Page 557 – Second Wave

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek airport expansion enters final stage, gets $8.5 million to finish work

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April 1, 2010

Work continues under budget and ahead of schedule at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intenational Airport as the third-phase of construction on a new terminal is about to begin.The new, 92,000-square-foot terminal will replace the original terminal, which was built in the 1950s. It has had three additions since then in an attempt to keep up with growth and industry changes.Perhaps one of the most anticipated features of the new terminal will be the passenger bridges for all five gates at the new terminal. No longer will passengers on some flights have to walk across the tarmac to and from planes.Other features of the new terminal include two baggage-claim conveyors and two security checkpoints.The project recently received $8.5 million from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for ther terminal, which is expected to be completed in April 2011. The $40-million contruction project received $6.63 million last June and $4 million in September. The cost of the work has come in $5 million under budget, says Cliff Moshoginis, airport director.The airport expansion is being accomplished in three phases — putting in the steel, enclosing the building and the third phase will be work on the interior with construction of such systems as heating and air conditioning and flooring. More than 500,000 passengers use the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport each year. The airport is served by American Eagle, Delta Airlines and Direct Air, which offer 30 daily arrivals and departures. Moshoginis says Delta has increased its flights in and out of Kalamazoo this year as the market has recovered.General aviation, corporate, leisure and recreational flights not connected with an airline, continues to play a big part in the airport's daily operations. It makes up more than 77 percent of the daily air traffic and includes local flying clubs, charter service and private aircraft owners. "This creates a lot of economic benefit to the community," Moshoginis says. "They are coming into the community, spending money with fuel vendors, buying food."A W.E. Upjohn study some years ago showed the airport contributes $175 million to the local economy through jobs created directly and indirectly."A new termininal is not going to bump that number up significantly," Moshoginis says. "But this is the gateway to the community and for businesses looking to relocate this will be a centerpiece. It will have a nice flow and be efficient. It will represent the community well."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cliff Moshoginis, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport director

Law firm buys into downtown Battle Creek

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Development News

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April 1, 2010

A commitment to the revitalization of downtown Battle Creek spurred a group of local attorneys to move from tenants to landlords. The firm of Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos P.C. has bought 1 W. Michigan Ave. from Bank of America."The move was multi-faceted," says Mark Kreter, of Kreis, Enderle. "We have always felt it's better to own than to lease. The opportunity arose when Bank of Ameria wanted to sell."The law firm, which employs six attorneys in its Battle Creek office, had previously looked at properties south of town before deciding to buy the property and stay in the first floor office space it has occupied since 1998."When we looked at it we saw the opportunity downtown, that it will revitalize and flourish," Kreter says. The community's commitment to and significant effort that has gone into revitalization will bring that about, he adds.There are no plans to change the two-story, 11,000-square-foot building at this time. Kreter points out the building has long been an anchor in the downtown. "There has been a bank building or professional offices here since the early 1900s," Kreter says.Bank of America will continue to occupy the second floor on a long-term lease agreement with the law firm, the building's new owner. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Mark Kreter, Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos P.C.

New micro brewery comes to Paw Paw, moves into old Coffee Co. space

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Development News

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April 1, 2010

Southwest Michigan will soon have a new brew to sip.Renovations on Southwest Michigan's latest micro brewery, the Paw Paw Brewing Company, LLC, at 929 E. Michigan Ave. in Paw Paw, began April 1.The business is owned by brothers-in-law Ryan Sylvester and Ben Fleckenstein, and the building is owned by Sylvester. It was formerly was occupied by Red Arrow Coffee Co, which moved to downtown Paw Paw. The two plan to remodel the 1,500-square-feet space at an initial cost of $5,000 to $6,000. The total remodeling price has yet to be determined, but work is expected to take six months. The business recently got a green light from the Paw Paw Village Council, which recommended the Michigan Liquor Control Commission approve its micro brew liquor license. Once renovations are complete, Paw Paw Brewing Company will feature a tasting room expected to seat up to 20 people and a retail area where its bottled and kegged beer and beer-related goods will be sold. Sylvester said the business will start out small and build over time. It will start out offering three beers: a pale ale, a red ale (amber), and a summer wheat with citrus overtones meant to please all palates, Sylvester says. The brothers-in-law plan to share primary responsibilities for running the business during different times of the year. When Sylvester's job with Great Lakes Landscaping keeps him busy during summer months, Fleckenstein will step up. And when Fleckenstein's job as a flight instructor at Western Michigan University keeps him busy during most of the school year, Sylvester will step in.The men have been experimenting with home brewing for nearly three years and decided, after encouragement from beer-drinking friends, decided to take it to the next level. "That's how everybody starts," Sylvester says. "You have to have a passion for cooking and beer." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Ryan Sylvester, Paw Paw Brewing Co.

