Recognizing the Right Place Inc. for its 2009 Automotive Diversification Conference held in February, the International Economic Development Council ( ... Read More IEDC) presented an award to the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based economic development organization during IEDC's Annual Conference, which took place in Reno, Nevada, October 4-7.

"Furthering economic development is rarely a simple task in the best of times, and advancing the cause in the midst of a global financial crisis is nothing less than arduous," said Ian Bromley, IEDC chair. "As the consequences of the widespread economic turmoil have taken hold, we have seen our members become even more ardent proponents of economic development, flying in the face of one of the most challenging economic environments we have experienced in our careers. We proudly present this award to The Right Place for its superior work during these difficult times."

Competing in the category of Special Event by organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000, The Right Place was a clear standout with its Automotive Diversification Manufacturing event. Held in February 2009, the full-day conference focused on market diversification opportunities for West Michigan's automotive suppliers seeking to build a diversification strategy for long-term business success. Conducted in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., The Right Place gathered experts from four growing industry sectors--alternative energy, aerospace, government contracting and medical device--to provide a thorough overview of each industry including long-term market potential, opportunities for growth and barriers to entry. Industry experts later conducted in-depth sessions on each of these four growth markets on the strategies involved with diversifying into that market. The event gathered over 300 regional manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry.

“It is humbling and gratifying to receive an international award like this,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “But it’s not why we do it. We do it because we want West Michigan businesses to succeed, providing stable, long-term jobs for our future. This award reaffirms our commitment and will push us even harder to deliver world-class services and leadership in West Michigan.” View Less

Source: The Right Place, Inc.

Today, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved state tax incentives for two expanding West Michigan companies; GRW Technologies I ... Read More nc. and DornerWorks, Ltd. Utilizing High-Technology/High-Wage MEGA Tax credits, the companies plan to generate 116 new jobs and over $3.5 million in capital investment in West Michigan over the next five years.

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the cities of Kentwood (GRW Technologies) and Grand Rapids (DornerWorks), worked with both companies on their expansion projects.

“These projects reaffirm the potential for a knowledge-based manufacturing and design industry in West Michigan. Whether you’re developing software for integrated components or building plastic injection molded parts, it’s all part of a manufacturing process,” stated Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “These expansion projects provide new jobs and investment in West Michigan and further enhance our regional capacity and expertise in aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing; an asset that we intend to take full advantage of.”

GRW Technologies Expansion — 66 new jobs, $2,005,000 in capital investment
German-based GRW Technologies Inc., a provider of precision injection molding, is expanding their location in Kentwood to accommodate a new contract with Continental Inc. The company plans to purchase nearly $500,000 in injection molding equipment, invest an additional $1,505,000 in new equipment, and lease an additional 17,500 square feet of space at their Kentwood facility.

The company also considered expanding in San Louise Potosi, Mexico, as currently approximately 65% of their current customers are located in Mexico. Michigan’s incentive program will enable GRW Technologies to stay competitive, while remaining in West Michigan.

DornerWorks, Ltd. — 50 new jobs, $1,500,000 in capital investment
Founded in West Michigan in 2000, DornerWorks is an electronics engineering consulting firm with 46 current employees. Serving a highly diverse customer base including medical devices, automotive and aerospace, the company is expanding to accommodate capacity for new national aerospace customers. DornerWorks anticipates doubling in size over the next five years, creating an additional 50 jobs and $1.5 million in capital investment.

The company also considered various other sites around the country for their expansion including: Richmond, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Salt Lake City, Utah. All of which were closer to their national aerospace client base. The incentives provided by the State will enable DornerWorks to offer a high level of customer service and remain competitive while they expand their presence in West Michigan.

With these latest economic development projects, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated over $39,955,000 million in capital investment and assisted in the retention and creation of over 591 jobs in West Michigan in 2009.
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Source: The Right Place, Inc.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board, in collaboration with Grand Rapids Township and The Right Place, Inc., today is expected to appro ... Read More ve a High-Technology MEGA Tax Credit for Global Futures & Forex Ltd, an online foreign currency and futures trading company operating under the brand name GFT.

