024

By Mark Sanchez

The $500,000 that Insight Voice Inc. raised this spring from venture capital investors will support the artificial intelligence-based company’s further growth and development.

The Grand Rapids-based Insight Voice closed in May on the seed capital round that included Ann Arbor SPARK and Comeback Capital, a Cleveland, Ohio-based venture capital firm that invests in Midwest startups.

The seed capital investment enabled Insight Voice to “accelerate our development and test marketing growth tactics,” founder and CEO Matthew Curtis wrote in an email to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. “It has allowed us to refine our product and continue to deliver results for our customers.”

Founded in 2023, Insight Voice developed a software service that streamlines content marketing for small to medium-sized businesses. The company’s platform allows businesses to readily customize content across digital channels.

Insight Voice currently has more than 1,000 users across various economic sectors. The company’s strongest growth has come from areas such as professional services, health care, fitness and re-

tail, Curtis said.

Curtis has worked on and in startups for most of the past decade. Based on his experience, he describes the present fundraising environment as “very friendly for early-stage companies that are already experiencing growth and seeking reasonable capital raises.”

Insight Voice’s deal was among the $152.7 million raised via 32 venture capital investments involving Michigan-based companies that closed in the second quarter, according to a quarterly report from PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association.

The second quarter deal value was 66% higher than what was invested in the state in the first quarter of 2024 and slightly above the $146.7 million invested a year earlier through 46 deals, according to the latest Venture Monitor report that indicates venture capital investing nationally showed signs of picking up.

Through the first half of 2024, venture capital investments in Michigan-based companies totaled 80 deals for $244.5 million, which compares to 105 deals for $625.1 million in the first six months of 2023.

Second quarter investments for companies in West Michigan in-

clude:

$6.6 million in later-stage capital that closed May 9 for HealthBridge Financial Inc., a Grand Rapids-area health care fintech that works with companies to provide employees an option to pay off the out-of-pocket portion of their medical bills.

$1.9 million in later-stage capital that closed May 3 for Lowell-based Orb Aerospace Inc., which is developing fully electric aerial vehicles referred to as orbs that will have the ability to travel overseas and provide aid to places experiencing crises.

$1.5 million in later-stage capital that closed June 11 for Revolin

Sports LLC, a Holland-based maker of pickleball rackets.

$1.6 million in seed capital in April for TheraB Medical Inc., an East Lansing-based medical technology company developing products for infant care.

At Insight Voice, the spring venture capital deal involved Ann Arbor SPARK, which invested $150,000 in the company supported by the Michigan Innovation Capital Fund.

Mike Flanagan, vice president of capital programs at Ann Arbor SPARK, said in a May announcement that through the investment, the economic development organization “extends beyond the Ann

Arbor region as we aim to strengthen the entire Michigan ecosystem.”

“Investing in companies like Insight Voice supports this vision, making Michigan a competitive landscape for tech innovations and economic growth,” Flanagan said.

Insight Voice’s platform works by prompting users with questions that their customers “are most likely to be interested in, enabling them to effortlessly transform their insights into audience-building content,” Curtis said. “With Insight Voice, you can create, schedule, and send all your content in one place, saving you hours of drudgery.”

Insight Voice began as a tool to help podcasters obtain questions from listeners and answer them during the show, Curtis said.

“What I realized is that the vast majority of podcasts are run by businesses working to establish authentic authority. With AI, we were able to mimic the questions that customers have for individual small businesses, allowing them to answer them quickly and share what they know with their customers in minutes a day,” he said.

Venture capital investments in the U.S. increased for the third straight quarter to 3,108 deals valued at $55.6 billion.

Lowell-based Orb Aerospace Inc. closed May 3 on $1.9 million in later-stage capital. The company was among five firms in West Michigan to raise venture capital in the first quarter. ORB AEROSPACE

An RCI Adventure Products course at Sasquatch Mountain Resort in British Columbia. COURTESy OF RCI ADVENTURE PRODUCTS

Former Reserve Wine and Food goes with Italian rebrand

By Abby Poirier

Former downtown Grand Rapids restaurant Reserve Wine and Food, which closed on May 2 to undergo a redesign and concept change, will re-emerge this fall as Allora, an upscale coastal Italian concept focused on authentic cuisine.

Owned by Windquest Group, the family office for Dick and Betsy DeVos, Reserve Wine and Food operated for 14 years at 201 Monroe Ave. NW, boasting 102 wines and a full menu.

Luke VerHulst, Reserve’s executive chef and general manager who will hold the same roles at Allora, previously told Crain’s that Reserve had run its course and was set for an update.

