Why West Michigan: Our Case in a Nutshell
Ask us about West Michigan and we could go on all day, but you need the answers now. Consider this your executive summary. We've included a collection of highlights and demographics that should give you a good idea why we think West Michigan is the Right Place for business. For a deeper dive, visit our
Expand and Relocate section, or
just give us a call.
Industry Highlights:
- More than 70 international companies
- The world headquarters for such companies as Amway, BISSELL, Steelcase, Herman Miller, and Wolverine World Wide
- 8th largest biopharmaceuticals cluster in the U.S.
- 14th among U.S. cities for wind generation as a power source
- 7th among U.S. states for investment in R&D
- Five local universities with alternative energy programs
- National leadership in the construction of LEED-certified buildings
- The second most diverse agricultural market in the U.S.
Centers of Excellence
With one of the country’s most diverse industrial economies, many of the country's fastest growing industries can be found in West Michigan. OEMs of all sizes turn to companies here for their expertise in industrial design, technology development, as well as plastics and metalforming precision. West Michigan also has significant industry clusters in:
IEDC Data Sets
Many of the data sets recommended by the International Economic Development Council available for download, including details regarding West Michigan's
companies,
workforce and
regional demographics.
Please
contact us or a member of The Right Place
business development team to receive other regional information specific to your business location or expansion project.
Grand Rapids CSA Economic Overview
**Combined Statistical Area (CSA) = Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties.
- Gross Regional Product: $41,155,240,000 (2005 U.S. dollars)
- Population: 1,326,742
- Median Age: 35.9
- Languages spoken: 40+
- Average Household Income: $60,191
- Median owner-occupied home value: $140,500
- Civilian Labor Force: 649,616
Cost of Living
| Metropolitan Statistical Area |
Composite |
Groceries |
Housing |
Utilities |
Transportation |
Health Care |
Misc. Goods & Services |
| Grand Rapids |
88.9 |
98.9 |
76.1 |
91.2 |
98.2 |
94.4 |
91.9 |
| Detroit, MI |
90.6 |
90.5 |
78.3 |
103.0 |
97.9 |
93.2 |
95.1 |
| Chicago, IL |
115.3 |
112.5 |
133.4 |
96.6 |
118.4 |
107.1 |
106.3 |
| Minneapolis, MN |
112.1 |
110.2 |
121.5 |
98.7 |
108.6 |
101.8 |
111.1 |
| Cleveland, OH |
103.8 |
111.8 |
96.5 |
101.9 |
101.7 |
106.0 |
107.9 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
93.3 |
103.8 |
81.6 |
102.1 |
95.1 |
101.7 |
95.1 |
| Milwaukee,WI |
98.4 |
93.9 |
103.5 |
102.2 |
96.0 |
109.7 |
93.8 |
| Raleigh, NC |
95.1 |
99.6 |
82.2 |
103.8 |
98.4 |
94.7 |
101.0 |
| Atlanta, GA |
95.2 |
96.4 |
91.0 |
89.4 |
98.2 |
98.9 |
99.0 |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
89.1 |
92.9 |
85.0 |
86.6 |
88.1 |
101.3 |
90.6 |
| Knoxville, TN |
89.7 |
93.2 |
84.7 |
99.0 |
84.1 |
91.4 |
91.3 |
| St. Louis, MO |
91.3 |
97.3 |
74.4 |
102.4 |
94.0 |
99.1 |
98.7 |
| Austin, TX |
93.4 |
83.6 |
79.2 |
101.9 |
101.3 |
96.9 |
104.6 |
| Las Vegas, NV |
101.4 |
104.8 |
93.2 |
91.3 |
104.1 |
109.1 |
108.7 |
|
Additional Data Sources
Students, job seekers, private researchers and small business owners may also find the following sites helpful to your research.
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research: A resident staff of economists, nine of whom hold PhD degrees, conduct research on a wide variety of employment issues.
The Community Research Institute (CRI): CRI gathers, analyzes, interprets, and shares national and local data through partnerships with nonprofit and neighborhood groups.
Grand Rapids Public Library Small Business Resource Center: The Small Business Resource Center has several tools, books and databases to support business growth.