2025
ANNUAL REPORT
Letter from the Chair & CEO
The progress we made in 2025 speaks for itself: 1,364 new and retained jobs, $279 million in capital investment, and nearly $283 million in community development. These results are a direct outcome of your continued partnership in pushing forward our core pillars of People, Place, and Prosperity.
What matters just as much as the numbers is how we got there.
This year, we built real momentum by staying focused on execution: meeting employers where they are, supporting growth across both urban and rural communities, and helping businesses adapt to a changing economy. We worked shoulder-to-shoulder with partners across the region to remove barriers, make smart investments, and bring long-term strategies to life.
You’ll see this focus reflected throughout our 2025 Annual Report. Whether it’s business expansions, site development, talent initiatives, or innovation programs, the work is adding up, and the impact is visible. Not just in Grand Rapids, but across every county we serve.
Our progress is also being noticed well beyond the region. National rankings, such as being named LinkedIn’s #1 City on the Rise, and growing recognition of our region’s strength in advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and tech — fueled in part by the increased visibility of initiatives like Tech Week GR — point to the same thing: Greater Grand Rapids is firmly on the map, and we’re competing at a higher level
This year reminded us what’s possible when we stay focused and work together. Thank you for helping build the future of the Greater Grand Rapids region.
Steve Downing
2025 Board Chair, The Right Place, Inc.
President & CEO
Gentex
Randy Thelen
President & CEO
The Right Place, Inc.
2025 Results
$279M
New Capital Investment
1,364
New and
Retained Jobs
$35.46
Average Wages
$282.9M
Community Development Investment
PEOPLE
Intern Connect 2025
We brought together 650+ interns from 114 universities for networking and career-building for the West Michigan Intern Connect. The event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, networking opportunities, and plenty of energy to keep young professionals excited about growing their careers here.
Talent Visits
In 2025, we conducted 50+ talent visits with area employers to better understand current labor conditions and share actionable best practices in talent development.
Talent Learning Labs
In 2025, we hosted six sessions for over 100 HR and business leaders, covering skills-based hiring, retention strategies, and leadership development.
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Rapid Roots
A few years ago, Hello West Michigan launched the Rapid Roots program. This cohort has once again proven to be a vital program for integrating new executives into our community. This year, we supported 14 leaders from 7 companies across the region, helping them build connections, understand the local business landscape, and make an immediate impact.
PLACE
Place Matter Summit
We hosted an inspiring day of local community connection at our annual Place Matters Summit at Rockford Corner Bar. Nearly 120 community leaders in local government, business, non-profit, and association industries met to explore how proactive and strategic placemaking efforts can transform their communities.
Site Readiness
A total of 23 signed subgrant agreements have been completed, totaling $3.63 million in subgrants. These projects cover 2,280 industrial acres, with an additional 23 sites currently in the queue. The average site size is 103.5 acres, ranging from 7.25 acres to more than 500 acres.
The Averden
Holland Home has announced plans for its third senior living campus, The Averden, in Ada Township, scheduled to begin construction in early 2027. The $215 million project will serve active adults 60+ with 136 independent living residences and a 15-room assisted living center, including amenities like indoor pickleball courts, pool, running track, fitness spaces, golf simulator, dining options, and more.
$1.3M in RAP Funding
The Right Place, in partnership with Lakeshore Advantage, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, and the MEDC, secured $1.3 million through the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program to support seven community development projects across six West Michigan counties. This funding, the second-largest regional award in the state this year, will help transform underutilized spaces into vibrant public areas. Over the past three years, the collaboration has brought a total of $10.72 million to fund 32 placemaking projects across the region.
Developer Day 2025
Nearly 200 developers, builders, and municipal leaders came together over three days, and we looked into what's next for the Greater Grand Rapids region. Day one at the West Michigan Construction Institute featured expert panels, new tools for development, and great conversation. The following days gave attendees a firsthand look at the region’s future through guided tours of key sites ready for growth.
PARTNER COUNTY COLLABORATION
Lake County
The Lake County Economic Development Alliance has been selected as one of ten organizations to participate in the inaugural Community Growth Academy, an 18-month program led by the Michigan Community & Worker Economic Transition Office to support communities impacted by economic shifts (such as in the auto or utility sectors) with planning, technical assistance, peer learning, and grant opportunities.
Ionia & Montcalm Counties
The annual Montcalm and Ionia County pitch competition returned on September 18 for its fifth year. From 21 submissions, eight finalists were selected to pitch live, where judges evaluated their presentations and announced the winners. First place was awarded to Marlena O’Connell, owner of Smith + Blossom in Portland, MI.
