Grand Rapids Business News
BUSINESS NEWS
Ari Siegel Merges History with Entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids
News Summary Ari Siegel, from the historic Siegel Jewelers family, launches ‘History by Mail’, a subscription service delivering historical documents and narratives. This venture blends education with entertainment and reflects...
The Black Napkin Wins Great Lakes Burger Battle
News Summary The Black Napkin in Grand Rapids has been awarded the title of champion in the inaugural Great Lakes Burger Battle. This competition showcased the best burger joints across...
Celebration Cinema Completes Major Renovation in Grandville
News Summary Celebration Cinema at RiverTown Crossings has completed a $5 million renovation, enhancing the local movie-going experience. Key upgrades include luxury heated recliners, Dolby Atmos sound, and aesthetic improvements...
Grand Rapids Launches MLBE Bonding Pilot Program
News Summary Grand Rapids is implementing a two-year Micro Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) Bonding Pilot Program to enhance the bonding capacity of certified small construction businesses. Designed to help emerging...
Flanagan’s Irish Pub Listed for Sale Amid License Suspension
News Summary Flanagan’s Irish Pub in downtown Grand Rapids is up for sale for $4 million following a 50-day liquor license suspension due to unpaid fines. The establishment has been...
Grand Rapids Community Services Set for Expansion
News Summary Brio Living Services is planning to expand Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids, enhancing its facilities to better serve the region’s older adults. In conjunction, Making Thyme Kitchen...
Retail Development Expands in Grand Rapids
News Summary Grand Rapids is witnessing a surge in retail development, particularly along the North East Beltline. A new retail pad is nearing completion, and the Shops at CenterPoint mall...
New Housing Developments in Grand Rapids and Gaines Township
News Summary Two housing developments, Alpine Senior Apartments and Union Suites on Coit II, have received low-income housing tax credits in Grand Rapids. Additionally, Gaines Township is considering two new...
Sushi Kuni Closes After 15 Years of Service in Grand Rapids
News Summary Sushi Kuni, a cherished restaurant in Grand Rapids known for its Korean/Japanese fusion cuisine, has permanently closed after 15 years of operation. The closure was influenced by the...
Finance
Grand Rapids Launches MLBE Bonding Pilot Program
News Summary Grand Rapids is implementing a two-year Micro Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) Bonding Pilot Program to enhance the bonding capacity of certified small construction businesses. Designed to help emerging...
TerrAscend Corp Exits Michigan Cannabis Market Amid Financial Struggles
News Summary TerrAscend Corp., a leading cannabis company, will exit the Michigan market by closing 20 dispensaries and four cultivation facilities due to financial challenges. This decision will lead to...
Grand Rapids Urban Development Initiatives
News Summary Grand Rapids is gearing up for significant urban development with several projects under review, including a mixed-use development and a 72-unit apartment complex on Ball Avenue NE. The...
Steelcase Reports Strong Q1 Earnings Amid Microsoft Property Sale
News Summary Steelcase Inc. announced a net income of $13.6 million for its fiscal first quarter, driven by an adjusted earnings per share of 20 cents on revenue of $779...
C&S Wholesale Grocers to Acquire SpartanNash for $1.77 Billion
News Summary SpartanNash, a prominent grocery retailer in Michigan, is set to be acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers for approximately $1.77 billion. The deal, which offers a 52.5% premium on...
Kent County Increases Hotel Tax to Support Tourism
News Summary Kent County has raised its hotel tax from 5% to 8%, aiming to boost tourism revenue for local projects. The change, approved by voters, has generated nearly $1...
LACROIX Electronics Announces Facility Closures in Grand Rapids
News Summary LACROIX Electronics will close its production facility in Grand Rapids, resulting in 115 layoffs. This move follows a significant revenue decline and aims to streamline operations. The closures...
Comcast RISE Program Offers $3 Million Grant to Small Businesses in Grand Rapids and Muskegon
News Summary Small businesses in Grand Rapids and Muskegon can apply for a grant package through the Comcast RISE program, which has allocated $3 million to support their growth. The...
UFP Industries Announces First Quarter Earnings from Grand Rapids
News Summary UFP Industries, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025, revealing a net income of $78.8 million but falling short of analyst expectations. Despite...