While Allora will continue to rely on fresh, seasonal ingredients, the new menu will have a tightened focus and channel coastal Italian flavors through light pasta and seafood dishes.

“We did everything (at Reserve). There wasn’t really a style of cuisine that we stuck to,” VerHulst said. “The world was my oyster at that point. With this new concept, we’re really trying to focus on specific regions within Italy, and having more of a defined cuisine. There’s a niche that’s kind of miss-

ing in our town, as far as high-quality seafood and lighter fare, so we’re really going to try and hone in on that.”

Allora takes its name from the Italian language, in which “allora” serves as a filler word in storytelling and conversation. While it has no direct English translation, it serves the same purpose as “well” or “so” to create space and keep words flowing smoothly, according to an announcement on the plan.

VerHulst said he hopes Allora can do the same for guests.

“We’re really looking for (Allora) to be a place where stories are told,” he said. “There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes before a plate rolls out to a guest, and we really want to do the due diligence of telling that story to everybody who walks through the door.”

Reserve founder Betsy DeVos said in a statement that the owners aim to “offer an unforgettable experience for every guest in an intimate, comfortable setting. At Allora, every delicious bite with family and friends will be a story.”

In addition to Allora, Windquest Group also owns the CraftCo portfolio of spirits, which includes Coppercraft Distillery in Holland and a tasting room in Saugatuck. Windquest also owns several whis-

key brands, including Jos. A. Magnus Co., Fox & Oden and Flying Ace Spirits, as well as Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits, a producer of vodka and liqueurs.

To help develop the new menu for Allora, VerHulst is heading to Italy this summer to learn in-person from Italian chefs.

Starting in Naples, VerHulst plans to work his way down the coast of southern Italy to Sicily, working in Italian restaurants to see how they operate and the techniques they employ. He aims to use that experience to help influence Allora.

“I’m really trying to catch the vibe,” he said. “There’s definitely a mindset in Italian cuisine that we want to bring back. (I’ll be) getting to know the people that are buying, hopefully talking to some farmers, visiting local markets, seeing what a day looks like living as an Italian, seeing what locals are eating. (I want to get) a better understanding of the cuisine as a whole.”

As the menu comes together, so will the physical space at the corner of Monroe and Lyon Street.

The space currently is completely gutted, with nothing left but cement floors and four walls. From there, the Windquest Group plans to make “major changes” to the

HIGHER DEGREES OF IMPACT

space, VerHulst said.

The new look will reflect Allora’s coastal theme, and will have a smaller footprint, seating 84 guests compared to Reserve’s 100-person capacity.

“I think it will be unrecognizable to the majority of our regular guests from Reserve,” VerHulst said.

Renovations for the new space will be done by Rockford Construction, while Grand Rapids-based Ghafari Associates LLC

will design the new interior.

“There’s a lot of mindset in West Michigan that I think mimics Italy, as far as the community engagement and farm-to-table mindset,” VerHulst said. “Michigan being the second most agriculturally diverse state in the United States, there’s a lot of produce that’s available to us. And I think that’s a very Italian ideal. Also, Michigan is a peninsula, so is Italy. We’re trying to mimic those things as much as possible.”

SEIDMAN GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The former Reserve Wine and Food restaurant is undergoing a renovation and rebranding as upscale Italian-style Allora. | MICKEy CIOKAJlO

‘Peaceful’ Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned Usonian home has lake view

By Rachel Watson

Another of the eight Usonian homes Frank Lloyd Wright designed in Kalamazoo County is on the market, and this one includes a lake view.

Mother-daughter sellers Catherine Berno and Sarah Hull listed the Winn House in Kalamazoo on June 29 for $1.85 million. Fred Taber of Portage-based Jaqua Realtors has the listing for the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home, which was built in 1950.

The 2,469-square-foot house sits on a 2.38-acre double lot in the Parkwyn Village area of the Winchell neighborhood, overlooking Little Asylum Lake. The dwelling is named for the original owners, Robert and Winifred Winn.

Taber describes the home as peaceful above all else.

“When you walk up to the door, your first view … the way the entry door is situated, is (of the lake),” he said. “It’s just such a peaceful feeling, it’s very relaxing in the house. It’s situated so you can’t see there’s a neighborhood next door.”

Americans could afford. The homes shared common traits including low-peaked or flat roofs, cantilevered carports, built-in shelves and cabinetry, tall windows to let in sunlight and central hearths.

The McCartney House, another Usonian home in Parkwyn Village, hit the market in March and sold for $670,000 last month. Taber relisted a third residence, the Eppstein House located in The Acres, for $2.1 million after the sellers originally offered it as a pair with its neighbor, the Pratt House, as Crain’s Chicago Business previously reported. Pratt House sold in June for $1.8 million.