The tax credit, valued at more than $1.3 million over seven years, will support the company’s expansion project in Grand Rapids Township. The company will invest $13.8 million and create 105 new jobs over the next five years through the relocation and expansion.

GFT plans to move its world headquarters from 4760 East Fulton Avenue in Ada Township to an existing building site at 618 Kenmoor Avenue SE in Grand Rapids Township. Making use of the former Mazda Great Lakes location in lieu of developing a greenfield site will not only speed GFT’s expansion efforts, but will also decrease the company’s total environmental impact in West Michigan.

“We’re very pleased to announce this expansion project,” said Gary Tilkin, president & CEO, GFT. “We feel that West Michigan is the best place for our business. The region offers a high-tech, diverse workforce; the type of ‘creative class’ talent GFT needs to succeed.”

GFT is an innovative foreign exchange provider offering individuals and institutions access to global financial markets with its online trading services. It provides its customers with proprietary software, trading technologies and other leading financial tools. Since its 1997 founding, the company has expanding in more than 120 countries, employing 312 worldwide. The 105 additional jobs will add to its current Grand Rapids complement of 146.

“High-tech companies like GFT are a tremendous asset to West Michigan’s growing knowledge-based economy, and we are extremely pleased that they have decided to expand here,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “This project would not have happened without the full collaboration and teamwork of Grand Rapids Township and the MEDC. As an international, technology-based organization, GFT had the option to expand anywhere in the world. Our ability to respond quickly and comprehensively to their needs gave us a significant advantage in this project.”

“Our partnership with The Right Place was crucial to the success of this project,” said Tilkin. “Their assistance expediting processes through local municipalities and state project teams was invaluable. With their help, we were able to keep the project moving at the pace we needed.”

With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated over $36,450,000 million in capital investment and assisted in the retention and creation of over 475 jobs in West Michigan in 2009. View Less

Source: The Right Place

Michigan’s underutilized industrial sites – or brownfields – have significant potential to generate clean wind and solar power, establish meanin ... Read More gful new job opportunities and attract investment from the emerging renewable energy innovation business, according to a study released today by Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute.

The groundbreaking study estimates the total potential wind energy available on Michigan brownfield sites is 4,320 megawatts (Mw) of plate capacity. The study estimates the total potential solar energy available is 1,535 Mw if photovoltaic solar arrays are placed on the brownfield land beneath wind tower installations. The combined estimate of 5,855 Mw of plate capacity is enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes, or nearly 50 percent of Michigan homes.

The study also estimates that transforming brownfields into renewable energy parks would stimulate more than a $15 billion investment in wind and solar energy equipment and related construction and establish more than 17,500 short- and long-term job opportunities in the renewable energy industry.

The economic implications of developing wind energy alone on brownfields would be significant:
o An estimated 2,162 construction jobs.
o About $2.1 billion in construction dollars
o About $519 million in construction wages.
o About $8.8 billion in total investments.
o 196 long term maintenance and operating (M&O) jobs.

The economic implications of developing solar energy on brownfields also would be significant.
o An estimated 14,685 construction jobs.
o About $1.1 billion in construction wages.
o About $1 billion in construction dollars.
o About $6.5 billion in total investment.
o 475 long term M&O jobs.
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Source: MSU/The Right Place
File: Associated File
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Peter Perez, President, Carter Products Co. will represent the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in honoring U.S. Representative Vernon Ehle ... Read More rs (R-Mi) for his continued support of NAM’s legislative issues. Perez will present Ehlers with the award on Friday, Jan. 16.

The NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence recognizes legislative leaders who actively support its manufacturing agenda. This year’s award specifically acknowledges Ehlers’ consistent advocacy and pro-manufacturing voting record during the 110th Congress.
Many of West Michigan’s manufacturers are facing increasing challenges due to recent global economic impacts. In such an environment, advocacy of tools and programs that strengthen this important industry sector is particularly critical. Ehlers has remained a consistent, strong supporter of manufacturing competitiveness initiatives that will ensure the long-term vitality of the West Michigan region.

