Tag Archives: The Right Place

International snack company to make Kentwood its US base of operations

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A Greece-based snack company has announced its plans to open its first North American manufacturing operation in the City of Kentwood.

The SnackCraft location will be at 4444 52nd St. SE. (Supplied)

Unismack, SA, a developer and manufacturer of high-quality crackers and other snack foods, will open its new location at 4444 52nd Street SE. The U.S. business will operate as SnackCraft, LLC with the website of www.snackcraft.com. The plant will add 185 new jobs and $41.7 million in capital investment over the next five years.

“We are honored SnackCraft has chosen the City of Kentwood as its first location in the United States, bringing well-paying jobs and a significant investment in our community,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “SnackCraft is positioned for success here with an engaged workforce and welcoming community. We are committed to supporting the company’s investment and growth with our solutions-focused team and streamlined development processes.”

Working with the State to Make It Happen

The Right Place worked closely with Unismack to bring this new facility to the Greater Grand Rapids region rather than other out-of-state locations being considered. With the approval of a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund. West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College will also be supporting the project with a $614,000 workforce training package.

“As we looked into another manufacturing location for our company, the Grand Rapids region seemed like an obvious choice,” said Dimitrios Stratakis, Unismack founder & CEO. “There is an abundance of talent and resources here in West Michigan to help us in the next phase of our journey and we’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC for their support.” 

The new Grand Rapids facility, led by CEO Joseph Riley, will be a co-packer/contract manufacturer of baked crackers, tortilla chips, single and twin-screw extruded snacks, and pellet snacks such as veggie chips and straws. The facility will include an innovation center to assist customers with research and development of new products to meet changing consumer tastes and demand. SnackCraft will also provide warehousing and some 3PL services for its customers.

 

“We’re very happy we were able to assist SnackCraft in finding the perfect environment to grow their operations here in the United States,” said Brent Case, vice president of Business Attraction for The Right Place and project lead. “With the amount of talent available and the previous successes of other food and beverage companies in the area, Kentwood has created a desirable location for global companies like SnackCraft to thrive.”

High end lighting and furniture manufacturer adds second facility in Wyoming area

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Brooklyn, NY-based Roll & Hill is know for its lighting and furniture design. (Photo by Sarah Elliott)
With the addition of Alexis Manufacturing, Roll & Hill added furniture to its line in 2020. (Photo by Sarah Elliott)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that high-end lighting and furniture company Roll & Hill will be opening a second location in the City of Wyoming at 6192 Valduga Dr. SW. The $1.5 million capital investment will add 50 jobs.

Founded in 2010 by Jason Miller, Roll & Hill is a design-minded furniture and lighting company based in Brooklyn, New York. Each Roll & Hill piece is made one at a time by hand. The company expanded into furniture and in 2020 acquired Alexis Manufacturing, which was founded by father and son Ivan and Norman Alexis in 1946. By combining Alexis’ 75-year history of producing complex wood components and wooden seating with its design sensibility, Roll & Hill has produced, according to experts in the field, a timeless, high-quality collection of furniture. in 1974, Alexis was bought by Hekman Furniture Company and then later acquired by Howard Miller Clock Company.


Looking to enter the furniture mark, Roll&Hill purchased Alexis Manufacturing because by purchasing the company, “we’ll be able to enter the furniture category in a much shorter ramp-up time.” according to Miller, who is the creative director and CEO of Roll & Hill. However, Roll & Hill had to find a location for the company as its former home had been sold. The company worked with The Right Place and City of Wyoming to open its first production facility, located at 5765 Clay Ave. SW., and has steadily increased its presence in the region since the initial expansion.

“As Roll & Hill continues to expand, the City of Wyoming remains an excellent location for our growth,” said Roll & Hill Creative Director and CEO Jason Miller. “Our experience opening our first location in Wyoming was exceptional, and we’re looking forward to establishing our second. We’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and their partners at the City of Wyoming and MEDC for their partnership and collaborative support as we invest in our local production facilities.”

In 2020, Roll & Hill acquired Alexis Manufacturing and entered into the furniture industry. (Photo by Jonathan Allen)

The new location at Valduga Drive will house production of the company’s lighting. The site has visibility from M-6 and east of Burlingame Avenue. The building is under construction with Roll & Hill scheduled to move in June of this year.

The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out-of-state locations. With the approval of a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund. West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College will also be supporting the project with a workforce training package.

 

“We are extremely excited with the announcement of this expansion, which will bring 50 lighting and furniture manufacturing jobs to our City,” said Wyoming Director of Planning and Economic Development Nicole Hofert. “We look forward to the continued investment in the City of Wyoming, our residents and community members.”

