West Michigan Business

Will the new GM really be any different than the old GM?

2009-07-10T21:37:34Z

It's not the first time the company has promised change or listening to customers.

Van Andel Institute researchers say gene identification shows promise in fighting breast cancer

2009-07-10T18:31:12Z

Scientists in Grand Rapids believe findings, which will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences "could be significant."

Selling cars online? General Motors unveils eBay strategy

2009-07-10T18:01:00Z

Larry Freed, CEO of Ann Arbor-based ForeSee ResultsWould you buy a new car online? General Motors thinks you might. That's why the automaker, which emerges from bankruptcy today, announced this morning that it had established a partnership with online auction...

SBA lending doing better, but still down

2009-07-10T15:42:04Z

U.S. Small Business Administration lending in Michigan remains far below the levels of a year ago, though some improvement has occurred in recent months. As of June 30, through three quarters of the federal government's 2009 fiscal year, lending under...

New GM promises appealing products, some sold on eBay, and improved customer service

2009-07-10T14:37:36Z

GM will form partnership with eBay, allowing some customers to buy vehicles in online auctions.

Is General Motors' speedy exit from bankruptcy a green light for Michigan?

2009-07-10T14:15:35Z

Now that the rules of the road have been established, the hope is the company can help the economy in general.

Michigan braces for more aid applicants as thousands will lose their unemployment soon

2009-07-10T13:23:44Z

KALAMAZOO -- Michigan's public-assistance agency is bracing for a flood of new applicants for food and cash assistance because nearly 100,000 state residents will lose their unemployment insurance by the end of this year. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency says...

CEO Fritz Henderson: The new GM will focus more on customers, repay loans

2009-07-10T12:10:08Z

The new General Motors promises to be far faster and more responsive to customers.

Spartan Stores driver is 'Grand Champion' again at Michigan Truck Driving Championship

2009-07-10T12:00:53Z

BYRON TOWNSHIP -- In his 15-year career, truck driver Bob Grant has logged 1.4 million miles -- equal to circling the planet more than 56 times. The more impressive accomplishment is every mile was accident-free....

Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. sales rise, company buys 20 Florida Wendy's restaurants

2009-07-10T11:32:52Z

GRAND RAPIDS -- Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. on Thursday said it completed acquisition of 20 Wendy's restaurants in the Jacksonville, Fla., area. The company also reported $16.4 million in sales for the quarter ended May 31, up 10.8 percent from...

Zeeland's first liquor store opens today

2009-07-10T10:28:07Z

ZEELAND -- Ajay Sehgal is making a habit of opening the first package stores selling alcoholic beverages in West Michigan communities. Today, he is opening his second AJ's Grocery & Liquor -- this one in Batts Plaza, at the northwest...

Panel recommends that Women's Health Center not get Benson Street access to parking facility

2009-07-10T00:12:05Z

GRAND RAPIDS -- The Women's Health Center is not finding support for access to a nearly 500-space parking structure from Benson Street NE. The city's Planning Commission on Thursday recommended the City Commission deny the center access to the four-story...

Local auto supplier Meridian Automotive Systems sold to Illinois-based Flex-N-Gate Corp.

2009-07-10T00:09:15Z

Grand Rapids Press File PhotoTiffany Heppner, left, and Tammy Person work on making automotive consoles at Meridian Automotive Systems in Kentwood in this 2002 photo. Local officials expect auto parts manufacturing facilities in Ionia and Kentwood to remain open after...

'No place to go but up' for GM as it prepares to emerge from bankruptcy in record time

2009-07-10T00:05:22Z

It will be a smaller, less debt-ridden automaker, analysts say.

West Side Iron & Metal Co. gains planners' recommendation for expansion for scrap bins

2009-07-10T00:04:58Z

GRAND RAPIDS -- West Side Iron & Metal Co. got the Planning Commission's recommendation Thursday to allow it to demolish three homes in the 700 block of Emperor Street NW for a new scrap metal storage facility. Owner Vincent Gargagliano...