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The National Center for Food Protection receives $3.8 Million grant

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded a $3.8 million, 3-year grant to the National Center for Food Protection this week.The grant supports the national center's work advancing food protection and its role facilitating the exchange of information, generating new ideas and accelerating processes that will enhance the safety of the global food supply."By connecting food safety professionals and scientists, our aim is to influence policies and practices that will advance food protection," says International Food Protection Training Institute President and COO Stephen Benoit. "We are extremely grateful for the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as its generosity will enable us to make great strides toward realizing our overarching goal of improving public health."The NCFP will use the grant funds on three intiatives:• training for state and local food protection officials throughout their careers through the International Food Protection Training Institute;• development of new food protection technologies at the Emerging Technology Accelerator; and• the exchange of knowledge and generation of new ideas at a Global Food Protection Symposia.An estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to food pathogens; and about one of every four Americans will develop a food-borne illness each year, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The NCFP, a catalyst for the advancement of food protection, also is a lynchpin in redevelopment efforts for downtown Battle Creek. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jennifer Dama, National Center for Food Protection

Conference offers opportunities for small businesses

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

Tony Rubleski wants entrepreneurs to be better marketers. He says businesses can grow, stand out and ultimately dominate their market if their marketing plan and strategy are good ones.He's written a book that breaks down the process into simple steps that real world businesses people can tackle. "Mind Capture - How You Can Stand Out in the Age of Advertising Deficit Disorder" is his guide to generating new leads, creating return customers and winning market share in an era when people are bombarded with advertising images.Rubleski will offer his proven, practical advice as the keynote speaker at the business leader conference "Celebrate Business - 2010: The Year of Growth," organized by the Strategic Small Business Initiative.  Rubleski keynotes the event that features seven other speakers and their topics:• Sales by Mary Jane Mapes, a certified speaking professional;• Entrepreneurship by David Kersjes, a principal at Breakaway in the field of Management Consulting and a coach at Resource Associates Corporation;• Small business' role in turning the Michigan economy around by John Schmitt, business consultant at the Small Business & Technology Development Center at Western Michigan University;• Branding by Kelly Duggan, owner and president of Kelly Duggan Image Consulting;• Social media by Terry Bean, founder of Networked Inc. and Motor City Connect;• Goal setting by Karen Vogelmann, a certified coach who developed her own intuitive coaching process;• Networking by Sandy K. Derby, president of Derby Financial & Associates, LLC.  The daylong conference takes place from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, at the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors, 5830 Venture Park Drive, Kalamazoo.Seats are $75. Online registration is open.The Strategic Small Business Initiative provides effective growth strategies to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide through networking, educational forums and peer support.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Gail M. Turluck, SSBI

Battle Creek casino chips in for clinic to serve employees

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

FireKeepers Casino isn't gambling on the health of its employees. On May 1 the Battle Creek casino opened a 766-square-foot clinic for its 1,500 workers.The clinic is being offered in partnership with Borgess Health, which participated in a competitive bid process. The clinic will feature two exam rooms and a Borgess Health mid-level care provider, also known as a nurse practitioner, will be on staff 40 hours a week. A doctor will be available on an as-needed basis.FireKeepers Casino's team members can get regular check-ups, preventative care and treatment for minor work related injuries. Team members can also come to the clinic if they are not feeling well or have general health questions or concerns. They can come from home or drop in while they are at work. Team members can visit the clinic during regular hours with or without an appointment.Pre-screens for new team members also will be offered at the clinic.The health clinic was a concept jointly initiated by FireKeepers Casino's Director of Human Resources Peggy Houston, General Manager Bruce McKee and the Tribal owners of the casino, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. All see the clinic as an added benefit for team members that promotes healthy life styles."The new clinic is an example of our continuous commitment to our team members' well-being, while striving to be an employer of choice," Houston says.Borgess Corpfit Services Executive Director Vince Marcinek, says, "FireKeepers Casino is applauded for the extra steps they are taking to foster good employee health. Caring for employees is the right thing to do and it is also a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Michael Facenda, FireKeepers Casino

