Category Archives: community development

West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship

Today I read an article by MLIVE  titled “Michigan Companies could act like non-profits under proposed law” commenting on Michigan’s new Benefit Corporation Legislation – I posted about the new BCorp Legislation a week ago Something caught my attention in this article: in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand RapidsContinue reading “West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship”

Proposed Bill Affects Landlords in Recovering Property Against “Squatters”

Several years ago I wrote a post about a proposed bill affecting Landlords. The Bill affected the time frame which a property owner could bring an action to recover property; most importantly, it affected the statute of limitations for a claim of “adverse possession” or “squatters rights” by a holdover tenant.   Here’s the scenario:Continue reading “Proposed Bill Affects Landlords in Recovering Property Against “Squatters””

A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.

If you are reading this, you may know that I am a lawyer.  I love working with entrepreneurs – a large number of my clients invest in/manage real estate. As the current Chairman of the Board of Mel Trotter Ministries, I also care very deeply about the homeless, hurting, and hungry.   I was inContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.”

Small Business, Social Entrepreneurs and Crowdfunding

Just a few days ago I posted on the Michigan House Resolution supporting Equity Crowdfunding. This morning I read an article on CrowdfundInsider on the topic of financing for small businesses. Access to Capital: What are the Options for Small Company Finance? Candace Klein Chief Strategy Officer at DealStruck was Interviewed and talked about how small businessContinue reading “Small Business, Social Entrepreneurs and Crowdfunding”

Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses

On March 3,  Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235).  Today HR 235 was on the agenda for the Commerce and Trade Committee Meeting. HR 235 is a  “resolution to support the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent adoption of rules pursuant to Title III of the JOBS Act which are designed to facilitate small and start-upContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses”

Lawsuit Puts ‘Homeless Alcoholics’ in the Spotlight.

I read an article this morning from the ABAJoural entitled: Civil rights suit says Virginia ‘drunkard’ law criminalizes those who are homeless alcoholics. According to the article, a federal civil rights suit filed Thursday in Roanoke, Virginia says two cities are unconstitutionally jailing homeless alcoholics. A fact sheet provided by the attorneys representing the individuals stated: “AsContinue reading “Lawsuit Puts ‘Homeless Alcoholics’ in the Spotlight.”

Working to Build Better Communities: Lending Barriers to Stabilizing Neighborhoods in Detroit.

Today Thomas J. Curry,  of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) spoke at the 2016 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference in LA. You can read Mr. Curry’s complete remarks here. Mr. Curry acknowledged the many groups and organizations “working to build better communities and improve the financial lives of low- and moderate-income individuals” AContinue reading “Working to Build Better Communities: Lending Barriers to Stabilizing Neighborhoods in Detroit.”

Looking for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to Prosper our Local Communities

Last week I attended an event held by the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative at Grand Valley State University. the conversation was titled: “Social Capital, Economic Diversity and Civic Well-Being in Flint and Grand Rapids” The room was packed full of leaders in the Grand Rapids and Flint Communities interested in hearing about, in the words of Dr. MichaelContinue reading “Looking for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to Prosper our Local Communities”