Questions about leasing land for wind energy? Get answers here

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Development News

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April 1, 2010

Property owners looking to learn more about leasing their land to wind energy development companies can attend informational sessions being offered April 5 in South Haven and Benton Harbor and April 6 in Dowagiac.Dennis Stein, a farm management educator from the Michigan State University Extension, will address landowner inquiries, which have been on the rise recently as talk of wind energy development picks up. He will discuss basic contract details, confidentiality issues, contract duration and compensation clauses. He also will talk about assignment clauses, property taxes, liability issues and other restrictions on land use.Property owners will learn about contract termination as well. It's all part of guidelines designed to help landowners consider important issues when negotiating a contract, Stein says.The topics may help property owners as they consider whether to enter into a contract with a wind energy provider.The sessions are offered in:-- South Haven, 2-4 p.m. April 5, at Lake Michigan College, 125 Veterans Blvd, (269) 657-8213.-- Benton Harbor, 6-8 p.m. April 5, at the Berrien County MSU Extension Office, 1737 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, (269) 944-4126.-- Dowagiac, April 6, 11: 30 a.m., at Wayne Township Hall, 53950 Glenwood Road, (269) 445-4438.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Dennis Stein

KVCC’s Patient Care Academy taking applications

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Development News

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April 1, 2010

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is inviting trainees to its first Patient Care Academy. Instructors will train students in entry level jobs in the health-care industry at the new academy, which runs June 21-Aug. 31 at the Michigan Technical Education Center on KVCC's Groves Campus. The academy is now accepting applications for 12 slots.Training will take place Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for 10 weeks. The fee is $1,995. Financial assistance is available through Michigan Works and Kalamazoo Promise scholarships.Academy students will receive training that lays the foundation to start a successful health care career, says Lesa Strausbaugh, KVCC's director of academies."This academy can be a springboard to careers in other health-care professions," Strausbaugh says. "For example, those on a waiting list for nursing can get this training in the interim and begin working in health care before beginning their nursing studies."Graduates could land in jobs such as a certified nurse assistant, a patient-care assistant or technician, a ward clerk or a medical-records clerk and qualified to work in long-term care, rehabilitation centers, hospice settings, medical offices and hospitals.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Lesa Strausbaugh, KVCC

Community comes together for cleanup at River’s Edge in Kalamazoo

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Development News

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April 1, 2010

"Close to everything, far from ordinary," is the way the City of Kalamazoo sees the River's Edge project. River's Edge is bordered by Paterson Street, Riverview Avenue, East Michigan Avenue and Walbridge Street. The area encompassing 24 acres, is divided into 16 parcels that vary in size from a 10th of an acre to nearly 7.5 acres. Its development could go in a number of different directions depending upon what the market dictates.It is envisioned to be the hub of a number trailways that link business to the outdoors and capitalize on the natural asset of the river. The Kalamazoo River, now partially obscured by overgrown trees and bushes, will emerge from hiding soon, opening up a whole new part of town for the bikers, walkers, shoppers to enjoy.A number of groups will get to work in May to clean up the site and provide better access to the river. Sunshine Rotary, the Northside Business Association and the Adventure Club are among those who will be part of the cleanup. Within the next six weeks plans also should be finalized for improved traffic flow and appearance of the intersection of Gull Road and Harrison Street. Tthe public will be asked for input on the proposed intersection changes.The city of Kalamazoo began to work on a riverfront redevelopment in 1999. As brownfield redevelopment projects such as the MacKenzies Bakery, 527 Harrison, have succeeded, funding for the riverfront development has increased.The city was able to obtain a $2.8-million Clean Michigan Initiative Waterfront Redevelopment Grant in 2000. It allowed the city to get busy buying property, demolishing buildings and doing other clean-up work necessary to make the land attractive to buyers. In addition, River's Edge has attracted $20 million in public and private money, and the city has invested $7 million in matching funds. Some of the dollars have gone to adding infrastructure like the Jack Coombs Trailway there.The next project to go into the neighborhood will be the 6,000-square-foot People's Food Co-op at 507 Harrison Street. Co-op general manager Chris Dilley has told members one of the positive aspects of the site the co-op is moving to is that it is along the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, connecting Kal-Haven and Parchment and Battle Creek and Portage. "We are excited about this connection and look forward to helping to better connect this area of downtown to the core" of the city, he says.In recent years, the area has attracted the Smartshop Metal Arts Center, One Way Products, a manufacter of industrial process and cleaning chemicals and West Tech Design Inc., a design and engineering firm.Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Martha Aills, special projects coordinator, City of Kalamazoo Community Planning and Development division

