update

1993-2012

Business

September 2012 $2.00

ublication

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, completed 2010

Inside Featur es
Health Insurance Assisted Living Of fice Fur nitur e Constr uction Eqpt

2 The Affordable Care Act and Its Effects on Business

By: Jane Whittington The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been hotly debated since the legislation was first signed into law in 2009. Even though the Supreme Court upheld the ACA earlier this summer, the debate continues. At over 2,000 pages, the ACA doesnt make for an easy read, and there are many questions as to how the ACA will play out in the months and years to come. Finding information that is not partisan may be difficult. And, of course, November is coming, and the results of the elections will determine how the ACA proceeds (or doesnt). Barring repeal by Congress, many of the major changes will take effect on January 1, 2014. At that time, everyone (with very few exceptions) will be required to have healthcare insurance; there will be penalties for those without coverage. Before January of 2014, individual states must set up health insurance exchanges where people can compare and buy coverage. If a state doesnt set up these exchanges, the federal government will provide them to the citizens of that state. All insurers are mandated to offer coverage to anyone who applies, including those with pre-existing conditions, and must charge everyone comparable rates. Governor Snyder has indicated that Michigan will offer state health insurance exchanges, and those in his administration are working out the details. For those who cant afford insurance, the ACA expands Medicaid to cover people who are under 65 and earn income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. For 2012, this would come to $30,657 for a family of four. Families who make between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (up to $92,200 for a family of four) will be eligible for tax credits for plans purchased through the state run exchanges. The Medicaid expansion is an option for states, not a requirement. An interesting provision in the law states that health insurance companies must spend at least 80 cents of every premium dollar on healthcare and quality improvements, not salaries or administrative costs. If they fail to do so, policy holders will receive rebates. Some rebates have already been mailed to consumers. How will this affect businesses? According to The Henry Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), there will likely be significant effects on businesses and their employees. KFF reports that the ACA gives employers the option of keeping the plan already in place. These grand-fathered plans are subject to fewer requirements under the ACA. The ACA includes changes to insurance plans purchased by small businesses. Some changes apply only to new plans and others apply to all plans, including grand-fathered plans. By 2014, all health insurance must guarantee coverage regardless of health status. Premium rating for new plans will only be allowed to vary by age, smoking status and whether the policy is for an individual or a family. Businesses can set up wellness programs and provide discounts for employees who participate. There will be a set of minimum benefits which new plans must cover, and no plan will allow exclusions for preexisting conditions. Small businesses will be able to buy insurance through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), designed to give small business employers an easy way to purchase health insurance for employees. They may choose to buy insurance through other sources, provided it meets the provisions of the ACA. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees may be eligible for tax credits to help offset the cost of insurance. The Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan group, says that about 2.6 million small business employees will receive coverage through state exchanges in 2014 increasing to 3.7 million in 2017. Priority Health is one of the leading providers of health care benefits in West Michigan. They are a Michigan-based provider offering group health insurance plans, HMO coverage and options for individual and family medical plans. Through Priority Health Government Programs, Inc., they also provide Medicaid, Medicare, MIChild (coverage for uninsured children of working parents) and other such programs. According to Scott Norman, Vice President of Sales and Client Services, Priority Health serves nearly 600,000 people, 400,000 of whom get coverage through their employers. There are over 15,000 healthcare providers offering services through Priority Health. Norman reports that Priority Health has recently added three new programs to their options for businesses. PriorityValue is a suite of health plans that offers comprehensive health care coverage that is affordable, easy to understand and focused on business. HealthByChoice is a suite of products designed to give employers a range of wellness integrated programs intended to help lower healthcare costs and improve employee productivity. PriorityVision give comprehensive and affordable vision coverage for either selffunded or fully funded health plans. Norman says, Many provisions of the ACA are already in place through Priority Health. In fact, we have launched www.understandhealthcare.com to provide employers with information and help answer any questions they may have. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association, headquartered in Chicago, is a federation of 38 independent, communitybased, locally operated business covering over 100 million consumers in all 50 states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Ninety-six percent of hospitals and ninetytwo percent of healthcare providers are part of the BCBS network. Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan (BCBSM) serves 4.4 million Michigan residents and has, for over 70 years, provided a wide range of options to serve its members. According to Jeff Connolly, Vice President for BCBSM and President of West Michigan Operations and Managed Care, We pride ourselves on offering a variety of products to meet the individual needs of our consumers, whether they are covered through their employers or purchasing insurance on their own. The vast majority of our members are covered through their workplaces. We work with employers to set up plans that serve the best interests of both employers and employees. We aggressively pursue both improvements in current options and new products and services. He continues, We advocate for wellness programs, preventive care and closer partnerships between healthcare professionals, patients, employers and BCBS. We believe that we must all be active partners in improving consumer health. Connolly points to a new initiative for employers, GlidePath, which offers a way to manage spending and risk. With GlidePaths defined contribution, the employer determines the companys health benefit budget and deposits pretax dollars for each active or retired employee into a GlidePath account and selects which grouping of healthcare plans to offer. Continued on page 2

Erhardt Construction; Fifty Years of Building a Better Community

By: Jeremy Martin Students who attended what was then called Grand Valley State College in 1962 may have memories of a single man working to build the foundation for the schools water tower. Fifty years ago Larry Erhardt Sr. was the owner and lone employee of Erhardt construction and it was he who was solely responsible for completion of the companys first project. He estimated it, he did the layout, he tied the rebar and poured the concrete, Joe Erhardt, Larrys son and current Chairmen and CEO of Erhardt Construction said. The Ada based firm which is now celebrating a half century in business employs 43 people and has drastically expanded beyond its simple roots; something that the companys founder doesnt take for granted. He reminds us once in a while that the average company only lasts twenty three or twenty four years. There arent very many that make it to fifty, Joe Erhardt said. After reviewing Erhardt Constructions sterling reputation which is on display with such eye catching and diverse projects as the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, the newly remodeled Lubbers Stadium at Grand Valley State and Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids it is easy to see why the firm has more than doubled the expectant lifespan of most other companies. Our diverse experience and our broad skill set allow us to not get overly tied to one market. It really does allow us to go between markets and apply our expertise to each. Its been very important in our longevity especially in the last five years in this up and down economy, Ben Wickstrom, Erhardts President said. Wickstrom-a Michigan Tech graduate- joined the firm in 2011 after tirelessly working his way up the industry ladder. Joe Erhardt who has been working with and for his father since 1975 when he was just 16 year old sees Erhardt not so much as a business operating in West Michigan, but as a member of the community whose role is to ensure the growth and prosperity of the area. I think its one thing that makes us special and unique as a region and a city is this sense of community, Joe Erhardt said. Its important for us here, to just be involved and engaged and active in our community. One way Erhardt has done so is by turning what could have been a self serving 50th birthday celebration into an area wide building project. The Building Our Community Contest-spearheaded by Wickstrom-puts Erhardts knowledge, and resources to work in Grand Rapids and does so at the companys own financial expense. We wanted to do something unique and different to celebrate our fifty years. We wanted to do something more than just throw a party and talk about ourselves, we wanted to do something that was giving back to our community, Wickstrom said. Our goal at the very beginning was to find a non-profit that had a construction need, and if we could fill that need it would enhance their ability to serve our community and accomplish their mission. Taking the community aspect to the next level Erhardt held a contest online

Business

update
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Publisher: Gary Kralapp

Business Development Senior Vice President: Diane LaPreze Senior Vice President: Jim Lroy Circulation: Aubrey Day Contributing Writers:Jane Whittington, Eric Mills, Peg Cochran, Randy DeBoer, Josh Ladick, Managing Editor: Carol M. Kralapp Associate Editor: Jeremy Martin Printing/Distribution: News Web Printing Accountant: Michael Tawney & Company Legal: Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone
The monthly published Business Update Inc.

