Economic Development

Coverage of projects, big and small, and the people who create them, which promote the economic health of a community, including manufacturing, retail, office, and hospitality developments.

Promising companies aim to pair up with funders

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April 15, 2010

Two Kalamazoo companies will soon pitch products and plans to venture capitalists looking to invest their money.RealBio Technology, Inc., a company working to develop a better system for growing cell cultures, and Vestaron Corp., a developer of innovative pesticides from snake venom, have been asked to be part of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, May 11-12, in Ypsilanti, Mich. The symposium invites leaders in the venture capital investment world to connect with entrepreneurs, startups and emerging growth companies that are actively searching for partners and funding. The event will host more than 400 attendees and 65 investment firms. The 32 emerging and growth business ventures slated to present made it through a rigorous screening process. The businesses seeking capital that would take them to the next level come from the areas of life sciences, energy, IT and technology.At Vestaron, scientists are unlocking the mystery of how spiders kill insects -- work that is leading to a new generation of insecticides. So far, more than 50 unique insecticidal spider peptides have been identified. A patented technology, exclusively licensed to Vestaron, has proven highly effective against insects and related pests and harmless to non-target species, including humans. Target markets include agriculture, animal health and specialty non-crop uses such as household insects. RealBio has developed a new cell culture that allows human stems cells to grow and be maintained for more than a year. Stem cells also can be harvested for the same amount of time without adverse affects. RealBio's technology can be tailored to culture numerous tissue types.Overall, RealBio's Culture System promotes the growth, function, and harvest of a variety of human and animal cells for use in a range of research, study and production applications.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jean Serra, Michigan Growth Capital Symposium

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International Keyboard Festival tunes up Southwest Michigan

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Economic Development

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April 15, 2010

The Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival opens the piano lid April 17 and doesn't close it again until May 8.In between, Kalamazoo becomes the place for all things piano. There's classical, jazz, chamber music, the ever unpredictable fringe events (a harpsichord performance and piano improv are two this year) and the many collaborations between pianists and a variety of vocalists.Concerts and recitals are the main attraction during the 22-day event, but there also are keyboard education master classes and pre-concert talks where the music is illuminated for the audience. Plus there are piano-themed films.The festival brings music lovers from across the nation and the world to Kalamazoo and shines a spotlight on the depth of the area's cultural offerings.Keyboard Festival events also take place in Allegan, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Richland, Three Rivers, Vicksburg and Zeeland. Ticket prices vary depending upon the event and range form $12 to $50.One of the most prestigious honors for pianists, the Gilmore Artist Award, is presented every four years on a non-competitive basis. Pianists never know that they are being considered for the award and all observations of a pianist's performances leading up to their selection are conducted in secret.The 2010 Gilmore Artist Kirill Gerstein takes the stage at 8 p.m. May 3 in Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., in Kalamazoo, and again for the festival's closing May 8 at the Festival Gala Concert for a performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, also at Chenery Auditorium.Born in Voronezh, in southwestern Russia, Kirill Gerstein studied piano at a special music school for gifted children and taught himself to play jazz. He came to the U.S. at 14 to continue his studies in jazz piano at Boston's Berklee College of Music. He also continued to study classical piano repertoire. Following two summers at the Boston University Young Artist program at Tanglewood, Gerstein moved to New York City. There he studied with Solomon Mikowsky at the Manhattan School of Music. By the age of 20 he earned both his Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees. Now 30 years old, he peforms with esteemed orchestras and conductors and in recitals throughout the world.The Gilmore Artist receives a $50,000 cash grant to be used at the artist's discretion and $250,000 typically disbursed over a four-year period for projects and activities that will enhance the artist's musicianship and career."Over the past ten years we have observed Kirill Gerstein develop into one of the most compelling and profound musical artists of his generation," said Daniel Gustin, festival director. "He is the epitome of what we seek in the Gilmore Artist -- a musical thinker and performer who will continue growing and who can, and we believe will, attain a career as a major concert pianist for the 21st Century."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Daniel R. Gustin, festival director