Oceana County
Food processing company Peterson Farms, Inc. will be expanding. The company, located on the border of Shelby Township and Hart in Oceana County, will expand its operations to increase its juice containerization capability, resulting in a capital investment of $32.2 million and the creation of at least 96 new jobs.
Mason County
Our team member in Mason County Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman coordinated with the City of Ludington for their Developer Day on October 2, 2025. The event highlighted the community’s strong development momentum, collaborative partnerships, and key opportunities for housing and mixed-use projects. Attendees praised the city’s organization, award-winning development tools, and ability to “punch above its weight,” reinforcing Ludington’s reputation as a forward-thinking place for investment.
Newaygo County
The Highbanks marks Newaygo County’s first-ever Housing TIF project, paving the way for modern housing options through a public–private partnership that reinvests future tax revenues back into the development. This milestone initiative strengthens the county’s housing supply while supporting long-term population and workforce growth.
PROSPERITY
Supply Chain Management Conference
The Right Place’s 2025 Supply Chain Management Conference brought together hundreds of industry professionals. The conference explored key topics such as AI applications in supply chain and manufacturing, navigating tariffs and disruptions, and optimizing transportation strategies. This event reinforces the power of collaboration in driving business value and equipping organizations with strategies to stay ahead.
Tech Week Grand Rapids
With 120 events, 300+ community partners, and over 15,000 attendees, the weeklong celebration was a major success. We kicked things off to a sold-out crowd featuring tech legend Steve Wozniak. Tech Week GR returns September 14–19, 2026.
Weiss Technik Expansion
Weiss Technik North America is investing $25.6M in a new 125,000 SF facility in Kentwood to expand manufacturing and office operations. Located at 4401 36th St. on a 10-acre site, the project will create 36 new technical and professional jobs.
Going Pro Grant Update
The RPI/MMTC team supported over 60 companies from 7 counties with over 170 Going Pro applications throughout the year. These applications total over $1M in training value to these companies.
HexArmor
HexArmor will be expanding its Grand Rapids HQ, adding approximately 59,000 square feet across two phases that will enable a tripling of product holding and processing capacity, while also providing additional office space for its growing workforce. The project is expected to generate 100 new jobs and $11.4M in capital investment.
OVD Insurance
The Right Place, in collaboration with the MEDC, supported OVD Insurance in securing a $1 million grant to establish its new headquarters at 37 Ottawa Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids. In partnership with CWD Real Estate, OVD will anchor the building with plans to invest in the space and add 131 jobs over the next five years. This move reflects OVD’s drive to grow nationally, with an initial focus on NC, PA, TN and TX.
Wolverine Worldwide
The Right Place, in collaboration with the MEDC, announced Wolverine Worldwide’s $9 million investment to renovate and expand its global headquarters in Rockford, Michigan. Supported by a $1 million state grant, the project will bring over 100 high-skilled jobs to the region, including positions relocated from out of state. The investment reflects Wolverine’s long-standing commitment to Greater Grand Rapids and will modernize its campus with creative hubs, research labs, and collaborative spaces to drive innovation and attract top-tier talent.
Industry 4.0 Implementation Grant
Over the past year our MMTC-West team has supported over 40 Industry 4.0 assessments and helped 27 companies receive awards of over $500,000. To date, these companies have completed projects and have received their disbursements for $223,000. The balance will be distributed to companies once their projects are completed.
Healthbridge Financial
HealthBridge Financial, Inc. plans to invest $17.2m and hire 200 employees as it leases a facility on 36th Street, near Gerald R. Ford International Airport — just four miles from its Grand Rapids headquarters. HealthBridge has signed a long-term lease for the single-story office building located at 5253 36th Street. The company intends to expand its operations at this new facility within the first quarter of 2026.
2025 REPORTS
The Right Place's Business Intelligence team is dedicated to providing valuable insights into the economic landscape of the Greater Grand Rapids region. Annually, our team researches and authors comprehensive reports covering a variety of key industries and topics. Four business intelligence reports were published by The Right Place this year, garnering over 10,000 views:
Development Report
Released in tandem with Developer Day, this year’s report dives into the region’s evolving real estate landscape. Highlights include one of the nation’s tightest industrial markets, stabilizing office space, and continued strength in retail and housing sectors.
Tech Report
Our 2025 Tech Report highlights strong momentum in advancing the region’s tech strategy. Over the past year, the region added 1,312 tech jobs, secured 12 venture capital deals totaling $63.5 million, and reached a median tech salary of $90K. Grand Rapids was also named LinkedIn’s Number One City on the Rise for 2025.
