Quarter 4 - 2019
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE : ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS : HARBISONWALKER INTERNATIONAL ROSKAM BAKING COMPAN Y ACRISURE MICHIGAN SOFTWARE LABS
GRAND RAPIDS RANKINGS
MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL 30TH ANNIVERSARY
The Right Place 2020 Economic Outlook for West Michigan
December 11, 2019 Amway Grand Plaza Hotel 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Register today at: rightplace.org/events
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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15
11
Feature Article: Grand Rapids Rankings
Economic Development Progress Update
Investor Spotlight Feyen Zylstra
2019 Projects & 3-Year Progress
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3
16
Manufacturers Council 30th Anniversary
Projects HarbisonWalker International Roskam Baking Company Acrisure Michigan Software Labs
Calendar of Events
14 17
Talent ReThink West Michigan
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Inside RPI Learn what's new at The Right Place
Dataconomy Brookings 2019 Metro Monitor Report
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CEO Update
To our Investors and Partners,
Our economy is experiencing a period of rapid technological change and advancement. As automation, artificial intelligence and other technologies continue to impact the workforce, companies will have to adapt to this changing environment. Are you prepared for future workforce needs? How can your company build a strong workforce for the future and ensure inclusivity? For our next investor breakfast on November 7th, we have invited a panel of experts to discuss these challenges and provide critical insights. These industry leaders will participate in an interactive discussion on strategies to develop your workforce for the future while ensuring inclusion. You will also have an opportunity to ask the panelists questions. Tackling these topics is critical to the future success of West Michigan businesses. These emerging technologies and trends are creating new jobs and changing existing ones. This transition will reshape the workforce landscape and deeply impact our community. As we look ahead, we must prepare for future needs in order for our community to continue to thrive. We look forward to hosting you at our investor breakfast to discuss this important topic. Please extend this invitation to other leaders in your company who have influence over talent development initiatives in your organization. We will see you on November 7th.
Birgit M. Klohs President & CEO The Right Place, Inc.
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
2019 Economic Development Projects ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS UPDATE
New Jobs
Retained Jobs
Payroll
Investment
Company
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS COMPLETED: 16 ANNUAL GOAL: 17 MANUFACTURING SUPPORT CONTRACTS COMPLETED: 109 ANNUAL GOAL: 120 COMPANIES SERVED: 467 ANNUAL GOAL: 400 CUMULATIVE COMPANY ASSISTS: 1,450 ANNUAL GOAL: 1,333 WORK-READY TALENT ASSISTS: 315 ANNUAL GOAL: 525 EVENT ATTENDEES: 1,151 ANNUAL GOAL: 1,600
Allegiant Air
66
$4,275,024
$42,665,000
Stone Fox Ventures
52
$3,760,000
$2,435,000
Andronaco Industries
64
$2,608,840
$3,300,000
Unist, Inc.
6
$306,446
$1,050,000
BISSELL, Inc.
100
$8,178,000
$10,000,000
Design Manufacturing LLC
6
$193,440
$8,400,000
Feyen Zylstra
100
$8,013,200
$5,352,576
Riverridge Cider Co., LLC
4
$124,800
$8,400,000
VDA Labs, LLC
25
$2,155,400
$300,000
G-M Wood Products Inc.
20
$582,400
$6,500,000
C3CNC
4
$160,000
$500,000
Clarion Technologies - Greenville
76
$1,900,900
Roskam Baking Co.
