Seventy-five percent of new SBA loans now used for business expansion instead of restructuring debtBy Tom CarrTRAVERSE CITY - Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are increasing in the area, helping clothing makers, hunting and fishing accessory manufacturers and fudge shops grow their businesses.It's the growth...
Traverse City's recent increase for street vendor permit inhibits entrepreneurshipStreet vending is ancient. It is a community activity where people of different circles consume side-by-side while sharing ideas and information. It is only in recent times, and in more stodgy and stuffy places, where street...
In the middle of the "reinvention of Michigan," we have had the harshest of reminders that agriculture still matters. It always has, since the earliest days when Native Americans traded crops and food for tools and other goods. We have been reminded also that being...
Many small businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments, school districts and employee benefit plans are required to have an annual audit. An audit assesses an organization's financial information reliability and evaluates its internal controls through a series of tests. It provides an independent auditor's assurance to management...
LANSING - It's a change in law that to some might seem obscure.But to certified public accountants (CPAs), the new Michigan legislation that clarifies liability in certain dealings with non-clients is important.John Lindley, vice president of government relations and regulatory affairs for the 17,800-member Michigan...
Criminal attacks using technology are a growing concern for law enforcement agencies and businesses alike. In 2011, the Internet Crime Complaint Center - an arm of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National White Collar Crime Center - received more...
What if you could transfer your home or vacation house to your children without an increase in your property taxes? Last year the Michigan Supreme Court allowed just that, unanimously ruling that Michigan's Property Tax Act allowed property owners to add their children as joint...
HONOR - Bringing a town back from the brink isn't easy. But villagers here are determined to do just that.It started last year with friends finding they shared a belief that the small Benzie County town could - and should - come back from its...
Even if you think you know your Traverse City business history, it still might surprise you to learn that Chrysler, Ford and General Motors were not the only Michigan-based car companies faced, at some point at least, with shaky finances even while manufacturing solid vehicles....
TRAVERSE CITY - AngelWorks, a local nonprofit that worked to raise money for low-income Grand Traverse area residents to be able to access quality - and affordable - childcare recently merged with one such provider, Angel Care Preschool and Child Care. In combining their efforts,...
