TCNewTech presentation
TRAVERSE CITY – TCNewTech is hosting five presenters during its pitch and networking event on August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Opera House.
This month’s presenters are Richie Gunn, Lost City Design; Elliot Swift, 42 degrees; Burgess Foster, MIDIGITAL; Jack Lankford, Evergreen Young Social Club and Jodie Schanhals, MeetingMaker. Michael Spath from the Kapnick Insurance Group talks about insurance for startups.
Each speaker shares their business or new technology in 5 minutes and answers questions. Viewers will decide which startup will receive the $500 cash prize.
The number of participants is limited, so participants can register at app.tcnewtech.org. The event will also be shown on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Space in the city center back on the market
TRAVERSE CITY — The Big Salad Company closed in early July and the nearly 2,000-square-foot space at 332 E. Front St. is back on the market, according to Realtor Dan Stiebel, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial, who is also the manager by Sunny Oak Holdings, LLC, which owns the building.
Run by franchisees Nathan Blessing and Ben Jackson, the restaurant opened in Fall 2021.
The Big Salad Company announced a menu of 12 salads, six sandwiches and wraps, and five soups. The restaurant offered a make-your-own salad option that reportedly offers “17 million ways to customize your salad or wrap,” thanks to the variety of toppings available.
Enforcement assistance possible
TRAVERSE CITY – Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is offering free foreclosure assistance. Services include mortgage arrears, overdue property tax payments, and more.
NMCAA budget and housing coaches can help with budgeting, loss mitigation, communicating with a mortgage company, and more. Free foreclosure training is also available through a self-paced online course.
Call 231-947-3780 or email fmsintake@nmcaa.net to get started.
The budget includes local funds
TRAVERSE CITY – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed the fiscal year 2023 budget, which includes funding for Michigan’s Creative Coast talent attraction initiative in the Grand Traverse region.
The Traverse Connect initiative receives a $350,000 Michigan Enhancement Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The talent program began in summer 2020. Services include a job board, the Northern Navigators ambassador program and reviews of local real estate, childcare, arts and cultural resources and local employers.
Flooring company buys store
TRAVERSE CITY – Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One acquired Northern Michigan-based Stone Mountain Carpet Mills, a home shopping flooring, tile and window business.
The company is renamed Floor Covering Brokers Shop-at-Home. It offers free flooring services for residential and commercial facilities. Call 231-331-4441 or visit floorcoveringbrokers.com/shop-at-home to learn more.
Merge financial companies
TRAVERSE CITY – International Wealth Advisors and Beck Bode recently announced their agreement to merge. Massachusetts-based wealth management firm expands into Michigan with acquisition of IWA, a Traverse City-based financial planning firm.
IWA founder and financial advisor Brian Ursu said in a press release that they were looking for a company built on culture, local leadership, employee engagement and customer experience.
“In terms of values, Beck Bode fits in perfectly with us,” says Ursu. “Their mission and purpose are aligned with ours. We will be able to access strategy and services that we simply could not previously offer at scale and they are committed to retaining and growing our existing team.”
Foundation awards scholarships
MANISTEE – The Manistee County Community Foundation recently announced grant recipients totaling more than $400,000.
These grants were awarded through the MCCF Minger Family Endowment Fund: $31,140 to the Armory Youth Project; $4,000 for the Betsie Valley Community Center; $122,478 to Manistee-area public schools; $100,000 for Manistee Catholic Central School; $4,500 to the Manistee Recreation Association; $68,700 for Manistee Township; $3,600 to Onekama Consolidated Schools; $5,000 for the Pleasant Valley Community Center and $5,000 for the Spirit of the Woods Conservation Club.
These awards were made through the MCCF Limitless Fund: $5,000 to the Arts and Cultural Alliance; $1,750 to Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools; $3,500 for Manistee public schools; $10,000 for Manistee County Council on Aging; $2,500 to Manistee County Habitat for Humanity; $1,000 to the Manistee Friendship Society; $10,000 to Onekama Consolidated Schools; $7,500 for power! book bags; $10,000 for Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and $6,000 for West Shore Community College.