238
$9,239,568
$85,218,701
HarbisonWalker International
14
$695,604
$9,000,000
Acrisure
330
400
$97,398,600
$33,000,000
Falk
30
$1,289,600
$19,500,000
Michigan Software Labs
27
$2,808,000
$840,535
Totals
330 1232 $143,689,822 $236,461,812
ALL 2019 AND 3-YEAR GOALS REACHED
2019 TOTAL: 1,562 3-YEAR TOTAL: 5,136
ANNUAL GOAL: 1,400 3-YEAR GOAL: 4,200
NEW/RETAINED JOBS
2019 TOTAL: $140,881,822 3-YEAR TOTAL: $305,427,401
ANNUAL GOAL: $50,000,000 3-YEAR GOAL: $150,000,000
NEW/RETAINED PAYROLL
2019 TOTAL: $235,621,277 3-YEAR TOTAL: $796,007,023
ANNUAL GOAL: $167,000,000 3-YEAR GOAL: $500,000,000
NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS UPDATE
HARBISONWALKER INTERNATIONAL
Global refractory product manufacturer expands Newaygo County operations
primarily for the U.S. steel industry. As manufacturing has grown in recent years, so too has the demand for HWI’s product portfolio. Faced with the need for expansion, HWI worked with The Right Place in collaboration with Everett Township to ensure the expansion happened locally. The Township is supporting the project with a P.A. 198 tax abatement. “HarbisonWalker International is one of Newaygo County’s largest employers,” said Julie Burrell, Business Development Coordinator – Newaygo County and project lead, “As a global company with nearly 20 facilities worldwide, it’s a very competitive playing field. Their decision to expand the Everett Township plant over any of the others is an excellent indication of what our area has to offer to the business community.” “We’re thrilledHarbisonWalker International has chosen to grow its presence in our community,” said Judy Maike, Township Supervisor, Everett Township, “We look forward toourcontinued partnershipwith HWI and the additional opportunities this project will create for our area residents.” For more information, visit thinkhwi.com
Global refractory product manufacturer and supplier, HarbisonWalker International (HWI), recently announced the expansion of its manufacturing operations in White Cloud, Michigan. The company is investing $9 million to increase the floor space of its facility by 35%, adding to the northeastern corner of its existing plant. The expansion will include increased manufacturing space, the installation of newmanufacturing technology and expanded warehousing capabilities. “This is a highly collaborative region. We have greatly enjoyed working with The Right Place team and Everett Township and thank them for working with us on this expansion process. We have found West Michigan to be a wonderful place to do business and we are very proud of our employee family in the region and the great service they provide for our customers,” said Kevin Ballard, senior director, engineering and process improvement, HarbisonWalker International. HWI’s plant in White Cloud employs approximately 140 people and produces brick and monolithic refractory products,
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ROSKAM BAKING COMPANY
Roskam Baking Company expands Kentwood operations
overall economic impact,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan’s food processing industry is a national leader, and Roskam Baking Company’s decision to continue its growth here is a testament to our region’s strength.” The City of Kentwood is supportive of Roskam’s decision to expand in the city, whichwill bring new jobs to the community. The city is considering the approval of a local PA 198 Property Tax Abatement. “We appreciate Roskam Baking Company’s further investment in the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading food processing company have continued success and bring new jobs to the community.”
MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The Right Place also connected Roskam Baking Company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with worker training. The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $1,000,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. “This project is an excellent win for our region in terms of jobs, investment, and
One of West Michigan’s largest food processors, Roskam Baking Company, has announced plans to expand its operations on Broadmoor Ave. in Kentwood, Michigan. The project will result in the creation of 238 jobs and a capital investment of $85.2 million. Roskam is headquartered in Kentwood and was founded in 1923 as a family-owned bakery in Grand Rapids. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Roskam family,employsover2,000 inWestMichigan, and is a manufacturer for major food companies and brands around the country. The expanded facility will house two new product lines for the company as a result of contracts earned in 2018. The Right Place worked in collaboration with Roskam Baking Company and the
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2019 ECONOMIC SUCCESS STORIES
ACRISURE
Global insurance broker locates new headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids
“Acrisure has experienced significant growth over the past several years and their decision to locate a new headquarters in Grand Rapids further solidifies our region as a destination for business success,” said BirgitKlohs, PresidentandCEO, TheRight Place. “These well-paying jobs will have ripple effects throughout the community and will positively impact the entire West Michigan region.” For more information, visit acrisure.com
$1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, as well as a Good Jobs for Michigan Withholding Tax Capture for up to 10 years valued at $6 million. Acrisure will be the first company to receive support from the Good Jobs for Michigan program in West Michigan. “The addition of Acrisure’s headquarters to our downtown is vital to our city and our residents,” City of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to be a part of Acrisure’s incredible growth story, and we look forward toworking with the company as it expands in our community.”