Once the butt of jokes, Kalamazoo designer’s pants become serious business

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

Colorful, multipattern designs are the trademark of designer Delainie van Almelo, who has been creating them for seven years. They make her totes and wallets unmistakeable, reports the Kalamazoo Gazette.No matter the style, the 27-year-old's items often feature small pieces of different colored cotton fabric and patterns sewn into a whole, the story says.Excerpt:In addition to bags and wallets, she's done snap pouches, magnets and mirrors, hats and legwarmers, "pillow cube" toys and bibs for babies, dresses and tank tops, even camera cases and coasters."Anything colorful," she said, laughing.Her most popular items, however — sold like the rest of her items through her online store hosted through Etsy.com — are her custom "ninja pants," wide-legged pants with a fold-over waist typically crafted from 100 percent cotton fabric or a 50/50 cotton-poly blend."They're like yoga pants, but I didn't want to just call them yoga pants," van Almelo said. "My husband and his best friend used to make fun of these pants all the time, and they'd call me a ninja in them, and that's where (the name) kind of came from."Van Almelo's had the last laugh, however, having sold more than 250 pair of the pants since she began making them three or four years ago. Through her online store alone, she's sold her goods to individuals in 41 states and 10 countries.To find out what else Alemlo makes, read the entire story.Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Wind and solar energy training takes off at Kellogg Community College

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

Training and certification for working with wind and solar energy systems will be available as part of new program at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek. The Renewable Energy Certificate Program will be offered at the school's Regional Manufacturing and Technology Center, 405 Hill Brady Road.The 16-credit hour course, which is currently being developed, is on track to begin enrolling students in July.The program has been in the works since July 2009 when KCC developed a Renewable Energy Advisory Committee. "We are building this program to help grow our local economy and aid local businesses in fulfilling their renewable energy training needs, so this committee is essential to make sure that the program meets the needs of the community," says Laura DePompolo, director of the RMTC at KCC. The focus will be training industrial electricians to install, monitor and maintain small-scale wind and solar energy systems in industrial facilities.The curriculum also will cover the history and theory of renewable energy systems, health and safety guidelines for working with renewable energy systems and energy assessment. Funding comes from the Michigan Community College Association as part of an effort to develop alternative energy training in community colleges. KCC received $132,300. Of that, $108,300 will go toward supplies and $24,000 to curriculum development. Costs to install two solar systems and a wind turbine are not included but will be partially covered by a donation of approximately $24,000 and labor from five local unions and five local contractors. Contractors Hunter-Prell, W. Soule, Hoffman Brothers, Laborers Local 355, Southwest Michigan Building Trades Council and Schweitzer Construction are contributors. So are UA Local 333, IBEW Local 445, IBEW 445 LMCC (Motor Shop, Current Electrical, Union Electric), Ironworkers Local 340. School officials say the project would not have been possible without the unions' money and labor.The Renewable Energy Advisory Committee is made up of the Lawton-based renewable energy consulting firm Four Elements Energy, Union Electric, IBEW, the IBEW Local 445 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, Western Michigan University, the Branch Area Careers Center, the Calhoun Area Career Center, the Michigan Technical Education Center and Battle Creek Unlimited.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Laura DePompolo, KCC

