The Right Place assists local tech firm with new expansion

IP Consulting, Inc. will be investing $699,000 and creating 25 new high-tech jobs in West Michigan.

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the City of Kentwood have announced the approval of a $180,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for Kentwood-based IP Consulting, Inc. The grant will enable the IT solution provider to expand in West Michigan, adding 25 new jobs to its location at 3635 29th Street SE in Kentwood and invest up to $699,000 in capital investment to support its growth.

Recognized in 2016 as one of Michigan’s top 50 companies to watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business, IP Consulting, Inc. is an IT solution provider with expertise in cyber security, network infrastructure, unified communications, and data centers. The company designs, implements, and manages innovative IT solutions to support its customers’ business goals.

The company was also recently named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 Award as well as ranking No. 790 on the Inc. 5000, a ranking the company has achieved for three consecutive years.

Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Virginia, which would have been closer to the company’s customers and a larger talent pool.

“IP Consulting’s growth and demand for our services have brought us to a critical cross road,” said Katie Belock, Financial Manager, IP Consulting, Inc. “With assistance from The Right Place and the grant award from the MEDC, we were able to make a confident decision to call West Michigan home for IP Consulting’s future.”

On this latest collaboration, The Right Place brought in the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and assisted with the application for a performance-based grant that will close the competitive gap, ensuring that IP Consulting’s investment and new job growth occurs in West Michigan.

“IP Consulting is another example of the growing high-tech sector in West Michigan,” said Jen Wangler, Business Development Manager, The Right Place, Inc., and project lead for the expansion. “As part of our three-year strategic plan, we are dedicated to ensuring this industry has the support and resources it needs to grow and succeed in our region.”

West Michigan’s IT Sector

Job growth within West Michigan’s high-tech sector continues to outpace the national average by double-digit percentage points, 20 percent in West Michigan compared to the national average of 11.6 percent since 2009. Today, over 14,000 in the region work in a high-tech field.

The region’s overall industry growth is also outpacing the national average, with 13.8 percent overall industry growth compared to the national average of 9.4 percent. Over 730 high-tech companies in the 13-county region call West Michigan home.

IP Consulting is currently looking to fill several open positions and is actively hiring. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the company’s online careers area of its website at: http://www.ipconsultinginc.com/careers/.

“As companies throughout West Michigan are investing and expanding, like IP Consulting, The Right Place is here to ensure these companies have the connections, resources, and support they need to succeed in our region,” said Richard Breon, President and CEO, Spectrum Health and Chair of The Right Place, Inc. “Without The Right Place’s support, these new jobs and many others would be in jeopardy of being created elsewhere. This is why it is so critical that West Michigan continues to support this strong economic development organization.”

With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated $222.6 million in capital investment and assisted in the creation of 554 jobs in West Michigan in 2016.