Review of Consumption Economics

companies deliver and what their corporate customers actually use. Just as youll likely never understand much less use all the functions and features of your smartphone, computer or software, tech firms frustrate their corporate clients with unnecessary bells and whistles. But change is afoot, and tech companies must prepare for a radical industry reworking. Tech consultants J. B. Wood, Todd Hewlin and Thomas Lah detail the transformations wrought by recession, the cloud and consumer electronics, and offer tech suppliers practical advice on adapting to those changes. getAbstract applauds this treatise on how technology itself affects technology companies and recommends its longterm vision to all business managers. J. B. Wood, Todd Hewlin, Thomas Lah. Consumption Economics: The New Rules of Tech. Point B, 2011. 240 pages. ISBN-13: 9780984213030. By Rolf getAbstract Dobelli, Chairman, getAbstract is the leading provider of business book summaries, with thousands of titles covered. www.getabstract.com

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The Consumption Gap is the difference between what enterprise technology

allowing citizens to vote for which charitable organization most needed the work. After several weeks of voting, the top five finishers were announced at the companys 50th anniversary celebration which took place at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, a facility designed and built by Erhardt. Eventually the San Juan Diego Academy, a Catholic K-8 serving primarily immigrant families emerged as the winner. Work will begin soon at the school located at 1650 Godfrey Ave. in Wyoming. Erhardt will renovate the concrete support columns on the school which are cracked and crumbling and need to be reinforced to insure the structural integrity of the building. Wickstrom hopes to have the project completed by the fall of 2013. But there are other ongoing projects that Erhardt Construction is also proud of. One of which is the companys Facilities Solutions Division which works to restore and keep up existing structures. There is already a lot of real estate and property out there that is built that people are renovating and improving but also maintaining and servicing. We just saw a need in the market; we saw a need from our clients. Once we build a project, if they have a need later on in the buildings life cycle we wanted to be able to address that need, Wickstrom said. But the company isnt all businessemployees know how to cut loose a little bit too-as was the case during the recent 50/50 softball challenge; a game of ball that took place between Erhardt and Progressive Architects and Engineers- a company that also turned 50 this year. Ive already challenged them to a rematch next year because they took it to us, but were going to try to get them back next year, Joe Erhardt said. It seems natural that Erhardt Construction would enjoy the great outdoors, as the company has been on the forefront of the green and LEED building movement from its very inception. An active member of the West Michigan chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, all of the companys project management and estimating staff our LEED accredited professionals. We place a high level of importance on it, Joe Erhardt said. The firm also places a high level of importance on making the greater Grand Rapids community a better and more welcoming place to live; a goal each employee strives for every day they go to work.

5 The Affordable Care Act and Its Effects on Business

Continued from page 1
This is only one of many innovative programs BCBSM offers to manage costs while still providing superlative healthcare coverage. More information on this program can be found at http://www.bcbsm.com/group/products/g lidepathhq/ Kirk Roy is the BCBSM Vice President of National Health Reform and is working every day to bring BCBSM in line with provisions of the ACA. Roy says, In terms of the ACA, lets put it into three categories. First, there have already been dozens of changes that have gone into effect as part of the ACA. Weve changed pretty much every one of our customers coverage to come into compliance. We already offer preventive care at no cost sharing to the card holders, and we allow coverage for young adults up to the age of 26 on their parents plan. We have removed lifetime limits. There have been support programs for small businesses to receive tax credits. Weve helped businesses receive some shared government funds for retiree coverage. Weve tried to get out in front of deadlines for these changes and have helped our companies through the process. He continues, In the present, we are planning for 2014 and figuring out how to help employers get from now to 2014. There are so many variables, and sorting them out isnt easy. We want the employers with whom we work to have all the information to make the best choices moving forward. Speaking of the future, Roy says, Once everything is in place, business will be facing some hard choices. Exchanges should offer some flexibility both for employers and employees. There will be some big changes, and we will help guide them through that process. Connolly adds, The dynamic in our industry is changing. Historically, we have been business to business, selling our products to employers. Its clear to us going forward that it will be much more business to consumer/member. The consumer will be making much more of their own healthcare decisions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association offers an extremely informative and interactive website that can be useful for both consumers and employers. It can be accessed at www.askbluereform.com. Consumers can also sign up on the BCBSM website for regular healthcare reform alerts. Other helpful websites for those seeking further clarification include: www.priorityhealth.com; www.bcbsm.com; www.kff.org; w w w . h e a l t h c a r e . g o v ; w w w. h e a l t h c a r e . g o v / n e w s / f a c t sheets/2011/08/small-business.html; www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/michigan.html

The Economic Iimpact of Grand Valley State Universitys Sustainability

Allendale - The economic impact of Grand Valley State Universitys sustainability efforts in the region is more than $900 million. Grand Valley broke down the funds and resources that were saved at the university and in the region in its first collective sustainability impact report. The report, compiled by the universitys Sustainable Community Development Initiative, uses 2010-2011 data. It includes 11 sections that outline practices used by Grand Valley students, faculty and staff members to decrease the universitys footprint and increase the impact of sustainable activity on campus and in the community. View the full report here. Grand Valleys sustainability journey continues to grow, as illustrated in an assessment report developed in 2005 and an indicator progress report developed in 2008, said Norman Christopher, director of the Sustainable Community Development Initiative. This collective sustainability impact report, however, represents a new way to view sustainability from a more in-depth and strategic perspective, he said. Some highlights from the report include: - The partnership with The Rapid, the Grand Rapids-based bus service, saved students more than $27 million, including $21 million in automotive costs and $6 million in fuel costs; - In the Presidents 50-hour Service Challenge during the universitys 50th Anniversary Celebration, 655 volunteers provided 25,733 hours to 930 community organizations, and had an economic impact of $519,151; - 6,811 students participated in internships, practica, and student teaching, which saved employers more than $25 million; - Student credit hours in sustainability courses totaled 116,991 hours, or 18.4 percent of all student credit hours; - Grand Valleys fiscal sustainability and economic impact on the region totaled more than $733.4 million. Christopher explained that the Princeton Review tracked college bound freshman through surveys and found nearly seven out of 10 are influenced by a schools commitment to environmental sustainability. This report will be a great way to share those messages with prospective students to show what were doing and what we plan to do, he said.

6 Be Proactive to Prevent Business Fraud

By: Eric Mills On average, organizations lose five percent of their annual revenue to fraud each year. And small businesses are more likely to be the target of fraud than large and mid-size companies, according to a report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The groups 2012 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse shows that the smallest businesses in the study suffered the largest losses. The report made the following conclusion: The cost of occupational fraud both financially and to an organizations reputationcan be acutely damaging. With nearly half of victim organizations unable to recover their losses, proactive measures to prevent fraud are critical. The report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has it right when they call on small businesses to take proactive measures to fight fraud because simple steps can make a big difference. But convincing business owners to implement anti-fraud measures, especially those owners who have never been the target of theft, takes some encouragement. Many believe they will never be the victim of fraud. But those that have lost thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars to unscrupulous vendors, or dishonest employees, need little convincing. They want all the protection that is available. Many of us have seen the emails from somebody claiming to be from a foreign country that is trying to set up a new business in the United States stating that all they need to get their business off the ground is to transfer their millions of dollars to your bank account. The email typically ends with a request for your bank account number and online password. Thats an obvious business scam. But the not so obvious situation might start with a phone call from somebody asking for the name of whoever in your company is responsible for authorizing purchases. If the receptionist provides them a name, the scam artist immediately calls back and asks to speak to the person whose name they now have. The phone call then progresses into a web of deceit that could lead the unsuspecting purchasing agent to buy goods and services they dont need or that are never delivered. I sometimes think that as hard as some of us work to make a living, people who engage in fraud work twice as hard, which is all the more reason to protect yourself and your investment in your business. Advancements in technology also create security challenges for businesses. With high speed, multi-colored printers its very easy for somebody to create their own checks and try to pass them off as legitimate. The Security Suite we offer to Huntington business customers creates an instant verification of a transactions validity. The customer lets us know when they have written a check, so the bank already knows the check is valid when it is deposited or cashed. Our small business bankers at Huntington take the time to walk an entrepreneur through the steps they can take to cut down on, or eliminate fraud. We recommend small companies divide up the duties of those who come in contact with company money. If a person is verifying receipt of payments, then somebody else needs to deposit the checks. If one person is writing the checks, another person should be signing them. The segregation of duties is commonplace in large companies, but is often overlooked when a business has just a few employees. A small business also needs a way to track invoices. If you receive a bill for pencils and paper clips, have a system that verifies that the company that sent the invoice actually delivered the product. Again, its a small step that may seem intuitive, but is often overlooked when an entrepreneur is putting in long hours and working with only a few employees. Anybody who owns a business, or is thinking of starting one, should talk to their banker about the proactive steps that will cut down on fraud and theft. It could save your companys reputation and possibly save the business youve worked so hard to build. Eric Mills is the Market Manager of business banking for the Northwest Michigan market at Huntington Bank.

Finance/Insurance Briefs
Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Credit Union announced the hiring of Stacey Curtiss as Corporate Recruiter. Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women began a three year initiative funded by a $360,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek to deepen its reach into the city where women face multiple challenges to help them achieve financial stability by providing business training, mentorship, and financial resources. Grand Rapids Independent Bank announced it created a new enterprisewide risk management area that will be led by Stefanie M. Kimball, who will serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. Also, Jim Mack was promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer and will assume the responsibility of managing Independent Banks commercial lending business. Grand Rapids Dan Stauch joined Lighthouse Group as a Business Insurance Account Executive having his Series 6 & 63 certifications for Health, Life, and Property & Casualty licenses. Kalamazoo Scott VanAvery joined Lighthouse Group as a Business Insurance Account Executive having previously worked as Media Consultant for a national advertising company and Marketing Director for a local home improvement company. Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Credit Union announced hiring Dale Hamill as mortgage originator, with 16 years of banking expertise. Caledonia The Acrisure, LLC, the parent company of The Campbell Group, was named one of Insurance Journals Top 100 Property/Casualty Agencies in 2012, which is the 3rd consecutive year Acrisure ranked among the top 100. Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Credit Union announced Vickie Smith, their Director of Business Development and Community Events, won the Excellence in Consumer Education Award from the Michigan Credit Union League. Grand Rapids Regal Investment Advisors, LLC, announced Regal Mutual Fund Strategies has officially been trademarked. The Regal Mutual Fund Strategies offer four diverse portfolios consisting of four and five star Morningstar rated funds selected by the Regal Investment Committee. Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women awarded two local business owners with microloans: Ebony Moore, owner of Emor Shoes LLC, an e-commerce retailer providing footwear and accessories in extended sizes for women specializing in sizes 8 to 14; and Kathryn Snyder, owner of WellMannered Dog Center, a facility designed to be used as a base for the many area dog training clubs, breed clubs, 4-H clubs, and citizens who enjoy the company of their canine companions.

