September 2010

Business
update
$2.00

1993-2010 ublication

Features:
Corporate Lodging
Meetings & Catering
Engineering
Design-Build
Construction Financing
Health Insurance

By David Calkins
Wind power has seen major advance-
ments in recent years, making it an attrac-
tive alternative to more conventional but
less renewable or environmentally-friend-
ly sources of energy. Compared to fossil
fuels, wind power is relatively plentiful,
totally renewable and widely distributed
with negligible impact on the environment
and no greenhouse gas emissions pro-
duced during operation. A Stanford
University study in 2005 estimated that
potential of wind power on land and near-
shore to be five times the world's current
energy use in all forms. Since 2000, the
Wind Energy in Michigan
world's wind generation capacity has dou-
bled every three years, and according to
the 2009 World Wind Energy Report, all
wind turbines installed worldwide were
generating an electricity output equivalent
to the total demand of Italy.
In recent years, the United States has
remained the number one global leader in
installed wind capacity and Michigan has
received much attention for its wind
potential. One study estimated that the
wind resource over and around the Great
Lakes alone equated to one third of the
current U.S. electricity demand.
Wind power in general has an
extremely large potential, but there are a
number of pragmatic issues that must be
discussed in order to correctly utilize it.
Even then, wind power is an intermittent
and non-dispatchable energy form, and as
such, will never completely replace depend-
ence on traditional forms of energy.
However, recent government initia-
tives and policies have gone into place to
push for more wind power development,
especially in Michigan. In 2008, Governor
Jennifer Granholm signed into law the
Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act
of 2008 (PA 295). This Act requires that
Michigan’s electricity providers generate
around ten percent of their electricity using
renewable sources by 2015. This is build-
ing towards the state's ambitious goal of
reducing state government grid-based
energy purchases by 25% by 2015.
PA 295 also established a system of
renewable energy credits (RECs) which
may be traded, sold, or banked by electric-
ity providers. A special class of "Michigan
Incentive" RECs was also created – bonus
credits for actions like using solar power,
generating at peak demand or using equip-
ment made in Michigan by local residents.
Providers will be expected to meet their
10% renewable requirement by either
using renewable sources or by purchasing
or trading these RECs.
This set of laws makes up
Michigan's Renewable Portfolio Standard
(RPS) and we're neither the first nor the
last state to implement one. Well over
half of all the United States have set up
their own RPS mandates, some of which
are extremely ambitious. In 2002,
California mandated a 1% expanded
renewable profile each year reaching 20%
in 2010. Governor Schwarzenegger
passed yet another mandate in 2008 call-
ing for a 33% RPS by 2020.
While these energy mandates are
issued by the state, the job of managing
deployment of wind energy facilities is
delegated to local governments. In West
Michigan, the Ottawa County Planning
Commission partnered with the Michigan
State University Extension Office to
design their own wind ordinance that
established rules for turbine installment
and operation only with a special-use
permit and only in non-residential areas.
Other townships have since adopted sim-
ilar ordinances based on Ottawa's model,
and these regulate most wind farms
throughout Michigan. About 70% of all
west Michigan townships either have
their own ordinance or are in the process
of developing one.
Though "going green" and "sustain-
ability" have become popular buzz words
in recent parlance, these legislative actions
– ordinances and PA 295 alike – are not
2
simply efforts to jump on an environmen-
tally-friendly bandwagon: Michigan has
become particularly guilty of outsourcing
our energy needs to other state's
resources. More than half of Michigan’s
electricity (69%) is generated by burning
coal and natural gas. As our state has no
domestic coal resources and only supple-
ments around 30% of its gas needs with
our reserves in the Antrim shale, a good
60% of our energy is imported from other
states and western Canada. Our three
nuclear power plants (Donald C. Cook,
Fermi 2, and Palisades) generate 25% of
our electricity, but nuclear power remains a
controversial option in terms of economic
viability and environmental concerns.
Michigan has a unique profile for
potential wind sites as estimated by
numerous agencies and research studies
that have been conducted in recent years.
According to the American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA), the state's wind
resource is ranked 17th in the nation,
and a resource assessment from the
National Renewable Energy Lab estimat-
ed our wind resources could provide
160% of our state’s current electricity
needs. Of course, not all potential sites
for wind development can or indeed
should be utilized because of environ-
mental, geographic or other reasons.
Michigan does however have a unique
advantage: the Great Lakes. Michigan State
University’s Land Policy Institute estimates
that the total power available offshore in
Michigan is more than triple that of land-
based wind energy facilities. Our state has
sole jurisdiction of about 40% of the Great
Lakes surface water area and owns 38,000
square miles of bottomlands. The Michigan
Great Lakes Wind Council reported that
Michigan’s deep water ports are uniquely
suited to support regional, national and
international shipping and deployment of
wind turbines, and the freshwater of the
Great Lakes has the potential to make wind
projects easier and cheaper, leading to
greater infrastructure durability than in
saltwater regions.
However, wind power is not without
its difficulties. The Great Lakes' fresh water
often experiences substantial winter ice
cover, so potential wind farms may face
more icing issues that their saltwater com-
panions. Poorly-sited wind turbines could
interfere with recreation, the charter fish-
ing community and the tourism industry of
coastal towns. Even the aesthetic appeal
(or lack thereof) of the turbines themselves
has always been a hotly debated issue.
This isn't to mention challenges regarding
site selection and assessment, financing,
construction and logistics.
Continued on page 3
 Wind Energy in Michigan 3
Continued from page 2 Even with the complexity involved PA 295, The Land Policy Institute at mal and even landfill gas are all being con-
in financing, constructing, citing and Michigan State University estimated that sidered as potential supplements to
Existing electricity transmission operating wind power in Michigan, the 1,250 utility-scale wind turbines would Michigan's energy needs. Much attention
infrastructure is yet another critical com- push towards renewable energy contin- need to be installed. will need to be given in the future to prop-
ponent for wind energy deployment. A ues to be strong. The Michigan Bureau of This of course assumes that Michigan erly developing these resources not only in
report from the nonprofit nonpartisan Energy Systems forecasts more than will meet its renewable energy needs pure- our state, but nationwide as well, if we are
independent researchers "Resources for 2000 megawatts of wind energy capacity ly with wind. Wind power is only one of to finally get our energy consumption
the Future" stated that, “Without ade- will be installed in Michigan by 2015, up the many new and exciting forms of under control and start making a realistic
quate and accessible transmission capac- from the current 130 megawatts. To meet renewable energy Michigan can pursue in dent in our dependency on foreign
ity, renewable projects are unlikely to the 10% renewable energy standard in the future. Biomass, solar, hydro, geother- resources both state and nation-wide.
cross the threshold of economic viability,
and without adequate generation capaci-
ty to justify new transmission construc-
tion, investment in new lines is also
unlikely to occur.”
Still, clean local sustainable energy
isn't the only reason to push forward
through these problems and develop
Michigan's wind potential. Wind develop-
ment opens up new opportunities for job
creation and retention by utilizing our
state's strengths in advanced manufactur-
ing and engineering, supply chain devel-
opment and tool and die technology.
Joseph Brown, founder of Lintrio
Marketing LLC delivered this testimony to
the Republican House Strategic Task Force
on Jobs held at Macomb Community
College late last year:
"Without question, this is absolutely
the one industry that could prove to be the
saving grace of our nation’s critical manu-
facturing base. No other market has the
potential to witness a mass transition of
CNC machining, metal stamping, tool and
die and injection mold companies into a
viable, sustainable sector than that of
wind energy. A single wind-turbine can
include up to 8,000 parts and is the best
chance we have to save and create jobs."
Michigan has already jumped on
board in a number of different capacities.
Consumers Energy, one of the two largest
electric providers in Michigan, plans to
meet almost all of its renewable capacity
portfolio and renewable credit portfolio
requirements through wind energy, even
going beyond their state-mandated
requirements by adding 900 MW of
renewable capacity by 2017. The Great
Lakes Energy Cooperative already pur-
chases renewable energy from the Harvest
Wind Farm. The Holland Board of Public
Works is investigating the potential of
installing a one to three turbine windfarm
at Windmill Island in the city of Holland.
Energetx Composites LLC, announced
plans last year to invest $37 million to pro-
duce wind turbine blades. And 20 compa-
nies now comprise the West Michigan
Wind Manufacturers Network, a no-cost
program The Right Place Inc. organized for
local wind energy industry manufacturers
to explore synergies and promote the
region’s capabilities.
 Grand Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Shaping Lives 4
Allendale – Grand Valley State
University (GVSU) will celebrate its
50th anniversary in grand fashion this
year with a host of events planned to
provide a historical look back at the
university’s founding and a glimpse
ahead to its future. The greater Grand
Rapids community is invited to partici-
pate in these events, which are centered
on the anniversary’s theme, “50 Years
of Shaping Lives.”
GVSU was founded by a group of
West Michigan citizens, a point univer-
sity president Thomas J. Haas said
remains integral to the university’s
mission.
“The relationships with the commu-
nity built by previous presidents, previ-
ous board members and others connect-
ed to Grand Valley have established an
outstanding foundation,” Haas said.
“The public-private partnership still has
Business
update ublication
Publisher: Gary Kralapp
Business Development
Senior Vice President: Jim Lroy
Senior Vice President: Diane LaPreze
Contributing Writers: Brad W. Lyons,
Jane Cooper, Roland Palmer, John W.
Weiss, Chris Beckering, Donald De Groot,
Thomas M. Doran, Dennis Benoit.
Managing Editor: Carol M. Kralapp
Associate Editor: David Calkins
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a strong effect on all that we can do for
the region, and I’m very proud to be
working from that foundation.”
Grand Valley received a charter
from the state of Michigan in 1960 after
years of lobbying by a citizens group led
by L. William Seidman, former chair of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. In
the late 1950s, Seidman read a legisla-
tive report that stated young people in
West Michigan were going to college at
a lower rate than elsewhere in the state.
Seidman rallied support for a public,
four-year college in West Michigan from
other influential community leaders
including then Congressman Gerald R.
Ford, Edward H. Frey, former
Congressman Richard VanderVeen,
Francis C. Campau and Duncan E.
Littlefair. Once they secured a charter,
Seidman and others had to work to
raise funds for a college, find land, hire
a president and faculty members and
recruit students. His formula worked;
GVSU is now home to more than 24,000
students and has been ranked the top
“up and coming” Midwest institution by
U.S. News and World Report.
Shortly before he died in 2009,
Seidman reflected on his life and career
that included working for three U.S.
presidents. “There’s nothing that I’ve
done in life that gives me the satisfac-
tion of seeing how Grand Valley State
University is delivering on its promise
to the western Michigan area,” he said
at the time.
Grand Valley admitted its first class
of students in 1963. They arrived to
find one building on acres of farmland
in Allendale. Since then, Grand Valley
has grown to a main campus that sits
on 1,280 acres in Allendale, plus an
urban Grand Rapids campus, Meijer
Campus in Holland and centers in
Muskegon and Traverse City.
Diane Paton was the first student
admitted to Grand Valley. She said she
wanted to take a chance on a new
opportunity. “I credit the administration
for putting a lot of decision-making
power in the hands of the students. We
worked closely with the staff to estab-
lish traditions like the school colors, the
mascot and song,” said Paton, now a
retired teacher living in Holland. She
and her husband Don Paton (also a
Grand Valley class of 1967 graduate)
remain close to the university, and they
couldn’t be more proud. “It’s become
more than I could have ever dreamed of
when I became the first person to sign
on,” Diane Paton said.
Half a century later, Chelsea
Robinson was celebrated as Grand
Valley’s 75,000th graduate in May at
commencement ceremonies held at Van
Andel Arena. With a degree in diagnos-
tic medical sonography, Robinson
secured a full-time position at West
Michigan Heart PC, part of the
Spectrum Health Medical Group.
“Through my clinical rotations and the
opportunity to learn on state-of-the-art
equipment, I feel really well-equipped
to enter the workforce. I haven’t just
grown academically but also as a per-
son,” she said.
With her new job, Robinson joins
88 percent of Grand Valley graduates
who stay in Michigan to work. Troy
Farley, director of GVSU’s Career
Services, said Grand Valley produces a
“brain gain” of graduates who stay in
the state, rather than a “brain drain.”
“Producing more college graduates and
keeping them in the state is a key for
Michigan’s economic recovery because
talent, jobs and prosperity are intercon-
nected,” he said.
50th Anniversary Events
Events to celebrate the university’s
50th anniversary kick into full swing in
September with the start of the Fall Arts
Celebration.
Grand Valley’s Music Department
will present John Philip Sousa’s operetta
“El Capitan” Sept. 13 at the Louis
Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts
Center, on the Allendale Campus.
Jill Ker Conway – author, business-
woman and former president of Smith
College – is the distinguished academic
lecturer and will present “The Next 50
Years in the World” on Sept. 30 at the
Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids Campus.
A noon lecture by GVSU President
Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers and former
Provost Glenn Niemeyer will give a his-
torical look at the campus on Oct. 13 on
the Allendale Campus.
Other events, ranging from poetry
readings to art exhibitions to recep-
tions, are detailed online at
www.gvsu.edu/anniversary. Most
events are free; Some require an
advance, free ticket for admission.
Grand Valley has also published a
commemorative book that celebrates
the university’s five decades by high-
lighting its people, academics, activities
and athletics. “Grand Valley Celebrates
50 Years of Shaping Lives” costs $19.95
and is available online at
www.gvsu.edu/ubs. The book contains
more than 300 historic and newer pho-
tographs, a university timeline and
countless memories of campus life.
 Needed: Investment in Michigan’s Future!
Compiled by Brad W. Lyons, PE
Professional engineers from the
American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) recently participated in several
events around the Great Lakes region in
support of a new report from the Healing
Our Waters Coalition which emphasizes
the need for additional federal funding to
prevent sewage from polluting the
nation’s lakes. According to the report,
“Turning the Tide: Investing in
Wastewater Infrastructure to Create Jobs
and Solve the Sewage Crisis in the Great
Lakes,” communities that rely on the
Great Lakes for drinking water, economic
development and recreation dump tens of
billions of gallons of untreated sewage
every year into the nation’s largest source
of surface fresh water.
From January 2009 through January
2010, just five cities on the U.S. side of the
Great Lakes – Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo,
Milwaukee and Gary – discharged 41 bil-
lion gallons of untreated sewage and storm
water into the lakes according to govern-
ment data analyzed by the Healing Our
Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. The report
urges Congress to provide at least $2.7 bil-
lion this year for sewer upgrades national-
ly ($972 million for Great Lakes states)
with 20 percent of that money going to
green infrastructure projects.
ASCE President Blaine Leonard, P.E.,
D.GE, F.ASCE was quoted in the press
release from the Coalition stating, “Failing
infrastructure cannot support a healthy
economy, or a healthy population. For
more than a decade, ASCE’s Report Card
for America’s Infrastructure has been call-
ing for increased funding and leadership to
protect and improve these critical infra-
structure systems. However, the funding
gap and the consequence of inaction have
continued to grow larger. Today’s report
5
from Healing Our Waters should serve as Wastewater Collection Systems = C not maintain an inventory of its stormwa-
yet another reminder of what’s at stake if The Great Lakes State's 35,000 inland ter management system. Funding for con-
we do nothing.” lakes and ponds, 54,300 miles of river sys- tinued maintenance, repair and water
Closer to home, in a report entitled tems and five million acres of wetlands are quality improvement is inadequate and
“2009 Michigan Infrastructure Report its greatest resource. Much of the state's nonexistent in many areas.
Card,” professional engineers from the wastewater collection system infrastructure The economic challenges facing
Michigan Section of American Society of – sewers, pumping stations and waste- Michigan are intimidating. However, civil
Civil Engineers graded the overall condi- water treatment facilities – is decades engineers can draw on centuries of prob-
tion of Michigan’s infrastructure as a “D” beyond a system's life expectancy. The EPA lem solving experience and have joined
(below average, mediocre). In particular, calculates Michigan's funding require- discussions with business leaders, govern-
the report noted the following summary ments at $6 billion to address the system's ment officials, citizen groups and elected
assessments: replacement, rehabilitation, expansion and officials to help develop effective strategies
Drinking Water Grade = D process improvement needs. for returning Michigan to the forefront of
The State of Michigan is in the Approximately $2 billion alone is needed to economic growth and environmental stew-
unique position of being surrounded by prevent combined sewer overflows. ardship. There is no easy fix to our current
the Great Lakes, which offer an abundant Stormwater Management Systems = D problems, but a collaborative program for
supply of fresh water. Yet the state faces Michigan's stormwater management long-term infrastructure investment will
crucial funding challenges both in treat- system provides flood protection, fosters create the foundation for future stability.
ing and distributing clean drinking water development, improves agricultural pro-
to continue to meet the level of service duction and extends the service life of Brad W. Lyons, PE serves as the civil
demands of its residents. Nearly 75% of roads, streets and highways. Stormwater engineering manager of Holland
Michigan's population is served by a management improves the water quality of Engineering, Inc. – a full-service civil
community water system. The current streams, rivers and the Great Lakes. engineering and surveying firm specializ-
fiscal needs for water system rehabilita- Statewide operation and maintenance pro- ing in a wide range of infrastructure eval-
tion in the state exceed $11 billion. cedures are inconsistent and the state does uation and construction projects.
Roads and Bridges Grade = D
Michigan’s extensive network of
roads and bridges allows the state’s 10
million residents to safely and freely
travel while enabling businesses to effi-
ciently serve their customers. However,
Michigan's network is rapidly aging.
38% of roads are in poor condition, 28%
of the bridges are structurally deficient or
functionally obsolete and U.S. truckers
rate Michigan roads as 3rd worst in the
country. While road and bridge funding
should be increasing to keep pace with
rising construction costs, the reality is
that revenues are declining. Continuing
to shortchange our transportation sys-
tem will lead to declining quality of life
and reduced economic competitiveness
in the global economy. Bold action is
required now.

