NEW DIRECTOR FOR LIAA The Land Information Access Association (LIAA) in Traverse City has a new executive director - only the second in the nonprofit's 21-year history. Whitney Waara has been hired to lead the organization after LIAA co-founder Joe VanderMeulen stepped down in July to...
APPOINTMENTS Russ Knopp, co-owner of Comfort Keepers of Northern Lower Michigan, has been elected treasurer of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Knopp has been an association member since 2009 and on the board of directors for three years. Michele Shane, head of school at The Children’s...
The Plascon Group recently obtained a patent and started light production on a disposable urn liner that has the potential to brew new jobs in Traverse City. The Plascon Saftea™Liner is specially designed to match the shape of decanters used for ready-to-drink ice teas and coffees....
Traverse City-based Silikids – a few short years ago just an idea among friends – has become a viable manufacturer of children’s accessories, and Co-Founder Stacey Feeley has the scars to prove it. In 2007, after growing discouraged by the toxic chemicals prevalent in baby products,...
Everything from car and tank and appliance parts are manufactured in Traverse City, as well as boxes, banners, and biotech products. But regardless of what they make, ask any local manufacturer about the biggest challenge facing their companies and the answer will likely be the...
Grand Traverse Industries (GTI) in Traverse City has seen an uptick in new auto assembly work, thanks to Magna Interior Trim Components (MITC), a rapidly-growing plant in Benzonia and subsidiary of global automotive supplier Magna International Inc. “Magna just contracted with us for two different parts...
For Chris Nesbitt, the lure of 3D printing came from his work with manufacturing. For Ross Clement, it stemmed from his desire to keep Laser Printer Technologies on the cutting edge for consumer printing. The two have teamed up to bring 3D printing to northern Michigan,...
Michigan Manufacturers Association President and CEO Chuck Hadden has one word to describe the state of manufacturing in Michigan: Vibrant. In northwest Michigan’s 10-county region, manufacturing was the top growth industry between 2009 and 2012, adding 1,700 jobs for a growth rate of 14.4 percent, according...
While the summer season is winding down our TVC regional air service message continues. The autumn season is one of harvest; and our Pure Michigan region will celebrate by way of our regional bounty, including wine. In fact, our TVC region has made an impact...
The Michigan Land Use Institute wants it removed. The National Wildlife Federation and Mark Schauer, democratic candidate for governor, want it replaced. Yet, there’s nothing wrong with it. As Andy Griffith might say, “What it is, is a pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.” Why all...