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7 Challenges and Changes Facing Assisted Living Facilities

By: Peg Cochran Mina Breuker, chief operating officer of Holland Home, a Grand Rapids non-profit provider of services to seniors since 1892, has seen a number of changes in the assisted living industry in her fourteen years in the business. People moving to assisted living are less independent and (bring to us) greater needs, such as memory loss, than in the past. Breuker said. According to Chris Nicely, vice president of marketing for Holland Home, the economy has had an impact on the census of most assisted living facilities. Assisted living is all private pay, and it can be expensive. People are using more affordable home-based services to allow them to stay independent and in their own home as long as possible before moving into a facility. For instance, Holland Home offers Helpers of Holland Home, and Helpers provides an array of services to support individuals in their home. Services range from nonmedical assistance to skilled nursing, Nicely said. Another change, according to Breuker, has been in the expectations of the consumer and their family. Kitty Vydarney, executive director of Holland Homes Raybrook campus concurs, Consumers are savvy especially their children who often are the ones making the decisions, Vydarney said. The children of our residents are looking for high quality services. Care has become more patient-centered, Breuker said. Vydarney agrees. The focus now is on the individuals preferences and needs. ydarney has seen a rise in the demand for amenities like fine dining. We are in the process of updating our pantries, adding things like plate warmers, training workers to provide better service and improving the overall dining experience, Vydarney said. She has also seen a rise in the universal worker a staff person who performs multiple roles for the resident rather than a single set of tasks. Theyre there to make the residents world more comfortable, She said. We recognize that people arent done living, Breuker said. Life doesnt stop when you go to assisted living. To that end, Holland Home has given residents a voice in choosing the activities and programs they want so that they have the opportunity to continue to grow and learn. An active resident council gives residents a voice in the day-to-day routines of the home adding to their quality of life. Holland Home plans to expand its Masterpiece Living program into its assisted living facilities in 2013. Masterpiece Living is an initiative that focuses on all the components of successful agingsocial, physical, spiritual and mentaland helps participants to live better, longer. Masterpiece Living is more than just another wellness program, Breuker said. It is based on cutting-edge research on aging and creates an environment and a culture that believes older adults can grow and achieve their lifes goals even in the assisted living setting. Vydarney believes that assisted living facilities will place an increased emphasis on memory care as the baby boomers age. She also sees an increase in the use of technology like motion sensors that alert caregivers when a resident has gotten out of bed or fallen. Being able to check on a resident less obtrusively helps the resident feel more independent. One of the greatest challenges facing both assisting living providers and consumers is that there is no official definition of assisted living. Assisted living can be licensed by the state or offered in an unlicensed facility. The regulations involved and the services provided vary greatly. Its wise for the consumer to ask questions such as, what happens if I out live my funds, how much medical management does the home provide and at what point would I be required to move to a nursing facility? At Holland Home we provide medical management and have an individualized service plan in place for each of our residents, Vydarney said. That is not the case in every assisted living facility. Consumers need to know the product they are purchasing before they make the move. Peg Cochran is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Holland Home. She can be reached at 616-2358730, peg.cochran@hollandhome.org or by visiting hollandhome.org

Current Business Trends: Flat

Grand Rapids - The greater Grand Rapids industrial economy is flat, according to the results of a monthly survey compiled by Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. The survey results are based on data collected during the last two weeks of August. The surveys index of business improvement, called new orders, returned to +0, up from -6. The production index flipped back to positive at +5, up from -5. The employment index remained unchanged at +18. Our automotive parts suppliers are still positive, but none are showing the rapid expansion we have had for most of the last three years, said Long. Despite the strong sales figures for autos, there are still considerable questions about the automotive production schedules for the rest of the year. Most major firms in the office furniture business continue to be stable. Not up, not down, but stable. Its possible the office furniture business will finish the year a little stronger than the earlier industry projections. The industrial distributors are also stable for the month. The capital equipment firms are more widely mixed, with some still up, but others fading. Long said some of the best news for the month came from the housing sector. The closely watched Case-Shiller price indices were all up, said Long. The 10 Cities Composite, 20 Cities Composite, and the all-important U.S. National Composite indices all turned positive for the first time in more than two years. For Michigan, year-to-date sales are up 10 percent, and prices are up nearly 5 percent.

8 Cosmetic Surgery Today

By Jane Whittington We all want to look our best. It enhances our self-esteem and our sense of well-being. It may do even more. In fact, according to a recent book by Daniel Hamermesh, a noted economist who wrote Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People are More Successful, attractive people are more likely to receive better pay, obtain more loan approvals, negotiate loans with better terms and have more handsome and highly educated spouses. And a study from Rice University about employment interviews states, The bottom line is that how you look can significantly influence the success of an interview. Sometimes the desire to look our best causes us to consider plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is nothing new. In fact, it has been reported that plastic surgery was being practiced as early as 800 BC in India and also in ancient Rome and Greece. In fact, the word plastic comes from the Greek word plastik, meaning the art of modeling. The earliest report of such surgery in America was in 1827 when John Mettauer performed a cleft palate repair. Today plastic surgery includes both reconstructive surgery and cosmetic or aesthetic surgery with the two having some overlap. Reconstructive surgery concerns itself with returning the body to a normal state. This could include surgery after an accident or to correct a congenital defeat. Cosmetic surgerys goal is to maintain or enhance the appearance. Cosmetic surgery includes invasive surgery (like a facelift, tummy tuck or breast augmentation or reduction) as well as minimally-invasive and non- invasive procedures like Botox to smooth wrinkles, skin resurfacing or soft tissue fillers to add volume to cheeks and lips. Whatever the reason for wanting to enhance our appearance, Grand Rapids cosmetic surgery physicians stand ready to help us achieve that goal. There are several practices in the area which specialize in cosmetic surgery and a number of board certified physicians with the skill, expertise and experience necessary to achieve the desired results. Plastic Surgery Associates and Centre for Plastic Surgery are two of the best. Dr. Scott Brundage is with the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Butterworth Hospital. He has been in practice for over 25 years. Brundage says, In our practice, we perform both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and work with men and women, adults and children, but most of our patients are adults and we serve more women than men. As is true throughout the country, our most often performed procedure is breast augmentation. He continues, We find that often our patients want something quick and effective. We do a lot of Botox, fillers things like that. People can just walk in and walk out and see immediate change with no recuperation time. Dr. Marguerite Aitken attended medical school at Northwestern University and completed a residency in the Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Program. She is in practice with Plastic Surgery Associates. Dr. Aitken says, Ive been in practice for eight years and some of those years have been concurrent with the recession. Ive found that the more expensive procedures have been less popular. I believe that in our practice, the past few years have seen us doing more liposuction than anything else. However, as the economy improves, that is changing. Healthcare insurance, in general, covers reconstructive surgery more consistently than cosmetic surgery. However, theres often a fine line between the two, and it is important to discuss any plastic surgery with ones carrier. Over the years, there have been some changes in insurance coverage. For instance, before the late 90s, reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy was considered cosmetic and was not covered. Now, most healthcare insurance pays for this surgery. Both practices perform most procedures in fully-equipped treatment or operating rooms within their offices. However, doctors in both practices also work at hospitals within Spectrum Healths system. Brundage says, We have a popular option that we call Mommy Makeovers. We offer both surgical and non-surgical options to help women restore their appearances after they have children. Its been said that the hands are the part of the body that can give away a persons age. But Dr. Aitken says, We have procedures that can revitalize the appearance of the handsremoval of age spots, fillers to add to the hands youthful look; even surgical options are available. Plastic Surgery Associates offers a series of seminars and lectures on topics in cosmetic surgery. All of the doctors in the practice attend and are available for questions during and after the event. In October, the practice will be hosting a fashion show and informational event in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Both doctors emphasize the importance of high quality service delivery. Brundage says, Were not a high-volume practice. Its more important to us that our patients feel a high degree of satisfaction in the work that we have done. Aitken agrees, We dont make empty promises. We work with solid, proven products and procedures. We want our patients to feel that they have received the best care possible, and we want them to be happy with the results. More information is available on the websites of both practices. They can be found at www.gr-cps.com for the Centre for Plastic Surgery and www.psa-gr.com for Plastic Surgery Associates. Jane Whittington is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Grand Rapids.

