In the News

Music used as health aid for disabled children

The State News Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The MSU Community Music School hosts music therapy for disabled children.

According to excerpts from the article:

As a part of the school’s music therapy program, the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association, or CADSA, sponsors a special music session, called Together…Let’s Jam!, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. one Wednesday every month.

Read the entire story here.

Dart to add 325 jobs in Mason

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Dart Container plans to expand by $47 million after acquiring Solo Cup this year.

According to excerpts from the article:

In all, Dart plans to add as many as 325 jobs in the next few years as it accommodates workers from Lake Forest, Ill.-based Solo Cup Co., which makes the popular colored party cups. Dart bought the company in May in a $1 billion deal that included $315 million in cash and $700 million in debt. It is in the early stages of transferring some Solo employees to Michigan. That could happen in 2014, Lammers said.

Read the entire story here.

New grocery store possible at L&L site

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, December 05, 2012

The Colonial Square Shopping Center may be getting a new grocery store where the former L&L Food Store was located.

According to excerpts from the story:

Craig Singer, who owns the plaza on West Mt. Hope Avenue, told the Colonial Village Neighborhood Association on Wednesday that he is negotiating a possible lease for “a supermarket prospect” interested in the location.

Read the entire story here.

New program aims to help Greater Lansing area job seekers, employers meet in the middle

MLive Wednesday, December 05, 2012

The Prima Civitas Foundation has launched their 12-week Job Seeker Strategy Group to help job seekers find work.

According to excerpts from the story:

Unlike other programs currently available through various state and local agencies, the Prima Civitas offering doesn't focus on training participants for the ever-changing workforce, but on how to market themselves to make sure they're getting the jobs they're qualified for.

Read the etire article here.

Business incubators look to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Business incubators are on the rise in the Lansing area, spurring local business growth.

According to excerpts from the article:

For four years, dozens of entrepreneurs in such fields as information technology and biotechnology have cycled through what’s known as the Technology Innovation Center — 6,500 square feet near the corner of Grand River Avenue and Charles Street — in search of low rent and help to turn their dreams into startup companies.

Read the entire story here.

Jackson National Life sales up 9.5 percent

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Major area employer Jackson National Life Insurance announced good news recently, with sales and deposits up 9.5 percent in the first nine months of the year.

According to excperts from the story:

The Alaiedon Township-based insurer reported Wednesday sales of $19.6 billion for the year through Sept. 30. That was up from $17.9 billion in the same period a year ago.

JNL said much of the increase is due to higher variable annuity sales, which climbed 11.3 percent over the period.

Read the entire story here.

E.L. group discusses City Center II site

The State News Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A group of citizens in East Lansing recently met in the East Lansing Hannah Community Center to discuss the former City Center II site in Downtown East Lansing.

According to excerpts from the story:

The site’s ownership is split between the city and CADA Investments, LLC, and City Center II, LLC. Roughly 25 percent of the site is privately owned.

Now that the public comment period for the RFQP for the publicly owned portion is over, the draft is undergoing an approval process with city officials before any proposals can be considered.

Read the entire article here.

MSU's FRIB: New building wins approval

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Michigan State University leaders approved plans for a new building for assembly and testing of technology for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

According to excerpts from the article:

At $15.5 million and 27,000 square feet, the building is larger than MSU had originally planned. Fred Poston, the university’s vice president for finance and operations, said the administration had “challenged the FRIB project to think also in terms of upgrades,” wanting the facility to be large enough to accommodate future iterations of the project.

Read the entire story here.

The World's Best Wine Cellars: For Billionaires And Maybe For You Too

Forbes Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Forbes contributer Larry Olmsted reviews the works of East Lansing's Revel Custom Wine Cellars, described as “the Bentley of wine cellars.”

According to excerpts from the article:

If you thought the wine cellar did not need reinventing, you were wrong, or at least in disagreement with Revel founder James Cash, who has a day job as COO of Michigan-based Christman Capital Development Company, a diversified construction and real estate development company he has been with for 20 years. CCDC has made a reputation as an expert on historic structures, hired to restore the Michigan State Capitol Building, the Golden Dome at Notre Dame, the Virginia State Capitol Building, President Lincoln’s cottage next to Arlington Cemetery, and is currently working at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

Read the entire story here.

Meridian Township ranked as a top place for entrepreneurs

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Meridian Township was named one of eight top communities for entrepreneurial growth and economic development in Michigan by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research.

According to excerpts from the article:

"I’m thrilled by the fact that the township received an Outstanding Community Award in 2012, and that we received a five star rating for the third consecutive year," said Rick Brown, Meridian Township’s associate planner.

The eCities research surveyed 114 communities from 40 counties in Michigan that are home to 34 percent of Michigan residents and nearly half of its college graduates.

Read the entire story here.

Martin-Brower gets state incentive for St. Johns expansion

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. will award Martin-Brower Co. $500,000 to expand its operations in St. Johns.

According to excerpts from the article:

Martin-Brower is a food and materials supplier whose main customer is fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp. Martin-Brower will use the money as part of its $16.3 million expansion of the former M&M Restaurant Supply location it bought earlier this year.

Read the entire story here.

Leslie school district celebrates opening of nature center

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A new Leslie School District nature center celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 14.

According to excerpts from the article:

The Russell Miller "Wild 100" was used over time for field trips and various nature-related programs, but without any facilities on site for water or restrooms, the visits were limited

Read the entire story here.

Oldham Project gets a permanent home

Lansing State Journal Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Oldham Project now has a new home provided by McLaren Orthopedic Hospital.

According to excerpts from the article:

The space gives Shaver a home base as she works to expand her Lansing-based organization throughout mid-Michigan, she said. The portraits Shaver takes helps patients, many of whom are women diagnosed with breast cancer, feel more confident, said Marlene Johnson, of Dimondale, who had her photo taken this spring.

Read the entire story here.

Red Haven Farm to Table Grand Opening

Fox 47 Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Purple Carrot's Red Haven Farm to Table restaurant is now open.

According to excerpts from the article:

Wednesday, October 17th marks the grand opening. Chef Tony Maiale and Nina Santucci bring their focus on local Michigan foods and products to the world of fine dining with their tapas-style restaurant, located at 4480 S. Hagadorn Road within The Hamptons mixed-use apartment complex near Mount Hope.

Read the entire story here.

Smart tweeting

City Pulse Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A Michigan State University professor has found that Twitter can be used to improve student engagement in the classroom.

According to excerpts from the article:

Christine Greenhow, an assistant professor of education at MSU, found that college students who use Twitter as part of their classes tend to be more engaged with course material, the instructor and fellow students. In some cases, using Twitter led to higher grades.

Read the entire article here.