In selecting Ehlers for the award, NAM cited Ehlers’ legislative leadership and advocacy of manufacturing innovation. Throughout his tenure, Ehlers has authored and supported legislation to increase collaborative research and development among government, education and industry. He has also consistently supported funding for training and consulting programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership that are designed to improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

NAM also recognized Ehlers’ instrumental role in securing for West Michigan one of the highly competitive Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grants. These grants provided funding for a number of initiatives designed to improve the region’s workforce and raise West Michigan’s profile as a premier business location.

The NAM award is presented annually, in recognition of legislative leadership. It is not intended as an endorsement or fundraiser. View Less

Source: The Right Place/NAM

The Right Place is pleased to announce the following changes to its board of directors for 2009:

Jim Dunlap, Regional Group President, Huntington B ... Read More ank has been appointed Chairman of the Board. Additional executive committee appointments include: Doug DeVos, President, Amway Corp. accepting the position of Vice-Chair, Michelle Van Dyke, President/CEO, Fifth Third Bank – Michigan accepting the position of Treasurer, Peter Perez, President, Carter Products, Co. replacing Mark Lindquist as a representative for The Right Place Manufacturers Council, and John Wheeler, Chairman/CEO, Rockford Construction Company, Inc.

These new appointments are joined by returning committee members Jeanne Englehart, President, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce; Danny R. Gaydou, Publisher, The Grand Rapids Press; Brian T. Harris, President & CEO, H & H Metal Source; John C. Kennedy, President and CEO, Autocam Corp.; Birgit M. Klohs, President & CEO, The Right Place, Inc.; and David L. Van Andel, Chairman and CEO, Van Andel Institute.

Craig Sturken, Executive Chairman, Spartan Stores, Inc., has retired from The Right Place board. The organization expresses its greatest appreciation for his years of committed support of The Right Place and West Michigan’s economy.

Lawrence E. Erhardt Sr., Executive Chairman, Erhardt Construction has also announced his retirement from The Right Place’s Board of Directors. Erhardt served as a dedicated board member and fundraiser of the Right Place for eight years. During that time, Erhardt provided invaluable support and input in guiding the organization to continued success.

After recently retiring from 22 years of service to the city of Grand Rapids, City Manager, Kurt Kimball, also announces his retirement from The Right Place Board of Directors. Kimball’s open communication with The Right Place was a key element to the collaborative success between the city and The Right Place. The organization thanks Kimball for his tenure on the board of directors and his service to Grand Rapids.

In other board changes, The Right Place welcomes Michael Young, Rockford City Manager, who replaces Kenneth D. Krombeen, Grandville City Manager, as the new representative for suburban communities. Also joining the board is Thomas Haas, President, GVSU; Craig Mutch, Managing Partner, Miller Johnson, replacing Jeffery Ammon, Managing Member, Miller Johnson; and Lawrence J. Murphy, Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP, replacing Michael G. Wooldridge, Policy Committee Chair, Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP.
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Source: The Right Place

The Board of Trustees of Fremont Area Community Foundation recently approved a three-year, $150,000 grant to support The Right Place Inc.’s Innovati ... Read More onWorks initiative. InnovationWorks is focused on accelerating the business of invention and developing a regional innovation infrastructure among West Michigan companies.

As a new key component to the existing collaborative partnership between The Right Place and The Newaygo County Economic Development Organization (NCEDO), the three organizations will now work together to foster a business climate of innovation as a vital component of Newaygo County’s long-term economic development success.

“Building West Michigan’s economic future is a team effort, and our partnership with NCEDO and Newaygo County over the past several years is a great example of the regional collaboration that is required for healthy, consistent economic growth.” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “The Fremont Area Community Foundation is an outstanding organization and we are proud to have them be part of this collaborative effort.”

InnovationWorks is a seven-county regional innovation growth program by The Right Place, developed in partnership with several other economic development organizations in West Michigan. The InnovationWorks team is building a dynamic innovation infrastructure in West Michigan that will ultimately lead to new jobs and increased wealth creation in the region.

