GRANDVILLE, Mich.-- Trivalent Group, Inc., one of Michigan’s largest technology firms, has been named one of Corp! Magazine’s Michigan Economic Bright Spots for the fifth consecutive year.

The publication’s annual award recognizes Michigan-based companies and entrepreneurs who are a driving force in the economy and state’s innovation.

“We are honored to be named one of Michigan’s Economic Bright Spot for the fifth year in a row,” said Trivalent Group CEO Larry Andrus. “We continue to grow in revenue and staff and are proud to be making a presence in Michigan.  We could not have accomplished this without the support of our staff and partners.”

Businesses were asked to complete an online questionnaire in order to determine their growth over the past year as well as their economic impact on the state of Michigan. Winners of this year’s awards will be featured in Corp!

 KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Kalamazoo’s department of public safety will wait to fill five officer positions, as the city continues to deal with a tighter budget.

The city commission says nearly 85 percent of city employees who accepted an early retirement incentive package from the city in 20102 left the organization by December 31.  The remaining 36 of the 219 employees who accepted the offer will leave this year.

Kalamazoo city officials plan to eliminate 89 city positions to help erase a $6 million deficit. The cuts are expected to save the city more than $1 million when fully implemented.

The city is expected to save an estimated $7.32 million in the 2014 fiscal year and beyond, but future finances remain problematic as property values continue to slide, leading to less tax revenue for the city.

MUSKEGON, Mich.—Mona Shores High School has made the list of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.”

The Washington Post compiled the Challenge Index to identify schools that are the most successful at persuwading average students to take college level courses and tests.  This year, Mona Shores High School ranks 1,078th out of 22,00 high schools nationwide, and 13th in the state of Michigan.

Nearly 400 Mona Shores High School students will participate in AP testing this spring.

Other West Michigan schools that made the list of challenging high schools include: Grand River Prep in Kentwood (#2), Black River in Holland (#4), East Grand Rapids (#8), Lowell (#13), Portage Central in Portage (#23) and Jenison (#29).