Benton Harbor course may be ready for golfers by May 1

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

By May 1 golfers will be able to try out 10 holes of The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course near downtown Benton Harbor. Officials say they hope the entire 18-hole course will be up and running by July 1, reports the South Bend Tribune.A grand opening, featuring golf legends Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, is slated for Aug. 10, the story goes on to say."We're very excited," said Wendy Dant Chesser, trustee of Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment Inc.The par-71, 6,900-yard course is near downtown Benton Harbor, and officials say it could have a major impact on the city's economy as well as surrounding communities. There are also plans for townhouses, cottages, condominiums and a family hotel.The 530-acre development is situated near Lake Michigan and the Paw Paw and St. Joseph Rivers. Excerpt:"All individuals will be driving (through) downtown Benton Harbor to get there," said Mark Hesemann, managing director of Evergreen Development. "It will change the image of Benton Harbor." Dant Chesser said there could be $500 million in tax base incentives over the next 20 years, meaning job creation and increased consumer spending.The story continues, saying officials envision 20,000 rounds of golf played each year. They decided to release the latest news regarding the golf course in South Bend to emphasize the importance regionalism will play in the use of the course, and how the entire area could benefit from the success of such a venture.To find out other plans for the golf course, read the rest of the story.Source: South Bend Tribune

Benton Harbor, MSHDA team up on Downtowns of Promise

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

Benton Harbor is one of seven communities taking part in the Downtowns of Promise program. The program will create a strategy for revitalizing the city's traditional downtown. Goals will be set and progress monitored as part of the program. "The goal of the Downtowns of Promise program is to ensure these Michigan communities have attractive downtown or traditional commercial neighborhood districts to live, raise a family and to start and grow a business," Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), says."In order for the state's overall economy to succeed, its traditional downtowns and neighborhoods must gain population, generate business and attract private investment."The Downtowns of Promise program was created by the state as a way to assist with downtown housing development, build strong neighborhoods and help shape cities into places where people want to spend their working hours and free time. MSHDA's programs focus primarily on four areas: providing affordable rental housing, supporting home ownership, ending homelessness and creating vibrant cities and neighborhoods overall.The six other Downtowns of Promise are: Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights and Saginaw.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Partnership puts Whirlpool appliances into thousands of dwellings

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp. has tapped into a whole new market for its appliances through an arrangement with one of the largest owner and operators of apartment properties in the United States. Equity Residential, also the largest publicly traded owner of apartment units, has signed an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Whirlpool, crediting the company's dedication to quality, outstanding products and service and its commitment to environmentally-conscious technology and practices."Equity Residential owns or has investments in 495 properties totaling 137,007 apartment units in 23 states and the District of Columbia," says Tom Halford, general manager of contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. "As their exclusive appliance partner for new construction, rehab projects and appliance replacement, this will mean additional business for Whirlpool and we are honored to play this role." "Whirlpool Corporation brings many great things to the table as an appliance manufacturer," said Michael Manelis, senior vice president of property operations at Equity Residential. "They help support our commitment to creating places people are proud to call home."The agreement not only brings more Whirlpool appliances to consumers, it also uses a system called SmartWay Transport — a collaborative program between the Environmental Protection Agency and the freight industry — to deliver them with cleaner-operating, fuel-efficient motor vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. About 3,000 are employed in Benton Harbor.Writer: Stacie Carlson, Freelance WriterSource: Whitney Dean, Whirlpool Corp.

NuWave sees its future in electronic health records

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Economic Development

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April 8, 2010

Electronic health records are propelling a growth curve that's gone steadily upward for NuWave Technology Partners.The Michigan-based company with offices in Kalamazoo, Richland, Grand Rapids and Lansing celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. For the Richland office the anniversary will be celebrated in new and bigger quarters across the street.Chad Paalman, NuWave vice president of sales, says electronic health records drive growth in all of the service areas the company provides. The new networks, telephone systems and equipment that are required to make the switch to electronic health records work pulls in all the divisions of the company he has built with his father, Rick, and brother, Kyle.Paalman expects electronic health records to continue to be a big driver for the company as the federal government moves toward making it a requirement that all physcians use them and away from simply encouraging doctors to make the switch.Paalman attributes the companies continuous growth in a time of economic downturn to a number of factors. He says he and his brother learned frugality from their father and have maintained an attitude of fiscal responsibility as the company has grown. Service is another another factor. "Everyone says we give great service," Paalman says. "We strive to provide white-glove treatment." He also is a big believer in the motto: "Surround yourself with people who know more than you do." That has led to good hiring moves and a staff that the company is proud of.Being recognized and recommended by the Small Business Association for its work has been a positive selling point for the company and one that it has been able to build upon. Right from the start, the company also has made the kind of strategic moves that have helped it grow, as well. Paalman says that the first day the company opened its doors it had three employees, him, his brother and his father. The next day they acquired another company, their 600 customers and their 10 employees. NuWave has continued to acquire companies, their customers and staffs as their original owners have left the field, Paalman says.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Chad Paalman, NuWave Technology Partners