Taber said the Winn House has a higher list price than its Parkwyn neighbor, the McCartney, because it is larger, has more acreage and is in better condition.

Although many Usonian homes were a single level, the Winn House is referred to as a two-story home because of its fully finished walkout basement that overlooks the lawn and lake, Taber said.

Reclaiming Wright’s vision

The lake it overlooks is part of the 217-acre public Asylum Lake Preserve owned by Western Michigan University. Visitors can walk a trail on the far side of the lake to catch a glimpse of Winn House across the water.

The sellers, who declined to be interviewed for this article, invested more than $800,000 to restore the property during their decade-plus of ownership, Taber said.

The 2,469-square-foot house sits on a 2.38-acre double lot in the Parkwyn Village area of the Winchell neighborhood, overlooking Little Asylum Lake.

“You don’t get a great view of it, but you can still see it,” Taber said. Usonian homes

The Winn House is one of eight Wright-designed, Usonian-style houses in Kalamazoo County — four in Galesburg in The Acres and four in Parkwyn Village. Wright was in his 80s when he designed the subdivisions for a group of Upjohn scientists in the 1940s and early 1950s, as Crain’s Grand Rapids Business previously reported.

“Usonia” is a moniker derived from the phrase “United States of North America,” Wright’s preferred term for America, according to a book of reflections he published late in life.

Usonian homes were Wright’s attempt to produce attractive, lowcost homes that most middle-class

They hired artist, carpenter and Wright restorationist Lee Doezema of Kalamazoo-based LLDesign Build as the general contractor.

John Eifler of Chicago-based Eifler & Associates served as the architect.

The duo used a set of blueprints that came with the house to restore it as faithfully as possible to Wright’s original intent.

“I’ve never seen this many (pages of blueprints). It’s like the complete set,” Taber said. “It’s really fascinating to see. Some of them (showed) the original site drawing with colored pencil for the lawn and such.”

Taber said the full set will be passed to the next owners in the hopes they will use them to preserve the house, in keeping with Wright’s vision. Also included will be all of the built-in furniture, as well as the dining room table and chairs that are believed to be original to the home.

During the restoration process, the team redid the concrete floors and replaced mildewed plywood throughout the home. They also updated the kitchen with new appliances and replaced a floor-toceiling wall on the left side with the half-wall design included in Wright’s plans.

“If you’ve ever been to any of the (Usonian) homes, the kitchens are not very big, so a full wall kitchen with just one access door — that’d be a tiny space, a little claustrophobic,” Taber said.

The sellers also found the Winns had deviated from Wright’s original canoe-shaped design for the porch skylight, so they put one in to match the plans.

The owners also redid the electrical and some of the plumbing. Although many Usonian homes feature radiant heat, they kept the

forced-air heating system because it allows the home to have central air.

While Wright had designed the porch as more of an open-air balcony, the sellers decided to keep it enclosed as an all-season room, installing new windows that open and have full screens to let in a breeze.

The seller’s late husband designed lamps throughout the home to match Wright’s original lighting styles, as well as some “origami”-inspired patio furniture

that is not included in the listing.

In early July, Taber said he hasn’t yet scheduled showings or received offers on the home.

He said the sellers hope to attract a buyer who is serious about maintenance and upkeep of the architecturally significant property, “so that 100 years from now, someone else can still enjoy the home.”

“It’s a unique piece of artwork; it’s amazing,” he said. “This house just has its own feel, its own vibe. It’s comforting. It’s calming. It’s relaxing.”

This home in Kalamazoo’s Parkwyn Village listed for $1.85 million on June 29. | MATTHEW TRUMAN

The four-season porch overlooks the lake and features a canoe-shaped skylight added by the present owners from Wright’s blueprints. | MATTHEW TRUMAN

The sellers updated the kitchen, knocking down a floor-to-ceiling wall on the left side and rebuilding it as a half-wall, per Wright’s original vision. | MATTHEW TRUMAN

The house has a walkout basement with a yard sloping down to the lake. | MATTHEW TRUMAN

Restaurant, housing planned for Roosevelt Park

By Kate Carlson

A first-time developer is working to open an authentic Cuban restaurant, along with 17 apartment units, in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood.

Juan Lopez said his Latino background and connection with the majority-Hispanic community of Roosevelt Park drove his interest in developing a project in that area.

Lopez, who is a contractor and owner of Exclusive Finish Solutions LLC, purchased 1516 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW for $210,000 in September 2021.

