Report finds Michigan’s child care shortage costs economy $2.9B annually

Michigan’s child care shortage results in a loss of $2.88 billion in economic activity for the state each year. That’s according to a report the...

Michigan’s economy makes ‘full recovery’ from pandemic, but UAW strike could derail growth 

A potential UAW strike could stall Michigan’s economy that has been steadily recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic.  In an updated outlook for...
Lakeshore Advantage headquarters rendering

Holland aims to build on legacy of global innovations with new business incubator 

Holland-area companies have created innovations that affect the daily lives of millions of people, ranging from the cubicles and ergonomic chairs they use in...
close up with shallow depth of field of brand new cars

University of Michigan economic outlook lowers chances of a national recession

University of Michigan economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rate once more this year, bringing economic growth to a crawl, then begin...
amphitheater looking west

Amphitheater groundbreaking on track for spring 2024 as officials navigate moving parts

A 12,000-capacity amphitheater planned along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids is slated for a spring 2024 groundbreaking that would conclude by the...
Hispanic Chamber rendering

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber plans new $9.5M Grand Rapids headquarters

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce plans to use a “historic” $5 million state budget allocation to acquire a former industrial building on...
mixed-use rendering in Zeeland

Downtown Zeeland poised for ‘resurgence’ as 4 projects take shape 

ZEELAND — Four mixed-use projects and a $10.2 million street refurbishment are underway in downtown Zeeland, signaling a post-pandemic “resurgence” for the West Michigan...
bioenergy plant rendering

$10M in state funding to back Kent County Sustainable Business Park, bioenergy facility

Plans for Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park, along with a bioenergy facility that converts waste into renewable gas and would serve as the park’s...
woman sitting in a home office

For relationship-builder and longtime ACG exec Julie Metsker, ‘all business is personal’ 

Julie Metsker departs this summer after leading the Association for Corporate Growth Western Michigan chapter for more than two decades.  Under her leadership, ACG Western...
The site of a Grand Rapids Fire Department training facility on the Grand River.

GRFD leverages state funds to move training facility off key Grand River site 

The Grand Rapids Fire Department plans to use a “good portion” of the $35 million in one-time funding included in the 2023-24 fiscal year...
exterior view of a dilapidated five-story factory building

State budget includes millions in one-time funding for West Michigan projects

The $82 billion state budget that lawmakers approved Wednesday evening allocates one-time funding for myriad projects in West Michigan.  Among the largest appropriations is $35...
amphitheater looking west

Grand Rapids board approves key parts of downtown amphitheater as parking, noise concerns remain

GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Planning Commission has approved various amenities and primary functions associated with a 12,000-capacity amphitheater planned along the Grand...
knighting ceremony

Local real estate exec knighted for strengthening U.S.-Netherlands relations

Paulus Heule, CEO of Grand Rapids-based real estate company Eenhoorn LLC, was recently knighted for his decades-long efforts to make cultural and economic connections...
two women laughing

Longtime Association for Corporate Growth Western Michigan exec to retire

Julie Metsker plans to retire this summer after leading the Association for Corporate Growth Western Michigan chapter in Grand Rapids for more than two...
medical research building

Grand Rapids investments create blueprint for MSU in Detroit

Academic and research partnerships forged over the past decade in Grand Rapids provided a blueprint for Michigan State University’s recent investments in Detroit.  Specifically, building...
The Grand Rapids skyline is shown at sunset.

Lexington, Kentucky leaders take up 3-day learning tour of Grand Rapids

A delegation of roughly 170 civic and business leaders from Lexington, Ky., are touring Grand Rapids this week to learn from the city’s economic...
headshot of a man

Grand Haven Chamber selects Grand Rapids Chamber exec as new president 

Mark Allen takes over next month as president of the chamber of commerce in Grand Haven with some familiarity of the market.  The lakeshore area...
amphitheater inside

Amphitheater developer to seek ‘transformational’ brownfield incentives

GRAND RAPIDS — A 12,000-capacity riverfront amphitheater is the latest Grand Rapids project where developers plan to apply for rarely used “transformational” brownfield tax...
People gathered for a press conference

How to grow Michigan’s stagnant population? Whitmer forms council to tackle the problem

MACKINAC ISLAND — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday established a council to recommend ways to grow Michigan's stagnant population and to set a target...
Mackinac Island press conference

Democrats propose 2 new economic development funds as part of ‘holistic’ strategy

MACKINAC ISLAND — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic legislative leaders on Wednesday began unveiling what they called a “comprehensive” economic development strategy, starting with...