WMU has tons of talent in engineering and design

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April 8, 2010

If you want to know what the next big thing is head over to Western Michigan University.A wind turbine designed for home use, an exterior protective shell for a three-wheeled, electric-powered vehicle, and product concepts to prevent falls and injuries in hospitals will be among the projects presented Tuesday, April 20, at Western Michigan University's 46th Conference on Senior Engineering and Design.WMU students will showcase and demonstrate their projects from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences on WMU's Parkview Campus. Sponsored by the university, the event is free and open to the public.More than 200 seniors will present the results of 73 projects they have completed to solve problems facing business and industry.Many of the projects are sponsored by Southwest Michigan firms, including Flowserve Corp., Graphic Packaging, Kellogg Co., Pfizer Inc. and Stryker Medical.Participants represent a variety of disciplines, including construction engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering, mechanical and aeronautical engineering and paper and chemical engineering.The conference takes place twice a year, in April and December, to showcase the work of graduating seniors in the engineering disciplines who are required to complete a real-world capstone project.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Tamara Bergman, WMU

Downtown Benton Harbor new home for rags-to-riches Ravitron

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April 8, 2010

David Ravitch has come a long way since the days when he was selling two-way radios from his 1969 Pontiac Catalina with the hood tied down by a long orange extension cord. He was fresh out of the military, living in a trailer with no heat and was offered the radio sales job as he attended college. That job was his introduction to the technology businesses. He went on to learn more through a series of jobs, including one laying the fiber to connect RV manufacturers, one at an area airport and one at HEI wireless where he worked three years in a building that he and his wife, Julie, now own.More than 20 years later, Ravitch, his wife and their employees are celebrating the opening of the new company headquarters of Ravitron in downtown Benton Harbor. Headquarters is a 3,800-square-foot, customized facility that's a far cry from the little brick building where Ravitch worked in 1992 just off the garage of his home as he built the business. Ravitron provides telephone systems and computer networks, including those by Vertical and Mitel. It also resells telephone and internet service. It provides telephone and voice data service to more than 100 local businesses, government, schools and non-profit organizations. The ribbon-cutting happens at 11:20 a.m. April 12. It's a celebration not only of a new facility but of the business' growth from one employee, Ravitch, to 10 today, and of $1 million in sales in 2008 and nearly that in 2009. Ravitron moved into its current location at 276 Colfax Ave. in Benton Harbor about 18 months ago. Since then Ravitch and his staff have been getting it ready for the ribbon-cutting and public opening. For the Ravitches, longtime local residents, putting their headquarters in Benton Harbor was an obvious move. The city's resurgence of business and arts in the were qualities that drew them to the downtown.One feature of the headquarters is a conference room designed with a special display that shows the workings of the telephones they sell and install. Prospective customers can see, for example, how a conference call can be set up on the computer in the same simple drop and drag maneuver most computer users are familiar with.Its tech room also is now ready to show off, Ravitch says. Sales are expected to do as well or better this year than last. Ravitch says the company rebills $20,000 a month in telephone service to customers who use telephones the business has installed.Ravitron is currently working on several large projects including, new phones and service for Edgewater Bank and Horizon Bank, both in St. Joseph, as well as the fiber campus, data and voice services for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. "Business has been good," he says.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: David A. Ravitch, Ravitron Equipment, LLC