Andy Balaskovitz

Grand Rapids

Managing Editor at Crain’s Grand Rapids Business

Managing editor at Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, formerly @ MiBiz, Energy News Network, Lansing City Pulse. Cosmic country enthusiast

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Articles

Crucial agribusiness wastewater pipeline advances despite $7.1M cost overruns

1 week ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

A wastewater pipeline spanning parts of Ottawa and Muskegon counties that business leaders tout as a crucial element to agribusiness growth remains on track despite more than $7.1 million in cost overruns. Subscribe today and get access to this story and every other story we publish - online and in print
Trump administration orders West Michigan coal plant to stay online for 3 months

2 weeks ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

The Trump administration has ordered the Midwest regional grid operator and Consumers Energy to keep operating a large coal plant in Ottawa County for three months, citing concerns about potential electricity supply shortfalls in the coming summer months. The U.S. Department of Energy’s emergency order issued on Friday comes just eight days before Consumers’ scheduled retirement of the 1,560 megawatt J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive, between Grand Haven and Holland.
Buell Motorcycle plans $18.5M expansion to support rapid growth

2 weeks ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

Grand Rapids-area manufacturer Buell Motorcycle Co. is investing $18.5 million and significantly growing its workforce to meet demand for a new high-performance model starting production this year. As Buell launches its new Super Cruiser model this fall, the Cascade Township-based company plans to roughly triple its workforce in the coming years, adding 162 people to its roughly 50-person staff.
Former House speaker tapped to lead West Michigan Policy Forum

2 weeks ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

The West Michigan Policy Forum will undertake a “renewed strategic direction” under new President and CEO Jase Bolger, the business advocacy group announced today. Bolger, who served three terms in the state House and four years as the Republican House speaker, had recently served as policy adviser to the organization that’s chaired by Autocam Medical President and CEO John Kennedy. Bolger will serve as the Policy Forum’s first president and CEO.
Commentary: Cutting Medicaid would cost West Michigan much more than you think

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

By Kimberly SmithOne in seven Kent County seniors relies on Medicaid for their health care services. But that could end as Congress looks to slash $880 billion from the budget that provides this essential health care safety net to 2.6 million Michiganders. Such a decision would be short-sighted and ill-conceived. It could translate into harming vital programs such as the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE.
Grand Rapids loses $1.5M federal grant for electric vehicle charging stations

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

The federal government has rescinded a $1.5 million grant for the city of Grand Rapids to install eight electric vehicle charging stations across the city. City officials announced the grant on Jan. 10 in the final days of the Biden administration. The grant came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program, as well as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
Greenville printing facility closing, laying off 72 workers

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

A Wisconsin-based global printing and marketing services firm will close its Montcalm County printing facility as part of a companywide cost-cutting effort. The Sussex, Wis.-based Quad (NYSE: QUAD), formerly known as Quad/Graphics, will reportedly close the Greenville printing facility on May 16, resulting in 72 layoffs. Citing a company statement, the Greenville Daily News reported that work at the Greenville plant will shift to facilities in Wisconsin and Virginia.
LG to shift strategy in Holland as it moves EV battery production to Lansing

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Andy Balaskovitz

LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. plans to backfill electric vehicle battery production it expects to move to Lansing by manufacturing batteries for energy storage in Holland. The company confirmed the shift in strategy in Holland, where LG has undergone a massive, $2.5 billion expansion to ramp up battery production.
How shifting tariffs will 'stack' — or not — has auto suppliers at a loss

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Advanced Manufacturing Expo |John Irwin |Andy Balaskovitz

Automotive parts suppliers are scrambling to cope with the compounding nature of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the speed with which the new levies are coming into effect. “There are so many tariffs that suppliers are left sort of guessing what the total tariff will be when they get to the border,” said Michael Robinet, vice president of forecast strategy at S&P Global Mobility.
West Shore Bank acquires Dearborn wealth management firm

1 month ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Anna Fifelski |Andy Balaskovitz

West Shore Bank, headquartered in Ludington, announced it acquired a wealth services branch of Dearborn-based Auto Club Trust, FSB on Tuesday. The all-cash transaction was effective on March 31. The companies did not share details of the transaction. The Auto Club Trust acquisition is West Shore Bank’s first step into the Southeast Michigan market.