Global insurance broker Acrisure recently announced the relocation and expansion of its headquarters to downtown Grand Rapids. The expansion will result in the relocation of existing roles along with the creationof 400 jobs and a capital investment of $33 million. The company will lease space at the new Studio Park development which will offer 105,000 square feet for its new and relocated employees. Presently, Acrisure is spread across multiple locations in the Grand Rapids area, including its current headquartersinCaledonia.Uponcompletion, all regional employees will move to the new headquarters at Studio Park. Acrisure has become the fastest growing insurance broker in the industry’s history and one of the top 10 brokers globally. As part of the new headquarters plan, the company will continue to grow, including hiring for multiple positions in the areas of finance, accounting, and regulatory affairs, among others. “From2009andmodestbeginningstonow more than $1.8 billion in revenue, Acrisure hasproudlycalledWestMichiganourhome,” said Greg Williams, CEO, Acrisure. “As we continue expanding, we’re pleased with this collaboration to create a true global headquarters in the heart of Grand Rapids. This will be a world class home for a distinctly world class company that will enhance our ability to attract and retain talent to the region.” The Right Place worked in collaborationwith Acrisure, MEDC, theCityof Grand Rapids, and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to ensure the company continued its growth in the region, versus out-of-state locations. In recognition of Acrisure’s significant capital contributions and the positive growth impact, the MEDC is supporting the expansion effort through the Michigan Strategic Fund with the approval of a
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2019 ECONOMIC SUCCESS STORIES
MICHIGAN SOFTWARE LABS
The Right Place assists Ada software company with local expansion
The Right Place and project lead, “West Michigan is an excellent place for technology professionals to grow in their careers, and we’re thrilled Michigan Software Labs will play an integral role in creating more opportunities in this industry.” West Michigan’s IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation at a rate of 15.8%, outpacing the national average by 2.9%. With 17 regional colleges and universities fueling the region’s talent pipeline, more than 13,000 individuals make up West Michigan’s robust and skilled IT workforce. Ada Township Supervisor, George Haga, is also looking forward to the company’s expansion, “Michigan Software Labs has been awonderful part of our business community in Ada and we are excited they have chosen to continue their growth here. We look forward to their continued success.” For more information, visit michiganlabs.com
their customers and grow their businesses. Developing the right custom software gives companies a clear market advantage.” The Right Place worked closely with Michigan Software Labs and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out- of-state locations, such as Denver, Austin, and New York City. With the approval of a $108,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund. “The decision to expand inWest Michigan reaffirms the region as a place technology companies can thrive,” said Jen Wangler, Senior Business Development Manager for
Custom software development agency, Michigan Software Labs, has announced the expansion of its current location in Ada. In addition to a capital investment of $840,535, the expansion will bring 27 new jobs to the area. Founded in 2010 by Mark Johnson and Joshua Hulst, Michigan Software Labs provides custom software solutions for clients ranging from middle market to Fortune 500 companies. To meet growing client demand, the company is adding 7,500 square feet of space to its Ada offices. In the process, it will double its current workforce over the next few years, adding 27 software developers to its current team of 28 members. “As our clients continue to grow and evolve, we intend to serve them best by growing along with them,” explains Michigan Software Labs co-founder and managing partner, Mark Johnson. “Organizations are increasingly seeing how technology can serve
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2019 ECONOMIC SUCCESS STORIES
BROOKINGS 2019 METRO MONITOR REPORT: GRAND RAPIDS GROWTH
Contextualization and comparison are key steps in leveraging all of this data. With the wealth of knowledge readily available in this digital age, there’s no shortage of comparative studies available to determine how regions stack up to one another. Our research team identifies the highest quality comparative studies and analyzes them in order to gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening in our regional economy. While some rankings compare metros using a singular indicator (ex. total job growth), comparison studies that utilize a wider range of indicators are much more valuable. For this reason, our research and data team always looks forward to the release of Brookings Institution’s Annual Metro Monitor.
