Why Greater Grand Rapids

Infrastructure

With affordable easy access to most major markets and a robust infrastructure, Greater Grand Rapids is an attractive location for companies of all sizes.


Highways

An extensive system connects Greater Grand Rapids to major cities and transportation hubs throughout the Upper Midwest.

Grand Rapids Drive Times


Grand Rapids Drive Times

An extensive system connects Greater Grand Rapids to major cities and transportation hubs throughout the Upper Midwest. Drive distances/times include:

Destination
Miles
Time
Destination
Detroit, MI
Miles
157 Miles
Time
02:22
Destination
Chicago, IL
Miles
179 Miles
Time
02:47
Destination
Indianapolis, IN
Miles
294 Miles
Time
04:27
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Miles
270 Miles
Time
04:17
Destination
Cleveland, OH
Miles
307 Miles
Time
04:33
Destination
Columbus, OH
Miles
321 Miles
Time
05:00
Destination
Dayton, OH
Miles
310 Miles
Time
04:52
Destination
Toledo, OH
Miles
185 Miles
Time
02:44
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Miles
447 Miles
Time
06:46
Destination
Toronto, Canada
Miles
361 Miles
Time
05:38

Air

Cargo airlines servicing The Gerald R. Ford International Airport transport more than 91 million pounds of air cargo annually. Additionally, the following seven passenger airlines provide 140 scheduled nonstop flights to 30 major market destinations every day:

  • Allegiant Air
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • Frontier Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines


Rail

As the country’s 12th largest rail system, Michigan is well served by regional hubs in Grand Rapids and Detroit and supported by an infrastructure detailed in our State Rail Plan.

Michigan’s current Class I railroads include:

  • Canadian National/Grand Trunk
  • Norfolk Southern Railway
  • CSX Transportation
  • Canadian Pacific Railway/Soo Line

Deep Water Ports

The Great Lakes can be reached via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the U.S. Inland Waterway system of rivers. When connected, the complete system offers a marine highway through the heartland of the United States, providing access to population centers and manufacturing sites from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast.

The West Michigan Port Operators port sites on the shores of West Michigan are positioned to connect Michigan Highway and Railroad infrastructure to this marine highway system, making these ports ideal candidates for manufacturing and food processing.