The MCCF Board of Directors also awarded $2,750 to Manistee County Habitat for Humanity with support from the Limitless Fund; $1,500 to the Launch Manistee Network from the Quality of Life Fund and $1,000 to the Manistee County Housing Action Team through the Homelessness Prevention Fund and the Quality of Life Fund. Finally, the Youth Advisory Council recommended $750 for Onekama Consolidated Schools; $250 for Staircase Youth Services and $1,000 for the Wexford-Missaukee-Manistee Great Start Collaborative.
Dealer deserves an award
GRAND RAPIDS – The Disability Equality Index recently recognized Meijer as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”. The retailer receives this award for the sixth time in a row.
The Meijer Disability Awareness and Advocacy Group aims to provide resources on disability inclusion and equality issues. In 2020, Meijer partnered with Aira to offer blind and partially sighted customers free visual assistance applications in all stores.
The DEI is a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It measures performance in leadership, employment, community engagement, support services and other aspects.
department recognized
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Treasury recently received Silver Level Certification as a Veteran Friendly Employer from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
The Veteran-Friendly Employer Program awards Michigan employers bronze, silver, or gold status for recruiting, training, and retaining experienced workers. The program has recognized more than 500 employers since it started in 2013.
Organizations can learn how to become a Veteran Friendly Employer at michigan.gov/mvaa.
Huntington’s 2Q win
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Huntington Bancshares Incorporated reported record second-quarter earnings, according to a press release.
Earnings per common share for the second quarter were 35 cents, up 6 cents sequentially.
Net interest income increased $115 million sequentially, up 10%, reflecting “resilient loan growth and a 27 basis point increase in the net interest margin to 3.15%,” according to the press release.
Noninterest expenses were $1.0 billion, down $35 million (3%) sequentially, and net income before provisions growth increased 17% sequentially, according to the release.
Average total loans and leases increased $2.8 billion, or 3%, sequentially to $113.9 billion. Average commercial loans increased 2% and average consumer loans increased 3% sequentially.
MIOSHA workplace program
LANSING – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated a state priority program with the goal of reducing exposure to indoor and outdoor heat-related hazards in the workplace.
The program follows OSHA’s National Emphasis Program and involves educating companies about ways to prevent heat illness. Employers are encouraged to assess workplace conditions such as: B. Monitoring the heat index, developing an emergency response, training employees and supervisors and much more.
Visit michigan.gov/heat for more details.
Independent Bank 2Q results
GRAND RAPIDS – The Independent Bank Corporation reported net income of $13.0 million (61 cents per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2022 versus net income of $12.4 million (56 cents per diluted share), according to a press release ) in the same period last year.
IBC reported net income of $31 million ($1.45 per diluted share) compared to net income of $34.4 million ($1.56 per diluted share) for the same period last year.
Additional highlights in the press release for the second quarter of 2022 are increases in net income and diluted earnings per share of 4.9% and 8.9%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2021.
UIA waives federal overpayments
LANSING — The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency recently announced that about 7,300 claimants will not have to make about $53.2 million in overpayments on their pandemic unemployment benefits.
In addition, approximately $2.4 million is to be reimbursed to claimants who have repaid their benefits, or the money will be used for overpayments not covered by the waivers.
The exemptions apply to state and federal benefits received between March 15, 2020 and May 30, 2021 under a state unemployment claim, enhanced benefits, or the Pandemic Emergency Compensation (PEUC). Since July 2021, the UIA has forgiven more than $4.35 billion in overpayment debt related to federal pandemic unemployment benefit programs on more than 400,000 applications.
The UIA notified applicants through their Michigan Web Account Manager accounts. Call 866-500-0017 with questions.