Finance, Legal & Insurance Briefs
Sparta – On August 26, 2010, the board
of directors of ChoiceOne Financial
Services, Inc. declared a cash dividend
on the corporation’s common stock. The
cash dividend of $0.12 per share was
declared payable to shareholders of
record as of September 15, 2010 and will
be paid on September 30, 2010. The div-
idend declared for the third quarter of
2010 is equal to the dividend paid in the
first two quarters in 2010.
Lansing – Craig S. Gerard, attorney at
The Gallagher Law Firm, PLC, has been
elected as the president of the Greater
Lansing Estate Planning Council - an
organization comprised of attorneys,
accountants, financial planners, insurance
agents and trust officers which focuses on
the cooperative efforts in estate planning
among the business, professions and
institutions represented by its members.
Grand Rapids – The law firm of Smith
Haughey Rice & Roegge, along with
Locus Development, announced that the
firm will lease the second, third and
fourth floors of the historic Flat Iron
Building located at the intersection of
Ottawa Avenue and Monroe Center in
downtown Grand Rapids. Smith
Haughey’s final decision to move to the
Flat Iron Building was largely based on
the unique opportunity provided by the
current real estate market whereby it can
occupy a visible, historic building that
will be strongly associated with the firm
while realizing economic benefits as well.
Grand Rapids – Shelby Reno, senior vice
president of marketing and communica-
tions for Independent Bank, graduated
from the Graduate School of Banking
at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison on August 20, 2010.
Holland – Macatawa Bank Corporation
announced that its board of directors has
adopted a comprehensive Corporate
Governance Policy. The policy contains
guidelines designed to promote account-
ability and transparency for the board of
directors and management of the compa-
ny, defining their responsibilities as well
as criteria for board membership, stan-
dards for director independence, guide-
lines for avoiding conflicts of interests,
the board leadership structure and other
important policies designed to help the
board of directors engage in independent,
objective and transparent decision-mak-
ing. The Corporate Governance Policy
also requires a director who fails to
receive the support of a majority of
shares voted in an annual election to ten-
der his or her resignation to the board.
Newport Beach, CA – After 20 years of
serving on the board of directors and
nearly four years as CEO of NACUSO,
Tom Davis will be moving on to another
chapter in his career in the credit union
industry. During his tenure, Davis
remained as a partner in CUSO
Development Company LLC, and now,
with the growth of the company's sub-
sidiaries, Davis will serve as CEO of the
multi-owned CUSO.
White Paper Research for
New Economic Direction
Lansing – As part of its ongoing
public policy initiative geared to revitaliz-
ing Michigan’s economy, the Small
Business Association of Michigan
(SBAM) issued a “Propelling a New
Economic Direction for Michigan” White
Paper. The research document, available
for download at sbam.org, adds detail to
the reasoning behind SBAM’s efforts to
encourage a significant shift in the state
of Michigan’s economic development
efforts toward “economic gardening.”
“We seek to temper the public sec-
tor’s traditional role of using tax credits
and incentives to lure industry and busi-
ness from outside the state and instead
suggest a new emphasis on making
Michigan welcoming and nurturing for
the home-grown, high-growth small
businesses that are proven to be the true
job-makers,” says SBAM president and
CEO Rob Fowler.
6
Grand Rapids - The following attorneys of
Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PLC were
included in the 2011 edition of the Best
Lawyers in America: Scott S. Brinkmeyer,
James R. Brown, John M. DeVries,
Douglas A. Donnell, Scott E. Dwyer,
David R. Fernstrum, Larry J. Gardner,
Fredric N. Goldberg, Michael C. Haines,
William A. Horn, Mark A. Kehoe, Neil L.
Kimball, Daniel R. Kubiak, Eric S.
Richards, john T. Sperla, Timothy J.
Tornga, Claude L. Vander Ploeg and
James K. White. Lawyers are selected for
inclusion in Best Lawyers solely on the
basis of a nationally-conducted peer-
review survey in which more than 25,000
leading lawyers vote on the legal abilities
and professional achievements of other
lawyers in their specialties.
Grand Rapids – Rhoades McKee
announced that fourteen of the firm’s
attorneys have been selected for inclu-
sion in the Best Lawyers of America®
2011: Frederick D. Dilley, Mark E.
Fatum, Edward B. Goodrich, Todd A.
Hendricks, Thomas P. Hogan, Richard
G. Leonard, Paul A. McCarthy, Bruce
W. Neckers, Mary Jane Rhoades,
Arthur C. Spalding, Scott J. Steiner,
Connie R. Thacker, Michael C. Walton
and Terry L. Zabel.
The White Paper details the ele-
ments of a successful economic garden-
ing strategy including information, infra-
structure and environment. It also lists
the services valued by growth-oriented
business owners and explains how
Michigan’s economy and citizens will
benefit from economic gardening.
SBAM is seeking feedback and reac-
tions to the White Paper. That input will
be used to help shape SBAM’s next major
initiative in the Propelling a New
Economic Direction for Michigan cam-
paign - a ‘blueprint” for Michigan’s
future economic direction that will be
issued in early October.
The White Paper was prepared for
SBAM by Public Policy Associates of
Lansing with the support of the Edward
Lowe Foundation, Michigan Economic
Development Corporation and the Small
Business Foundation of Michigan.

Construction Financing -
Frozen Banks or a Frozen Market?
By David Calkins
When it comes to construction
financing, there seem to be two popular
perceptions in current business world.
I’ve often heard from grim-faced busi-
nessmen that in light of economic set-
backs, banks don't want to get involved
with any new deals, particularly for pri-
vate builders, and there isn’t any
financing available especially for new
projects. However, I’ve also heard that
financing is indeed available to those
that need it and banks are still lending,
it’s just that a sluggish market stem-
ming from low consumer confidence
and cost-wary business leaders has lead
many to not even ask for financing.
I sat down with three experienced
professionals – Dan McLean, vice pres-
ident, senior relationship manager at
first (f1RST) Financial Bank in
Grandville, Mike Manica, president of
United Bank of Michigan, and Derek
Hunderman, CCIM, managing partner
and vice president of leading global real
estate services provider Colliers
International West Michigan – to get
their opinions on this issue.
[Dan McLean, can you give us a brief
overview?]
“Without question one of the hard-
est sectors hit by the recession was the
building industry. Before the recession
hit, many builders and banks had the ‘if
we build it, they will come’ mentality,
which unfortunately left the market with
significant inventory issues in the end.
“We at First Financial Bank contin-
ue to evaluate loan requests for con-
struction purposes, but on a much
smaller scale than in the past. Many
banks are using a ‘back to the basics’
approach to underwriting, which means
good equity into solid projects and not
much speculation, if any. The entire
market learned a great deal from the
recession, bankers included, and all will
be financially stronger in the long run.”
[Mike Manica, what is your take on
the two opposing perspectives?]
“There is a little bit of truth in both.
The biggest problem currently in the
commercial sector is the large vacancy
rate. The last information I've seen put
it somewhere in excess of 10 percent.
Just drive around town and you can see
"for lease" signs everywhere. Then, to
get tenants – people who have
expressed an interest to rent – prior to
construction is a bit challenging. If the
developer has sufficient cash down to
bring a projected appraisal value down
to a loan in the neighborhood of 70%
value, he might get the opportunity to
present his project to a banker. But he'll
still have a hard time coming in.”
[So banks are still lending then?]
“Banks have plenty of money.
Liquidity and interest rates is not the
problem. Money is available but devel-
opers are recognizing the challenges of
getting tenants for the places they're
developing and are simply not coming
in to ask for loans. There might be some
unwillingness to release that kind of
information, but it’s true. And if you
have a project that is started but not fin-
ished, those are probably having a very
hard time in particular right now.”
[Have there been any changes in pol-
icy from the banking end?]
“Not enough to where it would
make the difference. Sometimes you'll
see a project that already has a single
tenant building and the tenant is of
high quality and a space needs to be
built. I wouldn't say that when you
bring a project such as that in, that the
difficulties in finance would be any
more rigorous than what they were 18
months ago.
“However, we do see significant
problems in new construction due to the
excess in capacity. It would not be
unusual for a new project’s appraisal
value to come in below its construction
cost. It’s clearly a tough spot, and until
we get the supply and demand back in
balance, we're not going to have much
progress there. If you're coming in with
a spec project that isn't somewhere in
the neighborhood of 50% lease before
the project is underway, you're going to
have a hard time finding financing.”
[Derek Hunderman, what’s your
opinion on the issue?]
“I too can confirm that both trains
of thought are out there, and I do believe
that perception on financing is worse
than reality, but it’s a mixed bag.
Individual circumstances have some
lenders in a position were they can't lend
actively, while others have weathered
the storm nicely. If you're close to a bank
that’s had their hands tied (so to speak)
by the FDIC, then that perception
informs the marketplace that financing
isn't available which isn’t exactly true.
It's certainly different than it once was;
The expectations are different. But it's
still available.
7
“The appetite for lending on com-
mercial real estate is actually pretty high
if you’re looking at the user-ended mar-
ket – the business owner who has a
need for space. As long as you have a
solid business and a good track record,
I would say the money is going to be
available. It's still different from the
investor standpoint though. For those
partnering up on a building looking for
income only, not operating their busi-
ness there, it's a different ballgame with
greater hesitancy.
“If the deal makes sense, it can get
executed. Requirements have changed a
touch, but they’re not show stoppers.
As you said, the market has slowed,
consumer confidence is poor and every-
body is still very nervous. I'm hopeful
that come November elections, people
will get a feel for how business-friendly
the government leadership is going to
be locally and nationally. I think many
people don't understand what some of
the recent changes really entail. Once
we have more certainty, we’ll all be in a
better place to make forward-moving
decisions.”
[Dan McLean, Mike Manica and
Derek Hunderman, thank you all for
your time and insight.]

SBA 504 Loan Interest Rate Drops Below 5%
Holland – The Small Business
Administration's (SBA) 504 loan pro-
gram is providing long-term, fixed rate
financing for the purchase of commercial
real estate at one of the lowest interest
rates since the program's inception. The
SBA's lending partners, Certified
Development Companies (CDCs) are
busy working with small business bor-
rowers who are taking advantage of this
current low interest rate to purchase or
build new facilities.
NADCO, the trade association for
the nation's CDCs, reports that the inter-
est rate for a 20-year SBA 504 loan con-
tinued to fall to a low of 4.93% this
month. The August bond sale to
investors that funded SBA loans was
sold at a rate of 3.52%. This low sale
price resulted in an effective interest rate
– including fees – of only 4.93% for bor-
rowers this month. This interest rate is
one of the lowest since the program
began in 1986.
The SBA 504 loan program pro-
vides long-term, fixed rate financing for
commercial real estate and has funded
nearly $60 billion in loans to growing
small businesses over the past 24 years.
Not only are the interest rates low right
now, but one of the best aspects of an
SBA 504 loan is the low down payment
required by a borrower - typically only
8
10%. CDCs across the country are busy
helping small business borrowers who
are taking advantage of these record low
interest rates to purchase, build or
expand their own facilities.
Recent loan data has shown that a
large percentage of SBA 504 borrowers
are professional practices. The greatest
concentration of loans has been to
physicians, dentists, veterinarians,
lawyers and accountants.

Finance, Legal & Insurance Briefs

Grand Rapids – Returning to private
practice after nine years with the United
States Attorney’s Office, Ronald M.
Stella joins the health care practice at
Rhoades McKee. He will concentrate his
practice in areas of health care law, med-
ical malpractice insurance defense and
general litigation.
Grand Rapids – Miller Johnson attorney
D. Andrew Portinga has been appoint-
ed chair of the United States Courts
Committee for 2010-2011 bar year by
the State Bar of Michigan. Portinga has
been practicing law since 1996 and has
extensive litigation experience in both
federal and state courts.
Lansing – Thomas M. Cooley Law
School announced the promotion of 11
faculty members, effective January 1,
2011. Seven faculty members were pro-
moted from associate professor to full
professor with tenure: Christine Church,
Dan Ray, Curt Benson, Cindy
Faulkner, Anthony Flores, Norman
Plate, and Paul Sorenson. Four faculty
members were promoted from assistant
professor to associate professor: Tammy
Asher, Stevie Barachkov, Sherry
Batzer, and Monica Nuckolls.
Promotions included representatives of
all four of Cooley’s campuses.
Grand Rapids – The Economic
Development Foundation (EDF) has
announced that in Michigan, the total
number of SBA loans approved is up
53% compared to last year, and the total
loan dollars approved are up 92%. This
is encouraging news for our state and for
the unemployed who are still looking for
work. The EDF has assisted 12 business
in Kent County get approved for a total of
more than $3.5 million in SBA 504 loans
for the current government fiscal year.
Grand Rapids – The law firm of Smith Athens – The Nottawaseppi Huron Grand Rapids – Independent Bank re-
Haughey Rice & Roegge has been Band of the Potawatomi, owners of launched their corporate website,
selected as #1 in 13 categories as listed FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, IndependentBank.com, providing cus-
in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers announced that a $35 million loan was tomers with enhanced functionality,
in America. For each of these categories, paid off on Aug. 12, 2010, four years increased homepage features, redesigned
Smith Haughey has more attorneys list- earlier than its due date. The payoff of framework and a homepage portal to a
ed in Best Lawyers than any other law this loan, which aided in purchasing new social media repository,
firm: Top-listed in Michigan in legal mal- FireKeepers’ 2,680 slot machines, came EagleExperience.com.
practice law and medical malpractice law; just over a year after FireKeepers opened
Top-listed in Ann Arbor in medical mal- its doors to the public on Aug. 5, 2009.
practice law; Top-listed in Grand Rapids
in legal malpractice law, medical mal-
practice law and personal injury litiga-
tion; Top-listed in Traverse City in bank-
ruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law,
bet-the-company litigation, commercial
litigation, insurance law, personal injury
litigation and trusts and estates. 14
attorneys from all three offices have
been selected for inclusion in the 2011
edition of The Best Lawyers in America:
George F. Bearup, Charles F. Behler,
Mark P. Bickel, Albert J. Engel III, Dale
L. Hebert, William W. Jack, Jr., John M.
Kruis, E. Thomas McCarthy, Jr., Todd
W. Millar, Craig S. Neckers, John C.
O’Loughlin, John R. Oostema, L. R.
Roegge, Ronald A. Schuknecht and
Edward R. Stein.
Ferndale – Credit Union ONE
announced that it has received approval
to participate in the Michigan State
Housing Development Authority Help
for Hardest Hit program. Credit Union
ONE will partner with other financial
institutions to help more than 17,000
Michigan households.
Leslie – Margaret Clark has joined
Independent Bank as a senior mortgage
loan officer at the Leslie banking office.
Clark brings over 17 years of mortgage
lending experience to the position and
will assist customers with their mortgage
needs in the counties of Ingham, Jackson
and Lenawee.
 9
Grand Rapids’ Strength as a Corporate Meeting Mecca
Grand Rapids – 2009 was disas- professional ballet company and the only hotels are a short drive from Lake within walking distance from each other
trous across all industries, and as busi- opera in West Michigan, as well as a host Michigan, ideal for sunbathing, boating (often with heated sidewalks).
nesses scrambled to improve their bot- of national performers making concert and other water sports, and visitors will
tom line, corporate spending on conven- tour stops at Van Andel Arena. Most notice most downtown attractions are Continued on page 10
tions, meetings, lodging and amenities
fell by nearly 15%. Since then, American
business has seen a slow recovery but a
recovery nonetheless. Federal Reserve
Board chairman Ben Bernanke stated
recently that the Fed "expects continued
moderate (economic) growth, a gradual
decline in the unemployment rate (to
about 7 percent) and subdued inflation"
over the course of the next couple years.
This is a time when businesses and
groups are going to be conservatively
spending on off-site meetings once
again, and corporate meeting and lodg-
ing providers must continue to meet this
unique demand with aggressive use of
deals and packages to promote continued
growth during a scaled-down economy.
Still, the outlook seems good. Cities
across the nation are reporting higher
meeting attendance, larger budgets, more
corporate bookings and increases as high
as 20%-30% in group customer revenue.
JW Marriott in Grand Rapids reported a
20% increase over last year in group
nights sales. This can be reasonably
attributed to the city's thriving medical
industry, but Grand Rapids is still unique-
ly poised as a center for corporate lodging
and meeting in West Michigan and needs
to continue playing to its strengths.
The state’s second-largest city, Grand
Rapids often provides a small-town feel
with the entire community known to rally
behind large conventions while offering
amenities and value that supersede “first
tier” cities. In fact, as the city is home to
the Amway Hotel Corporation's large tri-
partite collection (Amway Grand Plaza, JW
Marriott and Downtown Courtyard by
Marriott) large groups can fill all three
hotels and virtually “own” Grand Rapids
with the city’s support instead of being
lost among hundreds of groups (literally)
as is the case with more populated meet-
ing destinations.
“When you plan a meeting in Grand
Rapids, you are not just a number, but a
welcomed member of the community,"
said Ron Brondyke, vice president and
director of corporate sales for AHC. "Our
goal... is to show planners our dedication
to easing their burden and accommodat-
ing all of their needs.”
Grand Rapids itself has much to
offer including urban sophistication,
Midwest hospitality, safety and afford-
ability. The city boasts Michigan’s only

