Business

The Deer Forest Exotic Animal Sanctuary in southwest Michigan is closing at the end of this season. The announcement was made Tuesday morning, a day after an arrest warrant was issued in Illinois for Jon Stolarz, one of the park’s operators for failing to appear in court in that state in an animal cruelty case.  He and his wife blame …

  A $550,000 state grant has been awarded to Postle Operating in Cassopolis for an expansion project that will create 40 full-time jobs during the next two years. State Rep. Matt Lori said the Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded the Community Development Block Grant for job training to the company, which produces extruded aluminum products for recreational vehicles. Postle Operating …

  A Sturgis business was at the center of attention Monday, as state and local officials visited Cobalt Holdings. Led by Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant, the team of officials met with Cobalt president Bruce Bart and toured the facility. Their visit was a part of Gov. Snider’s recycling program. Cobalt’s main product is crumb rubber. Created from …

  Sturgis city commissioners last week approved removing a traffic light at the intersection of North Centerville Road and West West Street. The signal is to be replaced by stop signs. Beginning in late June, the traffic light was converted to flashing red and yellow signals at the intersection. After a six-week trial period, evaluations concluded that the traffic volume …

  A state transportation grant has been awarded to the city of Sturgis to support expansion of a local factory, which will result in 40 jobs and a significant investment in the local economy. State Rep. Matt Lori said VCI Inc. recently moved into a vacant building on West Dresser Drive in Sturgis and will invest $1.6 million in new …

A Bristol, Ind., firm was chosen for the 2014 enhanced mill-and-resurface project in the city of Sturgis. During their meeting last week, members of the Sturgis City Commission awarded the job to low bidder Niblock Excavating Inc. The company’s bid was just over $1 million. Streets involved in the project are South Clay from U.S. 12 to West South Street; …

The June unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by four-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 6.1 percent June unemployment rate was more than May’s 5.7 percent. June’s unemployment rate was 2.2 percent less than the same month one year …

The former Rexam building in Constantine is getting a new owner. Village manager Mark Honeysett stated during last week’s village council meeting that Central Manufacturing Services of Three Rivers closed on the purchase of the building July 15. Honeysett said he has had extensive conversations with CMS owner Jamie Clark, who indicated the building will house a logistics center comprised …

While you won’t see winter decorations or hear holiday carols in the local retail stores just yet, it’s time to think about Michigan Christmas trees! The Michigan Christmas Tree Association was in the holiday spirit for their annual meeting at Peterson’s Riverview Nursery in Allegan on July 25. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development works closely with the …

A warrant was issued Wednesday for the former executive assistant of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. The action comes a day after the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a charge of embezzlement against Deb Herring, 57, of Schoolcraft. Investigators said Herring allegedly stole between $20,000 and $50,000 over a seven-year period starting in 2007. She was dismissed …