The proof the arts make a difference is in the data

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

Battle Creek will host an opportunity for arts organizations to get their act together.At the informational event, representatives of arts organizations will learn about the Michigan Cultural Data Project. It's an online management tool designed to build arts and cultural organizations by giving them the information they need to analyze financial and other related information. The information collected allows organizations to put together 70 different reports that can then be used to bolster the case made in grant applications. The information also can be used to seek out funding partners and to keep board members, potential donors, advocates and policy makers informed.After completing an online form each year, nonprofit groups can generate instant annual reports and trend analysis, benchmark performance against other organizations and use the data as part of applications to participating foundations.  Michigan launched its Cultural Data Project May 3, the eighth state to do so nationally.Among those attending the Battle Creek informational session will include Jennifer Hill, Director of Special Projects, ArtServe Michigan; Linda Holderbaum, Executive Director, Art Center of Battle Creek; Katie Nelson, Collections Manager, Kingman Museum and Jennifer Sellers, Special Projects Manager, Kingman Museum. The event is 2 - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, One Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek. It is one of 14 events ArtServe is sponsoring across Michigan through October.Sponsors of the program include: ArtServe Michigan, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Council of Michigan Foundations, Frey Foundation, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, MASCO Corporation Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and Southfield Community Foundation.The Michigan Cultural Data Project is operated by the Pew Charitable Trusts.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jennifer Hill, Director of Special Projects, ArtServe Michigan

Former Upjohn Jet taxis back into Kalamazoo

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Economic Development

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May 6, 2010

A new airplane for RAI Jets / Air Ambulance Provider and Mott Enterprises is one that's flown local skies before.Phil and Mardee Mott of Mott Enterprises announced that N2UP once owned by the Upjohn Company has returned to Kalamazoo.RAI Jets pilot Doug Swartz welcomes back the stand-up cabin Citation jet and remembers it well. "As the director of aviation for Upjohn, I picked this plane out brand new from Cessna," Swartz says. "Now I get to fly it again! It was a great plane for Upjohn and will be a great addition to the other executive aircraft RAI Jets operates."Many local Upjohn employees used this plane extensively. When Pfizer bought out Pharmacia / Upjohn, they sold the plane and it went to the other side of the country. Many of pilots and passengers that flew in this plane are excited to have it back for their use.Mardee Mott says the plane was purchased to offer the community quality medical assisted transportation. "The plane will be equipped with special medical equipment to allow non-emergency medical transports as well as executive charter," she says.Air Ambulance Provider LLC, a company that has been in business less than a year, will provide the medical team and equipment for all medical transports.For charter clients, the Citation VIs streamline offers seating for up to nine passengers. Its airframe and quiet, efficient engines allow it to fly non-stop from Kalamazoo to Los Angeles."Combining the resources of Mott Enterprises, RAI Jets and Air Ambulance Provider will give us the ability to offer an amazing service to the local community," says Becky Bakeman, president of both Air Ambulance Provider and RAI Jets.Bakeman adds: "The Mott family owns the plane. RAI Jets is the Air Carrier that will operate the aircraft. Air Ambulance Provider will supply the medical personnel and medical equipment when a medical flight is necessary. All three companies work together to accomplish the mission as necessary."RAI Jets LLC has been in business for a little more than one year, though Bateman says its personnel has been providing this type of service for many years. The company provides charter air service, aircraft management and maintenance throughout North and Central America. RAI Jets' flights cover destinations throughout the continental U.S., Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Air Ambulance Provider transports medical patients with varying need levels, for both domestic and international flights.    Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Becky Bakeman, President, RAI Jets / Air Ambulance Provider