As a regional economic development organization for West Michigan, it is the responsibility of our research team to analyze both the strengths and weaknesses of the region’s economy. There are two ways we do this; the first is to evaluate our region’s performance, and the second is to leverage our regional economic data to contextualize and compare ourselves to others. To evaluate the region’s performance, we ask questions of the data, such as: Are quality jobs growing? Is our Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP) growing? What is the standard of living for our residents? Are all residents participating in the regional economic growth? Much of this data is then compiled and shared in The Right Place Data Center and the West Michigan Regional Dashboard.
The goal of the Metro Monitor is to deepen understanding of economic success by thinking beyond growth alone. The report more broadly evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of America’s metros, measuring them at a regional level to provide valuable insights into the parts that make up the whole of each state. This year’s edition of the Metro Monitor focuses on trends in Growth, Prosperity, and Inclusion (including race) for the 100 largest U.S. metro areas.
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DATACONOMY: BROOKINGS REPORT
A CLOSER LOOK AT GRAND RAPIDS’ REPORT The Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm and Barry counties. With an estimated 1,069,405 residents, it’s the 53rd largest MSA in the nation. Here are the results for the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA for the 2019 Metro Monitor
10-YEAR ANALYSIS: 2007 – 2017
GROWTH: Overall Rank – 28 out of 100 • Percentage change in jobs 16.0% (15 out of 100) • Percentage change in Gross Metro Product 16.4% (29 out of 100) • Percentage change in jobs at young firms -20.8% (70 out of 100) PROSPERITY: Overall Rank – 61 out of 100 • Percentage change in productivity 0.3% (83 out of 100) • Percentage change in standard of living 7.9% (24 out of 100) • Percentage change in average annual wage 4.5% (57 out of 100) INCLUSION: Overall Rank – 9 out of 100 • Percentage change in median earnings -2.0% (59 out of 100) • Percentage change in relative poverty -8.5% (19 out of 100) • Percentage change in employment rate 6.5% (2 out of 100) INCLUSION BY RACE: Overall Rank – 28 out of 100 • Change in white/people of color median earnings gap -$1,299 (32 out of 100) • Change in white/people of color relative poverty gap -1.4 points (30 out of 100) • Change in white/people of color employment rate gap -2.1 points (40 out of 100)
MONTCALM
KENT
OTTAWA
BARRY
Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
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DATACONOMY: BROOKINGS REPORT
Inclusion indicators measure how the benefits of growth and prosperity in a metropolitan economy – specifically, changes in employment and income – are distributed among individuals. Inclusive growth enables more people to invest in their skills and to purchase more goods and services. Thus, inclusive growth can increase human capital and raise aggregate demand, boosting prosperity and growth. • Median Earnings measures the annual wage earned by the person in themiddleof a metropolitan area’s income distribution (among people at least 16 years old) (source: US Census BureauACSmicrodata) • Relative Earnings poverty measures the share of people earning less than half of the local median wage (among people at least 16 years old) (source: US Census Bureau ACS microdata) • Employment Rate , or employment-to- population ratio measures the share of individuals ages 18 to 64 who are currently employed (source: US Census Bureau ACS microdata) Inclusion by Race indicators measure the gap between the non-Hispanic white population and people of color on indicators of inclusion:median income, employment rate, and relative income poverty.