Lopez was nearly finished building out a restaurant in the

project was delayed by financing hurdles that were exacerbated by COVID-19, he said.

“I’ve been in the trades for some time now and I’ve had the spectrum of working as a subcontractor being out in the field, to dealing with a lot of the organization and managing projects,” Lopez said. “I believe I have the capability to take it a step further.”

Lopez and his family came to the U.S. in the late-1990s, and his mother, Martiza Lopez, always had a passion for cooking. This led the mother-and-son duo to pursue opening a restaurant.

The small sit-down Cuban restaurant will be named “Palmas,” and will also rely on takeout, Lopez said. They hope to add outdoor seating in the future, he added.

“I just want to proactively build our communities up and just make a better place for the community to enjoy.”

Juan Lopez, contractor and owner of Exclusive Finish Solutions LLC

space that his mother would own and operate when he realized adding apartment units to the building would be the “best option” for the project, he said. Lopez initially aimed to buy the building in 2019, but the whole

Lopez said his mother specializes in making guava pastries, which he described as similar to scones but contain fillings such as guava, coconut and cheese.

Lopez is working with Cella Building Co. to renovate the basement and first floor of the building and construct two new upper stories. Grand Rapids-based Maxam Architecture is designing the project.

The project will be all-electric

and comply with GR2030 District energy efficient standards, said Peter Skornia, Cella Building Co. president.

Site plans call for turning the basement of the building into two apartment units, as well as restaurant storage space. The first floor of the building is set to contain the 1,652-square-foot restaurant and two one-bedroom ADA-compliant apartment units. A common

area, bike storage room, mailroom and the restaurant are also planned on the first floor. Two stories of new construction are set to include six apartment units each.

Site plans call for four studio apartments, 12 one-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom unit.

No new parking would be added on site, with spaces provided through an agreement with neigh-

boring properties.

“I have been in the construction industry for some time so I’ve learned to appreciate remodeling and am just very happy I can apply that to not just something I own, but something in the area that I want to improve,” Lopez said. “I just want to proactively build our communities up and just make a better place for the community to enjoy.”

First-time developer Juan Lopez plans a new Cuban restaurant named Palmas, along with 17 apartments, at 1516 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW in Grand Rapids. | MAXAM ARCHITECTuRE

The Tech Week Kick-Off event will bring 1000+ of the region’s key business and community leaders together to celebrate the start of Tech Week Grand Rapids. Join us and prepare to be inspired as we welcome our keynote speaker, Stephen Dubner. Register at: techweekgr.com

First half of 2024 sees big uptick in Michigan home-building permits

By Nick Manes

Home-building in Michigan saw a large increase in the first half of the year compared with early 2023, according to new data released earlier this month.

Around the state, the first half of the year saw 5,987 single-family housing permits pulled, up about 21.6% from the same period last year, according to the Home Builders Association of Michigan trade group, which used U.S. Census data for its analysis. The uptick in home-building activity can be attributed to a “clearly evident” demand and need for housing around the state, according to Bob Filka, CEO of the Lansing-based HBAM.

“We’re in a national housing crisis,” MSHDA CEO and Executive Director Amy Hovey said during a panel at the Mackinac Policy Conference in May. “So this is across the country, and we’ve never been in a housing crisis like this in our lifetimes.”

The impact of that housing shortage has been steadily rising prices and at least some researchers saying that some regions of the state have the most overpriced housing stock in the nation when compared to historical norms.

“Many may find this surprising, but even in the current higher interest rate environment, demand for housing has remained steady on a statewide basis,” Filka said in a news release. “We

Filka touted government and political leaders in the state for prioritizing the housing shortage as a key policy point, and particularly pointing to recent legislative changes that allow for brownfield tax increment financing to now be used for home building.

“We’ve seen a transformation at our state housing agency,” Filka said in the release. “They are moving beyond the traditional affordable housing programs of the past and are utilizing new tools the legislature and Governor have made available. These tools have been used for years for job attraction, but communities can now utilize them to attract the housing investment they need.”

“They [our state housing agency] are moving beyond the traditional affordable housing programs of the past and are utilizing new tools the legislature and Governor have made available.”

Bob Filka, CEO of the Lansing-based HBAM

have been seeing some softening in parts of the state, but demand and need for more housing is clearly evident.”

A breakdown of the home-building data by county or region around the state was not immediately available.

At present, Michigan is short more than 140,000 housing units when compared with demand and need, according to recent figures from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Still, Filka pushed back on proposed building code changes at the state level that he and others at the association have said would hamper much of the state’s goals around increasing housing stock.