Health Care Briefs

Grandville Dr. Jason Doublestein and Dr. John Albrecht announced the addition of Dr. Michael Wierenga, a graduate of University of Michigan School of Dentistry, to their dental office. Grand Rapids Pine Rest Foundation announced Samantha Howell, a business analyst at Amway, and Allen VanderLaan, retired from Kent Companies, as new members to the Pine Rest Foundation Board of Governors. Grand Rapids Holland Home announced Jacquie Karr-Zlotnicki, Director of Volunteer Services at Holland Home and Faith Hospice, was named Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals to serve for the 2012 2013 year. Kalamazoo For the 10th consecutive year, Bronson Methodist Hospital received Practice Greenhealths Environmental Leadership Circle Award, which recognizes healthcare facilities that exemplify environmental excellence and are setting the highest standards for environmental practices in national healthcare. Holland Holland Hospital was awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification by the accrediting organization DNV Healthcare. The designation means Holland Hospital has met the rigorous standards for treatment of stroke victims as defined by the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and the Recommendations of the American Stroke Association. Lansing The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and its member hospitals again received national recognition for improving patient safety and quality, winning the American Hospital Associations prestigious top award for improving health care. The MHA Keystone Center received the Dick Davidson Quality Milestone Award for Allied Association Leadership. Grand Rapids Grand Valley Health Plan renewed its commitment to the health and well being of children by collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to provide the Healthier Generation Benefit for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity. Kalamazoo Bronson Breast Surgery welcomed Nancy Kalinowski, MD., a board certified general surgeon with extensive knowledge and experience in breast surgery.

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9 Porter Hills is Continuing to Learn and Expand

By: Jeremy Martin An institution doesnt last for more than forty years without offering a high quality and trusted service. But it also doesnt last that long without constantly learning, growing and changing to meet the needs of a client base that is also evolving. Founded in 1970 Porter Hills Retirement Communities offers its clients a sense of security and comfort that few Assisted living centers can match; and it does so by offering a line of services nearly unparalleled within the industry. Porter Hills is always focused on quality improvement and evolving as an organization, Ingrid Weaver Vice President of operations for Porter Hills said. We now have just about any type of service to meet any need for seniors in the greater Grand Rapids area. Services at Porter Hills range from standard in house care, to physical rehabilitation, all the way to a brand new program called Avenues. Avenues is a great program. There are similar programs but not many throughout the country, Weaver said Instead of asking folks to come live in our communities to receive services, were actually coming to them. They commit to have a relationship with us, folks are usually a younger age of a senior and we agree to provide support for them for the rest of their life with the intent and the goal to help them live successfully in the home theyre at now. This allows seniors who are still quite independent to receive personalized care without having to disrupt their normal everyday lives. They are able to travel, work, shop and do everything that they are used to doing, but with the peace of mind to know that theyre health and well being are taken care of. We do that by connecting them with a wellness coordinator which helps them make sure they are taking care of their medical needs and any personal needs they might have, and to some extent social needs as well. Its not really a new lifestyle for them, were helping them maintain their lifestyle and how they want to live; in giving them the tools and resources that they need in order to do so, Weaver said. But Avenues which was launched earlier in the year and has yet to receive the full publicity treatment is just one in a number of quality services offered. Though living from home is an attractive offer to many seniors, Sherman believes that there is still plenty of folks who would prefer to live in one of Porter Hills onsite facilities. I think there is always going to be a place for retirement communities, maybe for folks who arent driving as much anymore who like to have highly social lifestyles, want that sense of security with their property and their home being cared for them. And there is other folks who feel very strongly that they want to stay in the home theyve lived in for a number of years. We want to be able to serve both of those seniors, Weaver said. Currently Porter Hills serves over a 1,000 clients and are able to do so thanks to a highly trained and educated staff. Wed like to service as many people as possible and will continue to grow our staff to meet that need, Weaver said. Much of Porter Hills client base to the company based on referrals by friends and family, and in some cases enrolls in the same services that helped their own parents. I have the pleasure now of serving the next generations, I may have taken care of their parents at some point and now they are choosing Porter Hills as their retirement option, Weaver said. Many people choose Porter Hills because of that very thing; options. And a way for the company to continue offering a wide variety of services is to team up with other institutions in the area. A lot of our focus right now has been based on collaborations with other like minded organization, Weaver said. Were working with another non-profit group to open a rehab and skilled nursing facility. Our goal is to continue to grow services to seniors in their home, we feel that is a trend that is going to continue and we want to work with like minded business partners to expand our mission and theirs. Thats something that current and future clients can certainly take to heart. For more information on Porter hills visit: porterhills.org

Health Care Briefs

Wyoming Metro Health Hospital announced Ruth Klingensmith is the hospitals new Compliance Officer and will be responsible for identifying and assessing areas of compliance risk for the hospital. Reed City Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital announced that it will break ground this fall on the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, an $8.9 million comprehensive regional facility. The new cancer center will be located at the current Spectrum Health Crossroads Radiation Therapy Center at US10 and US131 in Osceola County. Holland Holland Hospitals cardiology program was awarded the ACTION RegistryGWTG Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2012 by the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) and American College of Cardiology Foundation for the third consecutive year. Grand Rapids Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services welcomed two psychiatrists Jonathan Dargo, M.D. and Shristi Shah, M.D., who will work in the Pine Rest outpatient clinics with 16 locations throughout West Michigan and two in Iowa.

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12 Construction/Real Estate Briefs

Southfield Clark Construction Company was selected Construction Manager for a $3 million, two-phase project to relocate Central Processing Department (CPD) to the second floor on 5West at Beaumont Hospital in Troy. A second Flash CT Project will update CT facilities with patient lift system, control room, and mechanical and electrical equipment upgrades for the installation of a new Flash CT. Phase one of the CPD project consists of building on the fourth floor of the Critical Care Tower, which will be new office space for Medical Information Services Department staff. Phase two consists of building on the second floor for the new CPD location, which will include the installation of new CPD equipment, such as sterilizers and a cart washer. Battle Creek Wolverine Building Group announced the beginning of construction for phase II of the Silver Star apartment complex that will provide housing to homeless veterans. Wolverine Building Group and architect Design Plus are working together on the 110,000 square foot project that will include construction of 101 apartment units as well as community spaces including computer labs, craft rooms, workshops, library, gymnasium / multipurpose room, and will be LEED certified. This $11.5 Million project is supported by a MSHDA Loan, HOME Funds, and Syndication of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits with the Great Lakes Capital Fund. It is also a Section 3 project that promotes partnering with subcontractors and suppliers who employ residents of low-income housing who are local to the jobsite. Wolverine currently has 30% Section 3 and/or DBE (disadvantaged business enterprises) subcontractors and suppliers signed on for this project, and are on track to exceed the owners 10% goal by a sizeable margin. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013. Lansing Clark Construction announced hiring of three staff members to assist in the companys projects: Justin Bailey, Safety Manager at the new Pack Assembly Plant for Dow Kokam in Midland; Jim Newberry, Superintendent in Fort Bragg, N.C. for construction In Processing Facility and Headquarters Building renovation; and Mitch Potter, Superintendent on the Fitness Center project at Fort Riley, KS. Lansing Clark Construction Company was selected as Construction Manager for the new Bio Engineering research facility at Michigan State University (MSU). The $40 million facility will be a multi-disciplinary research facility and will provide MSU with the opportunity to bring together research teams from engineering and biomedical research to promote the development of bioengineering and engineering health sciences at MSU. The project is tentatively scheduled to start summer 2013, and be ready for occupancy fall 2015. Michigan and Cincinnati, OH Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc., announced the following team members joined their Grand Rapids office: Adam J. Nelson, Senior Designer in the Architectural Department; David S. Shaffer, Staff Architect in the Architectural Department; Mark W. Maguire, Civil Engineer; Kyle M. Shaver, P.E., S.E., Structural Engineer; Andrew D. Howard, Staff Architect; Elizabeth A. Stek, LEED AP, Structural Engineer; Heather M. Bowers, Civil Engineer; and Ryan M. LaReau, Civil Engineer. Grand Rapids First Companies negotiated a lease with landlord David Wiener, for 13,400 feet of office space at 62 Commerce Ave. SE, for tenant Springthrough, Inc. Grand Rapids Real estate professional Chad Koster, CCIM, along with partner Nick Vander Wal, announced the opening of residential real estate brokerage Paramount Realty Partners, a fullservice residential real estate firm specializing in the sale and purchase of real estate in the greater Grand Rapids area. West Michigan - Signature Associates has negotiated: the lease of 1,500 square feet of storage space located at 477 Chicago Drive, Holland for the landlord, Hop Properties of Holland, LLC, and the tenant, Youth for Christ. the lease of 1,500 square feet of retail space located at 6749-6751 Fulton Street E, Ada for the landlord, 6751 Fulton Associates and the tenant, Herbert Schlichting. Mr. Schlichting will offer orthopedic physical therapy with a specialty in sports medicine. the lease of 13,359 square feet of office space located at 500 Momany, St. Joseph for the tenant, GE Capital. the sale of 3.46 acres of office land located at 404 W. Centerstone Court and 301 Royal Park Drive, Zeeland for the seller, Red Enterprise, LLC, and the buyer, Holt Properties. the sale of 29.35 acres of industrial land located at 850 48th Street, Hollland, to G3 Holdings for the seller, Quality Properties Asset Management. Lansing Chad Riehl, Clark Construction, was appointed to the Michigan Building Code Rules Committee and will assist in development of the 2012 Building Code for the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Grand Rapids - Signature Associates has negotiated the sale of 3,525 square feet of industrial space located at 37 James Street, Holland for the seller, Consumers Concrete Corp., and the buyer, Holland Switzer, LLC. Grand Rapids Progressive AE announced David Shull, AIA, joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager/Client Leader. Shull is a Registered Architect in the State of Michigan and a licensed member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Grand Rapids Wolverine Building Group announced the beginning of construction for the new production kitchen for Senior Meals Program, Inc.. The renovated facility will be Senior Meals headquarters for food preparation, packaging, and delivery and will double the production capacity of the organization from 750,000 to 1 million meals annually. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2012.