• Jobs at Young Firms captures the total number of full and part-time wage and salaried jobs at young, private-sector firms established with the last 5 years. It is a proxy for the employment impact of entrepreneurship in a metropolitan area. One important item to consider is that larger employers can fall in this category of a young firm if they exit bankruptcy or become a new entity for any particular reason. Prosperity indicators capture changes in the average wealth and income produced by an economy. When a metropolitan area grows by increasing the productivity of its workers, through innovation or by upgrading workers’ skills, for example, the value of those workers’ labor rises. As the value of labor rises, so can wages. Increases in productivity and wages are what ultimately improve living standards for workers and families. • Productivity equals GMP divided by the total number of jobs, a crude measure of metropolitan economy’s overall productivity (source: EMSI) • Standard of Living equals GMP divided by total metropolitan population (GMP per capita), which reflects a metropolitan economy’s average standard of living (source: EMSI estimates and US Census Bureau) • Average Annual Wage equals aggregate annual wages paid to workers divided by the total number of jobs (source: EMSI)
KEY TAKEAWAYS Our region has been in high-growth mode since exiting the Great Recession in 2009 and this trend is reflected in the Metro Monitor growth indicators. During this period of exponential growth, the region has also made forward strides in creating a more inclusive economy. Data indicates that our regional economy is becoming more inclusive for all people, not just white non-Hispanic residents. This trend must continue for West Michigan to remain globally competitive and maintain a sustainable regional economy that attracts talent to the region. GLOSSARY: Growth indicators measure change in the size of an MSA’s economy and the economy’s level of entrepreneurial activity. Growth creates new opportunities for individuals and can help a metropolitan economy become more eff icient. Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in growth, creating new jobs and new output; entrepreneurial activity can also indicate investors’ confidence in future growth and prosperity. • Jobs measure the total number of occupied full and part-time wage and salaried employment positions in a metropolitan economy (source: EMSI) • Gross Metro Product (GMP) measures the total value of goods and services produced in ametropolitan area including wages and profits (source: EMSI)
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DATACONOMY: BROOKINGS REPORT
Feyen Zylstra looks to The Right Place for guidance in regional growth
The future is bright. The Right Place helps tell ourcollective storyof growthand entrepreneurship, building on our past and leading into the future. We are proud to be a part of that story, and proud to be a part of the amazing community we call West Michigan.” Nate Koetje Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Feyen Zylstra
“FZ’s story began inWest Michigan nearly 40 years ago. As we’ve expanded our footprint throughout Michigan and the Southeastern US, we’re proud to say our home base, and heart, remain here. As we have grown and expanded The Right Place has been a great partner, most recently in our decision to open our new Industrial Tech Center inWalker. The Right Place was our first call when we decided to expand these services. Their unequaled knowledge coupledwith their deep regional connections, and their knowledge of available resources made the decision to grow inWest Michigan an easy one. We couldn’t ask for a better partner as we continue to use our Industrial Tech solutions to help manufacturers navigate Industry 4.0.
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INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT
West Michigan’s Manufacturers Council Celebrates 30 YEARS of Collaboration,
W hen The Right Place, Inc. and a small group of local companies formed theManufacturers Council in 1989, they united under a banner of collaboration and mutual trust. Now, 30 years later, The Right Place | TheMichigan ManufacturingTechnologyCenter–West’s Manufacturers Council serves as a vast repository of industry knowledge and a cornerstone of the manufacturing sector in the region. Yet, despite its growthover the years, the council still retains its mission of encouraging collaboration and sharing best practices between manufacturers in West Michigan. “That a council has existed like this for 30 years and that leadership is engaged at a high level frommajor to small companies is highly unusual,” said Birgit Klohs, President andCEOof TheRight Place,which facilitates the Manufacturers Council. “It’s not an association, it’s a group of like-minded collaborative individuals who want to share whattheyknowwithothers. I think itspeaks toWestMichiganand howwework together.” Klohs also served as one of the founders of the Manufacturers Council, helping to breathe life and structure into the organization in 1989. Since then, the council has expanded to include numerous members of varying industries, who meet regularly and candidly discuss everything from best practices, to business challenges and trends. Every other month, the group embarks on an open door plant tour of another member’s facility, where they witness production processes and other key initiatives live. “TheManufacturers Council brings together a group of manufacturers from the area and creates a forum for them where they can talk about issues that are affecting their companies,” said David Beemer, the newly appointed president of the Manufacturers Council, who also serves as the COO of TerryBerry. “What’s really refreshing from a membership standpoint is access to other people facing similar challenges and the collaborative nature that group takes to sharing that information.” "While it may seem strange to some companies, members of the council are not concerned with discussing the ins and outs of their organizations with peers," Beemer said. Even though the council contains direct competitors, those competitors can often come together and collaborate under the banner of mutual benefit.