Manufacturing Report
Released at this year’s Supply Chain Management Conference, our second Manufacturing Report offers key insights into regional manufacturing trends, informed by The Right Place’s economic development work across its 7-county collaborative and research from our Business Intelligence team.
State of the Region Report
This report is designed to inform the community of key trends impacting the region. It is the result of qualitative insights from The Right Place’s economic development work across its 7-county collaborative, and quantitative economic research performed by its Business Intelligence team.
Strategic Plan Results
2023-2025
You can view our new 2026-2028 Strategic Plan here.
New & Retained Jobs
2023-2025: 4,153
GOAL: 4,000
New Capital Investment
2023-2025: $844.2M
GOAL: $550M
Average Wage
2023-2024: $30.90
GOAL: $26.50
Community Development
Investment
2023-2024: $487.2M
GOAL: $100M
OUR TEAM
The success of The Right Place is driven by our incredible team. Their hard work and dedication have been instrumental in achieving our 2025 goals and strengthening our region’s economy. We’re grateful for their impact every day.
The Right Place was recognized as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For Winner in 2025!
The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® program identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Steve Downing*
President & CEO,
Gentex Corporation
VICE CHAIR + TREASURER
Bill Pink, PhD*
President,
Ferris State University
Sara Armbruster – Steelcase, Inc.
Rick Baker – Grand Rapids Chamber
Matt Biersack, MD – Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Luke Cherveny – PwC
Michael Davenport – Jireh Metal Products, Inc.
Lauren Davis* – Huntington National Bank
Ronald G. DeWaard – Varnum LLP
Katie Ferris – BDO
Tina Freese Decker* – Corewell Health
Nick Hrnyak – Lacks Enterprises
Christopher Hufnagel – Wolverine Worldwide
Joshua Hulst* – Michigan Software Labs
Joe Hune - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Jonathan Husby – ADAC
John Kennedy – Autocam Medical
William Kessel – Independent Bank
Rick Keyes* – Meijer, Inc.
James Kolodziej – Flexco
Charles Lott – Wells Fargo
Dr. Philomena Mantella* – Grand Valley State University
Michael Nelson – Amway Corporation
​Andi Owen – MillerKnoll
A. Michael Palizzi – Miller Canfield
Richard J. Pappas Ed.D – Davenport University
​Stacy Paul – Array of Engineers
Robert Richard – DTE Energy
Julie Rietberg – Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors
Garrick J. Rochow – CMS Energy Corporation
Nelson Sanchez* – RoMan Manufacturing
Tony Sarsam – SpartanNash
John Shay – City of Wyoming (Community Partner Representative)
Rich Sorota – Miller Johnson
Tom Stritzinger – Comerica Bank
Renee C. Tabben – Bank of America
Randy Thelen* – The Right Place, Inc.
John Tuttle – Acrisure
David Van Andel – Van Andel Institute
Al Vanderberg – Kent County
Mike VanGessel – Rockford Construction
Mark Washington – City of Grand Rapids
Mark J. Wassink – Warner, Norcross & Judd LLP
Dan Watts – US Signal
Thomas G. Welch, Jr. – Fifth Third Bank
Sean P. Welsh* – PNC Bank
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Board Member Emeritus
Hank Meijer – Meijer, Inc.
*Executive Committee Member
INVESTORS
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our new and renewing investors of 2025.
Through your investment, we have been able to accomplish many things in the last year. With your unwavering support we are able to continue our work to create a sustainable and thriving economy for all in the Greater Grand Rapids region.
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1 Bold Step​
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A
AbsyAi
Acrisure, LLC.
Ada Township
ADAC
Advantage Benefits Group
Advantage Commercial Real Estate
Advizex
AEBetancourt
AG Collaborative
Alpine Township
Amazon
Amway
Andy J Egan Company, Inc.
Applied Innovation
Aquinas College
Ariox
Array of Engineers
Atomic Object, LLC
Augusto Digital
Autocam Medical
AvaSure Inc.
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B
Baker Holtz P.C.
Bank of America
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Barton Malow Company
BDO USA, LLP
Behler-Young Company
Ben M. Muller Realty Co.
BISSELL Inc.
BizStream
Blackford Capital Associates Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Bluewater Hayes Inc.
Bradford White Corporation
Brightly
Buist Electric Inc.
Burgess Concrete Construction
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C
Caledonia Charter Township
Calvin University
Cascade Charter Township
Cascade Die Casting
CD Barnes Construction
Charter Capital Partners Ltd
Chase
ChoiceOne Bank
City Innovations
City of Cedar Springs
City of East Grand Rapids
City of Grand Rapids
City of Grandville
City of Kentwood
City of Lowell
City of Rockford
City of Walker
City of Wyoming
Clark Communications
Classic Transportation & Warehousing
Coldwell Banker Commercial - Schmidt ......Realtors
Comerica Bank
Comfort Research
Commercial Alliance of REALTORS
Construction Simplified, Inc.