Specifically, Filka says the state should look to the 2024 International Residential Code, as opposed 2021 rules currently being looked at.

“This newer ‘model code’ is far less costly and would provide more flexibility for builders to innovate in meeting safety and energy efficiency targets,” Filka said.

Nick Manes is a reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business.

Construction on an ICCF Community Homes project in Grand Rapids’ Baxter neighborhood in mid-2023. | ICCF COMMUNITy HOMES

Trinity Health may accelerate pain practice plans

By Mark Sanchez

Trinity Health’s medical group was already planning to expand a pain-management practice before Michigan Pain Consultants P.C. started closing its West Michigan clinics.

Now, as thousands of patients seek options for pain management, Trinity is looking at moving quicker to expand the practice. The health system has hired doctors for Grand Rapids and Muskegon who specialize in pain management and was planning to build their practices in both markets.

“We might have to accelerate our hiring process to grow those programs,” said Dr. Lisa Kinsey Callaway, chief medical officer for the Trinity Health Medical Group.

“We already had a one-to-twoyear plan for comprehensive pain management in the medical group. This may accelerate some elements of that … . Instead of being a two-year plan it could be a one-year plan,” Kinsey Callaway said.

Kinsey Callaway estimates that Trinity Health had about 2,500 active referrals to Michigan Pain Consultants.

Trinity already offers pain injections in Muskegon and hired a new pain injectionist in Muskegon

and a pain management specialist physician in Grand Rapids, both starting in September, she said. Both are presently going through the credentialing process.

“This was already in play, but this may result in us having additional hires sooner if we see a need in the community,” Kinsey Callaway said. “We are not certain that that’s enough at this time. We are looking at our longer-range goals and considering whether we need to shorten that time period.”

Trinity Health potentially accelerating growth and hiring plans for the pain practice reflects how care providers in the region are beginning to respond to the Michigan Pain Consultants clinic closings and an influx of patients.

The pain management practice on June 14 closed office locations in Wyoming, Muskegon and Big Rapids. Other offices in Grand Rapids, Greenville and Holland will close in August. Michigan Pain Consultants also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to allow it to wind down operations.

Health care providers initially were surprised by the planned closings and at first responded by saying they were collaborating to try to minimize the closings’ effects on patients and the resulting gap in care. They wanted to ensure

pain patients get access to what they need, especially if they use narcotics to manage their pain.

“University of Michigan HealthWest is committed to providing comprehensive care for patients seeking relief of chronic pain,” the health system said in a recent statement to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. “Our goal remains supporting patients in need.”

Likewise, Corewell Health told Crain’s that its “focus right now is helping patients and community members.”

Providers say they’ve been receiving calls from Michigan Pain patients seeking an alternative for their care.

“Several former MPC patients have already been evaluated. I’m seeing them on a daily basis in our spine clinic,” said Teri Holwerda, a nurse practitioner at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Spine and Pain Rehabilitation Programs in Grand Rapids, which has been taking on new pain-management patients.

Mary Free Bed has a comprehensive pain management and rehab program and so far has the capacity to take on new pain patients and handle the higher volume, Holwerda said. Prior to the Michigan Pain closings, the rehab hospital recently added physical

and occupational therapists and a pain psychologist to the pain program team and “we are prepared to extend services,” she said.

“We’re uniquely positioned with our multiple clinical programs and we’re ready to meet the needs of those patients from MPC that need care,” Holwerda said. “Our providers right now have the capacity to see these patients in a timely fashion” and within a couple of days.

Mary Free Bed could extend clinic times to accommodate incoming patients, if needed, Holwerda said.

Michigan Pain Consultants has been working with Trinity Health and “helping us to understand where they’re sending some patients, especially those with pain pumps, and then we’re looking

into how we can assist our patients who have pumps with either a new referral or other ways to manage that going forward,” Kinsey Callaway said.

As well, Trinity has been reaching out to its primary care patients that Michigan Pain Consultants has treated to schedule appointments over the next couple of months, and “to work through what needs to happen with either maintaining their care within primary care, getting them a referral to another pain specialist or making a new plan for their pain,” she said.

“Internally, we’re generating a kind of comprehensive packet to our primary care providers about what’s available for pain management referrals,” Kinsey Callaway said.

Lighthouse Group

Trinity Health Grand Rapids. | COuRTESy PHOTO

Franchisees scout for indoor pickleball club locations

By Rachel Watson

A pair of Southwest Michigan business owners hope to tap the growing popularity of pickleball by opening two indoor courts in West Michigan under a new franchise agreement.

