Greater Grand Rapids is built on a legacy of advanced manufacturing. From the world’s hub for furniture production to strongholds for the automotive, food processing, aerospace, defense, and medical device industries, Greater Grand Rapids is a region that creates. Note on the data: Greater Grand Rapids (GGR) refers to the eight-county region served by The Right Place including: Kent, Ionia, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Oceana counties. All data reflects these counties unless otherwise noted. THE STATE OF MANUFACTURING JOBS Manufacturing employment rebounded 5% since the Covid-19 pandemic, adding nearly 4,000 workers since 2020. In 2023 manufacturing jobs topped more than 78,500 . Year-over-year, Greater Grand Rapids’ manufacturing job growth has lagged slightly behind that of the state and nation as a whole.
Percent Change in Manufacturing Jobs
GGR
MI
US
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
-2%
-4%
-6%
-8%
-10%
-12%
-14%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 2021
2022
2023
2014
73,414
7% Growth
78,562
Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturing Jobs
Source: Lightcast
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