Bold decisions by local businesses has put The Right Place’s strategic plan on track

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Now two years into a three-year strategic plan and The Right Place, Inc is on track to exceed all of its goals.

This month, the regional nonprofit dedicated to economic prosperity in West Michigan, hosted its 25th annual Economic Outlook which showed that The Right Place was doing well on meeting its targets for the three-year period from 2020-2022.

For 2021, the organization reports that its work has resulted in 1,541 new and retained jobs, $84 million in new and retained payroll, and $286 million new capital investment.

 

The Right Place President and CEO Randy Thelen said that due to COVID-19 and its impact on the economy in 2020, the organization was behind the curve in terms of its objects of new and retained jobs, new and retained payroll, and new capital investment. Because of bold decisions made by the business community in 2021, The Right Place is now ahead of its three-year statistic plan.

Over the past two years, the organization has achieved 2,494 new and retained jobs, which is 74 percent of its goal of 3,400 in the three year period. For new and retained payroll, it has achieved $127 million which is 69 percent of its three-year goal of $184 million. For new capital investment, The Right Place, Inc. has achieved $286 million completing 79 percent of its three-year goal of $500 million.

 

The bigger question for many is what to expect in 2022. The Right Place meet with 422 companies and from those conversations, learned the local business community is confident in the region’s future. The overwhelming majority believe the region is competitive (94 percent) and more than half are planning to expand in the near future (63 percent). The positive outlook comes despite the labor shortage and ongoing pandemic with many making investments into training (52 percent).

Labor shortages continue to be a concern with the pandemic magnified the barriers for some, such as childcare. According to a recent CNN article, the biggest impact on the labor shortage is not due to people relying on government aid but because of early retirement. The overall labor force participation rate is falling, birth rates are down and boomers are retiring fast. Labor demands are 60 percent high than they were pre-COVID, according to The Right Place.

 

It should be noted that pre-pandemic unemployment rate in the U.S. was the lowest since 1969. In fact, the unemployment rate today is lower than it was in any month between March 1970 and February 1999 and for any month between March 2001 and August 2017. 

According to The Right Place officials, where the economy is falling short is the number of jobs and the number of people in the labor force. In the U.S., there are 2.6 percent fewer jobs today than there were in February 2020 and in Michigan there are 5.1 percent fewer jobs than in February 2020. The unemployment rate would be much higher except for the fact that many of the formerly employed workers have dropped out of the labor force, which is down by 1.5 percent in the U.S. and 3.4 percent in Michigan since February 2020.

 

The imbalance between demand, which is higher than before the pandemic, and supply, especially labor supply, which is lower than it was before the pandemic is generating increases in prices. Consumer prices in the U.S. were 6.2 percent hight in October then a year earlier and prices in Michigan, measured by the Detroit CPI, are 5.5 percent higher than a year ago. The real disposable personal income per capita in the U.S. in October was 1.7 percent higher than it was before the pandemic in February 2020 and the average new wroth of American households, adjusted for inflation, increased 17.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2021. 

To check out the full strategic plan from The Right Place, click here.

Perrigo announces its new North American headquarters will be in Grand Rapids

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan State University, Rockford Construction, and the City of Grand Rapids, announced that global self-care provider, Perrigo Company PLC, will establish its new North American corporate headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids. In addition to a capital investment of $44.7 million over the 15-year period of the lease, the expansion will bring more than 170 new jobs to the area. The company opened its first manufacturing facility in 1921 in Allegan.

Founded in 1887 in Allegan, by Luther and Charles Perrigo who ran a general store and apple-drying business. Luther Perrigo had the idea to package and distribute patented medicines and household items for country stores. He launched the “private label” concept as a way to enhance customer loyalty. For no additional cost, Perrigo offered to imprint the store’s name on the labels of epsom salts, sweet oil, bay rum and dozens of other wet and dry goods stocked in general stores.

Over the years, the company grew and when over-the-country prescriptions were made available, it provided Perrigo with opportunities to launch new store brand versions of products such as Advil®, Tylenol®, Flonase®, Allegra®, Prilosec®, Nicorette® and many more. From 1997 to 2013, saw rapid expansion into the global market adding such products as infant formula and animal health.

Today, Perrigo is a leading global provider of quality, affordable self-care products. The company, which employs more than 4,000 people in West Michigan and 11,000 globally, has local operations in Grand Rapids, Holland and Allegan.

The new North American head quarters of Perrigo will be located in the MSU Grand Rapids Innovation Park. (Supplied)

“Michigan State University is excited that Perrigo will be a major tenant in the MSU Grand Rapids Innovation Park,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., M.D., MHS, Michigan State University executive vice president for health sciences. “The focus of the innovation park is to bring industry together with academic research and clinical care along the Medical Mile in order to transform health care together. We are looking forward to significant opportunities to collaborate with Perrigo on efforts to improve access to and affordability of health care.” 

