Page 2 - Randy Thelen News Today

Gladwell is set to speak Sept. 18 at the kickoff of Tech Week, a community-wide, multi-day event designed to showcase the region’s tech community.

Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place, said Grand Rapids is seeing a “pretty severe slippage in downtown office activity, and concerns related to cleanliness and safety may be playing a role."

Michigan Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer's latest appointee to a powerful state economic board is a nonprofit executive who helped facilitate the deal that brought a controversial Chinese battery company to the Great Lakes State.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday the appointments of Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place Inc., and Leon Richardson, founder, president and CEO of Southfield-based Chemico Group.

Senate Appropriations votes in favor of Gotion battery plant funding, project planners ready to move ahead

After spending months behind the scenes to lure major advanced manufacturers, Michigan economic development organizations now face another challenge to landing projects: public sentiment.

The state’s first megasite project is prompting a growing divide between supporters and opponents in the region, as Gotion Inc. seeks to build a battery plant with 2,350 jobs. Critics cite Gotion parent company’s ties to China. 

The state’s first megasite project is prompting a growing divide between supporters and opponents in the region, as Gotion Inc. seeks to build a battery plant with 2,350 jobs. Critics cite Gotion parent company’s ties to China. 

Gotion pushed back on scrutiny that has swirled around a Mecosta County battery plant for its ties to China.

UPDATED: Panel experts address concerns over battery plant in Big Rapids Wednesday evening that attracted hundreds of protestors