13 The Next Generation of Office Design

By: Randy DeBoer Twelve years ago, the office furniture industry was enjoying a golden age. United States companies shipped over $13 billion worth of product in the year 2000, following a boom of rising demand, and it seemed as if the sky was the limit to our success. But the next decade was not as kind: the industry saw steady declines of production throughout the first three years, enjoyed a slight reversal of that trend between 2004 and 2007, and then suffered its worst blow ever as the economic downturn hit in 2008. U.S. office furniture production shipments fell a staggering 29% in 2009 bringing the market value to roughly 60% of what it was at the beginning of the decade and sent companies running for the hills. But what would a fall be without a rise? The industry has begun a slow and steady climb back to prominence, recouping roughly half of the lost production market throughout the last three years, and moving towards exciting and innovative frontiers. As part of the central hub of the office furniture industry, numerous West Michigan companies have had big questions to answer since the economic crisis began. How does an office furniture dealer thrive in a world where the idea of an office is not a cubicle in some city highrise, but a kitchen counter, a bedroom desk, or a table at a wi-fi cafe? What function do the old ideas and ways of doing things have to a generation of kids destined to make their living from a wide range of talents and opportunities rather than a single focused skill set and a steady 9-5 job? It turns out that the old ideas still do have a place, but only when paired with innovation, flexibility, and increased customer appreciation. Interphase Interiors has recognized all aspects of this shift, and we have seen that awareness reflected in a steady market share growth - even as the rest of the industry has declined around us. 2012 is set to be another record-breaking sales year for us, and that success has come largely from understanding the generational and technological shift in the workplace and recognizing that each customer has a different idea of what a workstation should be. For a lot of young people, the idea of an office is almost obsolete. The need for a permanent workstation (or for commuting to a central location) is becoming less and less common. Privacy is not the requisite factor it once was. Younger generations prefer working in a more collaborative environment, with activity and noise all around them. If they need a moment to themselves, they generate one by listening to music through earbuds and using it as a conduit for personal productivity. Interphase and our partners at Haworth took these trends into account, developing our MoDiv space in downtown Grand Rapids to fit the kind of casual, residential ambiance that has become so popular. But beyond a youthful and boisterous atmosphere, the most important aspect of workplace design has become the incorporation of technology. Slick, fast and easy communication is an absolute staple, whether through WebEx, teleconference, or simultaneously sharing multiple computer desktops on a single large screen. Files can be made available, by one click of a mouse, on officewide servers, and conference calls can be executed through the web or over video chat clients like Skype and Google chat. And employees can work almost anywhere, with office computers entirely accessible from an iPad, a Kindle, or a remote laptop. All of this was almost unthinkable a decade ago. Even as recently as the 2008 recession, the office furniture and design industry had a completely different face. But with technological advancement moving at a rapid pace, and with more young people joining the workforce than ever before, adaptability, innovation, and advancement have become pivotal keys to success. Our world is changing rapidly, but the office furniture companies that can help lead their customers through that maze of change will be the leaders of tomorrow! Randy DeBoer is president and owner of Interphase Interiors, the exclusive Haworth dealer in West and Northern Michigan for more than 30 years. Interphase is a 2012 Best in Class Haworth Dealer. Further information at www.interphaseinc.com or 616-245-0800.

Final Next Michigan Development Corporation Established in West Michigan

Seven area municipalities in MuGrand Rapids The Right Place, Inc, Muskegon Area First, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announce the approval of Michigan's fifth and final Next Michigan Development Corporation (NMDC), located in West Michigan. The new NMDC, to be known as the "West Michigan Economic Partnership," is being developed as a partnership between seven area municipalities (Kent County, City of Grand Rapids, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Cascade Charter Township, City of Muskegon, Muskegon County), two economic development organizations (The Right Place, Muskegon Area First), and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Convened by The Right Place and Muskegon Area First in February 2011, the West Michigan Economic Partnership was created to market and spur the development of strategic real estate serviced by two or more modes of transportation infrastructure in Muskegon and Kent Counties. Participating communities and eligible companies may be able to utilize additional property and investment incentives under the new partnership. "The increased level of intergovernmental collaboration between counties and municipalities in West Michigan is the first of its kind in West Michigan," said Ed Garner, President and CEO, Muskegon Area First. "This new partnership between Muskegon and Kent Counties will open new doors for investment, jobs, and growth throughout the region." Over the next several weeks, each participating party will appoint a representative and an alternate to serve on the newly created board. Regular monthly meetings will then be held to support and manage on-going efforts. Once seated, the board's next step will be to establish a funding model and begin identifying strategic multi-modal properties within the partnership's geographic region. "As one of only five sanctioned NMDCs allowed under the current legislation, these seven municipalities now have a unique set of marketing and incentive tools to support new investment and the creation of jobs in their communities," said Rick Chapla, Vice President, Business Development, The Right Place, Inc., "Strategic transportation areas in West Michigan, such as Muskegon's deep-water port and Wyoming's Site36 location will be prime areas of focus." Next Michigan Development Corporation Background In December 2010, the Michigan Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law P.A. 275 of 2010 (the "Next Michigan Development Act"), creating a new economic development tool to advance the marketing and development of certain kinds of real estate served by two or modes of transportation. Under the new legislation, the act allows for the creation of a separate legal and administrative entity formed by interlocal agreement among two (2) or more local governmental units, at least 1 of which shall be a county, and at least one (1) of which shall be a qualified local government unit for the purpose of jointly exercising economic development powers and attracting business. Once an interlocal agreement is established, the group can apply to the board of the Michigan strategic fund for designation as a next Michigan development corporation. The board of the Michigan strategic fund may designate no more than five (5) Next Michigan Development Corporations in the state.

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14 EPA Announces 2012 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants

Chicago. IL The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced seven Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants, totaling over $2.6 million, to improve water quality at Great Lakes beaches in Michigan and Wisconsin. The grants were announced by EPA Regional Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman at Samuel Myers Park in Racine, Wisconsin, at one of the beaches targeted for work under the grants. Over the last three years, GLRI has provided more than $29 million for 78 projects to protect and restore Great Lakes beaches. This funding has paid for sanitary surveys at 400 beaches, allowing beach managers to identify contamination sources and to implement projects that reduce or eliminate pollution. The GLRI has also funded eight projects to better forecast beach conditions and to develop technologies such as Smartphone apps to issue real-time alerts about swimming bans and beach closures. Projects announced today include: $1 million (two grants of $500,000 each) to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to redesign eight Wisconsin beaches to reduce bacteria levels, resulting in fewer swimming bans and beach closures. The beaches are: Red Arrow Park Beach, Marinette; Crescent Beach, Algoma; Red Arrow Park Beach, Manitowoc; Thompson West End Park, Washburn; Grant Park, South Milwaukee; Samuel Myers Park, Racine; and Simmons Island and Eichelman Parks, Kenosha. $179,700 to the City of Marquette, Michigan, to lower health risks and to improve water quality at two Lake Superior beaches in Marquette by using green management practices to reduce contamination. $500,000 to the City of Marysville, Michigan, to install rain gardens and other green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff and to deter geese at Chrysler Beach on the St. Clair River. $500,000 to the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority for green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff at Lake St. Clair Metropark (Metro Beach.) $217,015 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to construct rain gardens, plant native grass and install a filtration system to improve water quality and reduce health risks at Sherman Park and Four Mile beaches in Sault Ste. Marie. $263,188 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to build a green stormwater infiltration system at New Buffalo City Beach to reduce bacteria and nutrient levels.