Corporate Meetings, Catering & Lodging
The Amway Hotel Corporation (AHC)
(Grand Rapids)
Made up of the Amway Grand
Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids and
Downtown Courtyard by Marriott, the
AHC boasts over 1,100 committable
guestrooms and 13 restaurants, provid-
ing one host and point-of-contact with a
variety of price points and services. The
three hotels offer a tiered pricing struc-
ture and attached to one another and to
DeVos Place Convention Center via a cli-
mate controlled skywalk. The conven-
tion center and the hotels together fea-
ture over 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting and
exhibition space and limitless config-
urable meeting locations, including two
of the largest ballrooms in the region.
All food for the meeting space and
DeVos Place is overseen by AHC, bring-
ing the culinary team’s five-diamond
experience to the banquet food.
Courtyard By Marriott
(Grand Rapids)
The AHC announced in late August
the renovation of the Courtyard by
Marriott Downtown, capping a nearly $3
million project that brings the brand’s
“refreshing business” makeover to
Grand Rapids. The transformation
includes the hotel’s lobby, redefined to
invite guests to get out of their rooms to
work and socialize, guestrooms and a
new restaurant and bar experience. A
centerpiece of the new casual lobby
space is the exclusive GoBoard® tech-
nology, a 55-inch interactive LCD touch
screen loaded with airport arrival and
departure information, area maps of
museums and restaurants, news and
sports headlines, and more.
The hotel offers over 10,000 square
feet of meeting space and access to 13
restaurants and lounges including The
Grand Rapids’ Strength as
a Corporate Meeting Mecca
Continued from page 9
And for groups with green on their
minds, Grand Rapids was named
“America’s Greenest City” by Fast
Company in September 2008 and leads
the nation in the number of LEED-certi-
fied buildings per capita, including the
Grand Rapids Art Museum, the first
LEED-certified art museum in the world.
Grand Rapids needs to build on
1913 Room (Michigan’s first and only
five-diamond restaurant), the four-dia-
mond Cygnus 27 (the highest dining
destination in Western Michigan) and
six.one.six the signature market-fresh
restaurant at JW Marriott.
Meijer Gardens
(East Grand Rapids)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & of flexible and state-of-the-art meeting,
Sculpture Park offers much more than
their spectacular sculpture and horticul-
ture collections. Meijer Gardens has
more than 137,000 sq. ft. in rental space
with a large variety of room types:
Banquet, board room, conference room,
dining, auditorium and outdoor options
as well. All rental guests receive compli-
mentary admission to the gardens and
sculpture exhibitions. They also offer a
variety of catering options including
their own in-house "Taste of the
Gardens" full-service catering, and park-
ing is free to all guests.
Several additions have been made
since 2009. Two new conferences rooms
bring their total number of rentable
meeting spaces to 15. The Klopcic
Foundation Room is a versatile space for
as many as 36 and offers views of the
pond, wetlands and other gardens. The
Marsilje Foundation Room is an afford-
able conference room for ten guests with
large windows on two walls offering
breathtaking views of the gardens.
Significant A/V upgrades have been
made in recent years including a state-
of-the-art audio system. They offer
built-in projection and high-quality
sound and video in nearly every room
and a handful of their spaces are
equipped with a hearing loop system,
which was installed in 2009. It is also
greatly utilized in their Grand Room -
their largest space which holds approxi-
these strengths, especially during this
recovery. Even with the travel trending
positive, companies are still leery of
high-end expenses. Grand Rapids is a
value option for businesses looking to
cut their travel budget, by providing lux-
ury in an unexpected place without the
high price tag and without sacrificing
luxury accommodations or culinary and
cultural amenities.
mately 2000 people and is one of the
most flexible areas in terms of A/V uti-
lization and customization.
Mission Point Resort
(Mackinac Island)
This is the largest and most com-
plete resort for meetings on Mackinac
Island, offering in excess of 38,000 sq. ft.
banquet and reception space for groups
ranging from 10 to 1,000. It nestles on
18 acres of beautifully landscaped
grounds on the southeastern shore of
Mackinac Island directly overlooking
Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac.
The resort complex also features its own
movie theater, four restaurants, a heated
pool, a fitness center, a children's pro-
gram and an 18-hole executive putting
course.
More than 11,000 sq. ft. of meet-
ing/banquet space is located in the six
rooms in and above the Main Lodge,
including the 3,050 sq. ft. Summit Room
and the 2,700 sq. ft. Lakefront and
Cypress Lodge meeting rooms. The adja-
cent Conference Center also has more
than 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space,
including an amphitheater that can seat
75 and nine private offices for meeting
planners. Directly above the Conference
Center is a 2,750 sq. ft. promenade deck
that can be used for outside functions
and banquets featuring spectacular
water views.
For a limited time, the Resort is
offering a variety of incentives for meet-
ing planners who book a 2010 meeting
or event. Meeting planners who book a
new meeting at Mission Point Resort in
2010 and spend more then $15,000 in
616-477-0025 877-477-0025
1505 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids
Curbside Trash & Waste Services:
Trash Cart • Yard Waste Cart • Recycle Cart
866-669 2047 Jenison, Michigan
10
room revenue will have the opportunity
to select a 42” flat panel high-definition
television, a two-night package at the
Resort or a $1,000 credit towards the
group master account. Meeting planners
will also receive a number of compli-
mentary bonuses including a cocktail
reception, welcome amenities, round-
trip ferry tickets, and discounts on food,
beverage and audio-visual equipment.
Lexington Hotel
(Lansing)
As you enter the stylish, five-story
foyer of the Lexington Lansing Hotel,
you may think for a moment that you
are in New York City. With its double
glass elevators, a lobby coffee shop that
serves Starbucks and over $1.4 million
in renovations of its public spaces, the
Lexington Lansing is an elegant experi-
ence for any corporate conference, meet-
ing or special event. From formal board
rooms to elegant ballrooms, the
Lexington Lansing can accommodate up
to 700 guests with its 14,000 sq. ft. of
flexible meeting space. Experienced
meeting planners and on-site catering
staff provide personalized attention to
ensure every event is a success.
Each of the 212 well-appointed
guest rooms include free Wi-Fi and a
LCD flat-panel television with HD chan-
nels. But what sets the Lexington
Lansing aside from other hotels is what
you can do once the meetings are over.
Loosen up with a pick-up game of bas-
ketball on the hotel’s indoor half court,
unwind in Christie’s Bistro and Bar, or
call it a night and snuggle into bed with
a good book and nightly room delivery
of milk and cookies!

Meeting, Travel & Lodging Briefs
Bay Harbor – Boyne Resorts has named
Ron Braniecki as general manager of
The Inn at Bay Harbor. His predecessor
Bill Quiseng resigned after 11 years at
the post and has accepted the position of
general manager for The Henry in
Dearborn, MI. During his administration,
The Inn at Bay Harbor was recognized as
the first and only Gold Medal Golf Resort
in Michigan by Golf Magazine and twice
named among the Top 500 World’s Best
Hotels by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Grand Rapids – Amway Hotel
Corporation announced the renovation
of the Courtyard by Marriott
Downtown, capping a nearly $3 million
project that brings the brand’s “refresh-
ing business” makeover to Grand Rapids.
Lansing – Pure Michigan, the state of
Michigan's official travel and tourism
campaign, brought home a record four
Mercury Awards for Best State Tourism
from the recent ESTO Conference: Best
Television Commercials, Best Radio
Commercials, Best Co-op (Partnership)
Program, and Best Welcome Center
Program. The inaugural Pure Michigan
national advertising campaign in 2009
motivated 680,000 new trips to Michigan
from outside the Great Lakes region and
resulted in more than $250 million being
spent at Michigan businesses. For every
dollar spent on the Pure Michigan nation-
al campaign, new visits to Michigan stim-
ulated by that advertising generated
$2.23 in new state tax collections.
Grand Rapids – The 10th Annual
Midwest Mountain Bike Summit
(Summit) will be held in Grand Rapids
September 10-12, 2010. The three-day
Summit will bring an estimated 200
mountain bikers, trail builders and advo-
cacy club leaders from across the
Midwest to the Grand Rapids Bike Park
(580 Kirtland SW) for classes, clinics and
mountain bike riding.
Peshawbestown – The Economic
Development Corporation of the Grand
Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa
Indians announced that Mr. Donald M.
Ponniah has been chosen to be the new
president & general manager of Grand
Traverse Resort & Spa. Ponniah brings
over 30 years of experience at various
levels in the hospitality industry with
expertise in management, food & bever-
age operations, sales & marketing and
human resources.
11
Muskegon – Recently created nonprofit Muskegon – Muskegon-based Nichols Grand Rapids – The Crowne Plaza has
Shoreline Foundation Inc. took over Paper and Supply has achieved LEED been busy undergoing renovations and
the Shoreline Spectacular Festival 2010 EB Gold status, becoming the 7th LEED has announcd the grand opening of its
this year - one of the longest running for Existing Building in the state of new restaurant and bar, “Aryana.” The
events in Muskegon’s history. The Michigan and the first in their industry hotel is planning a grand opening and rib-
Festival hoped to raise money to help in the state. bon cutting ceremony for early October.
support as many local charities as possi-
ble. This year, the Festival was relocated Comstock Park – More than 200 volun- Grand Rapids – Frederik Meijer
to Western Avenue and Heritage Landing teers from Amway, the Comstock Park Gardens & Sculpture Park announced
and was held September 3-6. Rotary Foundation and York Creek plans to upgrade its outdoor amphithe-
Apartments, organizers from KaBOOM! ater. The venue will increase capacity by
Lansing – The Michigan Department of and residents of the community joined 200 guests, adding a 3,511 sq. ft. con-
Agriculture announced Dr. John Tilden, forces last August to build a new play- cession and merchandise building, addi-
food safety planning and response pro- ground at York Creek Apartments. The tional restrooms, an expanded plaza, new
gram manager, has been appointed to the new playground’s design is based on box office window, and expanded park-
USDA Food Safety Inspection drawings created by children who partic- ing. Construction will wrap up in spring
Services’ National Advisory ipated in a Design Day event in July and 2011 and is made possible through the
Committee on Meat and Poultry will provide more than 800 children in generosity of Fred and Lena Meijer. Cox
Inspection as the representative for the the community with a safe place to play. Medendorp Olson Architects,
Association of Food and Drug Officials Progressive AE and Owen Ames
for 2010-2012. Lansing – The Greater Lansing Kimball will be working on the project.
Convention & Visitors Bureau intro-
Kalamazoo – The Texas Township duced the Greater Lansing mobile app, Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor Area
Farmers’ Market Fresh on Q! hosted a available for iPhone or Blackberry. The Convention and Visitors Bureau presi-
Local Food Month Celebration last free app lets users discover listings for dent Mary Kerr announced the addition
August featuring a variety of locally- attractions, dining, events, accommoda- of Patti Ingleson as a convention sales
sourced lunch options prepared by local tions and shopping while allowing users account executive. Ingleson will handle
chefs. The Texas Township Farmers’ to plan a customized tour complete with the Union Market Segment including
Market is open Saturdays through interactive mapping technology. Ironworkers International and the NJATC.
October 23 and features all local vendors
and food businesses from within an
average of 18 miles of the market.
Statewide – The Michigan Department
of Transportation (MDOT) and the
Department of Technology,
Management & Budget have revamped
the Mi Drive Web site
(www.michigan.gov/drive) to load faster
with a new map that is easier to use to
locate lane closures and incidents on
state trunklines (US, Interstate and M
routes).
Grand Rapids – The Grand Rapids
Public Museum was recently awarded a
National Endowment for the
Humanities (NEH) grant for $222,390
to be used toward the purchase and
installation of a more advanced climate
control system at the 272 Pearl Street
location. The NEH grant monies, com-
bined with the additional $180,000
needed to complete the project, will be
used to replace the Museum’s Director
Digital Control System, an instrumental
step toward the “greening” of the
Museum in tandem with on-going collec-
tion preservation. The climate control
system will be phased in around sched-
uled temporary exhibit installations and
completed in late 2011.

Education Briefs
Lansing - Cooley Law School has hired
attorney and health-care consultant Lisa
DeMoss of Rochester, MI to lead its new
Master of Laws in Insurance Law pro-
gram at the school’s Lansing campus.
The program which begins in January
2011 is part of a partnership program
with Olivet College. DeMoss will serve
as director of the Graduate Insurance
Program and as a visiting professor.
Grand Rapids – Aquinas College’s Fall
2010 Professional Certificate Program in
Sustainable Business will offer business
owners and professionals an opportuni-
ty to learn about sustainable business
perspectives, practices and change
strategies. Offered through the College's
Center for Sustainability, the Program
features expert presenters who bring the
latest theories and practices in a format
ready-made for busy business profes-
sionals. The non-credit certificate is
comprised of six, three-hour sessions,
including two core sessions (required)
and four electives.
Grand Rapids – Calvin College has been
included in the 2011 edition of the
Princeton Review's annual college
guide: "The Best 373 Colleges." Only
about 15 percent of the nation's four-
year colleges are included in the guide.
Ann Arbor – University of Michigan
School of Dentistry has signed an
agreement with Interleukin Genetics
Inc. to conduct what may be the largest
clinical study to date using genetic test-
ing to assess the risk for gum disease.
William Giannobile, professor at U-M
dentistry and director of the Michigan
Center for Oral Health Research at the
School of Dentistry, will lead the study.
Grand Rapids – Oliver H. Evans, presi-
dent of Kendall College of Art and
Design of Ferris State University, has
announced that the college is opening
the 2010-2011 academic year with a
new administrative position in place;
Max S. Shangle, former chair of the
Furniture Design Program, has been
named dean of the college. Shangle’s
new role will focus on program develop-
ment and program compliance while
developing improvement in communica-
tion between programs, academic
departments and administration. He will
also be planning for future growth of the
college and its facilities, classrooms and
the demands of such growth.
12
Flint – Baker College Online officials Grand Rapids – U.S. News & World Grand Rapids – Grand Rapids
announced a 5.8 percent increase in 2010 Report has ranked Calvin in their "Best Community College officially unveiled
spring quarter online enrollment com- Colleges" 2011 edition. The school was the GRCC DeVos Campus on August 25
pared to the same period in 2009. A total ranked ninth nationally both in the "a during a reception and tour event. The
of 4,957 undergraduate students attend- strong commitment to teaching" category 7-acre campus was purchased by in June
ed online classes exclusively during and in the "Up-and-Comer" category 2009. During this past summer, major
spring quarter 2010, with new student which recognizes schools that have "made renovations were completed on both
enrollment up 10.1 percent over last year. the most promising and innovative floors of the classroom building, includ-
changes in the areas of academics, facul- ing new infrastructure, HVAC, wi-fi,
Grand Rapids – Grand Valley State ty, student life, campus or facilities." décor, furniture and new technology in
University students will benefit from a the 25 new classrooms. In addition to
$10 million early-stage venture fund to Grand Rapids – Professor of English at expanded space for classrooms and stu-
support life science and technology in Calvin College, Lew Klatt is the recipi- dent services, the DeVos Campus will
West Michigan. The venture capital ent of the Iowa Poetry Prize, an award ease transportation and parking conges-
fund, called Michigan Accelerator Fund 1 bestowed on a poetry collection in its tion providing 540 parking spaces to
(MAF1), was announced by The unpublished form every two years. students who attend GRCC classes in the
Charter Group. The new fund is made Klatt's most recent collection, "Cloud of densely populated downtown area.
possible through a $6 million award Ink," won the 2010 Iowa Poetry Prize
from Michigan’s 21st Century Jobs Fund, and will be published by The University
a program of the Michigan Economic of Iowa Press. Klatt is one of two recip-
Development Corporation. In addition ients of the 2010 award.
to providing early-stage capital for high-
growth businesses, MAF1 will also
include a number of programs aimed at
enhancing support for emerging compa-
nies. These include student internships
where as many as 10 Grand Valley
Seidman School of Business students
will be offered internships during the
fund’s initial five years of operations.
Muskegon – The culinary arts associate
degree program at The Culinary
Institute of Michigan at Baker College
has been granted renewed accreditation
with Exemplary status by the American
Culinary Federation (ACF) Education
Foundation Accrediting Commission.
Approximately 2 percent of ACF-accred-
ited programs receive exemplary status.
The renewed accreditation is valid for
seven years.
Big Rapids – Ferris State University's
new East Campus Suites were officially
unveiled to the public last August. The
new student residences represent the
culmination of a 15-month building
project that began with the demolition of
existing buildings in June 2009 and fea-
ture 72 four-bedroom and six two-bed-
room suites. This is Ferris' first LEED-
certified building project.
Grand Rapids – Grand Rapids
Community College will offer its 8th
Lean Champion Certification Program.
The program is recognized for its unique
approach to bringing participants and
management commitment and focusing
on a real project in their workplace.