“We were pleased to learn that InnovationWorks was already providing help to budding entrepreneurs in Newaygo County. This grant will insure the continuation and expansion of the wonderful collaborative efforts already begun in Newaygo County and our region,” said Libby Cherin, President and CEO of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. “As we know, Michigan’s economy will be spurred by efforts such as these that address the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that has been a hallmark of this state.”

InnovationWorks was developed and launched using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative. Since its inception, InnovationWorks has implemented a comprehensive group of tools and resources including, the online IdeaPortal™, Innovation Collaborative Networks, and several innovation coaching events.

Today, it is estimated that one in thirty patents reach the marketplace. With the support from the Foundation, InnovationWorks will work to improve that statistic, assisting West Michigan resources new products and processes. Since its public launch, InnovationWorks has successfully written over 108 regional innovation plans, held 13 innovation-oriented events in West Michigan, and have worked with 311 clients in the commercialization of new ideas.

“Building an innovation infrastructure not only helps strengthen and retain existing area companies, but also encourages business expansion and the creation of new jobs in Newaygo County and throughout West Michigan,” said Klohs.

At the end of January 2009, WIRED funding will expire and local investment will be required to support InnovationWorks. This $150,000 grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation, combined with a recent $500,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, brings the total investment level from the West Michigan region in InnovationWorks to $650,000.
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Source: The Right Place/InnovationWorks

Micron Manufacturing Co., one of West Michigan’s local precision machining manufacturers serving the automotive, hydraulic pump and furniture indus ... Read More tries, was recently awarded the 2009 Shingo Silver Medallion for Operational Excellence.

Often granted to large-scale companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, this award is a significant win for the 30-person company, and West Michigan manufacturing.

A client of The Right Place, Inc./MMTC-West for over 10 years, Micron Manufacturing collaborated with the MMTC-West team to develop processes for continuous improvement, waste reduction and other Lean initiatives.

“We commend Micron Manufacturing on their hard work and dedication to Lean practices and operational excellence,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “Having Shingo Award winners in West Michigan is a testament to the exceptional manufacturing capabilities in our region.”

Established in 1952 as a precision machine parts manufacturer, Micron Manufacturing built a successful business on traditional mass production methods. In 2000, the company began to evolve and embrace Lean concepts, embarking on an eight-year mission of overall business improvement.

“We quickly began to see dramatic savings through waste reduction, reduction in on-hand inventory, improved product quality, and overall flow improvements,” stated Dan Vermeesch, Plant Manager for Micron Manufacturing. “Each improvement drove our teams to take on greater Lean challenges, and as a result the majority of our sales are through pull systems of short-run, highly technical products.”

Micron Manufacturing was first introduced to Shingo philosophies during Lean Champion Certification at Grand Rapids Community College. “About a year after completing the certification process, we began to ask ourselves, ‘What would it take for us to go after Shingo?’” said Vermeesh. “We then discovered that MMTC-West offered a Shingo Prize User Group to assist with the preparation and application processes.”

MMTC-West’s Michigan Shingo Prize User Group offers participants a forum to discuss, share and understand methodologies that enhance a company’s competitiveness, based on Shingo philosophies.

Micron’s Silver Shingo Medallion will be officially presented during the 21st Annual Shingo Prize Conference, May 5-8, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. View Less

Source: The Right Place/Micron Manufacturing

Chase today renewed its commitment to West Michigan’s economic future and the Grand Rapids community with an increased investment of $40,000 in The ... Read More Right Place, Inc. The funds help support The Right Place’s initiatives to drive the region’s economy forward.

This announcement comes after The Right Place’s recent five-year economic development results; achieving over $460 million in new capital investment, $228 million in new payroll, 8,366 created and retained jobs, and 2,332 regional companies assisted since 2004.

“We are extremely proud of the results we’ve accomplished. Turning a $5.6 million investment by our private and public partners into nearly half a billion in capital investment is not easy under any economic conditions, much less our recent challenges,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc.

