Displaying items by tag: The Right Place Inc

Sustainability-focused outdoor shoe manufacturer Holo Footwear Inc. plans to move its headquarters from Portland, Ore. to downtown Grand Rapids, state and local economic development officials announced today.

Holland-based digital consulting firm Twisthink LLC is expanding with a new headquarters at the Michigan State University Grand Rapids Innovation Park.

Regardless of industry or seniority, virtually every member of the workforce shares one commonality: onboarding.

Business leaders voiced strong confidence in the West Michigan economy in a recent survey by economic development organization The Right Place Inc.

GRAND RAPIDS — Local entertainment and development officials say a planned $116 million outdoor amphitheater is modeled off the success of Van Andel Arena and could serve as an even stronger catalyst for further downtown development.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Valley State University plans to add a new learning space at its downtown Grand Rapids campus that will serve as an intersection of business and technology education for community members and students.

GRAND RAPIDS — Acrisure LLC opened its new $33 million office in downtown Grand Rapids in August 2021, and expects it will need more space by the end of this year as the company grows its workforce.

Regional business and economic development leaders recently announced a list of 12 “transformational” projects that could reshape Kent County’s ability to attract visitors, new residents and employers.

First of a three-part webinar series focuses on preparing for the manufacturing workforce of the future

A $500,000 investment from a venture capital fund supporting companies operated by minorities and people of color will help advance Anthony Chang’s vision for a network of advanced cancer treatment clinics across the U.S.

With supply chain pressures continuing to disrupt their industry, local manufacturers have been eager to try every avenue for sourcing products and processes.

Late last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce named 60 finalists across the country that each could be eligible for up to $100 million in grants to support regional economic development initiatives. 

WYOMING — Industrial recycling and scrap management company PADNOS plans to invest $6.6 million to expand its facility in Wyoming.

If it’s money that matters most when people look for work or to relocate for a new job, then West Michigan may be at a disadvantage in competing for the coveted talent needed to drive economic growth.

The longstanding U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which has protected abortion access before fetal viability for 49 years, is set to be directly challenged this year. 

Economic development leaders and elected officials have mobilized in recent months to attract major advanced manufacturing projects after Ford’s announcement of $11.4 billion in battery and assembly projects in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Right Place Inc. President and CEO Randy Thelen called it the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” foreshadowing multiple new economic development efforts statewide. Thelen recently discussed potential new incentives, as well as labor market forces that are shaping his outlook for the year ahead.

Michigan’s economy and jobs are expected to continue to recover in 2022 from the deep downturn last year resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

If there’s any certainty about 2022, it’s that Michigan policymakers will have billions of federal dollars to distribute for infrastructure and economic development. 

West Michigan’s economy remains strong heading for the end of 2021 with expectations for continued growth in 2022, according to a new outlook from The Right Place Inc.

Michigan’s two largest investor-owned utilities seek to play a more active role in economic development — particularly in luring advanced manufacturing facilities to the state — with plans to offer new electricity rates for large expansion projects.

Advanced automotive battery suppliers are considering a pair of West Michigan cities for new or expanded manufacturing facilities, MiBiz has learned. 

GRAND RAPIDS — The Wege Foundation’s $1 million investment committed to the New Community Transformation Fund comes from a shared vision to support greater economic diversity and inclusion in West Michigan’s economy.

Nearly two dozen economic development and trade organizations have formed the Winning Michigan Jobs coalition with the goal of helping the state regain a competitive edge for new jobs and investments.

GRAND RAPIDS — Regional economic development organization The Right Place Inc. recently announced new partnerships that would bring its services and expertise to Mason and Mecosta counties in West Michigan.

Regional economic development organization The Right Place Inc. is expanding its services to two new West Michigan counties while working with existing partners to develop full-time business attraction efforts.

The first managing director of a venture capital fund that plans to invest in businesses owned by people of color sees an opportunity to pioneer an initiative for greater economic diversity in West Michigan.

Manufacturers that supply the defense industry will need to adhere to a new set of uniform cybersecurity standards in order to bid on contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense.

CASCADE TWP. — L3Harris Technologies Inc., a global tech company that supplies the defense industry, has announced a nearly $2.6 million expansion in the Grand Rapids area.

Michigan’s newly signed state budget aims to maintain the momentum behind a variety of programs designed to help the manufacturing industry address workforce challenges.

West Michigan’s industrial real estate sector continues to outpace expectations amid record-high demand for space, leading to some new construction despite high materials costs, substantial lead times and employers struggling to fill vacant positions.