Health Care Reform: “Deja Vu All Over Again”
By Jane Cooper
January 2010 – the Decision
As we remember, the 111th
Congress passed the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), its
purpose being to provide quality, afford-
able health care for all Americans. The
Democrats used every procedural strate-
gy available to them to pass a bill
impacting 16% of the entire US economy
with no Republican support for the law
or its provisions. Every employer, payer
and provider in the country and every
US citizen is now trying to understand
the consequences and manage them.
Since many individuals and compa-
nies currently find health care and insur-
ance coverage very expensive – many
people would say “unaffordable” – the
stated goal of PPACA would seem to be
reduced costs for individuals and compa-
nies for their health care and insurance.
Unfortunately, with this legislation
(unless changes are made), the opposite
will occur. Costs will skyrocket and
everyone will have fewer choices of
physicians and fewer choices of insur-
ance plans.
September 2010 – the Uncertainty
There is a long list of new provi-
sions that can be implemented as early
as September 23, 2010 and must be
implemented the first day of a compa-
ny’s plan year following this date unless
your plan is “grandfathered.”
(Grandfathered plans are so named
when employers decide to make zero
changes in their plans in order to delay
implementation of some of the above
requirements. It is a very short term
strategy).
This list of implimented provisions
includes, but is not limited to:
• Covering dependent children to
age 26
• Unlimited lifetime maximum
• “Reasonable” annual limits on
“essential benefits”
• No cost sharing for yet to be
defined preventive benefits
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13
• Elimination of pre-existing condi- Given the political confusion and What to do? Here are three of the
tion limitation for children up to age 26 the regulatory confusion, it would seem most important things you can do now:
• New internal and external appeals likely that some of the “required by” • Help your employees understand
process for members dates will be pushed back. Pending the the changes and become better health-
• Changes in payment for emer- November 2011 elections, some of care consumers.
gency room services PPACA’s provisions may change or not • Make sure everyone has a pri-
All of these seemingly generous be funded. But in the meantime, insur- mary care physician now, because the
new provisions require a great deal of ance companies are raising rates, laying pool of primary care physicians will be
regulation. For example, covering off employees by the hundreds and con- shrinking very soon.
dependents (still “children?”) up to age solidating. Provider groups are raising • Go to the polls in November if you
26 leaves us with some questions: If my prices, laying off employees by the hun- really want to provide affordable health-
child is married with children of his/her dreds and consolidating. care to your employees.
own, is my company legally required to And, as in years past, employers
provide coverage to his/her entire fami- have to profitably run a company. If you
ly? Am I legally required to pay for it? are an HR/Benefits leader in your organ- Jane Cooper is founder, president
What if my child has coverage available ization, you need to continue to provide and CEO of leading advocacy company
through his/her employer, who is obli- competitive benefits to attract qualified Patient Care based in Milwaukee, WI.
gated to provide coverage? What if I workers. So, you make decisions based Cooper has over 25 years experience
don’t want to pay the employee contri- on the choices that you have, while having started and led five health care
bution to cover my estranged 25-year- anticipating the decisions you might companies since the early 1980s.
old daughter, but she legally insists on have to make as time marches towards Patient Care currently provides services
this coverage through my company? 2014. for over 1 million members across the
What if my grandchild is 25 and he/she country.
lives with me? Can he/she get coverage
through this new law? What if my hus-
band and I were divorced when our chil-
dren were 2 years old? They are now 24
and living on their own. Which of our
employers is required to cover them
under this new law?
As you can see, the only way for
companies to implement this new
requirement, and all of the other new
requirements, is with detailed and final
regulations. Unfortunately, all of these
regulations have not been written yet.
The US Department of Health and
Human Services, the Treasury and the
Labor Departments have released “inter-
im final regulations” for many of the
items above. Webster’s dictionary
defines interim as “a temporary or pro-
visional arrangement, stopgap,
makeshift.” Webster’s defines final as
“conclusive or decisive.” The Federal
Government’s use of “interim” and
“final” together to provide guidance for
these massive changes is curious at best
and destructive at worst.
September 2010 – 2014 – What to
Do?

Health Care Briefs
Grand Rapids – Lutheran Social Grand Rapids – Pine Rest Christian
Services of Michigan has hired Dollie Mental Health Services announced
Grant to be the community coordinator that psychiatrist Talal Khan, M.D. has
at The Terraces at MapleCreek. Grant joined the staff. Dr. Khan is located at
serves as concierge for residents, helping the Campus Clinic at 300 68th Street SE.
them find community resources that will He will see adult patients and special-
enable them to age in place and maintain izes in treating patients with substance
their independence. She also supervises abuse issues.
The Terraces’ resident attendants.
Grand Rapids – Diabetes research con-
Grand Rapids – Spectrum Health ducted at Helen DeVos Children’s
announced the formation of the Frederik Hospital and 29 other trial sites in the
Meijer Heart and Vascular Institute U.S. and Canada showed children and
along with a generous gift from Fred and adults with Type 1 diabetes achieved bet-
Lena Meijer to help support its develop- ter glucose control by using a sensor-
ment. Cardiologist Richard McNamara, augmented insulin pump compared to
MD and cardiothoracic surgeon Lawrence the most common approach to care today
Patzelt, MD, will serve as co-interim exec- – multiple daily insulin injections.
utive medical directors while a national Results from The Sensor-Augmented
search is conducted to recruit a permanent Pump Therapy for A1C Reduction (STAR
cardiovascular physician to lead the 3) trial were recently published online in
Institute. Suzette Jaskie will serve as the The New England Journal of Medicine
executive administrative director of the and presented at the American Diabetes
Institute. The Institute’s emphasis on Association 70th Scientific Sessions. The
research includes partnering with Van study was sponsored by Medtronic, Inc.
Andel Institute and Michigan State with participation from 485 patients (329
University College of Human Medicine. adult and 156 pediatric subjects) ranging
Efforts will focus on translational research in age from 7 to 70.
that begins in the lab and progresses to
clinical trials for people with diseases such Grand Rapids – A specialist in pediatric
as heart failure, acute coronary syn- orthopaedics from Helen DeVos
dromes and heart arrhythmias. Steps also Children’s Hospital has opened practice
will be taken to implement a cardiovascu- in collaboration with Southwest
lar education program for physicians, Michigan Center for Orthopaedic and
nurses, allied health professionals and Sports Medicine and Lakeland
technologists. Once the research program HealthCare. The monthly clinic will pro-
is established, a cardiovascular education vide orthopaedic care to children with
medical director will be recruited to create congenital, developmental, infectious
a broad medical education program. and traumatic disorders of the muscu-
loskeletal system.
Muskegon – Generation Care and Dr.
Rick Baszler of Grand Haven Bone and Grand Rapids – Spectrum Health’s
Joint are the sports medicine, athletic request to offer adult bone marrow trans-
training and physical therapy providers plants received final approval from the
for the new Muskegon Community Michigan Department of Community
College’s men’s hockey club, the Health. This is the only adult program in
Jayhawks. Bringing nearly 30 years of the western half of the state. Spectrum
hockey injury management experience Health plans on performing the first trans-
to the team, Generation Care and Baszler plant within the next few months and
will offer pre-season assessments, func- hopes to perform approximately 12 within
tional training programs, peak perform- the first year. State approval requires that
ance testing, injury prevention and med- Spectrum Health perform the first trans-
ical coverage for league events. plant within one year of final approval.
Quality Office Furniture,
at a price you can afford!
Bill Feyen
616-554-0200
billfeyen@exceloffice.com
Grand Rapids – Yi Cai, MD, PhD, has
joined Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Physicians, members of Spectrum
Health Medical group, as a pediatric
nephrologist. Dr. Cai and his colleagues
provide care to children with general
nephrology needs including hyperten-
sion, kidney disease, chronic or acute
renal failure, dialysis-dependent renal
failure and renal transplantation.
Grand Rapids – Dr. Marsha Rappley, dean
of the Michigan State University College
of Human Medicine, has been named the
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of
Commerce’s 2010 ATHENA® Award recip-
ient. The ATHENA Award honors an indi-
vidual who has demonstrated leadership
in her/his field, mentored and opened
doors of opportunities for women and con-
tributed time and talent to the community.
Grand Rapids – Priority Health has
given out their 2009 Quality Awards rec-
ognizing excellence in health care
among individual physicians and group
practices for superior performance, clini-
cal quality measures and patient satis-
faction based on national standards and
solid, evidence-based medicine. Priority
Health has given nine offices awards for
Exceptional Patient Care, all of them
within the Advantage Health
Physician Network (AHPN): Jenison
Family Medicine, Northwest Family
Medicine, Caledonia Family Medicine,
Downtown OB/GYN, East Beltline
Family Medicine and Southwest
Campus. Also part of the APHN,
Rivertown Family Medicine and
Downtown Family Medicine received
Outstanding Health Care Value awards.
Northeast Family Medicine, Southeast
Family Medicine and Walker/Standale
Family Medicine received both awards.
West Michigan – Mercy Health
Partners - Life Counseling announced
the addition of Julie Golin, MA, LLP,
CAAC to the staff. Julie’s experience
includes substance abuse and mental
health treatment, child, adolescent and
adult therapy and marriage counseling.
Julie’s experience also includes play
therapy, art therapy and trauma work.
Grand Rapids – Lutheran Social
Services of Michigan has hired Tom
Curran to be marketing coordinator at
The Terraces at MapleCreek, which
features catered independent living
apartments for seniors.
14
Kent County – Children’s Assessment
Center was selected by the National
Children’s Alliance to receive $700 in
Target gift cards from the Verizon
Foundation. Children’s Assessment
Center is one of 145 National Children’s
Alliance accredited Children’s Advocacy
Centers to receive this gift from the
Verizon Foundation’s total donation of
$100,000 in Target gift cards.
Allegan – Matthew J. Lappenga, DPM, has
joined the Wound Healing Center at
Allegan General Hospital. Dr. Lappenga
specializes in the treatment of chronic
wounds and offers hospital-based outpa-
tient wound care and hyperbaric oxygen
therapy.
Flint – John Rogus of Grand Rapids has
joined McLaren Health Plan as a sales
executive. Rogus previously served as a
sales executive for Humana and brings
over 20 years of experience in the health
care industry.
Grand Rapids – Pine Rest announced
that clinician Sarah Muench, MA, LLP,
has joined the staff at Pine Rest Christian
Mental Health Services at the Zeeland
Clinic, 8333 Felch Street, Suite 201.
Grand Rapids – Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan and Blue Care Network
have designated Spectrum Health
Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals as
Blue Distinction Centers for Spine
SurgerySM and Blue Distinction Centers
for Knee and Hip Replacement.
Grand Rapids – Hyundai Motor
America and its dealers as part of the
Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ 2010 tour
announced a $25,000 grant to Helen
DeVos Children’s Hospital. The 2010
Hope on Wheels Tour is traveling
nationwide to donate more than $2.1
million pediatric to research institutions.
Uli Duffner, MD, hematologist/oncolo-
gist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
was named a 2010 Hyundai Scholar, and
will use the funds to support bone mar-
row transplant research at Helen DeVos
Children’s Hospital.
Grand Rapids – Dan Arndt, MD, a pedi-
atric neurologist and epileptologist, and
Yaw Appiagyei, MD, a pediatric
endocrinologist, have joined Helen
DeVos Children’s Hospital Physicians,
members of Spectrum Health Medical
Group.

Health Care Reform - What’s Behind the Curtain?
By Roland Palmer
Many employers are currently con-
fronted with the question, “How do I
address employee health care benefits
given the changes coming under Patient
Protection and Affordability Care Act
(PPACA)?” Well, I’m not sure that we
have seen many of the actual changes
that will be occurring, but we have seen
and heard the proposed changes in the
expansion of insurance coverage for uni-
versal populations. What we have not
heard is how these changes affect 1) pay-
ment to physicians and hospitals, 2) the
health care delivery system which will
need to accommodate the influx of new
government funded patients or 3) how
currently under-funded government pro-
grams will continue to affect the cost of
employer health insurance. Many
“experts” suggest that it will be at least
ten years before we see the full impact of
the Reform.
In addition to the proposed inclu-
sion of approximately 40 million cur-
rently uninsured people into the insured
population (current estimates are that 20
million of the 40 million will be insured
by the government through Medicaid),
the over-65 population is also increas-
ing, meaning the Government also is
paying for a larger Medicare population.
Currently, Governmental health care pro-
grams are paying 50% of every health
care dollar spent in the United States.
With the expansion of both the Medicaid
and Medicare populations, the
Government’s financial responsibility is
sure to increase even further. The
expansion of Government health care
programs would not be a significant
cause for concern, if the government
were currently paying for the cost of
these programs. Unfortunately, this is
not the case.
The current optimistic concern is
that Medicare is paying hospitals at a
break-even level operationally with no
allowance for profit or expansion.
Medicaid is paying at 85% of hospital
break-even levels. Under the PPACA
proposal, there would be significant cuts
in Medicare payments to doctors and
hospitals and smaller but consistent
cuts in Medicaid payments.
A reduction in reimbursement for
these two programs would necessitate
hospitals and physicians charging high-
er prices to other commercial payers that
would exacerbate an already problemat-
ic situation with some commercial
insurers paying up to 160% of hospital
costs.
Unless the Government creates
some type of payment reform, which is
not contained in the current federal
15
the number of people seeking health
care services dramatically. Because the
health care system was too inefficient
and specialty oriented to respond to the
needs of the newly enrolled insured
population, time to get an appointment
with a physician increased from weeks
to months and the use of the emergency
rooms increased dramatically, which in
turn increased the cost of health care
services.
Any program that hopes to reduce
health care costs to serve a larger
insured population will require signifi-
cant expansion of primary care services
that are easily accessible, personal med-
ical homes for people with chronic ill-
nesses and accountable care organiza-
tions that fund efficient, effective ways
of delivering care that optimizes quality
and reduces costs.
What is titled to be health care
reform is currently insurance expansion

Health Care Briefs reform law, an already disproportionate

burden of payment on commercial
with a larger amount of how to’s still
hidden behind the curtain.
insurance carriers will get even worse.
New York, NY – In recognition of Grand Rapids – Spectrum Health was
The third issue is the health care Roland Palmer is President & CEO
September’s designation as National Pain ranked as the nation's fifth largest
delivery system changes that will be of Grand Valley Health Plan – a locally
Awareness Month, the American Society provider of hip and knee replacements in
necessary under reform. Having health owned and operated West Michigan
of Interventional Pain Physicians a recent issue of Orthopedic Network
(ASIPP) announced that it is planning a News (ONN). Blue Cross Blue Shield of insurance does not guarantee timely family healthcare provider and staff-
month-long educational campaign to Michigan and Blue Care Network have access to physicians and hospitals. In model HMO.
improve the quality of life for the approx- also designated Spectrum Health the case of Massachusetts, the passage
imately 75 million Americans suffering Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals as of universal health coverage increased
from acute and chronic pain. As part of Blue Distinction
this outreach, ASIPP has developed a con- Centers for Spine
sumer section on its website Surgery and Blue
(www.asip.org) that includes information Distinction Centers
about the latest diagnostic procedures and for Knee and Hip
technologies, as well as an online directo- Replacement.
ry of interventional pain physicians who
are experts at both finding the cause of Grand Rapids –
pain and then treating it before it becomes Grand Valley
a chronic or worsening problem. Health Plan wel-
comed Nathan
Grand Rapids - Dr. Gwen Unzicker, Mann, D.O. to
family practice doctor at Spectrum their health care
Health Medical Group, will join another team. Dr. Mann
doctor and two medical students to will be seeing
address ongoing health needs in Haiti. patients at Grand
The team will be part of a Medical Teams Valley’s Beckwith
International outreach for two weeks. Family Health
The team will coordinate medical care Center and OB
from the Medical Teams International Center of
field office in Port-au-Prince which Excellence located
opened after the disaster struck. at 2680 Leonard
Grand Rapids – Lutheran Social NE in Grand
Services of Michigan has hired Lilah Rapids. Dr. Mann
Miller as director of nursing at The specializes in fam-
Lodge at MapleCreek skilled nursing ily medicine, OB
and rehabilitation center in southeast care and acupunc-
Grand Rapids. ture.