“Chase wants to make a difference in Grand Rapids by supporting the economic development efforts of The Right Place,” said Dick Haslinger, president of West Michigan for Chase. “The Right Place has earned our support because Chase shares their desire to develop meaningful and sustainable changes that will help our community grow and prosper despite the current challenges.”

With support from Chase and other community partners, The Right Place can focus on creating new opportunities and jobs not only in advanced manufacturing and life sciences, but also those in biopharmaceutical development, alternative energy technologies, alternative materials, and aerospace and defense.

For nearly a quarter century, The Right Place has addressed the region’s economic development needs, unwavering in its commitment to assisting the retention, expansion and attraction of companies, jobs and investment in West Michigan. Chase’s renewed investment in organization is the latest in a long-standing relationship and commitment to these efforts.

“Chase is proud of its long history of supporting organizations and programs that strengthen West Michigan communities,” remarked Haslinger. “The Right Place’s work in championing existing local companies and attracting new growth businesses can help steer our economy through difficult times.”

“Chase gets it. They clearly understand that in order for West Michigan’s economy to succeed, our area must have an organization that gets up every morning marketing the area to new businesses while supporting the efforts of existing businesses,” said Klohs.

In these current, challenging economic conditions, it’s vital for West Michigan’s business leaders to continue funding initiatives that help stabilize and create jobs throughout the region.

“We are very fortunate that companies such as Chase continue to invest in our region and in our organization,” said Klohs. “But we must continue to do more to secure our economic future. Our 2009-2013 strategic plan begins that work. In the coming weeks, as we unveil and begin to act upon our new strategic priorities, you’ll see that we—like so many of West Michigan’s businesses—are returning to our core competencies: simplifying our focus by leading West Michigan business development, identifying and developing emerging growth opportunities and strengthening the global competitiveness and innovation of our region’s manufacturers.” View Less

Source: The Right Place, Inc.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board, in collaboration with Cascade Township and The Right Place, Inc., today approved a High-Technolog ... Read More y MEGA Tax Credit for Hart & Cooley, Inc. at their facility located in Kent County.

The tax credit, valued at more than $1.5 million, will support the company’s consolidation of its U.S. operations to centrally locate sales management, finance, accounting, research and development, customer service, advanced engineering and other technical functions in West Michigan.

To support the company’s efforts to remain globally competitive, Hart & Cooley is expanding its Cascade Township operations. The project will result in the creation of approximately 48 new jobs over the next five years, paying an average weekly base wage of $1,257, and will include a capital investment of $3.9 million. The company will also offer health care benefits and pay a portion of the benefit costs.

The company considered consolidating operations at existing facilities in Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Ohio before ultimately deciding on its Michigan location. The other states under consideration offered tax credits related to employment, real and personal property and job training assistance. However, the efforts of The Right Place’s business development team in collaboration with local and state partners resulted in a big win for Cascade Township and the local employees of Hart & Cooley.

“Hart & Cooley has a long history in the West Michigan area, all the way back to 1928. Their decision to consolidate the company in West Michigan and establish their business-critical operations here demonstrates their understanding of our region’s qualified workforce and economic development support,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “This project would not have happened without the full collaboration and teamwork of The Right Place, Hart & Cooley, Cascade Township, and the State. We remain in a highly competitive environment with other states, and our ability to quickly work together, gives us a powerful strategic advantage.”

In addition to the tax credits offered at the state level, Cascade Township is in the process of approving additional personal property tax abatements for a period of up to 12 years. The approval of these abatements is expected within the next 90 days.
Hart & Cooley, Inc., a subsidiary of Tomkins plc, was acquired in 2000 by Tomkins to compliment the company’s existing airflow product business. With corporate headquarters in Cascade Township, the company has manufacturing and distribution sites strategically located across the US, Canada and Mexico and currently employs 111 associates in Michigan.

With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated over $73,907,900 million in capital investment and assisted in the retention and creation of over 1,712 jobs in West Michigan in 2008. View Less

Source: The Right Place