Consumers Credit Union
Consumers Energy Foundation
Corewell Health
Crowe LLP
CS Erickson
Custer
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D
D + M Metal Products
Dan Vos Construction Company
Davenport University
Deloitte
DevsOperative
DeWys Metal Solutions
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Digital Industry Group
DISHER
DoerenMayhew
DornerWorks Ltd
DP Fox Ventures, LLC
Driesenga & Associates, Inc.
DTE Energy Foundation
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E
Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm and Co., PC
Eenhoorn LLC
EG Workforce Solutions
Erhardt Construction
Ernst & Young LLP
EV Construction
Express Employment Professionals
F
Ferris State University
Feyen Zylstra
Fifth Third Bank, West Michigan
First Merchants Bank
First National Bank of Michigan
Fishbeck
Fleetwood Group, Inc.
Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc.
Flexco
Flexfab
flockx
Foresight Management
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
Four Square Ventures
Franklin Partners LLC
Fusionary
Fusion-IT, LLC
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G
Gaines Charter Township
Gentex Corporation
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Ghafari
GHSP
Gordon Food Service Inc
Grand Rapids Charter Township
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Controls Co LLC
Grand Rapids Label
Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing
Grand River Bank
Grand Valley State University
Granger Construction
Great Lakes Commercial Finance
Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS
GTF Technologies
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H
Horizon Bank
HR Collaborative
Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors
Hungerford Technologies, LLC
Huntington National Bank
Hylant
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I
Ideology
Independent Bank
InsITe Business Solutions, Inc.
Irwin Seating Company
IT Partners
ITC Holdings Corp.
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J
Jandernoa Foundation
Jireh Metal Products Inc
Jones Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc. - GR
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K
Kaiser IT Group
Kent Companies Inc
Kent County
KeyBank
Keystone Solutions Group
Kikcit LLC
King Milling Company
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L
Lacks Enterprises Inc
LaFleur Marketing
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Lakewood Construction
Lee Industrial Contracting
Leggett & Platt, Inc.
Lighthouse Insurance Group, Inc.
Lowell Charter Township
Lumbermen's, Inc.
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M
Macatawa Bank Corporation
Materials Testing Consultants, Inc.
Mattson Financial Services, LLC
Medbio, Inc.
Meijer, Inc.
Mentavi Health
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Meritage Hospitality Group Inc
Michigan Software Labs
Michigan State University
Midwest Capital Advisors
Mighty in the Midwest
Miller Johnson
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.
MillerKnoll
MindSpring
MLive Media Group, LLC
Moore & Bruggink, Inc.
Morant Law
MOSS
Mutually Human
N
NAI Wisinski of West Michigan
Nextpoint Design
Nicolai North America
Ninth Brain
NN Mobile Solutions
Nucraft
NuWave Technology Partners
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O
Old National Bank
Orka Automation
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P
Packaging Compliance Labs
PADNOS
Paragon D&E
Payload CMS
PeopleIT
Perrigo
Pioneer Construction
Plainfield Charter Township
Plante Moran
Pleune Service Company
PNC Bank
Pondera Advisors
Praeco Skills, LLC
Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Progressive Companies
Pure Architects
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Q
Quality Air
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R
RDV Corporation
Rehmann Group
Rhoades McKee
Rockford Construction Company, Inc.
RoMan Manufacturing Inc.
ROWE Professional Services Company
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S
S. A. Morman & Co.
Schneider Electric SA
SecurAlarm Systems, Inc.
Sentinel Technologies
SME
Spartan Innovations
SpartanNash
Steelcase, Inc.
Surus Transport
Switch
SxanPro
Symplicity Communications, Inc.
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T
TACK Electronics, Inc.
Tesa Tape Inc
The C2 Group
The Christman Company
Third Coast Development
TiiCKER
TowerPinkster
Trailhead Technology Partners
Trellis
Triangle Associates, Inc.
Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Triterra
Turner Construction Company
Twisthink
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U
Unist Inc
United Bank of Michigan
US Signal
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V
Van Andel Institute
Van Haren Electric
Varnum LLP
Veneklasen Construction
Vervint
Village of Sparta
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W
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Waséyabek Development Company LLC
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
West Michigan Community Bank
Western Michigan University
Westwater Group
Whitecaps Community Foundation
Williams Distributing Co.
Windemuller
Wolverine Building Group
Wolverine Coil Spring Co
Wolverine Worldwide, Inc.
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Y
YETi CGI