By John W. Weiss
Design-Build continues to be a
valuable project delivery system in the
construction industry as building owners
and developers continue to use this
method to design and construct projects
throughout our area. Over the years,
Design Plus has partnered with many
construction companies and building
owners to provide projects on a Design-
Build basis.
Design-build is one of the three
most common methods for designing
and constructing projects, the others
being Design-Bid-Build and
Construction Management. These are all
delivery systems that are frequently used
in our area, and each has its own set of
advantages and disadvantages. Still,
many building owners believe that the
Design-Build approach provides several
advantages to the more commonly used
approaches. These include:
* enhanced communication
* single point of responsibility
* enhanced accountability for all
members of the team
Local Firm Provides Expertise of European Counterpart
Grand Rapids – You may know
West Michigan is on the forefront of
sustainable design, but you may be sur-
prised to learn our local expertise is
being exported.
Europe does not often come to the
United States for help in sustainable
building techniques, but a local West
Michigan firm has opened that border.
Roughly 290 miles from Perugia, Italy,
Putting the Pieces Together
SEEING THE ENTIRE SOLUTION, NOT JUST THE PARTS
• Access Control
• Digital Video Surveillance
• Intrusion Alarm
• Fire Alarm
• Photo ID Badging
• Visitor Management
Grand Rapids, MI 616-773-6300
Design-Build Overview
* value-based decision making dur-
ing design.
In the more traditional approach of
Design-Bid-Build, the owner hires an
architect who completes all of the plans
and documentation of a project. When
the architect has finished their work,
general contractors are invited to bid the
project based on the information provid-
ed in the architect’s plans and then con-
struct it accordingly.
Under a Construction Management
approach, the owner hires an architect to
develop the construction documents and
also hires a construction manager who is
responsible for all the sub-contractors,
cost estimates, budgeting, scheduling
and insuring for the project. The
Construction Management approach
involves separate contracts with the
architect and the construction manager.
With the Design-Build method the
owner has only one contract and hires a
single design and construction team.
This team composed of both design and
construction professionals works togeth-
er throughout the entire project. There is
one contract and thus a single point of
(Grand Rapids’ Sister City), Fishbeck,
Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTC&H)
is providing their sustainable design
knowledge to clients in Italy’s Trentino
Province.
FTC&H’s professional relationship
with the Michigan State University
School of Planning, Design, and
Construction led them to work on green
building projects in Italy with the
www.securalarm.com
responsibility for the successful comple-
tion of the project.
Each of these delivery methods has
its advantages and disadvantages and
often the size, complexity, type of owner
or other factors can determine the most
appropriate method for the design and
construction of a project. For instance, in
Michigan, many public projects require
clear checks and balances and clear sep-
aration of design from construction and
thus do not qualify for the Design-Build
approach. At other times, a building
owner may choose to construct the proj-
ect based solely on the lowest bid and
therefore the design-bid-build approach
may be more appropriate.
If selecting the Design-Build
method, building owners must insure
that each member of the team under-
stands their role and is willing to work
cooperatively and always as a team. Not
all contractors or architects have the
experience and collaborative nature to
work together in this manner. Design-
Build is truly a system of shared respon-
sibility, accountability and requires firms
with the ability to put teamwork first.
University of Trento and Distretto
Tecnologico Trentino (DTTN), a consor-
tium committed to developing applica-
tions and innovations in construction
with low energy consumption, renewable
energy and intelligent land use. FTC&H
was originally hired as a systems com-
missioning authority for a new primary
school being constructed in the Village of
Arco. Relationships formed during that
project led to more work for the
Michigan-based firm, including systems
commissioning, LEED administration
and energy modeling services for multi-
ple DTTN projects. One in particular, the
ITC Floriani, Riva del Garda (a trade
school addition) was just awarded LEED
Gold and was the first LEED-Schools cer-
tification in Italy.
FTC&H teamed with another Italian
client, Habitech, on the world headquar-
ters for the United Nations’ International
Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) in Rome. This project was
awarded LEED Gold for Existing
Buildings: Operations and Management
(EBOM). This was FTC&H’s first certifi-
cation under LEED for Existing
Buildings and likely the first LEED for
Existing Buildings in Italy. As in all
16
In the future, Design-Build will con-
tinue to grow as a construction delivery
method. Teaming in this manner with
the contractor and architect working col-
laboratively will be a favored approach
by owners seeking a single contract for
their construction project and a single
source of responsibility insuring that the
team works together to achieve the goals
of the project. In addition, the future of
creating teams that utilize BIM (Building
Information Modeling) software will
benefit greatly from the collaborative
contributions of Design-Build team
members. All of the work at Design Plus
utilizes BIM software and many of our
area’s contractors and building owners
are seeking projects that utilize the
Design-Build approach to construction
delivery.
John Weiss is president and CEO of
Design Plus, Inc in Grand Rapids – a
full-service architecture, engineering,
interior design and landscape architec-
ture firm. Weiss is also chairman of the
Kent County Road Commission.
LEED systems, projects are awarded
points for sustainable measures in site,
water, energy, materials and indoor
environmental quality. The LEED-EBOM
system stresses performance in opera-
tions and management rather than
design and construction.
With its current European efforts,
FTC&H is also exploring potential proj-
ects that could take them to such loca-
tions as Turkey, Spain, and Costa Rica.
Next Month’s Topics:
Credit Union Month
Women in Business
Transportation
Packaging
Surveying
Constr. Management
Dental/Vision/Hearing
To be involved call
616-583-1577

Should Your Next Construction Project Be
Design/Build?
By Chris Beckering
Selecting the appropriate delivery
method for a construction project is a crit-
ical first step for an owner. It is important
to understand the advantages and disad-
vantages of the various delivery methods
(General Contracting, Construction
Management, and Design/Build) to make
the best decision for your project.
The Design/Build delivery method
requires a high level of trust between the
owner and the Design/Build firm. The firm
may be a single company that offers both
architectural and contracting services or an
architect-contractor team with the contrac-
tor holding the contract for the construction
and design. One obvious advantage for the
owner of this delivery method is the single
source of responsibility, rather than negoti-
ating and contracting independently with a
contractor and architect. Moreover, you get
the benefit of a collaborative team
approach as opposed to the ‘balance of
power’ approach often seen with the
General Contracting delivery method. Some
clients see the Design/Build method result-
ing in less “finger-pointing” and faster
decision making.
When executed properly, a firm that has a track record of successfully
Design/Build approach results in accelerated
projects schedules, better overall value, and
exceptional quality. A Design/Build team
involves the architect, project manager, and
superintendent very early in the process.
Therefore, potential concerns relating to
design-to-field implications are addressed
early and can be value-engineered quickly
without wasted design effort and costly
change orders. The person responsible for
building can provide input and direction to
Going Green with
Concrete
Pervious • Polishing • Paving
LEED AP
on Staff
Moline, MI 616-877-0008
17
the person designing. This minimizes costly tently provide clients with exceptional facil- Chris Beckering is director of busi-
redesign and change orders during con- ities that function as intended and that are ness development at Pioneer Construction
struction. Moreover, design need not be delivered on time and within budget.” – a Grand Rapids- based design/build,
100% completed before construction begins If speed of delivery is a primary con- construction management, general con-
with Design/Build. Certain aspects of design cern and you have a contractor or archi- tracting, and LEED certified construction
(such as foundations and structure) can be tect you trust, Design/Build is an excellent company.
completed early, allowing work to begin construction delivery method.
while other aspects such as finish selection
decisions can be made while construction is
underway. The compressed schedule trans-
lates to cost savings.
The primary advantage of a one-stop
or contractor-led Design/Build team is
chemistry and teamwork. The contractor
will select a project manager-superintend-
ent team that is particularly well-suited for
the specific project and then pair this team
with an architect to assemble a comprehen-
sive Design/Build known to work well
together. The team members’ selection pairs
complimentary skill sets of individuals and
considers communication skills, profes-
sionalism, creativity, attention to detail and
project specific requirements. Getting the
right people on the team ensures a positive
experience for the owner.
“If you need help determining which
delivery method is best for you and for your
specific project, it is best to speak with a
delivering projects using each of the vari-
ous delivery methods,” says Tim
Schowalter, president of Pioneer
Construction. “This way, you can get an
unbiased opinion as to the best method. If
you determine Design/Build to be right for
your project, the best method for evaluating
a Design/Build firm is to speak with indi-
viduals who have worked with the team on
a recent project. The only way to demon-
strate success in Design/Build is to consis-
www.burgessconcrete.com

In or Out? Pay or Not? - Floodplain & Flood Insurance
By Donald De Groot, P.E.
As part of the National Flood
Insurance Program, the Federal
Government has assigned the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) the task of mapping the Special
Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) (also referred
to as the 100 year flood plain) over prac-
tically the entire Country. While some
areas that have been mapped previously
will be updated, other areas will be
mapped for the first time. Once these
maps become effective, lending institu-
tions will be notified of the map’s effec-
tive date. These lending institutions
(either by Federal mandate for federally
backed loans or based on their own cri-
teria) will require that all property that is
determined to be in the SFHA carry flood
insurance. While this requirement
applies to all future mortgages, it also
applies to existing mortgages. Because
maps are either being updated or created
for the first time, your property may now
be in the SFHA. Property that could be
affected may be located around lakes,
rivers and tributaries. Property may be
residential, commercial or industrial.
FEMA develops its maps using the
best information it has available.
Unfortunately, limitations in the infor-
mation FEMA uses may cause areas to
be shown in the SFHA even though the
property is at or above the elevation of
the 100 year floodplain.
If this is the case, in order to remove
your property from the SFHA so that you
are no longer required to carry flood
insurance, FEMA has adopted a process
referred to as a Letter of Map Amendment
(LOMA). This process requires accurate
survey information and completion and
certification of LOMA forms by a profes-
sional engineer or surveyor.
Filing a LOMA with FEMA often can
be completed for less than one year’s
premium for flood insurance, and you
should contact a professional planning,
18
applications as required by lenders or
flood insurance providers. We also are
able to provide both small and large-
scale cross-sections of rivers for flood
plain analysis and determination by local
authorities or FEMA projects. If you have
been notified by your lender that your
property is in the SFHA or if you have
any concerns or questions regarding how
floodplains may affect your property,
please contact us at (616) 531-3660.
Donald De Groot, P.E. is engineering
department manager and has been with
the Grand Rapids-based and employee-
owned Exxel Engineering, Inc. since

Construction Briefs engineering and surveying company to

Caledonia – DVK Construction has
recently completed the new medical
office for Lakeshore Dermatology at
1550 3 Mile Road in Walker, MI. This is
the second location for the Norton
Shores-based dermatology, laser and
medical spa facility. Lakeshore
Dermatology is owned by Dr. Jason
VanIttersum.
Grand Rapids – The U.S. Green Building
Council of West Michigan will host an
inaugural green buildings tour this
September 10-11 as part of their Future
Cities event. Grand Rapids currently has
the fourth largest number (120) of
LEED-certified buildings in the nation.
The tour will 40 buildings and homes,
including health care, education, office,
small project, manufacturing and non-
profits. Tours will depart near the
Eberhard Center on Grand Valley State
University's downtown Grand Rapids
campus. The Future Cities: Climate
Strategies for Sustainable Communities
event will be presented by GreenTown
on September 10 and will feature presen-
tations on community planning, green
building, green jobs, energy, transporta-
tion, green infrastructure, local food and
new strategies for reducing waste.
assist you. At Exxel Engineering, Inc.,
1989. He is registered as a Professional
Engineer in the state of Michigan and
our survey department can provide the state of New Jersey.
Caledonia – DVK Construction has
FEMA elevation certificates or LOMA
been hired to expand the offices of
Gourmet International at their corpo-
rate headquarters on Broadmoor
Avenue in Caledonia. Gourmet
International is a distributor of imported
gourmet foods and chocolates. The new
office will also provide additional space
for a second business, Erika’s Travel, a
local travel agency.
Midland – Dow Corning Corp.
announced that Saulo Rozendo has
been named the new global green build-
ing marketer for the Dow Corning
Construction Industry. He will be
responsible for identifying and partner-
ing with global building leaders to imple-
ment innovative green building solutions
and increase energy efficiencies.
Grand Rapids – C.D. Barnes Associates
announced that they have been awarded
the renovations to Notions Marketing -
an 80 year old, Grand Rapids based, dis-
tributor supplying the craft industry.
Historical renovation work will include
the addition of new offices, restrooms
and meeting rooms. This project will
allow this family owned corporation to
continue its path of exceptional growth.

Caledonia – DVK Construction Ann Arbor – Hobbs+Black recognized

announced the completion of another
Checkers Drive-In Restaurant. The
new location at 1325 28th Street SW in
Wyoming, MI has been open for busi-
ness since the 4th of July. This is the
fifth location owned and operated by
Mike and Lisa Burkhardt in the Greater
Grand Rapids area.
Nick Scarpone (Lansing) for his promo-
tion to vice president. In addition,
Hobbs+Black announced the following
four promotions to the title of senior
associate: Dan Kohler (Ann Arbor),
Kristina Glusac (Ann Arbor), Russ
Meyer (Lansing) and Tom Dillenbeck
(Ann Arbor).