CONSTRUCTION
Grand Rapids Launches MLBE Bonding Pilot Program
News Summary Grand Rapids is implementing a two-year Micro Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) Bonding Pilot Program to enhance the bonding capacity of certified small construction businesses. Designed to help emerging...
New Housing Developments in Grand Rapids and Gaines Township
News Summary Two housing developments, Alpine Senior Apartments and Union Suites on Coit II, have received low-income housing tax credits in Grand Rapids. Additionally, Gaines Township is considering two new...
Woodchuck Revolutionizes Wood Waste Management in Grand Rapids
News Summary Woodchuck, a Grand Rapids-based startup, is transforming wood waste into renewable energy using AI technology. Their biomass processing facility, opened in May, aims to tackle the 41 million...
Grand Rapids Faces Industrial Real Estate Shortage
News Summary Grand Rapids is experiencing a critical shortage of industrial real estate, with vacancy rates dropping to 2.9%, well below the national average of 6.8%. The demand for industrial...
New Restaurant Construction Begins at Green Ridge Square
News Summary Construction has commenced for a new restaurant at Green Ridge Square shopping center in Walker, Michigan. Located at 3130 Alpine Ave. NW, the addition is aimed at enhancing...
New Townhomes Under Construction in Grand Rapids
News Summary Eight new townhomes are being built at 638 E Fulton St. in Grand Rapids, addressing the need for middle-income housing. Developer Adam Rogalski aims to create accessible rental...
Raising Cane’s to Open First Location in Kentwood
News Summary A new Raising Cane’s restaurant is under construction at 3650 28th St. SE, Kentwood, set to open by December 2025. This marks the chain’s first presence in West...
Walker Proposes $370 Million Aquarium Project Amid Environmental Concerns
News Summary Walker plans to develop a $370 million aquarium at a former landfill site, facing challenges from past contamination. The project promises significant economic benefits, including job creation and...
New Senior Living Facility Under Construction in Wyoming, MI
News Summary A new 84-unit senior living facility is under construction at 4051 Del Mar Drive SW in Wyoming, MI, with completion expected in October 2026. Developed by Encore Senior...
Marketing
Comcast RISE Program Offers $3 Million Grant to Small Businesses in Grand Rapids and Muskegon
News Summary Small businesses in Grand Rapids and Muskegon can apply for a grant package through the Comcast RISE program, which has allocated $3 million to support their growth. The...
Real Estate
Michigan DNR Annual Surplus Land Auction Begins
News Summary The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is holding its annual surplus land auction from August 1 to September 5, featuring 126 properties across Michigan’s counties. These parcels, deemed...
Michigan Rises to 6th Place in CNBC’s Best States for Business Ranking
News Summary Michigan has climbed to 6th place in CNBC’s best states for business ranking for 2025, marking its highest position since the ranking began. This improvement reflects a positive...
Michigan Faces $3.3 Billion Impact from New Tariffs
News Summary New research reveals that Michigan has become the third-most affected state by tariffs from the Trump administration, incurring a burden of $3.3 billion between January and May 2025....
Job Losses in West Michigan as Key Manufacturers Close
News Summary West Michigan is bracing for significant job losses as Howard Miller, a historic clock manufacturer, announces plans to close, affecting approximately 195 employees. MillerKnoll is also set to...
Michigan Unemployment Claims Surge by 130%
News Summary In the week ending July 5, 2023, Michigan’s unemployment claims surged to 15,581, marking a 130% increase from the previous week. The rise is primarily attributed to seasonal...
Chicago Developers Sell Millie on Michigan Tower
News Summary Chicago’s real estate sector sees a notable change as Sterling Bay and Magellan Development Group sell the Millie on Michigan tower to Cedar Street and Kayne Anderson Real...
Michigan Wineries Win $50 Million in Federal Court Ruling
News Summary Eleven wineries from the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail in Michigan have successfully challenged local regulations in federal court, winning $50 million due to restrictive laws on merchandise...
Michigan Pauses New Residential Construction Codes Amid Legal Dispute
News Summary The state of Michigan has suspended the introduction of new residential construction and energy conservation codes following a legal challenge from housing trade groups. This decision delays regulations...
Hot ‘n Now Expands to Wayland, Michigan in 2025
News Summary Hot ‘n Now, the affordable fast-food chain, is set to open two new restaurants in Michigan in 2025, with one located in Wayland. The Wayland location is currently...
