Latest News & Blogs

On December 9, 2021, over 400 key leaders from the greater Grand Rapids region logged onto a Zoom call for our 25^th Annual Economic Outlook. Viewers of the event heard from The Right Place president & CEO, Randy Thelen, and Regional Economic Specialist from the University of Michigan, Don Grimes. The question on everyone’s mind was, “What can I expect the economic forecast to be for 2022?”

The first-of-its-kind pitch competition focused on providing growth opportunities to outdoor recreation small businesses. Entrepreneurs from Oceana, Newaygo, Lake and Mason Counties were invited to submit their ideas for consideration. Seven finalists were chosen to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges via Zoom on October 27. The top five participants received $5,000 worth of business support services to help advance their business idea.

The Right Place has announced it will debut a new and improved model of regional economic development partnerships in 2022 for participating counties across West Michigan. The new format is expected to amplify economic development efforts across the region by empowering full-time county executive directors to drive long-term growth opportunities with the support of The Right Place.

The Right Place’s Technology Taskforce aims to position the Greater Grand Rapids Region as leading tech cluster in Midwest

Extruded Aluminum Corporation (EAC), will be expanding its current location at 7200 Industrial Drive in Belding. In addition to a capital investment of $30.4 million, the expansion will bring 38 new jobs to the community.

Global aerospace and defense technology innovator, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., will expand its operations at 5353 52^nd Street SE in Grand Rapids. In addition to a capital investment of $2.58 million, the expansion will bring up to 50 new jobs to the area, with a minimum of 34.

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Village of Sparta, announced that global adhesives manufacturer, tesa tape, Inc., will be expanding its current location at 324 S Union St. in Sparta. In addition to a capital investment of $36 million, the expansion will bring at least 25 new jobs to the area.

The Right Place, Lakeshore Advantage, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (The Center-West), and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, launched a West Michigan Industry 4.0 campaign to increase manufacturers’ smart manufacturing technology adoption readiness. Implementing Industry 4.0 technologies into operations helps manufacturers to create opportunities for improved efficiency, higher revenues, and increased innovation.

Back To Michigan, a collaborative, state-wide event spearheaded by Hello West Michigan and The Right Place, was awarded a Silver and Bronze ranking by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at the Council’s 2021 annual conference.

The latest release of population and diversity data from the U.S. Census Bureau demonstrates that West Michigan continues to grow as a popular region that can compete with significantly larger metropolitan areas.