Growth News

Empire Station Apartments in Benton Harbor started out in the 1930's as a fire station and has gone through many incarnations over the years, ice company, boxing facility, and ambulance company among them.

Now it will be housing for formerly chronically homeless individuals in a setting where they can get services they need to stabilize their lives.

Beyond that, its developers hope its high profile location on Empire Avenue and the renovation itself will stimulate a general sprucing up of the surrounding area.

The building, which had been abandoned for many years and reduced primarily to a shell, open to the elements and vandalism, has been completely renovated to create six, one-bedroom apartments.  

Though the project is not LEED certified because of the expense that would have added, its construction did follow LEED guidelines and the apartments are highly energy efficient.

Work began on the project Jan. 16 and was completed Nov. 1. Although the contruction itself went quickly plans for the building owned by Corernstone were many years in the making largely because, until the right plan for the buidling was hit upon, it was somewhat out of place in a residential neighborhood.

The project came in just under $1 million -- at $953,978 -- and received funding through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization progam of American Recovery and and Reinvestment Act, a program designed to stabilize communities hurt by foreclosed and abandoned properties.

Berrien County and the City of Benton Harbor received a total of $14 million for NSP2 projects, which included the Empire Station Apartments. Those funds have been used for projects like demolition of homes throughout the city. The project competed with 56 others nationwide and received the largest grant in Michigan.

Contractor for Empire Station Apartments portion of the project was CPM Construction of St. Joseph and Cornerstone Alliance served as the developer. Partners in the project include the City of Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Cornerstone Alliance, and Emergency Shelter Services.

At least 30 to 45 construction workers were coming and going at the site as work was being done, says Marshall Downs, Lead Project Manager for the project. Hiring local workers was required in order to obtain federal funds for the project.

From a larger perspective, Downs says, the Empire Station Apartments project is one of a number of high profile projects that can be seen across Benton Harbor -- the first and second phase of the Whirlpool project, the new Boys and Girls Club, and Harbor Shores all are contributing to a new excitement about the possibilities in the area.

"Within a five mile stretch in Benton Harbor we have so much going on," Downs says.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Marshall Downs, Cornerstone Alliance

Amy Zane had no immediate plans to return to her own retail storefront the day she was delivering her most recent pieces of jewelry to Earthly Delights in the Mall Plaza where they have been for sale.

But on her way through the plaza the salon owner who had been her neighbor in the retail center stopped her. "Your space is open, Amy. Are you coming home?" Just like that Zane decided to open a new store.

With a lot of focused energy and hard work, everything fell into place, and within five weeks she pulled together Amy Zane's Store and Studio in time for the holiday shopping season.

Zane, owner of the former Fervor Art to Wear, has returned to her former location in the Mall Plaza. She brings with her six artists whose work previously was found in her store, people she knows she likes to work with, and who understand the demands of the local market.

The 1,090-square-foot store, recognizable by the decorative floor Zane and friends installed when she first set up shop there, will employ three people besides Zane. It opened Nov. 7 and will celebrate its grand opening during the December Art Hop, Dec. 7.

Artists whose work will be offered are: Tonya Neilsen, an abstract acrylic artist; Lisa Olivares, who uses pastels; Jon Reeves, who works in metals like copper; a husband and wife team known as DM Wood Art, who creates all handcrafted pieces of wood, including flowers with intricate individual pieces; Cathy Green, pottery with a nature motif; and photography by Fran Dwight.

Customers will find art work in a range of prices, from $18 for a painting to pieces that run a little over $800. Many are in the $200 range to keep them affordable. "I chose artists who understand what people can afford when it comes to art," Zane says. Her jewelry also covers a wide price range, from a $28 necklace with earrings to pieces that run $65 to $75.

"Each of the artists have a wildly eclectic look. People can't imagine that it will look so cool together, but it does," Zane says.  "The store is a treat for the eyes."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Amy Zane, Amy Zane's Store and Studio

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's career services is now part of a national job board that has more than a half million jobs – from tens of thousands of unique sources, comprising all of the major job boards as well as newspapers, associations, and company web sites. It also has postings specific to Kalamazoo Valley.

Kalamazoo Valley’s Career and Student Employment Services has gone live with College Central Network (CCN), an online career management system that will provide job postings to students, alumni, employers, and community members.

