The Right Place assists HOLO Footwear to locate headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids

Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that sustainable outdoor footwear company, HOLO Footwear, will be moving its headquarters from Portland, OR to downtown Grand Rapids and opening e-commerce operations in the region, creating 61 new jobs and $1.6M in capital investment.

HOLO Footwear is a minority-owned, sustainable outdoor footwear company that launched in 2020. Their goal is to create sustainable and attainable footwear for everyone, using recycled material to build each shoe and ensuring their product remain affordable for the average consumer. They started selling in late 2021 in stores including Nordstrom, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Backcountry, Macy’s, Public Lands and REI.

“As HOLO continues to expand, we found that West Michigan is an excellent location for our growth,” explains Rommel Vega, Founder & President of HOLO Footwear. “It’s a fantastic environment for our business, with access to talented designers and people from the footwear industry. We’re excited to get to work to create stylish, responsible and functional outdoor footwear. We’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and the MEDC for their partnership and collaborative support as we invest in our new headquarters and e-commerce facilities.”

The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to attract the company to place its roots in the Greater Grand Rapids region rather than other out-of-state locations, including Oregon and North Carolina. With the approval of a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund.

“Since their launch in 2020, HOLO Footwear is continuing to grow at a rapid rate,” said Brent Case, Vice President of Business Attraction for The Right Place and project lead. “With the strong talent pool and robust economic environment, not to mention the amazing outdoor recreational playground that West Michigan has to offer, we think HOLO Footwear will thrive here in the region.”

“HOLO Footwear’s headquarters is a great addition to the City of Grand Rapids. We appreciate HOLO’s commitment to making outdoor gear accessible for everyone and using recycled and renewable materials in its manufacturing processes. It’s ownership and environmental sustainability practices are precisely the types of companies we are looking to attract to Grand Rapids and the region,” stated Jeremiah Gracia, Director of Economic Development for the City of Grand Rapids.