Innovations bring customers to thelamco

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Innovation News

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April 1, 2010

In Benton Harbor, thelamco, inc, is more than just another Southwest Michigan business. They continuously try out new innovative ideas to bring down customers' costs – and that innovation has given them a competitive advantage over other businesses that offer similar products. "In a nutshell, we are an industrial, custom coater or laminator," says Roxanne Behrman, sales and marketing manager. "We convert products for packaging, pressure sensitive label, and paper industries. Our product development and innovation efforts have allowed us to be nimble and try a variety of materials that our competitors shy away from." Because at thelamco, inc they embrace their creative juices, they can actually process materials that their competition cannot – and they do it with 20 employees. Recent growth, however, has created an opportunity for the business to add another sales staffer. "Our focus is on the behind the scenes products," adds Behrman. "You've seen our sales tag labels on shelf edges in area stores, and you may have eaten a microwave dinner that has been laminated with our machines." In addition to its innovation, thelamco, inc recently achieved national and world wide recognition for its commitment to sustainability. The Sustainable Foresty Initiative program allows corporations the opportunity to track their carbon footprints in terms of their packaging products. That alone could result in a 10 percent sales growth for the company according to conservative estimates by thelamco. "Many of our competitors do not have this certification and that gives us a competitive edge," says Behrman. "Ultimately, we can help our packagers develop a more sustainable product, while ensuring the material comes from well managed forests. The growth potential is very real. In fact, we secured a customer as a result of this certification." Writer: Stacie CarlsonSource: Roxanne Behrman, thelamco, inc.

Kalamazoo firm claims spot on 50 Companies to Watch list

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In The News

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April 1, 2010

Maestro eLearning, a provider of online training programs for companies across the country, has been named one of Michigan's 50 Companies to Watch in 2010, the Kalamazoo Gazette reports. The March 30 story says the formal award, sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and given by Michigan Celebrates Small Business, will be handed out April 29 in Lansing. Excerpt: "We are so pleased to receive this recognition. The celebration of a thriving high-tech education company promotes what we believe the future workforce of Michigan could be," Maestro President Jennifer Randall said in a press release from the company. Read more about the award in the rest of story. Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Edibles created by Battle Creek students get shot at blasting in to space

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In The News

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April 1, 2010

Students from the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center are taking their own inventions -- pocket-sized, nutritional, high-calorie bars -- to a national competition next month in California, the Battle Creek Enquirer reports. There, it will be determined if their creations are worthy of making it on to a shuttle mission and into the mouths of astronauts. The 11 students are up against competitors from across the country who were asked by contest organizers to create the best astronaut food possible. Excerpt: After spending six months refining their recipes and polishing their marketing plans, they'll present their work at the Conrad Foundation's Spirit of Innovation Awards on April 10 at the NASA research center in Mountain View, Calif. Of the six teams in the final round, three are from Battle Creek. The pocket-sized meals must conform to NASA's requirements for calories, fat, carbohydrates and protein. The three Battle Creek teams received some help along the way from Kellogg Co. mentors, but the projects were all student-driven, Principal Chris Lapekas said. "The biggest challenge for the kids was decision-making without adult intervention," he said, "coupled with time constraints that a professional would feel when they take on any additional responsibility." For more about the competition, read the entire story. Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

SW Michigan drug companies, biotech firms may benefit from reform legislation

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Health

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April 1, 2010

Drug companies and biotech firms may be positioned to make money under health-care reform legislation, the Detroit Free Pree reports.Drug companies and biotech firms may be positioned to make money under health-care reform legislation, the Detroit Free Pree reports. The March 28 story says that money managers are seeing the potential for such companies to benefit from the changes to health care, and it quotes Pfizer as one company that's eyeing the potential. Excerpt:Wall Street didn't collapse into rubble once President Barack Obama signed the landmark bill to begin widespread changes in health insurance. Could that mean that somebody will admit there's money to be made in the sweeping reforms we'll see in the next few years? You bet. Rick Chambers, a spokesperson for Pfizer in Kalamazoo, said much depends on how details are worked out. But he said Pfizer -- which employs about 3,000 people in Michigan, mostly in Kalamazoo County -- is optimistic that the reforms will preserve the pharmaceutical industry's ability to develop new drugs and bring them to market. Chambers noted that tens of millions of people who could not afford health care will have a means to access treatment -- including medicine. Standard & Poor's Equity Research issued a report that listed biotechnology firms and generic drug manufacturers among winners from the health care legislation. "Representing the first choice in drug therapy, inexpensive generics should be prime beneficiaries of new pharmaceutical business resulting from the extension of new health coverage for 32 million presently uninsured," wrote the S&P Equity Research team led by analyst Jeffrey Loo. The report noted some negatives for the managed-care industry -- including an end to denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions. For more on the winners, read the rest of story. Source: Detroit Free Press