In The News

Tribe explores small business funding with GVSU

Mlive.com Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A new partnership with the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center might soon be benefiting Grand Traverse tribal members who own their own business or who have a great idea to start one.

Excerpt: Derek Bailey, tribal chair of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, knows the challenges members of his tribe face when it comes to running a business.

A lack of high-speed Internet, challenges transporting and creating awareness of their products, and difficulties finding experts to help craft a marketing or business plan all are among the obstacles faced by members of his tribe, which spans six counties in the northwestern corner of the Lower Peninsula.

For the whole story, click here.

Source: Mlive.com

Local group takes activist running to Palestine

Grand Traverse Insider Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Olive farmers in Palestine are the latest beneficiary of the efforts of On The Ground, a group headed up locally that brings awareness to sustainable farming on an international scale.

Excerpt: This week a Traverse City businessman and eight others are putting their feet on the ground for peace, understanding and sustainable fair trade farming.

Chris Treter, vice president of Higher Grounds Trading is the founder of On The Ground (OTG), a nonprofit group with a mission of, “supporting sustainable community development in farming regions across the world," as stated on their website by partnering with other philanthropic agencies, donors and communities.

For the rest of the article, go here.

Source: Grand Traverse Insider

TC businessman named Young Professional chair

Detroit Free Press Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Young professionals in the Traverse City area have a new leader, as announced in the Detroit Free Press and local news recently.

Excerpt: The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce announced that its new Traverse City Young Professional Chair for 2012 is Brett McGreaham. He is the supply chain manager for the Northwest Michigan Surgery Center in Copper Ridge.

For all the details, go here.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Marquette Rail acquired by national railroad

Progressive Railroading Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Good commercial transportation is key to many businesses' growth, and that may soon be getting a little easier for rural northwest Michigan companies, as Marquette Rail has been bought by a national company with designs on rail expansion in the state.

Excerpt: Yesterday, RailAmerica Inc. announced it signed separate agreements to acquire employee-owned Marquette Rail L.L.C. for $40 million, and acquire a 70 percent interest in the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad (WCOR) and Industrial Waste Group (IWG) from Myles Group L.L.C. for $18 million.

The Marquette Rail acquisition is subject to final adjustments for working capital, customary closing conditions and Surface Transportation Board approval. Marquette Rail operates 126 miles of track from Grand Rapids to Ludington and Manistee, Mich.

For the full story, click here.

Source: Progressive Railroading

Tech firm acquires Petoskey computer business

Petoskey News Tuesday, January 31, 2012

AlphaGeek Web Design in Petoskey attracted the attention of a big IT firm, and became part of it recently.

Excerpt: Chesley Consulting, a growing information technology firm with offices in Michigan and Georgia, recently announced its acquisition of Petoskey Web development firm AlphaGeek Web Design.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Source: Petoskey News

Energy-saving project highlighted in TC

Chicago Tribune Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Winter means energy efficiency is more important than ever in northern Michigan, and some folks are getting help with that through a local program.

Excerpt: Soon after they moved into their drafty old Victorian on Washington Street, Ty and Johanna Schmidt knew they needed to work toward a more energy-efficient home. But coming up with the money for an energy audit and improvements was another matter.

For the whole article, go here.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Wine Enthusiast recommends Chateau Chantal

Wine Enthusiast Tuesday, January 31, 2012

We usually think of vacation as something you do far from home, but according to Wine Enthusiast magazine, one of the best wine vacations is right here, at Chateau Chantal.

Excerpt: A good vacation should always entail copious amounts of fine food and wine, but bed-and-breakfasts across the country are now offering more than just a menu. Travelers can now hone their chef skills and learn wine pairing techniques on these culinary learning getaways. W.E. gives you our top picks for places to plan your next wine and food-focused escape.

For more of the story, go here.

Source: Wine Enthusiast

Report shows value of investing in arts and culture

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, January 31, 2012

It's not always the most obvious connection in the world, but arts and culture actually do have significant economic impact on communities, as a recent ArtServe report shows.