The Statistics of International Business in West Michigan

By: Jeremy Martin with Brandt Siegel It wasnt long ago that the state of Michigan was synonymous with exportation. Companies from across the mitten were sending automobiles and parts, office furniture, produce, medical supplies and more to all four corners of the globe. The recent recession and the downturn in the automotive industry has indeed put a damper on the States exports and in some cases all but ended the lives of many leading companies, but it hasnt extinguished the flame that once burnt so bright. In fact in many cases we are currently seeing not only a rise in goods exported but in dollars gained from the practice. What we are also seeing is a change in where goods are shipped, and what those goods are. It should come as no surprise with the rising cost of fuel that exporting numbers have been scrutinized closely and cost saving measures have been implemented across the board. This is one reason we are seeing the export of goods to locals closer to home. Shipments to countries such as Canada and Mexico are rising sharply while the shipment of products to countries further afield like Korea and the Netherlands have plateaued and in some cases dropped off. According to The Brookings Institution real export growth rates from West Michigan to Canada rose 22.8% during 2009-2010 and rates to Mexico rose 22.4%. Contrasting that is data on exports to the UK which rose only 2.1% and to Korea which actually dropped 5.7%. Despite some favorable single country exporting statistics we actually saw a dip in West Michigan exporting between 2007 and 2009. The beginning of our data set shows that Grand Rapids area companies made a combined $2.7 Billion from the exporting of goods in 2007, with a jump to an even $3Billion the next year before falling off drastically in 2009, racking in only $2.4 Billion. According to the International Trade Administration, the transportation equipment industry lost quite a bit of ground over those years. Export numbers for the industry show that in 2007 over $703 Million was made from exporting, but that total had dropped to $278 Million by 2009; a dip of nearly 40%. Chemical manufacturing saw steady growth between 2006-2008, raising export funds from $422 Million to $613 Million before leveling off as of recently, taking in $458 Million in 2010. We are also seeing industries such as sporting goods, computers and business services rise slowly, filling the void left from industries that have decreased in sales. What we are also seeing is that many local industries are making drastic post recession improvements on their real export growth rates. Brookings tell us for example that from 2008-2009 the chemical industry was showing a negative growth rate of 24.89% but then was able to rebound from 2009-2010 showing a much improved 28.61% growth. Though that is an extreme example, the statistics show us that most of the Grand Rapids area industries participating in international exportation of goods have an increased and positive real export growth rate post recession. This is all good news for an area of the country that was once seen as a major manufacturing hub and is seeking to reclaim its place in the international exporting market.

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15 The GSAs New Demand Based Model and its Effects

By: Josh Ladick Steve Kempf, commissioner of General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service announced in early July The MAS program is perpetually open to qualified new offers and while vibrant markets exist in some of the schedules, we have reached the point of saturation in others. In English, this means that the GSA is fulfilling its purpose, but there are areas that are obsolete and need to be evaluated. The solution to the saturation problem is called the Demand Based Model (DBM) which is intended to allow the GSA to align its resources with areas of greatest need. On July 23rd, the Federal Register expanded on this, GSA is proposing this operational change to enhance the performance of and modernize the MAS program in three key program areas: Small business viability, operational efficiency, and cost control. Earlier, a service provider announced on their company blog that the GSA will be freezing 5 Schedules for 1-3 years, and evaluating subcategories across the board to freeze or drop. This was based on a Congressional Subcommittee meeting on Contracting and Workforce, held June 7, 2012. The chain of events that led to the Demand Based Model started with the downturn in the economy, where many companies folded, and those with stored resources pursued the federal market because the government was one of the last big & stable spenders. This created a rapid increase in GSA Contract submissions. Over the past 3 years, the number of companies seeking Schedules contracts has roughly doubled and the volume of contract modifications has roughly tripled. GSA is confronting a serious staffing shortage of qualified contracting professionals to react to the high demand. Under the old GSAs Administrator, Martha Johnson, major problems started collecting in the Agency, and little was done to address or fix them. The GSA scandal caused her to resign, and Dan Tangherlini was appointed the role of GSAs Acting Administrator with a calculated, business-like approach, and he started drafting the GSAs plan of salvation. I can foresee 3 potential very positive outcomes from the Demand Based Model approach. First, these changes will save the GSA a reported $24 million a year in operating expenses. If managed properly then federal buyers will only experience a small drop in service when buying through the GSA, and there will be a fresher group of contractors to choose from. Second, established Government Contractors in frozen schedules will enjoy limited competition, and a trimming of the fat in their schedules will make for quicker modification turnaround times. Third, low performers do sap GSA resources, and the agency as a whole will emerge from this in better shape regarding acquisitions, which have doubled and tripled review times over the past 2 years. I can also foresee 2 potential very negative outcomes from the Demand Based Model approach. GSA Schedule 871 Professional Engineering Services offers many important solutions to federal buyers, especially DoD. These solutions change so fast, and new contractors are always creating new solutions for the federal market. So, in my opinion, freezing Schedule 871 will slow the DoDs R&D efforts, which poses a national security risk. So, this was not a good GSA Schedule to freeze, but the others are very saturated, and can stand to be frozen for a year or two. Second, there will be a huge push of submissions before the deadline to freeze. The GSA will either be deadlocked for years trying to catch-up once the door closes, or they will close the gate and many contractors will be locked out for 1-3 years without the opportunity to submit before the announcement. In the Federal Register, the GSA says It is highly likely that nearly all of these offers will not generate business, so the GSA appears to be leaning towards closing the gate and rejecting all pending offers. Josh Ladick is the President of GSA Focus, Inc. and has over 6 years of experience acquiring and maintaining GSA Contracts daily. GSA Focus works on GSA Contracts exclusively. Josh can be reached at (760) 550-9320 or josh@gsafocus.com.

Fuel Cells Providing Boost to U.S. Manufacturing

(Washington, DC Tuesday, August 28, 2012) With more than 74 MW of fuel cells for stationary power and 1,700 fuel cell-powered forklifts installed or purchased in just over a year, the U.S. is expanding its fuel cell footprint beyond the two coasts. According to a new report from Fuel Cells 2000, State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2012, the playing field is widening, with multimegawatt installations for Apple and eBay in North Carolina and Utah respectively, fuel cell forklifts deployed in more than 19 states, and 25 fuel cell buses placed or planned for transit service around the country, helping keep the U.S. at the forefront of the fuel cell industry. The U.S. has long been a leader in fuel cell technology home to many of the major fuel cell manufacturers and component suppliers, the largest number of installations and deployments in several market sectors, a commanding lead in patents, and cutting-edge university research. As demonstrated in the report, this leadership is made possible by the states, whose innovative policies and strategies for business attraction have thrust the U.S. fuel cell industry forward, while bringing jobs and funding opportunities back home. With support and demand for fuel cells growing rapidly in almost every corner of the globe, there is tremendous opportunity for the U.S. to boost manufacturing and exports to rebound and thrive in a competitive marketplace, says Jennifer Gangi, program director, Fuel Cells 2000. We are finding that in many parts of the U.S., the fuel cell industry offers great potential for job growth, business attraction and economic stimulus throughout the entire supply chain, and thats on top of the environmental benefits and energy security fuel cells bring to the table. Fuel Cells 2000s new report features the 2012 Fuel Cell Power Rankings - nine separate Top 5 lists showcasing all of the top activity in the different states and market sectors, instead of choosing overall winners as in previous reports. This allows new players to shine and shows the hard numbers to support the selection. The report includes individual state profiles cataloging all of the past years progress in policy and deployments. It also features quotes from members of Congress and an appendices of additional resources including charts, maps and links.