Construction Briefs
Grand Rapids – Colliers International in
West Michigan announced the following
transactions: 2004 Family Real Estate
purchased a 4,000 sq. ft. retail space at
1965 W. Main Street, SE in Lowell from
Lomi Properties, LLC. Wolverine Glass
Products Inc. purchased a 53,472 sq. ft.
industrial space at 5801 Clay St. in Grand
Rapids from seller Gill Properties, LLC.
Byron Bank sold a 49,926 sq. ft. com-
mercial space at 102 54th St. in Wyoming
to 54th Street Ventures, LLC.
Mercantile Bank sold an 8,000 sq. ft.
office space at 617 Douglas St. SW in
Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Investors,
LLC purchased a 7,221 sq. ft. commercial
space at 245 N Division in Grand Rapids
from seller was Ben T Liu (and family).
Landlord Letts Real Estate, LLC has cre-
ated a 3-year lease for a 6,100 sq. ft.
retail space at 5070 E. Main Street in
Kalamazoo for tenant Dave Ash of
RE/MAX Advantage. Cascade Road
Bldg, LLC. has leased their 2,700 sq. ft.
office space located at 5380 Cascade Rd.
in Grand Rapids to Robert Strobel, DDS.
McClure Tables, Inc., a manufacturer of
shuffleboard tables and accessories,
leased an 18,000 sq. ft. space at 6661
Roger Dr. in Jenison from P&K
Developments, LLC. L&V Development
leased a 12,936 sq. ft. industrial space at
1515 Gezon Parkway in Wyoming; 38
Commerce, LLC sold a 6,000 sq. ft.
office space at 38 Commerce in Grand
Rapids to independent online advertising
network Adtegrity; Elston Richards,
LLC sold 529,202 sq. ft. of commercial
space at 3701 Patterson Ave in Grand
Rapids to 3703 Patterson, LLC; 3695-
44th Street, LLC purchased a 34,060 sq.
ft. commercial space in Grand Rapids
from Tool Ventues International;
Arena Station, LLC leased their 3,400
sq. ft. office space at 25 Ottawa in Grand
Rapids to Armour-Eckrich Meats, LLC;
MS Partners, LLC leased their 10,048
sq. ft. retail space at 7017 S Westnedge
Ave in Portage to Carelinc Medical
Equipment & Supply Co., LLC; Mirus
Custom Cabinetry leased a 4,000 sq. ft.
commercial space at 1506 E State Street
in Hastings from Dick and Kathie
Ziegler; Customer Retention Solutions
leased an 8,600 sq. ft. commercial space
at 2550 Millcork Road in Kalamazoo.
Plymouth – Soil and Materials
Engineers, Inc. announced the addition
of Brian S. Trent, PE, LEED® AP as
project engineer to their brownfield rede-
velopment team in Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids – This month, C.D.
Barnes Associates decided to honor
site manager Pete Heinen for his hard
work and commitment to the company.
After 56 years in operation, C.D. Barnes
Associates itself has an average employ-
ee tenure of 15 years.
Muskegon – Signature Associates has
negotiated the following: The sale of a
6,042 sq. ft. industrial building at 1619
Marion Avenue in Grand Haven from sell-
er Coastal Real Estate Holdings, LLC to
buyer Grand Haven Steel Products, Inc.;
The lease of 9,792 sq. ft. of industrial
space at 2055 Oak Industrial Drive NE in
Grand Rapids for landlord Grand Rapids
Label Co.; The lease of 18,000 sq. ft. of
industrial space at 3520 Jefferson Avenue
SE in Wyoming for landlord Northtown
Center, Inc. and tenant Charter
Distributing Company; The lease of
3,500 sq. ft. of office space at 44
Grandville Avenue SW, Suite 320 in Grand
Rapids for tenant Carnevale ID, LLC.
Detroit – The U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development
announced $1 million to the City of Port
Huron for the conversion of the Sperry’s
Department Store Building into new
professional and retail space which will
provide over 15 business incubators and
create and retain 195 jobs. The total
project cost is $11,022,443 million.
Grand Rapids – Colliers International
has announced the following transac-
tions: Dadson Properties, LLC, renewed
their 31,875 sq. ft. industrial space at
2925 Remico St. SW in Grandville to ten-
ant, K&M Tire, Inc.; Edward Jones
leased a 1,145 sq. ft. retail space at 6769
Courtland Drive in Rockford from land-
lord Stanton Real Estate, LLC; Cascade
Road Building Dveleopment LLC
leased their 1,140 sq. ft. office space at
5380 Cascade Road in Grand Rapids.
Kentwood – The City of Kentwood
announced the completion of the
Kentwood District Library at 4950
Breton Ave. Wolverine Building Group
wrapped up construction on the 43,000
sq. ft. facility that will serve as the
Kentwood District Library’s new flagship
location. The $6.5 Million, two-story
building was designed by Post
Architects and an outdoor courtyard
addition was made possible through the
efforts of The Kentwood Foundation
and numerous private supporters.
19
Grand Rapids – In an effort to alleviate Caledonia – DVK Construction has
congestion and gain revenue opportuni- recently been awarded the contract for
ties, Van Andel Arena has begun a $1.2 an entry way renovation for East
million project to expand the concourse Leonard Christian Reform Church. The
area. The construction will expand the renovation provides barrier free entrance
concourse by about 3,500 sq. ft.. into the church including site concrete
Designed by Southfield-based Rossetti and a new canopy. The project architect
Architects (the arena’s original archi- is Century A&E and is scheduled to be
tects) the expansion is part of the Grand complete in September.
Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena
Authority’s (CAA) capital improve- Grand Rapids – Colliers International
ments budget. General contractor has announced: Network 180 sold their
Rockford Construction Company, Inc. 24,260 sq. ft. office space located at 833
has sub-contracted to use all local firms, Lake Dr in Grand Rapids; Jersey
including minority-owned businesses, to Marshall Inc. sold their 252,000 sq. ft.
complete the expansion. office space at 410 & 820 E Mann Rd. in
Marshall to Golden Rule, LLC; Spica
Grand Rapids – The Grand Rapids Properties, LLC sold 1.29 acres of
Association of Realtors has announced vacant land at 5631 Byron Center Ave in
that single family home prices were up Wyoming to McDonald’s USA, LLC;
for the eighth consecutive month com- Centerpoint Properties Trust leased
pared to the same months last year. The their 40,000 sq. ft. commercial space at
average single family home price was 4480-44th Street in Grand Rapids to
$117,412, up 2.6 percent over July Sprinter Services, Inc.; Core Realty
2009. Year-to-date, the average sales Holdings leased their 30,000 sq. ft.
price is up 10.9 percent compared to commercial space at 509-76th Street in
2009. The total number of single-family Grand Rapids to Bid-R-Done, an online
homes sold in July was 681, compared to auction company; Arena Station, LLC
1,040 from July 2009. The inventory leased their 3,000 sq. ft. office space at
level of homes for sale dropped to 8,148 25 Ottawa in downtown Grand Rapids to
putting upward pressure on home prices. RedThread Communications.
“We serve your needs with quality & innovation.”
Property Assessments
Permits & Regulations
Environmental Process
& Treatment Design
Field Engineering &
Technical Support
616.791.7100
www.rosewestra.com
4328 Three Mile Rd., NW, Ste. 200 • Grand Rapids, MI

Windemuller - Building Turbines and Building
Relationships in MI Wind Power
Wayland - In this economy, most
electrical/mechanical manufacturers,
installers and service companies have
taken hits as their clients have taken
hits. Spending reluctance and an intense
need for cost reduction has caused a
slump in productivity that many busi-
nesses are simply trying to weather out.
Diversification has always been a good
strategy for improving the bottom line,
but these days, it’s becoming more and
more of a necessity. With traditional
profit lines dwindling or becoming slug-
gish, new innovation and expansion into
previously untapped markets could be
the key to staying afloat or even prof-
itable in this environment.
Wayland, Michigan-based company
Windemuller was established back in
1954 as an electrical contractor, and
since then, they’ve diversified their line-
up to include automation, outdoor utili-
ty, communications and information
technology services and are still going
strong today. One of their newest divi-
sions tapped into the renewable energy
market back in 2001 when they wired
up their first wind turbine.
“Since then, the whole industry
took hold,” said Daryl Holwerda, a
business development manager at
Windemuller for the past 10 years. “We
decided, whether it's solar or wind, that
we had to put energy into this and
make it real, rather than just letting it
happen. We could have let things
progress on their own, taking what
came to us. But putting a focus on it,
setting goals and targeting clients has
really given us the kind of experience to
be leaders in the industry.”
With increased demand in the wind
industry in recent years, Windemuller
has been picking up work not only in
Michigan but around the country, bidding
on jobs in Florida, Maine, Texas,
Arizona, Ohio and Indiana among others.
“It comes from a lot of relationship
building,” explains Holwerda. “These are
connections we’ve been establishing
over years now, and the alliance we’ve
made puts us way ahead of the game.
We’ve been attending trade show semi-
nars, networking and exchanging infor-
mation. There are people I would have
seen years ago as competitors who I now
see as teammates and allies.”
When dealing with wind power,
these kind of networks are indispensable.
Where a standard building might require
a relatively simple series of permits, wind
instillations involve grant writing, citing,
properly connecting to transmission lines
and a slew of other entities and factors
that need to be taken into consideration
like local and state laws regulating size,
capacity and a myriad of other design
and implementation facets.
“We've built a network of friends,”
says Holwerda. “Different engineers,
general contractors… even the guys that
haul the blades. You need the best peo-
ple for the job, those who are experi-
enced. For example, we've found a com-
pany with a blade trailer in Grand
Rapids; To have that in our own back-
yard is a great thing. Now we know who
to talk to. Or take grant writing. I have a
great guy for grant writing in private
enterprises, but when I deal with a
municipality, I have a different one I use.
Knowing this makes my batting average
of getting the grant a lot better and ends
up getting the job done.”
The job for Windemuller is focusing
on utility grade turbines. Wind technolo-
gy can be divided into three basic levels
– small, community and large or utility
grade – and these divisions roughly cor-
relate to size and capacity. Utility grade
is requested by individual investors,
community scale is generally govern-
ments, municipalities, schools, etc. and
small scale is typically residential.
However, these lines often bleed into one
another. In many commercial applica-
tions, for example, residential size tur-
bines are often employed.
Wind isn’t the only thing
Windemuller has its hands on; They
offer services for ethanol plants and
solar panels as well. “We do things like
Met [Meteorological] towers that collect
wind data to determine good locations
for wind installations too,” notes
Holwerda. “I’m working on a project
right now that involves nearly sixty of
them. Michigan has been blessed with
fairly low electrical rates so far. As they
jump up, we’re going to see more of
these along with more turbines going
up as well.”
Windemuller continues to expand
its business even though the Michigan
20
market for wind may not be as strong as
it is in other states; The Midwest has
seen projects of 100 turbine units and
more while Texas installed the most
new wind power in this year’s second
quarter. Still, the Clean, Renewable, and
Efficient Energy Act of 2008 (PA 295)
has required that Michigan’s electricity
providers generate around ten percent
of their electricity using renewable
sources by 2015 and a large portion of
this mandate is expected to be fulfilled
using wind power.
“We’re going to continue building
on our connections and experience with-
in this industry,” said Holwera. “New
technology is being tested at a wind farm
that we're working on here in Michigan,
and we hope to share more exciting
information on this very soon. It has the
potential of putting us at the forefront of
this industry.”
Architectural
Registration
Exam Study
Grand Rapids - AIA Grand Valley
and the Grand Rapids Community College
Library has agreed to be a study site for
students and intern architects preparing
to take their registration exams.
The Michigan Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects (AIA),
has purchased and placed on reserve the
entire set of the 2010 Architectural
Registration Exam test preparation
booklets, study guides, and practice
vignettes published by Kaplan.
This effort is spearheaded by the
AIA Michigan Center for Emerging
Professional Resources. The availability
of these study materials will be of great
help to students and interns working
towards licensure who find the cost and
availability of study materials formidable.
To take advantage of these free
study materials, intern architects and
students alike can come to the Grand
Rapids Community College Library to
sign up either with their driver’s license,
local public library card, or a GRCC
Library card. Because of the expected
demand, these materials are “library use
only” and are held at the library’s front
reference desk.

By Thomas M. Doran and
Dennis Benoit
Something that is becoming more
prevalent in the design of water and
wastewater infrastructure is greater sen-
sitivity to the natural environment and
the desire to keep energy use to a mini-
mum (especially high priorities in West
Michigan and the Great Lakes States). A
number of different techniques and
practices are now being used to achieve
these goals.
On a recent pumping station project
“Greening” Infrastructure
in the City of Grand Rapids, horizontal
directional drilling – a technique that
minimizes surface disruption – was used
to install a sanitary sewage force main,
in part, an effort to minimize the impact
of construction on the environment. In
similar fashion, many older sewers and
water mains can be lined, thus restoring
them to an almost-new condition and
reducing or eliminating the need to exca-
vate and replace pipe. There are now a
number of trenchless technologies that
may be appropriate when installing or
rehabilitating underground pipes.
At more and more wastewater treat-
ment plants, biosystems are being
enhanced to reduce or eliminate the need
to add chemicals to remove nutrients
from wastewater, and thereby preclude
the sludge that is produced with chemi-
cal treatment. Also, newer devices used
to add oxygen to biological systems are
much more energy efficient than older
devices, providing significant energy
savings. At the Delhi Township waste-
water treatment plant, waste solids are
digested to produce methane gas; This
gas, in turn, powers microturbines that
produce electricity. They even use sheep
21
ding environmental impact. In many
Michigan communities including Grand
Rapids, some of the storm water in for-
merly combined sewers is being removed
to reduce the cost of treatment and to
prevent untreated discharges during
extreme wet weather.
When considering the miles of
sewer and water main in west Michigan
and the number of treatment facilities,
these “greening” practices and tech-
niques have the potential to have a big
impact on the environment and energy.
Thomas M. Doran, P.E., is vice pres-

Industrial Briefs
Holland – LeanLogistics has been recog-
nized as a top preferred service provider
with the ‘Procurement Excellence Award’
in a customer survey conducted by the
producers of the strategic procurement
conference, ProcureCon.
Holland – GMB Architecture +
Engineering announced that Mary
Bamborough, IIDA, has been named to
the Holland Museum board of trustees
for 2010-2013. With over 20 years of
experience, Bamborough joined GMB in
2006 to serve as director of interior
design.
Walker – Tubelite Inc. announced G.
Bowie and Associates as its manufactur-
er's representative in Alabama, Kentucky
and Tennessee. Drawing from more than
30 years of experience in commercial
building products and services, the G.
Bowie team works closely with architects,
contractors, consultants, property man-
agers, building owners and developers
throughout the Southeast region.
to maintain the landscape rather than ident and principal-in-charge of the
energy using lawn equipment. Grand Rapids office location of Hubbell,
Increasingly, storm water is being Roth & Clark, Inc. – a full service profes-
Walker – Contributing to environmental used to enhance local environments sional engineering firm. Dennis Benoit,
and energy-efficiency goals, Tubelite rather than being conveyed long dis- P.E., is an associate and the Grand
Inc. now offers Therml=Block™ door tances, thus reducing surges into rivers Rapids office manager.
products with thermal barriers. These and streams and reducing the correspon-
insulated doors and frames are manu-
factured using EcoLuminum™, a high
recycled-content aluminum billet com-
position featuring environmentally-
friendly finishes. SETTING THE PACE
Grand Rapids – Randy Rapp, registered
sanitarian, of Exxel Engineering, Inc., FOR TOMORROW
has obtained the State of Michigan Type
ll (non-residential) Water Works System
Operator certification. He is qualified to
conduct routine tests on and maintain
private Type ll water systems for facto-
ries, churches, schools, offices, etc.
Holland – Trendway announced the
introduction of Sketch R, a new series of
office seating. Sleek, tailored and loaded
with features, Sketch R is a handsome
chair at a very competitive price.

Taylor – Andrew McCune, PE, executive

Business Lacks Trim Systems
vice president of Wade Trim, was
named president of the American
Council of Engineering Companies of
Michigan (ACEC/M). ACEC is a nation-
update ublication
Lacks Wheel Trim Systems
al professional association representing Plastic-Plate, Inc.
more than 5,500 private-practice con-
sulting engineering firms. The Michigan
Have your
Chapter represents more than 100 con-
sulting engineering, surveying, architec-
own copy
Manufacturer of plastic components for the Automotive,
tural and related engineering compa-
nies. Under McCune’s direction as presi-
E-mailed Business Machine, Electronics, and Telecommunications Industries.
dent, ACEC/M will focus on increasing
the organization’s legislative involve-
monthly 5460 Cascade Road • Grand Rapids, MI 49546 • 616-949-6570
ment, becoming the “go to” engineering
association in Michigan and increasing
member involvement.
prupdate@businessupdate.com

Biopharmaceutical Company Secures Funding from
West Michigan Investors
Kalamazoo – ProNAi Therapeutics
Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical
company based in Kalamazoo, MI, has
secured financing to advance the Phase I
clinical studies of its lead cancer drug
PNT2258. ProNAi raised the capital from
a group of Michigan investors, including
Kalamazoo-based Apjohn Ventures,
west Michigan angel investing group
Grand Angels and the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. A
total of $750,000 has been invested so
far, with rolling closes continuing
through the remainder of the year.
ProNAi COO Robert Forgey said,
“This investment was critical for ProNAi
to advance the development of this novel
cancer treatment. Given the serious
nature of the disease, as many new com-
pounds as possible need to be responsi-
bly tested for clinical efficacy. The pre-
22
clinical data has been very compelling
and we hope to see patient benefit as we
move into later stage development.”
Jody Vanderwel, president of
Grand Angels, said her group’s mem-
bers have invested in all three rounds
of ProNAi financings. “Those invest-
ments reflect the confidence our mem-
bers have in the skill and passion of
Bob Forgey and his team, and the
potential they see for the drug candi-
date to significantly improve the treat-
ment outcomes for certain cancers.”
PNT2258 represents ProNAi’s first
drug candidate, a novel oligodeoxynu-
cleotide encapsulated in a proprietary
liposome formulation. PNT2258 is
under development for treatment of
malignant solid tumors and lymphomas.
ProNAi’s initial drug candidate PNT2258
consists of the active ingredient
PNT100, a 24?base, single-strand,
chemically unmodified (i.e., natural
phosphodiester backbone) oligonu-
cleotide, encapsulated in a net-negative-
ly charged liposome. The PNT100 was
designed to target genomic DNA (as
opposed to antisense or RNAi which tar-
get mRNA) and is complementary to a
sequence upstream of the promoter
region in the BCL2 oncogene which is
over expressed in non-Hodgkin’s lym-
phoma (NHL), malignant melanoma,
prostate cancer and metastatic breast
cancer, and other cancers. The mecha-
nism of action of PNT2258 appears to be
multifactorial and may include regulato-
ry effects on gene expression and apop-
tosis induction as well as stimulation of
immune responses and complement
activation. Further preclinical and clini-
cal studies are planned to define the
contributions of the various mecha-
nisms to antitumor efficacy and explore
biomarkers.
Importantly, ProNAi received
approval from the US FDA Oncology
Division in March 2008 for its
Investigational New Drug (IND) applica-
tion for initiation of clinical development
of its lead drug PNT2258. This accom-
plishment provides validation by the
FDA that the efficacy and safety of
PNT2258 in preclinical models supports
testing in cancer patients. Furthermore,
ProNAi has cGMP-compliant clinical
drug supplies on-hand and the clinical
trial site will begin to conduct the Phase
1a human protocol. ProNAi is actively
seeking venture capital investment to
clinically develop its first drug,
PNT2258.