Data mining company brings 10 to 20 jobs to WMU business and research park

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Economic Development

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April 29, 2010

A Houston-based analytic software company that counts among its clients some of the nation's leading firms will open a new office May 1 at Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park.In PolyVista's first major expansion in a decade, the company will open a business development office in Kalamazoo and immediately hire and train 10 to 20 young recruits to become part of a team that works with customers."Our top priority is finding talent," says PolyVista's Jim Willard, who will lead the Kalamazoo office. "I'll be building a team that can focus on finding new homes for our technology."PolyVista provides businesses with access to a search engine that can analyze data and discern patterns and issues. The searches are capable of the same kind of data analysis and text mining used for national security reasons, but are done within the budget constraints most companies can afford, Willard says.Southwest Airlines, for instance, uses PolyVista's text and data-mining analysis tools to enhance the analysis of data in its pilot reporting program. The air conditioning systems and services business Trane uses PolyVista tools for early detection of warranty-related issues. The company can then correct them and pass the information on to its engineering and design teams to avoid problems in future products.PolyVista has a close relationship with Microsoft. The company launched in 1995 with technology developed by scientists from the former Soviet Union. PolyVista's patented search engine also analyzes data in such areas as trade compliance, reliability, marketing and operations; and in finance, energy, transportation, manufacturing and insurance industries.The move to Kalamazoo is a strategic effort to expand PolyVista's base, says Willard, a Michigan native. Although the company was originally focused on expansion in northern Virginia, Michigan proved to be an attractive alternative because of the relatively low cost of doing business in the state and the focus on growth and business outreach.The opportunity to locate in a university community like Kalamazoo also was high on the company's wish list for expansion."Five years ago, this wouldn't have worked for us," Willard says, "but there's been a major culture shift in Michigan and a move away from the legacy thinking that was once dominant. We really like the environment and the entrepreneurial spirit we find here now."PolyVista's Kalamazoo office will be located in the Granite Park I Building, 4664 Campus Drive. Get information about available jobs by sending an email inquiry or resume here.  Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jim Willard, PolyVista

Frame for lithium-ion auto batteries drives business to Mann+Hummel

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Economic Development

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April 29, 2010

Battery powered cars are steering growth at Mann+Hummel's Portage location, says Ronald J. Randall, chief operating officer."After going through a tough year, we're in a growth position at our Portage location," Randall says. Work the company does for General Motor's and Toyota has made the difference.Mann+Hummel USA Inc. makes injection-molded plastic parts for the automotive industry. Now it produces a frame to hold lithium-ion batteries that contains coolant. The frame keeps coolant transfer heat away from the batteries.The contract to manufacture modular battery frame assemblies for GM's Electric Vehicle, the Chevy Volt, is expected to generate 200 jobs over five years for Mann+Hummel.At the end of 2009, the company also finished consolidating its operations in South Bend and Portage, bringing about 50 employees from Indiana to its Michigan site. It was very important to the company, Randall says, to retain as many of the South Bend employees and their expertise as possible. There now are about 250 employees, including support staff, at the Portage operation and more will be added this year. The consolidation pushed the company to expand its product distribution and warehousing operation at Midlink Business Park in Comstock Township. Three to four employees could be added this year to the staff of 10 already in place at Midlink.Randall says Mann+Hummel's experience at Midlink has been a positive one. "It's been a great facility for us. It's in the perfect location -- right off the highway and two miles from our facility," Randall says. "They've been very flexible with us with our utilization of space." The business park added four loading docks to the four Mann+Hummel had been using, to better accommodate the company's need to get trucks in and out quickly.  The Mann+Hummel Group currently employs 11,500 people at 41 locations worldwide. The company develops, produces and sells technically complex automotive components such as air filter systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems and cabin filters for the automotive industry, and filter elements for vehicle servicing and repair. For general engineering, process engineering and industrial manufacturing sectors the company's product range includes industrial filters, filter systems, and materials handling systems and equipment.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Ronald J. Randall, Mann+Hummel