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16 Education Briefs
Muskegon Baker College of Muskegon will offer a new electrical engineering bachelor's degree program beginning fall quarter. Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, including electric motors, control systems, communications systems, radar and navigation systems, and focus on power and energy transmission applications, including renewable energy sources and other green technologies. Battle Creek Kellogg Community College Board of Trustees unanimously approved changes Wednesday, Aug. 15, to its office terms and upcoming election dates to comply with Public Act 233, which requires school elections to occur in November of even-numbered years. Every members term was extended by 18 months and dates of future elections were adjusted in response to modifications of State law. Ann Arbor A two-year grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation will allow University of Michigan ophthalmologists and researchers, along with collaborators around the state, to tackle disparities in childrens eye care that may result in delayed detection of eye disease or inadequate follow-up once a problem has been identified. The $2 million grant, awarded to U-M W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, will also support improved eye care for premature babies and create a fund to provide eye glasses for children in need. Grand Rapids Nexus Academy, new tuition-free, blended public high schools opening in Michigan that combine physical, in-person high school settings with rigorous and comprehensive online learning, announced Douglas Greer was named Principal of the Grand Rapids campus. Muskegon A series of new programs at Grand Valley State Universitys Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) will provide assistance for energy and technology entrepreneurs to develop and grow in any stage of business ownership. The Virtual Tenant Program is designed for individuals or groups of entrepreneurs who need business services, resources and meeting spaces, but are not ready for a dedicated office space. MAREC provides virtual tenants with access to meeting spaces, business development opportunities, support services, and training programs. Kalamazoo The Sales Education Foundation, which ranks programs and selects those that demonstrate a strong sales curriculum, university recognition and support as well as the opportunity for experiential learning such as internships, ranked Western Michigan University Sales and Business Marketing Program among the best in the nation and awarded three WMU students national scholarships. Grand Rapids Princeton Review, Fiske Guide to Colleges, and Forbes gave Calvin College high marks in this year's edition of their annual college guides. Calvin College is included in the 2013 edition of the Princeton Review's annual college guide "The Best 373 Colleges," which bases its selections on institutional data, school visits, student feedback, and opinions of both Princeton Review staff and the 30-member National College Counselor Advisory Board. Big Rapids Ferris State University announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce Morgan as Interim Dean of the Michigan College of Optometry. The appointment, announced by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, will be effective Friday, Aug. 24. Kalamazoo Western Michigan Universitys June 2012 aviation graduates have the distinction of being first for the University to successfully complete Federal Aviation Administration requirements of Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiatives. Kalamazoo Western Michigan University earned two awards: Facilities Management Department won national 2012 Effective and Innovative Practices Award for its steam trap management program which allows WMU to avoid $4.2 million in energy-related costs; and Facilities Management's landscape services unit achieved certification in the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program designed to prevent pollution and reduce environmental risks on school grounds, in addition to golf and lawn care company properties, sports fields, and parks. Kalamazoo Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees approved a new three-year contract with Local 1668 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25 and Local 1668. Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Community College announced the recipient of their Excellence in Teaching by Adjunct Faculty Award as Dawn Cheikh, Adjunct Professor of French and Arabic. Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Community College bestowed its Excellence in Education Awards to Professor Diane Sparks, and Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Operations Manager Mike Kidder. Each recipient receives $1,000 cash award, and a matching award is given to GRCC Foundation in each recipients name.

Industrial Briefs
Grand Rapids Triple Quest, global distributor of Hydraid BioSand Water Filter, announced an extensive field study conducted in rural Cambodia by researchers at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Georgia State University found the Hydraid filter significantly improves water quality and reduces diarrheal disease, one of the leading causes of death in the developing world. The results of the study were published in Environmental Science & Technology. Allegan Perrigo announced Avinash Ashok Patil was hired as Applications Engineer for the Information Technology & Services Team, at the Allegan site, working in Advanced Business Application Programming to support the companys SAP enterprise software system. Lansing TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, the nations largest franchised moving company, promoted Chief Operating Officer Randy Shacka to President, a position formerly held by CEO Brig Sorber. Auburn Hills ABB reports significant growth in orders for their industrial robots, robot systems, parts and service. More than 100 employees have been added to the payroll and 20 more positions will be added by years end. Holland Code Blue Corporation announced hiring of Roberto Zanotta as its International Sales Manager, who will oversee key relationships with national dealers as well as expand Code Blues emerging presence overseas. Kalamazoo Landscape Forms announced the appointment of Jamie May as Vice President, Global Sales. West Michigan The West Michigan Chapter of the Chemical Coaters Association International announced Dave Sharphorn from Chem-Quest of Middleville, was the recipient of the 2012-2013 Vendor of the Year Award. Kalamazoo Landscape Forms, North Americas leading designer and manufacturer of site furniture and leadingedge LED Lighting, announced the appointment of Robb Smalldon as Manager, Studio 431. Kalamazoo Landscape Forms introduced Parc Lounge, a new addition to the Parc Centre collection, an all steel construction of movable outdoor furniture for parks, plazas and other public places. Sled bases provide stability on grass, gravel, or hard surfaces, and stacks for convenience of moving and storage.

17 Legal/Accounting Briefs
Grand Rapids Plante & Moran, PLLC elected Robert Bondy to partner in the firm's Grand Rapids office, and focuses on internal and external audits of community banks and credit unions with extensive experience with companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Grand Rapids BTI Consulting Group recognized Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP as a member of the Client Service ATeam for 2012, and is the sixth time Warner Norcross has been on the list. Grand Rapids Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, announced the arrival of Karl W. Butterer as Senior Attorney for the law firm's Grand Rapids office and a member of the General Litigation Practice Group. Norton Shores Attorneys Eric Gielow, Brad Groom, Rachel Terpstra and Keith McEvoy announced the recent opening of a new law firm, Gielow Groom Terpstra & McEvoy, April 18, 2012, and are located on the second floor of the Michigan Commerce Bank Building. The firm concentrates on the representation of businesses, business owners and entrepreneurs. Grand Rapids Adamy Valuation Advisors promoted Brian DeMaagd to Director. DeMaagd provides businesses and their advisors with valuation services for employee stock ownership plans, estate and gift taxation, succession planning, and other financial transactions. Grand Rapids Miller Johnson announced Jeffrey S. Ammon is the recipient of the 2012 Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award given by the State Bar of Michigan Business Section. Lansing Gallagher & Associates CPAs, PLC, accounting and litigation support firm, announced owner Michelle F. Gallagher, CPA/ABV/CFF was elected as a new board member at the Troy-based Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Grand Rapids Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge announced the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 edition: Charles F. Behler; Carol D. Carlson; Albert J. Engel III; William W. Jack, Jr.; Brian J. Kilbane; John M. Kruis; E. Thomas McCarthy, Jr.; Craig S. Neckers; John C. OLoughlin; John R. Oostema; and L.R. Roegge. Grand Rapids Ninety-three Warner Norcross & Judd LLP attorneys were rated The Best Lawyers in America 2013 a 35 percent increase over 2012. Attorneys representing more than 40 different practice areas were selected for the peer-review award, which denotes legal excellence in specific practice areas. Lansing Attorney Byron Pat Gallagher, Gallagher Law Firm, was selected to join the Defense Research Institutes Lawyers Professionalism and Ethics Committee. Grand Rapids Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones announced the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2013 edition of the Best Lawyers in America: Scott S. Brinkmeyer; Scott D. Broekstra; James R. Brown; John M. DeVries; Douglas A. Donnell; Scott E. Dwyer; David R. Fernstrum; Larry J. Gardner; Fredric N. Goldberg; Michael C. Haines; William A. Horn; Mark A. Kehoe; Neil L. Kimball; Daniel J. Kozera; Daniel R. Kubiak; Ross A. Leisman; Eric S. Richards; John T. Sperla; Timothy J. Tornga; Claude L. Vander Ploeg; and James K. White. Grand Rapids Warner Norcross & Judd LLP announced Charles Ash, Janet Ramsey and Jonathan Moore contributed and co-authored Discovery of Electronic Evidence to the second edition of Michigan Civil Procedure. Detroit Miller Canfield announced 137 of its lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in the pre-eminent legal referral guide, Best Lawyers 2013. As the leading law firm in Michigan, Miller Canfield has 36 more lawyers earning this designation than the next most recognized Michigan firm.

Grand Rapids Charles N. Ash, Jr., partner with the law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, was elected to serve a 3-year term on the board of the Calvin Alumni Association.
Grand Rapids Brian P. Lennon, attorney with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, will receive a national award for his investigative and trial work from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Small businesses report filling nearly 10,000 jobs

Lansing/Grand Rapids Since January, small businesses across Michigan have filled close to 10,000 jobs, according to the Michigans Small Business Jobs Insight project ( w w w. m i c h i g a n j o b s i n s i g h t . c o m ) , designed to tally and report the growing number of small business jobs being filled in regions and industries across the state. The project is a cooperative effort of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (GRACC) and Issue Media Group. I believe that these thousands of small business jobs highlight how small business owners are responding to the incentives created in 2012 by business tax reform and improvements in the Michigan regulatory climate, said SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. All job growth is positive, but jobs filled at small businesses are especially beneficial because they are more sustainable, they represent from-the-ground-up economic recovery and they support community prosperity across the state. Small businesses comprise more than eighty percent of our Chamber membership and many report back to us that theyre growing, hiring, or looking to find the right talent, said Rick Baker, President & CEO of the GRACC. Were focused on helping these employers attract and retain the talent that drives their business forward. Were pleased that the Michigan Jobs Insight website is helping us showcase the growth taking place in West Michigan. The key elements of MichiganJobsInsight.com include: a ticker that displays jobs reported by growing small businesses in the current month; a pie chart that shows the percentage per Michigan region of the total jobs reported per month; total jobs reported for the year to-date; the top ten industries for small business growth; and links to individual stories of regional small business job growth. MichiganJobsInsight.com is not a scientific count of every job filled in the small business community. If anything, these totals under-report the employment growth story going on across west Michigan and the rest of the state, Fowler said. Im impressed by the breadth of the growth across so many industry sectors, from hospitality to IT to retail.