Businesses Respond to Toxic Chemical Reform

Washington, DC – The American Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Committee in late July of this year.
Sustainable Business Council, whose Henry Waxman (D-CA) as they intro- “Successful and responsible busi-
member organizations represent over duced the “Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of ness owners support a strong Toxic
50,000 business, applauded 2010 in the House Energy & Commerce Chemicals Safety Act of 2010 because
they know that it will support innova-
tion. Now more than ever, we need guar-
antees that we have a marketplace with
integrity, transparency and safe prod-
ucts. This gives U.S. businesses the
competitive advantage,” says David
Levine, Executive Director and co-
founder of the American Sustainable
Business Council.
One of the key pieces of the legisla-
SPECIALIZING IN QUALITY ZINC BARREL PLATING tion would require chemical manufactur-
ers to provide basic health and safety
ISO 9001:2000 Certified information for all chemicals as a condi-
tion for them remaining on or entering
PROCESSES AVAILABLE AT DYNA-PLATE INC. the market. Most manufacturers don’t
(Barrel Plating Lines Only) have access to information about the
TRIVALENT CHROMATES - AUTOMOTIVE APPROVED chemicals used in the components they
buy from suppliers and whether or not
• ZINC WITH CLEAR CHROMATE (Flash - .0005 thickness) these are harmful to their customers.
• ZINC WITH YELLOW CHROMATE (Flash - .0005 thickness) Most retailers do not have access to the
chemical composition of the products
• ZINC WITH BLACK CHROMATE (.0001 - .0005 thickness) they sell.
• ZINC WITH OLIVE DRAB CHROMATE (.0001 - .0005 thickness) Many business leaders are con-
cerned about the health and business
• BAKE FOR HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT impacts that could arise if the products
344 Mart SW Grand Rapids MI 49548 they use or sell contain toxic chemicals,
and many are encouraged that Persistent
P: (616) 452-6763 Bioacumulative and Toxic substances
are to be dealt with by US E.P.A. within
F: (616) 452-6661
the year. This along with other measures
www.dynaplate.com
in the bill is expected to help business
move towards the use of safer chemicals
as selling safer products can only bene-
fit U.S. businesses, enabling them to
open up growing market opportunities.
Dave Rapaport, Senior Director of
Corporate Consciousness, Seventh
Generation says, “The introduction of the
Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010 is an
important step forward and when passed,
this legislation will place the burden on
chemical manufacturers to produce chem-
icals that are proven safe before they go
on the market, will ensure that we have
access to the information we need to for-
mulate products that protect human and
environmental health, and will restore
consumer confidence in the products they
use every day. We'll be working hard with
other members of the ASBC to let
Congress and the Obama Administration
know that fixing TSCA will be good for
business as well as consumers."
Introduced in the House, this bill is
similar to the one introduced in the
Senate in April by Senator Frank
Lautenburg (D-NJ), the “Safe Chemicals
Act of 2010.” The American Sustainable
Council and many more businesses are
stepping up to ensure that these reforms
work to level the playing field and
demand transparency of ingredients so
that everyone knows what’s in the prod-
ucts hitting the marketplace.