Innovation, & Progress
12
MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Zawacki noted that even from its earliest days, members of the council shared everything from the best book they read to operating practices and philosophies. In one case, a local manufacturer opened up a proprietary manufacturing process to the rest of the group, Zawacki said. “It’s that philosophy that if you’re ahead of the game, you don’t have to worry about people copying you,” Zawacki said. “The Right Place helped us get ahead of the gameby forming theManufacturersCouncil.”
council was comprised of a small number of like-minded manufacturers in the West Michigan area. While they came from different sectors, each of the members joined the council with the same intent to share best practices. “Joining the Manufacturers Council brought our community together from a manufacturing standpoint,” said Jim Zawacki, the second chairman of the Manufacturers Council and former owner of GR Spring and Stamp. “We had a good cross section of automotive suppliers, medical suppliers, and so forth.”
EYES FORWARD Even with 30 years under its belt, the Manufacturers Council has no plans of slowing down. Since the beginning, the council has always strived to look out and understand upcoming trends that will impact companies for years to come. Specifically, the Manufacturers Council plans to focus its efforts on three key drivers of the manufacturing industry going forward including, Industry 4.0, automation, and talent attraction and development. TheManufacturers Council is also actively involved in theManufacturing Leadership Summit, hosted by The Right Place and The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – West. This summit features best in class discussions on future trends and innovations in the manufacturing sector. It also offers manufacturers an opportunity to network and form relationships for future collaboration on a large scale. “The knowledge is gathered but then you have to share it,” Klohs said. “It doesn’t do you any good if 30 companies know about it. You have to have the conversation at a regional level.” A HISTORY OF COLLABORATION The concepts of collaboration and innovation have served as the underpinnings of the Manufacturers Council since its modest beginnings in 1989. In those years, the
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE COUNCIL? HERE ARE SOME FIRST STEPS:
• Check out the website: rightplace.org/manufacturerscouncil • Understand the philosophy: The Manufacturers Council relies on companies that are engaged with the organization and willing to contribute to the overall knowledge of the group. • Email: Justine Burdette, burdettej@rightplace.org
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MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL 30TH ANNIVERSARY
ReThink West Michigan 2019
The ReThinkWest Michigan event received an Excellence in Economic Development 2019 Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award recognized ReThink West Michigan as one of the top economic development special events in the world for the positive impact it’s had on host communities since its inception. In the past seven years, more than 1,000 people have attended ReThink West Michigan, resulting in over 70 hires in the region. Since its launch, ReThink West Michigan, has inspired other regions to host similar events to tap into the talent their former residents have to offer. In 2018, Hello West Michigan worked with other talent organizations around Michigan to create Back2Michigan.com, a centralized site highlighting Thanksgiving Eve career networking events around the state. Ann Arbor, Great Lakes Bay, Houghton, Kalamazoo, LansingandTraverseCityevents are all featured on the Back2Michigan site, each inspired by the ReThink West Michigan model. This widely attended event is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and The West Michigan Economic Development Collaborative. If your company is interested in participating, visit rethinkwm.com to inquire about booth availability. If you have friends or family visiting for Thanksgiving that might be interested in relocating to West Michigan, they can attend this free event by registering at rethinkwm.com/register .
Hello West Michigan and The Right Place will co-host the 8th annual ReThink West Michigan on Thanksgiving Eve at six regional locations. On November 27, 2019, ReThink West Michigan will return to Barry, Kent, Mason, Muskegon and Newaygo Counties, and have its inaugural year in Oceana County. ReThink West Michigan is a casual networking event designed to attract former Michiganders who still have ties to the region and make the trip back to the area for the Thanksgiving holiday. Rethink West Michigan provides a relaxed environment for candidates to learn about local employers and what the region has to offer, while allowing employers to meet job seekers they don’t typically have access to.