Robyn Goodrich and Keith Goodrich Jr. have signed a franchise agreement with Miami Beach, Fla.-based pickleball chain PickleRage and are scouting locations for indoor courts in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

Founded last year, PickleRage is currently building corporate-owned courts in Moorestown, N.J., Jacksonville, Fla., Glen Burnie, Md., and West Bloomfield, most of which will be located in outdoor shopping malls.

The company opened franchising in February and announced July 11 it inked franchise deals with the Goodriches for the Michigan locations and with another pair of franchisees to add a location in Mobile, Ala.

The company promises the clubs will offer “unparalleled playing conditions for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels” through lessons, tournaments and leagues.

Robyn Goodrich said the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo locations will offer memberships for about

$60 per month as well as pay-percourt rentals. She told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business she anticipates the locations will have pro shops where players can buy pickleball gear, or they could bring their own.

The couple was drawn to this venture because of “the growth of the sport.”

“We keep hearing more and more about people loving the game and being able to play at any age or any athletic level, and we just thought it was a super fun, exciting industry to get into as it continues to grow,” she said.

The Goodriches have three decades of experience in business ownership. Robyn Goodrich and her parents, Mike and Sue Horn, are franchise owners of the Pet Supplies Plus Kalamazoo location in Comstock Township. Keith Goodrich owns Essential Handyman Services LLC in Augusta.

The Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo facilities will become the second and third PickleRage courts in Michigan after the recreation chain announced a location last fall in the Gateway Center at 7300 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield. After initial delays, that location was set to open July 19, according to PickleRage’s website.

The chain’s Maryland, New Jer-

sey and Florida locations are set to open this fall, according to the company’s website.

PickleRage said in the statement that the cost to open a franchise ranges from nearly $830,000 to $1.8 million. Robyn Goodrich said she and her husband do not yet know how much their investment will total because it will depend on the cost of leases and build-outs for the yet-to-be-determined locations.

PickleRage said in a statement that all franchise locations will include CushionX courts, the same used by professionals in the U.S. Open, and will have “advanced reservation systems and community-focused culture.”

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Eric O’Connor, VP of franchise development at PickleRage, said in a statement that PickleRage’s model offers “advanced technological solutions that streamline

SPONSORED CONTENT

Enhancing construction management with advanced aerial drone technology

Boosting efficiency, accuracy and safety on industrial job sites

By Rockford Construction

In the rapidly evolving construction industry, the integration of advanced aerial drone technology is proving transformative. Drones are revolutionizing project management, particularly on complex industrial manufacturing sites. Rockford Construction’s use of drones at industrial jobsites showcases how this technology has significantly improved efficiency, accuracy and safety.

Real-time data and logistics solutions

At one industrial manufacturing jobsite, Rockford flies drones daily to provide real-time data on traffic, site logistics and lay-down areas. This constant stream of up-to-date information is crucial for effective site management. In one instance, drones identified a potential bottleneck on a key access road, allowing the operations team to reroute traffic and avoid significant delays. Additionally, drones can map out the most efficient pathways for the transportation of materials based on real-time conditions, significantly improving logistical planning and execution.

Accurate site measurements and earthwork calculations

One of the most significant benefits of drone technology in construction is its ability to provide precise measurements for earthwork. Rockford has used drones to verify the amount of material that needs to be removed from or added to a jobsite. In one notable case, radar-generated data from the drones revealed a more than 70% discrepancy in the amount of material that needed to be removed from a jobsite. This discovery was crucial in accurately pricing the cost of civil services, demonstrating how drones can enhance the accuracy of project estimates and reduce unexpected costs.

On a different Rockford project, drones were able to map out a large excavation site, detecting slight variations in terrain that traditional estimation methods typically miss. The resulting data allowed for a more accurate calculation of earth movement, reducing the margin of error and ensuring the project stayed within budget and on schedule. This precision not only

helps in cost estimation but also in planning and executing the project efficiently, minimizing waste and optimizing resource allocation.

Progress tracking and reporting

Drones are instrumental in tracking the progress of construction projects by capturing highresolution images and videos, providing visual documentation of the project’s development over time. This documentation is useful for internal progress reports and for communicating with stakeholders, including clients and regulatory bodies. For example, during a multi-year commercial development, Rockford used drones to create weekly progress videos, which were shared with investors and other stakeholders. This transparency helps build confidence and trust, while visual evidence from drones can justify timeline adjustments when delays occur.

Site surveillance and safety Drones offer comprehensive surveillance capabilities, enabling

operations, significantly reducing staffing needs, labor costs and improving efficiency.”

“This automated operational model allows for the effective management of large facilities with minimal staff, providing a seamless experience for both franchisees and players,” he said.