CCN is the leading provider for more than 600 college and university campus career and employment centers in 43 states across the country.

In addition to Kalamazoo Valley job postings, the new website will include a job postings and employer resume search function, a resume builder, career advice articles, podcasts and videos, the ability to search college's secure jobs database, CCN's Jobs Central national job board, and a career document library.

"Employers will be posting their available jobs on CCN and also searching for suitable job applicants," says Diane Finch, Director of Student Career and Employment Services. And she says she thinks the new website will be a huge asset to the community’s job seekers.

CCN has tools and templates that make it easy to build industry specific resumes and portfolios. It also has a library of articles, videos, podcasts full of tips and advice to help those looking prepare for internships or job hunts.

Diane Finch, Director of Student Career and Employment Services says she thinks the new website will be a huge asset to the community’s job seekers.

"Our current employment site only offers job postings," says Finch. "College Central will provide lots more."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Diane Finch, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Dr. Robert Gadwood, co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of Kalexsyn president Inc., a contract research laboratory specializing in solving chemistry problems for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, will be the Nov. 9 speaker in a series on entrepreneurship.

His company is involved in research to find new medicines for use in various therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, cancer and diabetes. Kalexsyn is known for its ability to solve difficult problems both in the United States and abroad.

Gadwood co-founded the Kalamazoo-based Kalexsyn in 2003. The company has since grown to a staff of 37 employees. Its customer base of small and large companies is located in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Its success has resulted in Gadwood and his company being named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 and Best Small Business of the Year in 2004 by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center.

Before founding Kalexsyn, Gadwood was associate director of medicinal chemistry at Pharmacia where he supervised a staff of 19 chemists, who worked on multiple projects in both the infectious diseases and central nervous system therapeutic areas.

Gadwood will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 2159 of Schneider Hall, as part of the Haworth College of Business Entrepreneurship Forum. The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 269-387-6059. Entrepreneurship Forum is a monthly speaker series created by WMU's Haworth College of Business to bring stories of entrepreneurial success to the greater Kalamazoo community.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Mark Schwerin, Western Michigan University

Kindness to a customer back in Patricia McMichael's days working in a gas station paid off for the new owner of Always There Home Health Care.

McMichael used to regularly take a newspaper out to one of the elderly customers of the gas station. He liked her helpfulness and suggested she work for him and his wife, providing care in their homes. McMichael, who had cared for elderly people in her family in the past and liked working with them, agreed.

The man then paid for her to receive the education she needed to obtain her degree as a Certified Nurse Assistant. A new career was launched.

"I found my passion," McMichaels says. "It took me 40 years, but I found it."

Recently, the man and his wife passed away. McMichaels decided to create a business using the skills she had developed. Always There HHC now provides home health care services such as meal preparation, medication reminders, grooming guidance, and respite care services.

In emergency situations, 24 hour service is provided. That's the reason behind the name "Always There," McMichaels says.

She recently became a partner with the Area Agency on Aging and is looking forward to working with those who otherwise could not afford to home health care.

Since opening, McMichaels has been able to employ five individuals and she hopes to hire additional staff as the Niles-based business grows.

"My goal is to help people stay in their homes as long as possible," McMichaels says.

• For more information on Always There HHC, send email or call 574-298-7866. Hours of operations are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. except in cases of emergency.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Patricia McMichael, Always There HHC

Landscape Forms’ use of materials such as metal, wood and high-tech plastic in furnishings for outdoor public spaces has been expanded to include cast stone.

The company now offers the Escofet Collection, cast stone site pieces from the Barcelona-based company known for its manufacture of contemporary designs by leading architects and artists.

The Escofet Collection includes 14 cast stone products: 10 benches, a bench and table group, two chairs, and a planter.

One example is the grouping, Prima Marina, a bench, stool and table group with teak wood top inserts. The form of the pieces changes to suit the function of the place where it is located. Five benches are more organic in form.

The colors of the products are earth-toned, based on the composition of the aggregates used in their manufacture. No color is added or applied.

Products are acid-etched or polished, depending on the the design. A waterproofing finish is applied to increase longevity and wear.

Escofet, founded in 1886, has worked with elite architects and artists from Antonio Gaudi and Joan Miro, to Ricardo Bofill, Arata Izozaki, Jean Nouvel and Richard Rogers. One of its products is Gaudi’s 1904 six-sided paving tile selected for the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art.

