The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Antrim, Emmet, and Charlevoix counties. Five outstanding business innovators from these counties represent a dynamic cross-section: a farmer; a drone pilot; a sock manufacturer; a makeup artist and a hairstylist. We’ve captured their stories here, along with...
Rising waters are prompting property owners to invest in costly shoreline protection projects. But the flood of permit applications has alarmed some, who say that these projects can have a lasting impact on the environment. The uptick of shoreline protection applications tracked by the Michigan Department of...
Socially distanced waiting rooms, telehealth visits and detailed patient pre-screenings are just a few ways Munson Healthcare is keeping patients, staff and visitors safe. Despite the precautions, the healthcare system is in a sort of limbo at the moment, with many potential patients unwilling to come...
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, the big issues facing Traverse City as the summer season approached were low unemployment rates and the resulting labor shortage at local hotels, the possible disruptions posed by road construction on Eighth Street, the rise...
Looking back, it’s almost unbelievable that the idea worked: A specialty shop stocked with premium olive oils and vinegars, opening its doors in downtown Traverse City just as the global economy was cratering, founded by a guy with no culinary experience. Such is the origin story...
Promethient is ready to step into the spotlight. The Traverse City-based technology company, founded in 2012, has been working for years to develop and perfect its proprietary conductive heat transfer technology. Called Thermavance, the energy-efficient tech is poised to be used in car seats, office furniture and...
In recent years, consolidation has dramatically altered the healthcare landscape. According to a joint study conducted by Avalere Health and the Physicians Advocacy Institute, hospitals or healthcare systems acquired 8,000 independent medical practices between 2016 and 2018 alone. In the same time span, approximately 14,000...
(Pictured top l-r: Rathke, Madion, Bergsma. Bottom: Crouch) In March, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order requiring all “non-essential medical and dental procedures” to cease. Prior to that, the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) had issued recommendations for dental professionals throughout the...
Some regional companies are shifting gears during the COVID-19 shutdown. Lean operating skills are helping with that shift. “Lean definitely helps during challenging times like these,” said Richard Wolin, the regional vice president and director of northern lower Michigan operations for the MMTC and the director...
A common complaint about higher education is that students are not adequately prepared for the workforce. Last fall, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) decided it needed to up its game for student job application readiness. That decision led to an alliance with Northwest Michigan Works! (NMW), a...
