In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, Greater Grand Rapids area businesses are embracing Sustainable Business practices that eliminate waste and toxic materials and create recyclable products. Companies such as Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, and Cascade Engineering are leaders in Sustainable Business practices.
Infrastructure/Utilities of Greater Grand Rapids
Greater Grand Rapids has the transportation and technology infrastructure to move your products and people to their destinations quickly and efficiently. More than 2 million people and 86 million pounds of cargo pass through our regional airport each year. Four major rail carriers, a deepwater port, and an extensive highway system connect surface carriers and travelers to nearly half of all U.S. major markets in less than one day.
- Highways: Comprehensive north-south, east-west interstate highway system connects Greater Grand Rapids to the entire Upper Midwest including Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis
- Air: The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), located on the eastern side of metro Grand Rapids, is the largest of three regional and two private airports serving the region. GFIA’s eight passenger airlines with 120 daily scheduled nonstop flights to and from 16 major market destinations, serve more than two million passengers annually. Major carriers include: American, American Eagle, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Midwest Connect, United, and United Express.
- Cargo: Businesses are also well served by four cargo airlines at GFIA that transport more than 86 million pounds of air cargo annually.
- Rail: Extensive rail system served by CSX, Grand Rapids Eastern, Norfolk Southern, Mid-Michigan and Amtrak passenger service.
- Plentiful and economical energy, plus abundant natural resources, including fresh water from Lake Michigan.
- High-speed telecommunications available from all major carriers including Internet 2, high bandwidth (up to OC96) via fiber optic ring, T1/T3, and digital subscriber lines (DSL).
- Natural gas and electricity are available from major suppliers. Some areas may have municipal or smaller suppliers.
-- DTE Energy -- A Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide, DTE Energy provides electricity to 2.2 million customers, and natural gas to 1.3 million customers throughout Michigan.
-- Consumers Energy -- The principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest utility providing natural gas and electricity to more than six million residents.