The Kalamazoo-based Landscape Forms has installed products around the world. Clients include municipalities, transit centers, corporate, college and health care campuses. Companies such as Boeing, Cisco Systems, Disney, Sprint, American Airlines, Herman Miller and Nike have Landscape Forms furniture installations.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Richard Heriford, Landscape Forms

Something "revolutionary" is happening this Sunday (Oct. 28) at Kalamazoo's Casa Bolero. The area's only Latin small plate restaurant will be breaking the mold on the standard pre-fixe ale and food pairing menu by offering patrons a chance to not only sample one-of-a-kind dishes, but also beer and tequila.

"We did a lot of research. We wanted to see what dishes we could cook with tequila, and what three beers from Bell’s that we could cook with as well," says Jared Delaro, Executive Chef at Casa Bolero. "At normal beer dinners its mostly a pairing, but in this case we’re cooking with it as well as pairing it."

A thoughtful mix of Caribbean, Latin, and local Michigan inspired dishes will be matched with locally brewed Bell's beer as well as tequilas from the restaurant's stock of over 100 different varietals.

The menu for the evening is as follows:

First course: Table-side guacamole and salsa borracha paired with a margarita taster.

Second course: Midwestern Pale Ale mac and cheese (with or without bacon) paired with Midwestern Pale Ale.

Third course: Smokey stout BBQ short ribs (or a grilled and stuffed portabella mushroom, with or without mozzarella, tomatoes, black olives, artichokes, garlic, fresh rosemary and basil) with a Patron XO sauce paired with Kalamazoo Stout.

Fourth course: Caribbean pumpkin bisque with Amber Ale bread crostini paired with Best Brown Ale.

Fifth course: Camarones Bolero (tequila de-glazed shrimp or eggplant Madrid) served with black beans, spicy creamed corn, saffron rice and roasted tomatoes served in a skillet paired with Tres Generaciones anejo tequila.

Sixth course: Bananas Foster chocolate layer cheesecake paired with Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa.

Tickets for the event are $60 per person and the event will be capped at 75 total patrons. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner served promptly at six.

Reservations can be made in person at Casa Bolero located at 116 Portage Road in Kalamazoo or by phone at 269-382-3148.

For more infomation visit the Casa Bolero website or Bell's Brewery website.

Writer: Jeremy Martin, Second Wave Media
Source: Jared Delaro, Casa Bolero

The last time Second Wave checked in with Tolera Therapeutics its CEO was spending a lot of time on the road seeking funding. That search has paid off. 

The Kalamazoo-based biotechnology company is focusing on getting to market a drug that safely suppresses the immune system. Now it has raised $5.5 million to proceed with further tests to prove the drug is safe for humans.

The drug is designed for patients who have received organ transplants. The company’s work down the road could also have implications for therapies for autoimmune conditions, diabetes and some cancers.

Tolera plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an assessment that leads to a clinical trial that compares Tolera's drug with the leading drug on the market now used to prevent acute organ rejection.

Hopen Life Science Ventures of Grand Rapids led the $5.5 million financing round. Current investors including Triathlon Medical Venture Partners and Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund also joined in the latest round of financing.

CEO John Puisis says the funding will allow the company to finish its Phase 2 testing and prepare for Phase 3 investigation of its lead clinical candidate, TOL101.

"We are excited to bring this novel T-cell targeting biologic drug to market where there is a significant need for new immune modulating strategies and few, if any, industry pipeline alternatives," Puisis says.

T-cells assist other white blood cells in immune system processes.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: John Puisis, Tolera Therapeutics

There's a new place to shop for the scrubs hospital employees need for their jobs.

Cool Scrubs opened about three months ago at 428 S. Burdick, just south of Harvey's on the Mall.

Steve Estes says he and co-owner George Magas decided to open the store that is within a block of Bronson Hospital after recognizing there were only three or four places in town to purchase scrubs and none within a block of Bronson Hospital as their shop is. Estes comes from a background of sales and marketing in healthcare, including medical devices, and his partner in the enterprise has an extensive retail background.

The 1,750-square-foot retail space offers not only the colorful clothing required of nurses and other hospital employees, but features stethoscopes, shoes, and more. The store carries well-known brands such as Dickies, Cherokee and Barco all offered at aggresively discounted prices.