For the first year, the Goodriches expect to solely operate their locations, potentially hiring two to three staff members per location.

PickleRage indicated that it hopes to have at least 30 locations

open by the end of 2025 and 500 locations by the end of the next five years. It is currently seeking franchisees in Arizona, Florida, Utah, Nevada, Texas and North Carolina.

The trade group Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported in February that pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in America, growing 51.8% between 2022 and 2023 and 223.5% since 2020, with an estimated 13.6 million players in the U.S. as of last year.

site managers to monitor potentially hazardous areas without physical presence. Regular drone flights can identify and address safety concerns promptly. For example, drones can monitor scaffoldings and high structures for stability and wear. The drones can be programmed to fly specific patterns as well, allowing for regular inspection intervals of highrisk areas.

Drone

tech brings value

The integration of drone technology into commercial and industrial construction projects offers numerous advantages, from improved safety and accuracy to enhanced project management and environmental monitoring. Rockford’s use of drones exemplifies the transformative

potential of this technology. As drones continue to evolve, their applications in the construction industry are likely to expand, further driving efficiency and innovation in the field.

Rockford is embracing advanced aerial drone technology, helping to streamline operations, deliver higher quality projects and ultimately benefit clients, stakeholders and the environment. The future of construction is bright with the ongoing advancements in drone technology, promising smarter, safer and more sustainable building practices.

Rockford

An example of a PickleRage pickleball court. The franchise inked a deal with a local couple to open locations in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. CREDIT: COURTESy PHOTO

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

• Boston Dynamics: Demonstrations and Keynote

• 250+ Exhibitors

• Showcase of latest metalworking technologies • Industry 4.0 pitch competition

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Used by leading manufacturers in the automotive, aviation, furniture, medical device and food processing industries.

ADVANTAGES OF CLEANING YOUR EQUIPMENT WITH DRY ICE

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E ciently removing adhesive at a furniture manufacturing plant.

WELCOME

It’s hard to believe we started AME nine years ago to provide Michigan companies, schools, non-pro ts and exhibitors a platform to network all in one place locally. This goal of connecting people, coupled with technology, has always been our dream.

“Free to attend, Free expert speakers and free parking!*”

The show is designed to be the easiest, most affordable, and most valuable event for attracting top manufacturing suppliers from around the world. We listened to attendees and developed our own registration software for a quick and easy entry process.

*We even cover two hours of parking for the rst 2,000 attendees!

Every year, we invest time and money to bring in cutting-edge technology and in uential people and companies.

We are thrilled to feature

Boston Dynamics as our keynote speaker, with Caleb Sylvester, Director of Sales & Key Accounts, who is a worldrenowned leader in robotics and automation.

In 2024, we welcome two new hall sponsors: Action Industrial Supply will oversee the MRO/ Safety Hall, and our new i4.0 Tech Hall is sponsored by Rocket Labs and Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University. The i4.0 Hall, located at the front of the show, will combine

expert speakers with innovative technology companies.

Our diverse mix of speakers from all four halls offers attendees a wide range of topics to help their companies advance. Here is a preview of some of the expert sessions:

•Advancing Industry 4.0 to 5.0 through AI and automation

• The no-BS digital sales roadmap

•Realizing zero downtime, zerowaste with Industry 4.0 and AI •10 lessons from 100 interviews

with manufacturing leaders

•Grants, loans, and statewide resources for small to mediummanufacturers

•How to prepare for the new demands of industrial decarbonization

• Transforming operations with technology

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our hall sponsors, volunteers and show sponsors. This event would not have been possible without the support of West Michigan and surrounding communities.

INSIDE

3. WELCOME LETTER

Mark Ermatinger, Founder of AME, provides insights into the show and what to expect.

TABLE OF CONTENTS/SHOW INFORMATION

5. EXPO HIGHLIGHTS

Don’t miss these expo headliners! Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millenial! Live Tool Demos! Women in Manufacturing Interview Series!

EXPO AGENDA EVENTS & SPEAKERS

7. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Learn about the top advanced technology trends in manufacturing!

8. WHY AI LEARNING IS HERE TO STAY

The rise of artificial intelligence machine learning in manufacturing the factory floor.

10. INDEPENDENT DISTRUBUTORS

Independent distributors are proving their worth on the plant floor with agility, flexibility and a commitment to customer service.

12. BUILDING THE DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN

Helping create a future where manufacturing data is standardized and and readily available.