Excerpt: The intrinsic value of arts and cultural organizations has long been recognized, but a new report reinforces what the sector has long trumpeted: They have significant economic impact, as well.

For every $1 the state invested in nonprofit arts and cultural groups in 2009, those organizations pumped more than $51 into Michigan's economy through spending on rent, programs, travel and salaries.

For the whole story, click here.

Source: Crain's Detroit Business

Solar startup moves to northwest Michigan

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, January 17, 2012

GlobalWatt is going to be a resident of Copemish instead of Saginaw, as the solar company seeks to cut its location costs but stay in Michigan. It's the next tale in a complicated solar-industry story across the state.

Excerpt: A solar manufacturing company that originally planned to bring 500 jobs and a $177 million production plant to Saginaw announced this week that it will relocate in northern Michigan next month, citing a need to reduce costs.

For more of the article, go here.

Source: Crain's Detroit Business

Ice wine stocks down because of late cold

Rochester Post Bulletin Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Northern Michigan makes some of the best ice wine in the world, but that specialized wine won't be on shelves as much as usual this year, due to the mildness and lateness of the cold weather we usually expect.

Excerpt: Along with ski resort operators and snowmobile vendors, the unusually mild winter has been rough on makers of a cold-climate delicacy called ice wine.

The pricey dessert beverage, produced by wineries stretching from Minnesota through New York and in parts of Canada, is revered for its sweetness and often-syrupy texture.

For the whole AP story, click here.

Source: Rochester (Minnesota) Post Bulletin

McLaren Health Care buys Petoskey hospital

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Petoskey's hospital has a new owner, McLaren Health Care, after a deal went through recently. Read on for the impact that'll have locally.

Excerpt: McLaren Health Care Corp. has acquired Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey, effective immediately, the hospitals announced Wednesday.

This past July, Flint-based McLaren and the 202-bed Petoskey hospital inked a letter of intent to negotiate an acquisition.

For the whole story, go here.

Source: The Detroit News

Northern Michigan land deals illuminate shell company debate

The Chicago Tribune Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chesapeake Energy Co. and other major companies are the subject of a debate about the ethics and dealings of shell companies. Northwest Michigan is familiar with the issue, after a series of 2010 land rights deals.

Excerpt: Late in the summer of 2010, hundreds of farmers in northern Michigan were fuming.

All had signed leases with local brokers permitting drillers to tap natural gas and oil beneath their land. All were demanding thousands of dollars in bonuses they had been promised in exchange. But none knew for certain whom to go after.

The whole article can be found here.

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Dogman director interviewed

Absolute Michigan Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The new movie about the Michigan Dogman is set to be released this week, with a premiere at Traverse City's State Theatre. The director talks about the film in this interview.

Excerpt: Michigan-based Brauer Productions is releasing the new feature film Dogman next Wednesday (December 14) at the State Theatre in Traverse City.

We caught up with filmmaker & director Rich Brauer to talk about his new movie and the Dogman legend.

For the whole interview and video, go here.

Source: Absolute Michigan

TC company finalist in national green business awards

Mlive.com Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Local company Hazelnut Kids made it to the finals of the Green Business of the Year award competition, although it lost out to final winner Sustainable NYC.

Excerpt: Hazelnut Kids, a Traverse City business, is the only Michigan company to be a finalist for 2011 People’s Choice Award for the Green Business of the Year handed out by the nonprofit Green America’s Green Business Network.

For the whole story, click here.

Source: Mlive.com

TC one of best places to retire

U.S. News Monday, November 28, 2011

Traverse City has the best water views on a budget for retirees, according to U.S. News. They've listed it as one of the best places to retire.

Excerpt: Better weather, affordable housing, and plenty of interesting things to do are just a few reasons people move to a new place when they retire. Whether you want to spend your golden years watching the sun set over the water or taking on a second career, we've identified an ideal place.

For more on the list, click here.

Source: U.S. News.com