The store also has found carrying the right amount of inventory is simpler for it because each of the local hospitals, Borgess and Bronson, has specific colors for its different departments so that at a glance it is obvious in which area an employee works. Knowing those requirements makes it easier for Cool Scrubs to stock apparel in the colors that are needed.

They also provide unique services they expect will create customer loyalty, such as alterations, embroidery, and emergency services. What constitutes a hospital attire emergency? As an example, a hospital employee commuting from Galesburg or Plainwell has forgotten his or her scrubs. The store will open to sell the scrubs needed so he or she can get to work without driving back home. Cool Scrubs also delivers in such cases.

Cool Scrubs also has worked out a paycheck withholding option for Bronson employees, so that new employees who may not be able to immediately afford the new scrubs can pay for them over time through payroll deductions. It expects to have a similar plan in place soon with Borgess HealthCare employees.

When the medical school opens downtown in 2014 there will be a need for lab coats, which the store also carries, Estes says.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Steve Estes, Cool Scrubs

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Western Michigan University School of Medicine took place last week in a move guaranteed to impact downtown Kalamazoo.

The 330,000 square-foot facility, donated by William U. Parfet, chairman and CEO of MPI Research in Mattawan, Mich. to the University for use by the new medical school, will undergo extensive renovations. It also will be slightly expanded.  

Area physicians, community leaders, local residents, premedical students from the WMU Chapter of the American Medical Student Association and employees from the medical school gathered to see the ceremony.

"The city of Kalamazoo has a history of excellence in education, health care, research and life-science exploration--all of which are assets for the development of a new medical school," WMU President John M. Dunn says.

An announcement that WMU has gotten accreditation and with it approval to recruit students for its first class in August 2014 also came at the event.

Dunn says the $68 million investment to renovate and expand this building in downtown Kalamazoo will mean the School of Medicine will have an immediate impact on the community.

"A new medical school will contribute to meeting the national and local need for physicians and also bring benefits to the state of Michigan and Kalamazoo community. New jobs generate personal income for local residents," Dunn says. "Businesses in the wholesale, retail, service and manufacturing sectors benefit from the direct expenditures of the medical school on goods and services. In addition, businesses are recipients of spending by staff, medical students and visitors."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Laura Eller, Western Michigan University School of Medicine

Businesses in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph say they are growing and plan to expand in the next six to 12 months.

In the second Economic Gardening survey conducted by Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce, 64 local businesses answered questions on hiring plans, new construction, equipment acquisition, and such things as timing and whether there are constraints to growth. Companies ranging from two months old to 78 years in business took part in the survey conducted in July and August.

More businesses said they are growing than in the first year of the survey, but fewer said their expansion plans were immediate. Many appeared to be waiting for the results of the Nov. 6 election before moving ahead with expansion plans.

Fully half of the surveyed companies plan to add workers, about a quarter will be adding new equipment, nearly as many are planning the addition of physical space, and others will either bring additional sites online or acquire other companies.

Two thirds of the local business community who responded say their individual business in particular is on an upward trend. Most of the rest are finding a flat trend. Only about half would characterize the trend within their industry sector in general experiencing that upward trend.

Of those who replied, 30 say they plan to introduce new services, 18 plan new products and eight are ready for additional sites to serve their customers or clientele.

The lack of a ready workforce and limited access to capital were the two biggest constraints to expansion identified in the survey.

"Many area companies are eager to grow, but are sitting on hold," says Cornerstone Executive Vice President Pat Moody.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

The Federal Aviation Administration wants Western Michigan University to be part of a new network of 12 universities working to enhance the safety and future of the nation's general aviation sector.

To lead off the effort, the FAA has established the Center for Excellence Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability--known as PEGASAS. The center will be led by Purdue University, Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Western Michigan University is an affiliate member along with 10 other schools.

Over the next decade, the Center for Excellence is expected to unite the public and private sectors to create a consortium that will identify solutions for existing  issues and address anticipated concerns.

The FAA expects the center to perform various types of basic and applied research on general aviation topics through a variety of analyses and development and prototyping activities. The agency will invest a minimum of $500,000 per year in that research for each of the first five years of the effort.

WMU's contributions to the effort will likely revolve around its reputation and capabilities in such areas as crew and human factors research, flight safety and system safety management, says Dr. Raymond Thompson, associate dean of the College of Aviation.