14-23. EXHIBITOR LISTINGS & MAPS

• 15-17 - AUTOMATION HALL

• 17-19 - 14.0 TECH HALL

• 19-21 - MRO/SAFETY HALL

• 21-23 - METALWORKING HALL

SHOW INFORMATION

HOURS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7: 8:30 AM - 4 PM

THURSDAY, AUGUST: 8: 8:30 AM - 3 PM

LOCATION

DEVOS PLACE • GRAND RAPIDS, MI

FREE* PARKING

Free 2 hour parking voucher valid at City of Grand Rapids parking ramps,limited to the first 2,000 attendees between both days

Thank You AME 2024 Corporate Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor: Edgewater Automation

Silver Sponsors: Fluid-Aire Dynamics, InfluxData

Media Partners: Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Michigan Manufacturers Association

Don’t miss these highlights at AME 2024

Explore cutting-edge technology, network with industry leaders, and witness live demonstrations

Keynote Address

10 a.m. Thursday, August 8

Caleb Sylvester • Keynote Speaker

Director of Sales & Key Accounts Boston Dynamics

Caleb Sylverster leads a team that is helping customers adopt, deploy and scale the Spot robot platform in order to deliver a positive ROI in a short amount of time. He has 20 years of experience creating and selling digital transformation solutions and has led large-scale AI projects for several fortune 500 companies. For many years he focused on digital transformation through machine perception, speci cally computer vision. Caleb works closely with executives at large industrial companies as they work to understand and introduce autonomous mobile robotics into their enterprises. Find Boston Dynamics on exhibit in Booth #216.

Meet Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial Automation Hall

Jake Hall is the Manufacturing Millennial. He talks about the latest technology in the automation and manufacturing while making it engaging for all audiences. He is an experienced sales professional with extensive knowledge building lasting business relationships across multiple accounts, designing sales strategies, and creating and accomplishing project goals. Pro ciency in creating new business opportunities with existing and new accounts by leveraging key strengths and maintain customer relationships.

LIVE TOOLING DEMOS

Dynamic Machine offers over 200 years of combined machine tool and manufacturing experience. They are uniquely quali ed to sell and service CNC machine tools from single, stand-alone units to complex, multimachine turnkey systems.

Check them out at Booth #900!

Vander Ziel Machinery Sales Inc. buys and sells a variety of new and used machinery, from ironworkers to welding equipment. As a member of the MDNA, they ensure the reliability and integrity of their products.

Check them out at booth #614!

Explore MEGATEL CNC, a toptier metalworking MEGATEL CNC SOLUTIONS INC solutions provider in North America. With 45 years of re ned expertise, we proudly announce our expansion into the United States, with our inaugural Michigan of ce opening in early 2025. Check them out at booth #914!

Meet Emily Wilkins Founder & CEO, Marketing Metal Metalworking Hall

Emily Wilkins is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience helping small manufacturers reach their business goals through strategic branding, positioning, and marketing. Through her own Radical agency, Marketing Metal, Emily helps job shops make big pro ts and even bigger impact by building them a Radical brand and marketing machine in just a few days–and empowering them to use it. She believes that in order for manufacturers to be effective with their marketing, it needs to be stupid simple and laser focused.

Women in Manufacturing Interview Series

Stop by the Marketing Metal Booth #1120 to hear from these innovative Women in Manufacturing.

Sami Birch

Dana Brown

Joni Cunningham

Michelle Garrett

Kim Hildebrand

Aisha Mills-Hendrix

Brenda Ratcliffe

Danielle Schneider

Chelsea Sutton

Alexandria Trusov

Ashley Weber

SPEAKER/BREAKOUT ROOM

AGENDAS

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

AUTOMATION BREAKOUT ROOM

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

A LOOK AT THE STATE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE AUTOMATION INDUSTRY

Speaker: Don Clutterbuck

Presented by: Horner Automation

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

ADVANCING INDUSTRY 4.0 TO 5.0 THROUGH AI AND AUTOMATION

Speaker: Zakary Smith

Presented by: SensFlo

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

ACCELERATING ENGINEERING AND PROCUREMENT; THE CAD FALLACY

Speaker: Chris Brown

Presented by: CADDi

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

THE NO-BS DIGITAL SALES ROADMAP

Speaker: Joseph Maxwell

Presented by: SwiftOtter

GENERAL MANUFACTURING BREAKOUT ROOM

9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

HOW NUTS, BOLTS, AND THINGAMAJIGS IS IMPACTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Speaker: Ed Dernulc

Presented by: Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

DATA WASTE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU LEAVE BEHIND

Speaker: William Stone

Presented by: Classy Llama

12 p.m. - 1p.m. WHY WIM?

Speaker: Danielle Scheider