Hydroponics retailer invites community to grand opening

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Economic Development

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April 29, 2010

Music, food and a host of opportunities to learn about green businesses will be part of the May 1 grand opening of Horizen Hydroponics. The Kalamazoo store is at 4646 W. Main St., on the northeast corner of West Main and Drake in the Westwood Plaza. The store opened in February and now plans to celebrate it. "We've received a warm welcome from Kalamazoo," says Bridgette Ujlaky, co-owner with her husband John, of Horizen Hydroponics. "We've found it to be a very good fit. The community is very forward thinking and people are very interested in gardening." The decision to open a store in the Kalamazoo market came as the couple, which has an established store in Grand Rapids, realized an increasing number of their customers were coming north to check out their business. The Ujlakys specialize in hydroponic, organic, indoor and year-round gardening supplies. Hydroponics, which means "water works," is the process of growing plants in water, gravel or sand, but without soil. Their stores carry lighting, nutrients and other items to help gardeners succeed. Horizen Hydroponics has been in business for eight years in Grand Rapids and online. Bridget Ujlaky estimates that about 70 percent of its business comes from the brick-and-mortar stores, while 30 percent is done online. The company employs eight, including two at the Kalamazoo store. And the zen in the name Horizen Hydroponics is fully intentional. The company's motto is "tranquility through gardening." The grand opening ceremony will feature live music by local bands, local food, and eco-friendly vendors such as Flowerfield Enterprises, Natural Health Center, Emerald Car Cleaners and others. The May 1 event starts at noon and goes until 5 p.m. Ujlaky says the business will donate proceeds from organic vegetable and herb seedlings sold that day to Fair Food Matters, advocates for local food production and consumption. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. More information is available at Horizen Hydroponics' website or by calling 269-567-3333. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Bridgette Ujlaky

Vicksburg couple makes largest ever donation of Michigan agricultural property for conservation  

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Economic Development

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April 29, 2010

The large-tract housing developers encroaching on agricultural property outside Vicksburg won't be allowed to build on 906 acres owned by Robert and Regina Richardson. Property that has been in the family for seven generations will be preserved as farmland through a donation to the State of Michigan. To date, it is the largest donation of prime farmland development rights to the state.The donation, made through the state's permanent conservation easement program, keeps property from being used for residential development.The program allows the development rights for the property to go to the State of Michigan. In return, farmers get local and federal tax breaks. The land can be written off as a charitable donation to lower federal taxes. And local taxes go down because they are based on the property being used as farmland. Taxes are higher on land that can be developed as subdivisions or for other residential uses.To develop the property for residential use would require going to court to overturn the easement, says Elizabeth Juris, of the Michigan Department of Agriculture.The Richardson's farm is about 2.5 miles outside the Village of Vicksburg, where people are buying up 40 acre pieces of property and putting a house in the middle of it, Juris says. The state program is designed to head off such practices.The Richardson's 906 acres is 80 percent farmland used for wheat, soybeans and corn planted in rotation. The remaining 20 percent is wooded property along the Portage River and Portage Creek.  The State of Michigan will publicly thank the Richardsons for their donation in a special ceremony April 30 at the farm, 16611 S. 24th St. Vicksburg.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Elizabeth Juris, Michigan Department of Agriculture

Federal funds will pay for Kal-Haven Trail $1.2 million face-lift

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Environment & Sustainability

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April 29, 2010

The resurfacing of the eastern half of the Kal-Haven Trail will begin this month, the Kalamazoo Gazette reports.The portion to be resurfaced reaches from the 10th Street trailhead in Kalamazoo County to the west village limits of Bloomingdale in Van Buren County. Excerpt:Most of the funds for the $1.2 million project were obtained by the road commission through the federal stimulus package.Battle Creek-based contractor Hoffman Brothers will resurface the limestone and asphalt as well as mark the pavement.The work is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 31.The surface of the 34-mile-long trail is about 20 years old.Hoffman plans to resurface the trail in one-mile sections and will set up detours to keep the trail open during the construction project. Riders are encouraged to check in with trail staff at the various trail heads for up-to-date project information.For information on the number of riders who use the trail, read the entire story.Source: Kalamazoo Gazette