PEGASAS research areas will focus on general aviation safety, continued accessibility and sustainability. Research projects will include faculty and both undergraduate and graduate students.

"This innovative partnership with academia and industry will help us take general aviation safety to the next level," says  U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Cheryl Roland, Western Michigan University

Sigma Machine specializes in small- to medium-sized machine components for the medical equipment, green energy, custom tooling, and automotive industries. Now it's making them in Midlink Business Park.

To accommodate its growing business, Sigma Machine recently moved into the the business park where it occupies 21,664 square feet and has room to grow up to 74,000 square feet.

"Sigma can feel at home today, yet have the room to expand as their business expands," says Midlink President David Smith.

The stainless-steel and aluminum machining manufacturer company, founded in 1960 and family owned, previously was located in Parchment. It brought 30 employees to its new location.

Midlink completed work on the northeast corner of Midlink West earlier this year to accommodate Sigma Machine's needs. A private entry, parking lot, new landscaping, an additional truck dock and overhead door, and 2,800 square feet of offices all were done.

Midlink Business Park features state-of-the-art, multi-tenant industrial buildings with more than 1.6 million square feet. Under development are 88-acres of industrial land, a 16-acre retail center, and 38-acre office campus.

"We look forward to seeing our tenants succeed here," says Smith. "Helping them achieve seamless growth is one of our unique strengths."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Robert D. Britigan III, Midlink Business Park

A growing number of businesses are starting to realize the benefits of exporting using a Foreign Trade Zone, but more could expand their businesses this way if they gave it a try.

That's why there will be a morning program focused on exporting industrial and agricultural products from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Allegan County Human Services Building at 3255 122nd Avenue.

The event, a partnership with Allegan County Development and BC CAL KAL Inland Port Development Corporation and Foreign Trade Zone 43, is open to the public.

The Foreign Trade Zone was established under the Foreign Trade Act of 1934, adopted to keep the U.S. manufacturers on a level playing field with foreign competition, says Jan Frantz, executive director of BC CAL KAL Inland Port Development Corporation. It helps business owners deal with the expense of duty on imported or exported goods.

Speakers invited to the upcoming event will share their expertise in growing export and import business. They also will spell out, through data and statistics, the importance of exports in West Michigan when it comes to jobs creation.

At the event, business owners can learn the language they need to navigate Foreign Trade Zone programs, get information on funding available for those who use the trade zone, and ways businesses can be competitive in a global market.

Access to federal funds made available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be discussed.

For the first time, the program will offer information for agricultural businesses. Experts can help local businesses "put all the pieces together to export agricultural products competitively," Frantz says.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jan Frantz, BC CAL KAL Foreign Trade Zone

Residents of the Vine Neighborhood are going to have a chance to have a say in shaping changes designed to raise the quality of life there.

The neighborhood has its strengths -- Chenery Auditorium, Central Corners, and friendly neighbors -- and its weaknesses -- vacant homes, broken bottles, and the litter. Working together, residents can come up with a plan for how to bring about improvements.

Vine Neighborhood Association will be organizing residents in the development of a new neighborhood action plan, says James Ryven Valeii, Community Development Coordinator. Residents will lead the campaign by building on existing neighborhood strengths to solve issues.

Neighborhood Association staff, starting this week, will make themselves available to residents by canvassing the neighborhood, setting aside office hours for resident visits, and facilitating small group meetings with a goal of helping everyone share a vision for completing a plan.

"We want everyone to have a sense of ownership over this plan," says Valeii. "That's why we are going to go door-to-door this year, not with surveys to make statistics, but with open ears and with a vision of a community that has a structure that connects residents and their energy to resources to make a difference."

Those that want to speak with Valeii about plans for Vine can reach him by email or call 616-349-8463.

Steve Walsh, Executive Director of the VNA says there is more than one way residents can get involved and participation can suit their interests and schedules. He encourages residents to learn more about opportunities for Vine in the future, and to make sure that their ideas are heard on both long range planning and other issues as well.

"A successful Vine neighborhood master plan will reflect the values, aspirations and priorities of the whole Vine community," says Walsh. "That’s why it is so important for everyone to learn about and contribute to the planning process."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Sources: James Ryven Valeii, Steve Walsh, Vine Neighborhood Association