Industrial Briefs
Holland – Haworth’s global headquar-
ters and the San Francisco and New
York City showrooms recently achieved
LEED Gold certification from the U.S.
Green Building Council. The headquar-
ters also earned the US Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY
STAR®. Designed by Perkins + Will, the
total renovation project of 300,000 sq.
ft. has a three-story, glass atrium and a
45,000 sq. ft. green roof. Although the
building size increased by 20 percent,
overall energy usage decreased by 10
percent. The project also represents the
first time carbon credits from a renew-
able energy project were used to achieve
green power credits for LEED Gold certi-
fication instead of renewable energy
credits. Haworth purchased the high
quality carbon credits from The
CarbonNeutral Company, a world-
leading carbon offset and carbon man-
agement business.
Grand Rapids – The American
National Standards Institute (ANSI)
has approved the new edition of
ANSI/BIFMA X5.6 Panel Systems-Tests
standard, and copies of the new edition
are available from BIFMA immediately.
The BIFMA Panel Subcommittee
worked diligently to harmonize this
new edition of X5.6 Panel Systems
Tests with other ANSI/BIFMA
Standards such as ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-
2008 Desk/Table Products,
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2004 Storage Units
and ANSI/SOHO S6.5-2008 Small
Office/Home Office. The definitions, test
set-ups, test procedures, load applica-
tions, etc. have been modified for con-
sistency among these standards.
Holland – LeanLogistics has released
the findings of a recent carrier procure-
ment survey, documenting the shift to
more frequent procurement, coupled with
the growing need for technology to offset
hours. A wide range of truckload and LTL
shippers throughout North America were
surveyed. Of the 112 respondents, 71%
indicated they have moved from an
annual procurement to an on-going, as
needed process. Nearly 52% indicated a
shift to a lane-by-lane or region-by-
region analysis. Of the companies sur-
veyed, 70% of executives believe tech-
nology can improve and streamline their
transportation procurement events when
used strategically as part of the process.
Ironically, executives in this space are
slow to adopt new applications, with
more than 80% indicating they still use
manual methods.
Grand Rapids – Supply Chain Solutions
welcomes new associate Yvonne
Morgan as international transportation
manager, licensed customs broker and
import specialist. Morgan has previously
held positions with CEVA Logistics, BDP
International and Towne Air Freight.
Morgan’s position with SCS will be to
develop international business strategy,
operating processes and communication
between SCS, clients and international
transportation providers.
Three Rivers – Armstrong International
announced that Patrick B. Armstrong
has been named its corporate president
and CEO. He succeeds David M.
Armstrong who passed away on July 15,
2010. Armstrong holds an engineering
degree from Western Michigan
University and has more than 25 years
experience in engineering and manufac-
turing. He most recently served the com-
pany as its vice president of engineering
and manufacturing.
Luxembourg – SAF-HOLLAND S.A., a
leading supplier for the global truck and
trailer industry, expects significant sales
growth to over EUR 550 million in the
current fiscal year, after reaching EUR
419.6 million in 2009. Earnings are pos-
itively influenced by growing sales. The
Group benefits from rising demand and
its own efficiency improvements.
Adjusted EBIT increased substantially to
EUR 14.6 million in the first half of the
year. In the second quarter adjusted
EBIT already doubled compared to the
previous quarter, while sales increased
by 29.4% from April to June.
17 Energy Audits Awarded
in Manistee County
Manistee – The Alliance for
Economic Success (AES) announced that
17 free energy audits have been award-
ed to successful Manistee County gov-
ernment agency applicants. Energy
Audits are being funded by a grant from
the Michigan Department of Energy,
Labor and Economic Growth to reduce
the energy costs of governmental facili-
ties. The funding was provided through
a state Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant program under
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grant is
being administered by the Manistee
County Alliance for Economic Success.
Approximately $75,000 in grant
funds were allocated to complete energy
audits of local government facilities in
Manistee County and to help local units
implement the audit findings to generate
energy and cost savings. All local gov-
ernmental units were eligible to seek
support under the grant program. Local
government facilities to be receiving
energy audits under the program are:
• Bear Lake Township Hall
• City of Manistee Fire Department
• City of Manistee Public Works
Garage
• Manistee County Library
• Manistee County Conversation
District Offices
• Manistee County Airport Terminal
23
Arcadia, IN – A process to generate AC
power from solar energy without requir-
ing conversion equipment is a candidate
for General Electric’s Ecomagination
Challenge, a competition that awards
funding to projects designed to improve
energy use. Existing technology
requires solar energy to be converted
from direct current to alternating current
before it is compatible with the power
grid. The AC solar generator seeks to
achieve the same result at a lower cost
and with less energy loss by producing
alternating current directly instead of
relying on additional equipment. The
process was invented by Jason Oliver of
Arcadia, IN. Oliver is a home inventor
with a background as an electrician and
a master mechanic who began to exper-
iment with electricity after developing
an interest in the inventions and
research of Nikola Tesla.
Building
• Former school on Bridge Street,
Parkdale
• Manistee Area Public Schools:
High School, Middle School, Kennedy
School, Jefferson School, and the
Madison School
• Manistee–Benzie Community
Mental Health Administrative Office on
North Glocheski Rd. and the Clinical
Center on Third St., Manistee
• Copemish Village Office
• The Farr Center: Onekama Village
offices, library, and community room
• Eastlake Village offices
All audits will be performed by
EnergyChek, a Michigan firm specializ-
ing in energy efficiency audits for gov-
ernment owned and commercial struc-
tures. The firm is now in the process of
scheduling audits. All audits will be
completed by the end of 2010. Recipient
of energy audits will receive a detailed
report describing energy saving actions
for a facility.
Jim Draze, energy audit grant proj-
ect manager, announced that the 17
facilities to be audited comprise 418,000
square feet of building area. The grant
program can audit up to 500,000 square
feet. Therefore, the AES will continue to
accept applications for audits for two
more weeks, to maximize benefits from
this grant.
 Anderson Brothers Steamatic Receives
40-Year Longevity Award
By David Calkins
When Marc Anderson and his broth-
er Dennis started working for their
father's business to make a little cash
while attending school, they had no idea
it would end up becoming a lifelong
career. "That was back in 1969" muses
Marc Anderson. "We were just having fun
with it, making $6 an hour when every-
one else was making $3."
But the job stuck with them, and just
last July, both Anderson Brothers
received the 40-Year Longevity Award for
Service during Steamatic Inc’s Biannual
International Convention in Colorado
Springs, CO. The announcement was
made by Bill Sims, president of Steamatic,
Inc.
“We are very proud of Marc, Dennis
and their team at Anderson Brothers
Steamatic for their spirit to succeed and
can-do attitude,” said Sims. “Because of
owners like Marc and Dennis, we are able
to maintain Steamatic’s focus on continu-
ous improvement of quality service.”
Steamatic offers both cleaning and
restoration services through more than
270 franchise territories in the United
States and in 25 countries around the
world. The company provides profession-
al level carpet, hard surface cleaning,
HVAC and air duct, furniture, area rug
and drapery cleaning for residential and
commercial spaces. Steamatic’s highly
trained and certified technicians also
work with insurance agents, adjusters
and directly with the public to provide
restoration services including fire and
Enbridge Oil Disaster Sparks Evaluation
of Michigan’s Pipline Infrastructure
Grand Rapids – The West Michigan
Environmental Action Council (WMEAC)
is calling on all Michigan lawmakers,
environmentalists and concerned citi-
zens to immediately begin investigating
the hazardous material pipeline infra-
structure and safety regulations within
their communities and jurisdictions.
As has been widely reported, an
unknown event caused an interstate
pipeline owned and operated by
Enbridge Inc. to rupture and spill an
estimated 800,000 to 1 million gallons
of crude oil and associated chemicals
into Tallmadge Creek near the boundary
of Marshall and Fredonia townships. In
addition to being a valuable fishery and
watershed habitat, Tallmadge Creek is a
major tributary of the Kalamazoo River.
Already one of the worst environmental
smoke, water mitigation, mold remedia-
tion and contents recovery.
The Anderson Brother's 40-year
relationship with Steamatic is remark-
able, especially considering that their
company has only been a franchise itself
for 42 years. In all that time, "Things
haven't changed too much," says Marc.
"Actually, more has occurred in the last 5
years than the previous 35. But every-
body is experiencing that. Our business is
still going, which is good especially con-
sidering our franchise is in Michigan,
which is a real different climate than what
other folks are experiencing right now.
But you know, sometimes when a reces-
disasters in Michigan history, the spill
could very likely reach Lake Michigan,
our region’s primary source of drinking
water, largest recreational attraction and
greatest environmental asset.
Hood said the similarities emerging
between the Enbridge and Deepwater
Horizon oil disasters were alarming:
· Multinational companies with a
history of safety violations and fore-
warning of a potential equipment failure.
· Inadequate safety procedures and
equipment.
· Inadequate, if any, preparation or
planning for a disaster response.
· Inadequate oversight by govern-
mental bodies with jurisdiction.
· Communities most affected by the
disaster have little or no jurisdiction.
· Outraged elected officials that
sion is going on, that's the best time for
the strong companies to move forward
and take more market share."
Marc says that one of the strong-
points of his business is the very fact that
they've remained stable all these years.
"We're not blowing in or out," Marc
explains. "We keep doing the same thing,
keeping up with technology and provid-
ing quality service. It's common to hear
today that people are simply looking for
the lowest price, but really what people
want is quality."
The Anderson Brothers rely on their
extensive 40 years of experience to keep
ahead in their industry. They've personal-
could have prevented the spill through
stronger regulation.
WMEAC is now in the process of
gathering information on hazardous
material pipeline infrastructure and
safety regulations in West Michigan, as
well as conducting outreach to private
and public partners to organize a region-
al response. WMEAC, in partnership
with the Lower Grand River
Organization of Watersheds and Clean
J J ack S nyder I nc
25 years & over 400 M&A Transactions.
S Specializing in small manufacturing,
distributors and service business.
I 616-889-8974
24
ly been involved with the evolving tech-
niques and equipment of the industry for
literally decades.
"Looking back in the early 70s, we
used to make our own equipment our-
selves out of furnace blowers," says Marc.
"Now everything is plastic mold, pretty
high tech. We might pay around five
grand for a dehumidifier. Of course, you
could get one from the store for 50 to 100
bucks, but those are nothing like the ones
we use. This is something that some peo-
ple just don't understand. They might
balk at a service charge, thinking 'hey, I
have my own dehumidifiers.' And sure,
they might take the moisture out of the
air, but it's not going to take it out of the
drywall, the carpet, the furniture, etc. We
get the job done!"
And Anderson Brothers Steamatic
continues to get the job done despite hard
economic times for us all. "In a lot of
ways, we are somewhat recession-proof,"
notes Marc "as a lot of our work comes
from natural occurrences. Still, with all of
the people that have carpet cleaning
machines that are in our business now,
they're not all going to survive this eco-
nomic climate. It's more challenging than
it's ever been, and you can't take your
eyes off the ball. As more young people
come into the industry while other com-
panies are downsizing and reducing
training, it means there will be more
demand for professional quality and
proven service like ours. It will be inter-
esting to see what the future will bring."
Water Action, has created the
Kalamazoo River & Enbridge Disaster
Response and Prevention Report. This
working document will be available at
wmeac.org and will be updated with
answers, revisions and new questions
on a daily basis.
M
&
A
 Corporate Information
Grand Rapids – CU*Answers
announced that they will be providing
core processing services for its first West
Virginia-based credit union; WV United
FCU of Charleston will be upgrading to
the CU*BASE core data processing sys-
tem during the fourth quarter of 2010.
The CUSO has announced the launch of
its newest CU*BASE core processing
software upgrade with enhancements
driven by approaching regulation
changes.
Manistee – In early August, members of
the Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT)
board of trustees and attendees from the
national convention of the National
Association of the Physically
Handicapped joined leaders from
Manistee County in a ribbon cutting cer-
emony for new facilities that will enable
people of all ages, needs and abilities to
use and enjoy Manistee Lake, Lake
Michigan and the Big and Little
Manistee Rivers. The site is part of a
new initiative called Explore the Shores,
aimed at making Manistee County a pre-
mier destination for universal access to
the County’s waters, including Lake
Michigan. The project was funded by the
GLFT and the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and Environment.
Grand Rapids – Representatives from
PREIT and Woodland Mall announced
that The North Face will join the mall’s
roster of more than 100 retailers and
restaurants. This 6,893 sq. ft. store will
be located across from Barnes & Noble
in the Plaza wing and will celebrate its
grand opening late October 2010.
Grand Rapids – WZZM 13 announced
that it will be airing six Mid-American
Football Conference games beginning
Saturday, September 18, 2010. This
schedule includes Western Michigan
University and Central Michigan
University games.
Grand Rapids – Larry’s Pizza, head-
quarterd in Central Arkansas,
announced the opening of a Grand
Rapids franchise. Located at the corner
of Plainfield and Fuller, the franchise is
the 22nd in the company’s 18-year his-
tory and the first franchise location out-
side the state of Arkansas. Larry’s Pizza
is responsible for providing 35 full and
part time jobs to the West Michigan
economy. The brainchild of franchising
Larry’s Pizza to Michigan was hatched
over a year ago by Michigan native and
Grand Rapids resident Steve Nortier.
25
Grand Rapids – The Architectural Record Research Assistance Program offered by Grand Rapids and Troy – Lambert,
Advertising Excellence Awards recog- Perspectives Consulting Group, Inc. Edwards & Associates (LE&A)
nizing the most effective ads in the The program, in its sixth year, was announced it has been ranked #2,799 by
building and design marketplace were designed to provide valuable informa- Inc. magazine for its fourth annual Inc.
held this year in Miami, FL. Grand tion to a nonprofit organization that pos- 5000 list. LE&A was named to the list of
Rapids-based Stevens Advertising itively impacts the community. the nation’s fastest-growing private com-
took home a Best in Class Award for panies after a growth rate of 80 percent
their work with Dri-Design’s new US – The International Chamber of over the past three years. This is the com-
Ombrae Architectural Wall Panels. Commerce's (ICC) Incoterms 2010 rules pany’s second straight year on the list.
will come into force on January 1, 2011.
Grand Rapids – Service Express, Inc. This is the eighth Incoterms revision Zeeland – ISD Corporation announced
received the “Total Economic Value since their inception in 1936. During its their upcoming ISD InSight 2011 User
Award” at Amway’s 2010 Supplier 2.5 year revision process, international Conference to be held March 23-25,
Conference held at the Amway Grand. business and legal experts considered 2011 at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Las
This is the first time that an IT provider more than two thousand recommenda- Vegas. ISD Insight educational sessions
has earned this award. tions from many of the 130+ countries will cover all areas of payments includ-
with which the ICC has a relationship. ing current PCI updates, payment securi-
Grand Rapids – Woodland Mall recently The result is a vastly improved version, ty, software and hardware trends, as
launched customer loyalty program, tailored specifically to the needs of users well as end-to-end encryption.
Exceptional Shopper Pass (ESP). As a throughout the world. The Wisconsin
member of ESP, shoppers receive a com- Credit Association reports that the new Kalamazoo – Commercial site furniture
plimentary gift every month and are eli- rules are far more amendable to U.S. manufacturer Landscape Forms will
gable for exclusive special discounts and domestic use than any previous version feature elements from its Metro40 collec-
offers at various Woodland Mall retailers. with revisions considering post 9/11 tion at ASLA EXPO in Washington D.C.,
cargo security regulations and new insti- September 10-13. Metro40 is the first
Grand Rapids – The Fair Housing tute cargo insurance clauses. integrated collection of site furniture
Center of West Michigan (FHCWM) designed specifically for the urban
recently entered into a settlement agree- Grand Rapids – After 14 seasons on streetscape and transit core. It was
ment with Hopson Flats to resolve alle- Newsradio WOOD 1300, the Grand designed in collaboration with BMW
gations of familial status discrimination Rapids Griffins’ radio broadcasts will Group DesignworksUSA, a leading
and to ensure equal housing opportuni- move to another member of the Clear international design consultancy with
ty for students and families with chil- Channel family this fall, joining The special expertise in products that support
dren throughout West Michigan. The New ESPN 96.1 FM’s all-sports lineup. people in motion.
FHCWM has undertaken multiple inves-
tigations of non-university affiliated
student housing complexes in the West
Michigan area, including Hopson Flats,
which illegally deny access to families
with children. As a result of the agree-
ment, Hopson Flats will amend its forms
and policies, partner with the FHCWM to
create a billboard promoting fair housing
for families with children and will pay
the FHCWM $12,000 for investigation
costs, compliance testing and to further
the fair housing cause.
Holland – NOVO 1, a leading provider of
inbound and outbound customer inter-
action solutions and a portfolio company
of the Glencoe Capital Michigan
Opportunities Fund, has opened a new
37,000 sq. ft. customer-service facility in
Holland. With the opening of the new
facility, NOVO 1 will hire an additional
300 personnel over the next several
years. The new facility was opened with
assistance from a $1 million grant from
the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation.
Paw Paw – Junior Achievement of
Southwest Michigan will receive
$5,000 in market research services as
the recipient of the 2010 Nonprofit
 Proper Recycling of CFL Bulbs
Keeps Down Mercury Pollution
Grand Rapids – The West Michigan
Environmental Action Council (WMEAC)
has partnered with Kent County, the
Michigan Public Service Commission,
Michigan Energy Options and two dozen
neighborhood partners to keep mercury
from used Compact Florescent Light
(CFL) bulbs out of West Michigan’s air
and groundwater. A simple and incredi-
bly effective tool for residents to lower
their utility bills and reduce energy con-
Economic Impact of
ArtPrize
Grand Rapids – As the city gears up
for the second ArtPrize competition this
fall, researchers have found that roughly
200,000 visitors generated an estimated
economic impact of as much as $7.6 mil-
lion during the contest’s inaugural run.
This year’s ArtPrize competition runs
Sept. 22-Oct. 10. Two groups of senior
economics students at Grand Valley State
University under the guidance of econom-
ics professor Paul Isely studied the eco-
nomic impact of last year’s ArtPrize on
Kent County at the request of the Grand
Rapids Downtown Development
Authority. The students found that the
estimated 150,000-200,000 visitors to
Grand Rapids generated between $5 mil-
lion and $7.6 million.
The results of these efforts were ini-
tially presented to a group consisting of
representatives from ArtPrize, the
Downtown Development Authority and
the Grand Rapids/Kent County
Convention and Visitors Bureau, which
helped refine the results. They showed:
* Between 7,500 and 10,000 visitors
came from more than 160 miles away and
likely stayed overnight.
sumption, CFL bulbs contain a small
amount of mercury that can be released
into the environment if it is sent to the
landfill or waste incinerator.
“Many citizens in Grand Rapids are
unaware that their trash is collected and
taken to a waste incinerator,” said Ann
Erhardt, WMEAC Energy Programs
Coordinator. “Although the waste-to-
energy process produces electricity from
the refuse, incineration may result in
* 31,500-42,000 visitors came from
between 30 and 160 miles away and were
likely day visitors who came to Grand
Rapids specifically for ArtPrize
* 111,000-148,000 visitors came
from less than 30 miles away
* Direct spending by visitors travel-
ing more than 30 miles is estimated to be
between $2.8 million and $3.8 million of
which:
* $787,500 to $1.1 million was spent
on food services.
* $212,500 to $283,333 was spent
on lodging, assuming triple occupancy.
* $1.8 million to $2.3 million was
spent on entertainment, gasoline, retail
items, and other items accounted.
* The direct spending supported
between 206 and 274 full-time jobs in
Kent County during September and
October of 2009.
The total effect on Kent County by
visitors traveling from more than 30
miles away from Grand Rapids is estimat-
ed to be between $5 million and $7.6 mil-
lion supporting 415-550 full-time jobs in
Kent County during September and
October 2009.
greater releases of the bulb’s mercury
content than disposal in a landfill.”
Erhardt noted that due to the long-
life of CFL bulbs, proper bulb disposal
has been an underpublicized issue. “We
want to encourage residents of Grand
Rapids to recycle their CFLs and educate
families about why it is important to
their community that CFLs do not end
up in the landfill or waste incinerator,”
she said.
As part of its Project Light Change
initiative to distribute free CFL bulbs to
West Michigan residents, WMEAC has
recruited local businesses and neighbor-
hood associations to serve as collection
points for used CFL bulbs in partnership
with Kent County’s CFL recycling pro-
gram and Michigan Energy Options at no
cost to West Michigan residents. In addi-
tion, Kent County operates CFL collection
points at four municipal recycling centers
and all local Lowe’s and Home Depot
stores accept CFLs from homeowners free
of charge. Visit wmeac.org for a map of
free CFL bulb recycling points in West
Review of Free
By Rolf Dobelli, Chairman,
getAbstract
Economists swear there is no such
thing as a free lunch. Someone always
pays. That may be true in the “atoms”
world of physical things, but Chris
Anderson explains why it does not apply
in the “bits” world of the Internet, where
“free” is the ruling paradigm. If, as
26
Michigan. The map is also available for
embedding through Google maps at this
link. Residents are also encouraged to
contact their neighborhood association
for more information about how and
where to recycle their burned out CFLs.
WMEAC’s Project Light Change pro-
gram has been distributing free CFL
bulbs to residents in the City of Grand
Rapids since June 2010. The bulbs are
complemented with educational
resources about mercury, CFL bulb safety
and recycling as well as links to more
energy efficiency tips. The more than
20,000 CFL bulbs distributed in Grand
Rapids will save residents an estimated
$940,000 in electric costs and prevent
emissions of more than 21 million
pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, a
measure of greenhouse gas impact.
Project Light Change is funded by
the Michigan Public Service Commission.
WMEAC is a non-profit, membership
organization working to lead environ-
mental protection in West Michigan by
inspiring action.
Stewart Brand (founder of the Whole
Earth Catalogue and the Whole Earth
’Lectronic Link) said, “Information wants
to be free,” now it is, at least in many
instances, particularly online. While the
idea of giving things away as a promotion
or loss leader isn’t new, Anderson’s fresh
insight is that giveaways are becoming a
business imperative that companies are
going to have to accept and use. Actually,
companies online and off can become
immensely profitable when they give
products or services away for free to bring
customers in and to create the need for
future ancillary product sales (in other
words, take the printer and buy the ink).
Anderson, author of The Long Tail and
editor of Wired magazine, tells you how to
make money by providing most of your
offerings for free and charging for just a
few of them. getAbstract recommends this
perceptive, innovative, idiosyncratic book
to all marketers.
Chris Anderson. Free: The Future of a
Radical Price. Hyperion, 2009. Pages: 288,
List Price: $26.99. ISBN-13: 978-
1401322908.
getAbstract is the leading provider of
business book summaries, with more than
5,000 titles covered. www.getabstract.com
 Personnel Updates
Grand Rapids – Veolia Energy North
America announced the promotion of
Keith Oldewurtel to regional vice presi-
dent, central/west region. In this posi-
tion, Oldewurtel will be responsible for
Veolia Energy’s operations and develop-
ment efforts in Grand Rapids, Kansas
City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland
and St. Louis, along with all new opera-
tions in the central and western USA.
Grand Rapids – Next Generation
Enrollment, Inc. has promoted three
employees: Kristi Washbourn, from
lead eligibility specialist to manager of
eligibility services; JoDee Dunn, from
lead administrator to manager of flexible
spending accounts, or FSAs, and health
reimbursement accounts, or HRAs; Jodi
Reynolds, from lead COBRA administra-
tor to manager of COBRA services.
Grand Rapids – Andrea Dunne-Sosa
joined the American Red Cross of
Greater Grand Rapids as the director of
health and safety services. Dunne-Sosa
will lead the health and safety team of
staff, volunteers and instructors in Barry,
Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties.
Troy – Dynamic Advisory Solutions
announced that it will open its second
office in Ann Arbor. Experienced busi-
ness professional and outdoor adventur-
er Rob Marshall will serve as managing
director.
Grand Rapids – Grand Rapids-based CQL,
Incorporated announced the addition of
new account executive Adam Clarke.
Formerly a membership coordinator at
Local First, Clarke recently joined the
organization to assist with business
development and marketing activities.
Grand Rapids – The American
Advertising Federation (AAF) of West
Michigan announced the following offi-
cers and board members for 2010-11:
Co-presidents, Allen Crater, Stevens
Advertising, and Angie Dow, Kendall
College of Art & Design; vice president,
Tim Mroz, The Right Place, Inc.; treas-
urer, Brian Cole, SightLine Display;
and directors Ben Bennett, Gordon
Food Service; Kristen Myers-Chatman,
Xcipio; Nicole Corley, Grey Matter
Group; Matt Fouty, Aspen Surgical;
Jennifer Johnston, kantorwassink;
West Michigan – The Economic
Development Foundation announced
its Board of Directors for 2010-2011.
Officers are: chairman - Doug
Kohlbeck, senior loan and chief admin-
istrative officer at Macatawa Bank; vice
president - Dan DeBaar, owner of
Danco Business Development; assis-
tant vice president - Nancy Boese,
business tools specialist at MI-SBTDC;
secretary - Tom Lomonaco, market
manager West Michigan business bank-
ing at Bank of America; treasurer -
Dennis Roudi, senior vice president
commercial real estate manager at Fifth
Third Bank; assistant secretary/treasur-
er - Dan Oegema, CEcD, retired from the
City of Grand Rapids’ Economic
Development Department.
Wyoming – Joseph Beland has been
hired as a contractor for a locally-owned
company through professional recruiting
firm JBL Resources. Appearing in an
article on woodtv.com about how he
sent out 130 resumes without a job in
27
sight, JBL founder Ross Engelkes for-
warded the story to director of recruiting
Regina Lungaro who helped Beland
land the position.
Grand Rapids – National Heritage
Academies (NHA), a leading public
charter school organization, announced
that Robert J. Bellafiore has been
named vice president of partner services
and strategic initiatives. Bellafiore will
be responsible for managing relation-
ships with boards that partner with
NHA and have organization-wide over-
sight of new school development and
charter renewal.
Grand Rapids – Lambert, Edwards &
Associates announced that Jeff
Lambert was named to PRWeek's
national list of the top 40 public relations
professionals under the age of 40. The
industry benchmark list includes leaders
from the biggest agencies and corpora-
tions in the world.

Grand Rapids – The 2010-2011 board

officers have been appointed for the
upcoming season of Interchange, the
Association of West Michigan
Communication Professionals: presi-
dent, Michelle Bennett; vice president
and secretary, Juanita Vorel; treasurer,
Tamara Bergstrom; communications
director, John Elmore; program director,
Holly Higginson; membership director,
Carol-Ann Schaefer.
Project Light Change
Saved Holland $235,000
Holland – An internal study estimates
that Project Light Change, an energy effi-
ciency program of the West Michigan
Environmental Action Council (WMEAC),
has saved Holland residents approximately
$235,000 since Spring 2009.
In partnership with the City of
Holland’s Our Street program, Heights of
Hope, and the Holland Board of Public
Works, Project Light Change last year
delivered 5,000 Compact Fluorescent
Light (CFL) bulbs to homes in Holland.
Numerous homes received a full CFL bulb
switch out and evaluation, with home-
owners agreeing to allow Our Street and
Heights of Hope to measure the impact
bulbs had on their energy usage.
The Heights of Hope data shows that
in a sample of homes changing out up to
Steve Laninga, DVS; Brian Quist, Kent
Communications, Inc.; Ken Stewart,
Cof fee of the Month
Reagan Marketing + Design; Ken Peru La Florida Fair Trade Organic
Thewes, Spartan Stores; and Rob
Trube, Superior Business Solutions. This coffee comes from a cooperative of small producing farmers in a
remote area of northern Peru. It is fair trade certified and organically
Grand Rapids – Signature Associates,
shade grown. The cup is mildly bittersweet, complimented by cocoa
announced that Steve Burman has joined
notes, herbal-floral accents and perhaps some spices.
the West Michigan team as a sales associ-
ate specializing in industrial brokerage.
Burman has earned the designation of Stop by the roastery on Saturdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm at the
Building Analyst Professional from the corner of Hall & Godfrey. Enter off Hall Street and go to the back of
Building Performance Institute.
the building. Look for the South Entrance - Dock #4 sign and proceed
up the wooden stairs to the 5th floor Suite S-530. There you will find
us small-batch custom roasting premium beans from around the world.
In addition, you are invited to look over our coffee & chocolate lovers
gift baskets, loose-leaf teas, milk chocolate covered blueberries, dark
chocolate covered espresso beans and other items for sale. We always
18 bulbs each, residents using more CFL
have fresh roasted brewed coffee to sample along with espresso shots
bulbs saved an average of $6 per month
at no charge.
or $72 per year in electric costs. In the six
months prior to the CFLs being installed
in the sample homes, average daily elec-
tricity use was between 7.1 and 8.7 kWh. ••• www.grandrapidscof fee.com •••
After the incandescent light bulbs were
Gr eat Cof fee Star ts With
With A Fresh
Fresh Roast™
Roast
switched out with CFLs, there was an
instant decrease: In the six months fol-
lowing, daily average consumption was
4.7 to 5.6 kWh. Great Coffee Starts With A Fresh Roast
In total, WMEAC estimates approxi- Open to the Public Saturdays 10am to 3pm
mately $235,000 dollars saved via the
5,000 bulbs shared with Holland resi- Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters LLC
1111 Godfrey Avenue SW Ste S530
dents through community collaborations.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
In addition, the bulbs prevented approxi-
mately 3.6 million lbs. of annual carbon
dioxide emissions. Craig A. Patterson • 616-308-7753
www.grandrapidscoffee.com Free delivery on 5lbs or more within Grand Rapids Area