#1
Mid-Size City for Economic Growth Potential
20
‘Superstar’ City TOP
T he Grand Rapids MSA landed at the top of two national rankings for both job growth and economic potential. Reuters named Grand Rapids one of the top cities in the nation for job growth and Business Facilities ranked Grand Rapids the number one mid-sized city for economic growth potential. GRAND RAPIDS NAMED ‘SUPERSTAR’ CITY BY REUTERS International news organization, Reuters, recently published an analysis of seven- year job growth in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) throughout the United States. This analysis found that 40% of the new jobs generated during that time went to 20 top ‘Superstar’ cities. These high
diverse economic strengths in automotive, food processing, office furniture, metals, plastics, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and production technology. Grand Rapids out ranked several other notable cities, including Madison, WI and Birmingham, AL. The Grand Rapids region has experienced tremendous economic growth over the past several years. These rankings recognize our region as a national leader, and further solidify our area as a destination for business success. There is no better time than now to be doing business and living in West Michigan.
performing cities represent about a quarter of the population and are experiencing out-sized jobgrowth. The Grand Rapids area is one of only two cities in the Midwest on the list. The rest of the top 20 cities are clustered around fast growing regions in the south and coastal areas, such as Atlanta, Austin, San Francisco, and Seattle. GRAND RAPIDS RANKED #1 MID-SIZE CITY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH POTENTIAL BY BUSINESS FACILITIES In its 15thannual ranking, Business Facilities' 2019 Metro Rankings Report named Grand Rapids the No.1 mid-sized city in the country for economic growth potential. The magazine highlighted the region for its
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GRAND RAPIDS RANKINGS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS S M T W T F S NOVEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S JANUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S DECEMBER
INVESTOR BREAKFAST Thursday, November 7 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. GVSU - Loosemore Auditorium
RETHINK WEST MICHIGAN Wednesday, November 27 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Multiple Locations ReThink West Michigan is a casual, professional networking event. At this event, several West Michigan companies, with current career opportunities, will be on hand to network with out-of-towners that are home for the holiday. Events are held in multiple locations, including Hastings, Grand Rapids, Ludington, Muskegon County, Oceana County, and Fremont.
Learn more and register at: www.rethinkwm.com
2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR WEST MICHIGAN Wednesday, December 11 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Learn more and register at: www.rightplace.org/events
For more information on upcoming events, visit: rightplace.org/events
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dave Riley receives Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40 award Director of Business Intelligence and Research for The Right Place, Dave Riley, has been named as a 2019 recipient of the
The Right Place named as finalist in M&A Deals & Dealmakers Awards The Right Place has been selected as a finalist in the Economic Development category for the 2019 M&A Deals & Dealmakers Awards, presented byMiBiz. The awards highlight best practices and excellence related to mergers, acquisitions, capital formation and other types of deal making throughout Western Michigan. The Right Place is being recognized for its partnership agreements with both the Lake County Economic Alliance and the Oceana County Economic Alliance. Finalists will also be highlighted in a special editorial section distributed to more than 100,000 executives, advisers, private equity and venture capital investors, industry analysts and business media throughout the Midwest and the country.
Grand Rapids Business Journal (GRBJ) 40Under40award. Since 2002, GRBJ has highlighted more than 300 area young professionals who have made significant contributions to the community. Honorees are recognized for their exceptional success in business, entrepreneurial leadership, and community service.
Dave Riley
Devon Yousif joins The Right Place as Digital Marketing Intern The Right Place has welcomed a Digital Marketing Intern to its Marketing and Communications team for the fall semester. Devon Yousif, a senior Advertising and Public Relations student atGrandValley StateUniversity, comes toTheRight Placeafter her summer internship experience at E-commerce startup company, StockX. During her internship, Devonwill supportsocial media, web, and advertising activities for the organization.
Devon Yousif
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INSIDE RPI
The Right Place, Inc. 125 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 450 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
IN BUSINESS, FOR BUSINESS.
THE RIGHT PLACE IS YOUR SINGLE SOURCE FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS IN WEST MICHIGAN.
To request a meeting with our team, visit www.rightplace.org or call 616.771.0325
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