Communication & IT
Private Investments for Public Ideas
By: Jeremy Martin On August 24th Start Garden, a Grand Rapids based primarily online venture capital fund which prides itself on helping ideas become business, made serious strides towards completing its mission statement when it invested $70,000 in five local projects. Three of the five investments were for $20,000 each while the other two companies netted an investment of $5,000. According to Start Garden All $5,000 projects agree to return in 60-90 days to give a public update on what they learned. Start Garden chooses whether to continue funding at the $20,000 level or higher. The two companies to receive funding at the $5,000 level were: New Lab Notebook and Cerealize Custom Cereal. According to Start Garden the New Lab Notebook is a line of high-end technical notebooks designed specifically for different scientific and engineering practices. The New Lab Notebook owner Tyler John explains that his products are designed around extensive research & experience in the sciences & engineering, so they better meet the specific needs of industry. Cerealize Custom Cereal on the other hand is a company that allows customers to literally customize their own cereals, down to the design of the box. Cerealize is the brainchild of Chris Bauman of Palo Alto, California. Bauman said that Cerealize will allow you to make your very own custom cereal creation. Not only will you get to choose the ingredients, but you will also be able to customize the box. Singsong Yoga, Design a Dream, and Reindeercam.com all received funding at the $20,000 level. Singsong Yoga is a Zeeland based company founded by Deb Weiss-Gelmi that teaches yoga to children through the song. The company creates, produces

18
and distributes dvds for childrens at home use. Design a Dream allows brides to be to create and customize their own wedding dresses. Created by Shannon Gales of Grand Rapids, Design a Dream allows brides to find the most flattering gown for their body type, without the distractions of fabrics and color, through the use of prototype dress parts. These dress parts are mixed and matched to create various gown styles. Reindeercam.com provides a slightly less tangible product as the company has set up a web cam showing Santas Reindeer during the days leading up to Christmas. Drew Wesley of Dutton created the site which has now been featured on various national media outlets including CNN. This most recent round of investments are part of a weekly investment offering from Start Garden. Each week, the company will invest $5,000 in a project that has been voted on by the public through startgarden.com. Projects seeking funding can visit the website to submit an application to the process.

Communication/IT Briefs
Holland Code Blue Corporation announced it is partnering with the Clery Center for Security On Campus to sponsor the 2012 National Campus Safety Awareness Month occurring in September. Grand Rapids The Iserv Co., one of the largest independent internet service providers in the Midwest, announced it was acquired by Boston-based 382 Communications, which offers voice, data, and network services to communications service providers and enterprise clients in the U.S. and internationally, thus making the acquisition a natural fit with the overall corporate strategy of developing emerging broadband markets across the country. Grand Rapids WOOD TV8 announced hiring Casey Jones as a Sports Anchor/Reporter. Grand Rapids Erin Nemastil, of Hesperia, joined Sabo Public Relations, LLC as Senior Associate and Lead Instigator. Grand Rapids OST (Open Systems Technologies) announced the winners of their most recent Think Big campaign. The top three winners receiving $5,000 in technology services from OST include: Doorganics, a farm-to-front door food delivery service located in Grand Rapids; FoodCircles, a local start up encouraging those dining out to BOFO (buy one, feed one) through their mobile application created in collaboration with local restaurants in West Michigan; and VN Barr from Humility Publishing LLC, a publishing company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, interested in digitizing companys historic documents and data in order to create an accessible web library. Grand Rapids Clark Communications announced promotion of Jenny Luth from Public Relations Associate to Public Relations Senior Associate. Traverse City Mobile-shopping app Ozmott announced the addition of Midwest sporting goods retailer MC Sports, with 74 stores nationwide, as the latest member in their merchant lineup. Boyne City Charlevoix County is now the first Connected national certified community under Connected Nations Connected Community Engagement Program. Grand Rapids Steven Scharrer, graduate student at University of Michigan, accepted a one-year Graphic Design Fellowship at Kantorwassink. Grand Rapids Service Express, Inc. hired Chad Botbyl, Purchasing Agent, along with Brittany Hageman, and Katie Spencer - Corporate Recruiters - to join their Grand Rapids team. Grand Rapids Gymco announced a new location opening in Northeast Grand Rapids offering Discovery Preschool, Homeschool, Open Gym, Lunch Bunch programs, and Birthday Parties. Grand Rapids A.K. Rikks, mens and womens luxury fashion, announced grand opening of its brand new store located at 6303 - 28th St., SE. Holland The Tulip Time Festival announced the addition of Phil Nykamp, an Account Executive at Lighthouse Group, as board member with more than 20 years experience in Commercial Insurance.

19 Resort Completes Hotel Renovation

Acme - The 900-acre Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City, Mich. recently completed renovating all guest rooms in its original six-story Hotel, and completed several multi-year infrastructure projects. Hotel Renovation The renovation of 237 guest rooms in the Hotel included new carpet, bedding, furniture, 37-inch flat screen HD TVs, new telephones, iPod docking stations, installation of digital in-room HVAC controls, plus the addition of firesuppression sprinklers in all guest rooms and service areas in the building, which opened in 1980 before comprehensive sprinkler systems were required by local codes. In addition, the 21,015-square foot roof of the Hotel was re-roofed in a two-phase project with new flashing installed around the roof perimeter. Multi-Year Infrastructure Projects Grand Traverse Resort and Spa invested heavily in infrastructure and technology in several areas with upgrades that started in 2011 and were completed in 2012. The Resorts main parking lot for Tower and Hotel guest parking (432 parking spaces), and the service vehicle parking lot, were completely repaved with asphalt and new concrete curbs, as well as updated traffic routing and pedestrian sidewalks, landscaping, and the addition of a lighted shuttle/bus stop pavilion. The parking lot paving project was completed in two phases. On the Resorts iconic 17-story Tower, approximately 350 glass panels that make up the roof of Aerie Restaurant & Lounge were resealed and a new gutter system was installed on the roof. Also, in-room technology in the 186 Tower guest rooms was upgraded with new telephones and flat-screen high definition TVs. Other Infrastructure Projects Extensive technology and power upgrades were also put in place. Over three miles of new underground fiberoptic cable lines were installed by COLI, Inc. to the Clubhouse and to six condominium complexes connected by 26 optical switches. Over 250 fusion splices were needed to complete the project around the property to expand bandwidth to improve high speed Wi-Fi Internet access, and add 40 new access points. Also, the Resorts cable TV system is being upgraded to allow guests to view up to 65 high definition channels. In addition, Consumers Energy, one of two power providers to the Resort, replaced the over 30-year old main power cable to the Hotel. Other significant upgrades in 2011 and 2012 include: The addition of Dylans Candy BarCandy Caf in the Gallery of Shops (a complement Dylans Candy Bar which opened in November 2010) Renovation of the Business Center/Cyber Caf in partnership with NBS Commercial Interiors using a blend of contemporary furniture and design ideas from Steelcase, Inc. Purchase of new furniture for the Grand Lobby Installation of a new permanent restroom facility near the outdoor tennis courts and Plaza Purchase of two new Banquet Trucks each with a two-ton lift gate Purchase of new 14-Passenger Shuttle Bus and new 9-Passenger Shuttle Van Miscellaneous Elevator Upgrades Purchase of miscellaneous new Golf Course and Grounds maintenance equipment Purchase of 32 sets of new Cobra golf clubs for rentals. Purchase of miscellaneous new furnishings, fixtures, and equipment throughout the Resort. About Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Located along Lake Michigans Grand Traverse Bay, the 900-acre property is Michigans Premier Resort Experience featuring nearly 600 rooms, suites and condominiums, full-service spa, shopping gallery, diverse restaurants and lounges, and year-round recreation. 86,500 square feet of meeting space distributed among 36 meeting rooms, plus outdoor venues, offers versatility for groups of 20 to 2000, and weddings. The Resort boasts 54 holes of championship golf including The Bear - a Jack Nicklaus signature course, The Wolverine - a Gary Player signature course, plus Spruce Run by William Newcomb. The new Golf Academy features six-time Michigan Open Champion Scott Hebert.

General Business Briefs

Grand Rapids Cindy Locklin, President of CEO of Busy Beas, a commercial janitorial service, announced they have become West Michigans first janitorial service to use recycling services offered by Organicycle - a local company specializing in compostable & organic waste removal to divert 90% of their waste away from landfills. Ann Arbor Northern United Brewing Company (NUBC) will open a new 70,000-square-foot brewing facility in Dexter. The move means that NUBCs 5600-square-foot facility on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City will be dedicated to production of Civilized Spirits and North Peaks Nomad Hard Cider. NUBC also announced the hiring of Tony Grant as Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer. Muskegon Muskegon Brake & Tire added a third auto service center to the family Lakeside Service Center, located on M-104 in Spring Lake. Since 1966, Lakeside Service Center has offered a complete line up of automotive service, repair and maintenance for imports, domestic and commercial vehicles. These services will continue under new ownership of the Cutler Family Bob and his wife Jeanne, and their two sons, Andrew and Justin. Grand Rapids The Riverfront Hotel announced hiring Bradi Mailand as new Sales & Catering Manager with 4 years experience in hospitality. Grand Rapids Lisa Perry was named Divisional Development Director for the Western Michigan Northern Indiana Division of The Salvation Army. For the past 20 years, Lisa has worked in various non-profit leadership roles.

Healthy employees are happy, productive employees.

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