The new office will be constructed within Michigan State University’s Grand Rapids Innovation Park being built by Rockford Construction at 430 Monroe Ave. NW, on what is known as the Medical Mile. The 63,550-square-foot office space will primarily house corporate and functional leadership and certain administrative roles, and will feature adaptable workspace to promote collaboration opportunities.

“Perrigo established its roots in West Michigan more than 130 years ago,” said Perrigo’s President and CEO Murray Kessler. “Since then, we’ve become an industry leader and created thousands of jobs in the region. We are excited to continue our growth surrounded by organizations that share our passion for self-care in the heart of a thriving city. We are thankful for all of those involved in making this project a reality, especially Governor Whitmer, The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC.”

The Right Place worked closely with Perrigo, MEDC, Michigan State University, and other community partners to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out-of-state locations in Chicago and Florida. With the approval of a $2M Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place

“Since 1996, Grand Rapids has been investing in its now world-renowned health industry cluster focused on improving the lives of consumers and patients,” said The Right Place, Inc. President and CEO Birgit Klohs. “The Medical Mile is a thriving hub for research and innovation and Perrigo’s decision to establish its North American Corporate Headquarters here further solidifies the Medical Mile and Downtown Grand Rapids as a destination for business success.”

  

West Michigan’s life science and medical device industries are growing at a considerable rate of 18.5 percent, outpacing the national average by more than double its growth rate of 9 percent.

The City of Grand Rapids is supportive of the expansion and will be considering a property tax abatement. “This headquarters announcement solidifies the competitive advantage Grand Rapids provides to global companies like Perrigo,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We look forward to their investment and its impact in Grand Rapids and the West Michigan region.”

Birgit Klohs announces retirement from The Right Place

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Birgit Klohs

By John Truscott
Community Contributor

Birgit Klohs, one of the most influential and successful business development strategists in Michigan, announced today that she will retire from The Right Place, Inc. on January 31, 2021. 

Klohs joined The Right Place, Inc. in 1987 as president and CEO and quickly established the Grand Rapids-based organization as the premier economic development entity in western Michigan. During her 33 years with The Right Place, Inc. the organization collaborated with state and local leaders and business executives to create more than $5 billion in economic investment in the region and generate more than 50,000 jobs.

“When my father, Jay, founded The Right Place, he imagined it would become a powerhouse organization driving economic development in West Michigan,” said Dave Van Andel, chairman and CEO of the Van Andel Institute. “But we all realize now that it has exceeded all expectations. I believe Birgit’s leadership has made The Right Place the premier regional economic development organization in the country. It is the envy of communities nationally and the example everyone tries to emulate. I’ve had the privilege of serving with Birgit on The Right Place board for many years and have watched its impact on West Michigan. I can say with assurance, my father would be very pleased with what The Right Place has accomplished. Thank you, Birgit!” 

“The city of Grand Rapids would not be the beacon of business activity that it is today were it not for the passion and drive of Birgit Klohs,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We are so fortunate to have had a champion like her working for us.”

Klohs has worked closely with five Michigan Governors to pursue economic development opportunities around the globe during her tenure. She is credited with fostering countless public-private ventures that advanced the economic prosperity of the region. 

“Birgit has truly been the North Star of economic investment in West Michigan,” said Windquest Group president and co-founder, Dick DeVos. “When you combine her economic development work with her work as a part of Grand Action and see what is now one of the most vibrant downtowns anywhere, it’s easy to understand the dramatic impact she has had. She has strategically guided us to a stronger and more prosperous future in Michigan by turning economic ideas into people-centered reality.”

Her commitment to the region was not limited to The Right Place. Klohs also chaired or served on numerous boards over the past three decades including Grand Action, the Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board, the International Crossing Authority and as chair of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees, her alma mater.

“Birgit embodies forward thinking community leadership,” said Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator. “In addition to her economic development efforts at The Right Place, Inc., she also has provided her time and insight with countless organizations with the goal of improving the overall quality of life for the region.”

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is among the highly visible projects that Klohs helped to bring to Grand Rapids. The project was the result of extraordinary collaboration with the university, local and state leaders, healthcare agencies and local business executives.

“Our region’s emergence as a leader in bio-medical research, scientific education and healthcare services could not have happened without Birgit’s relentless drive,” said Tina Freese-Decker, Spectrum Health CEO. “She merged vision, opportunity and passion to change the economic future of the city.”

For Klohs, cultivating economic investment in the region has brought fulfillment and a deeper appreciation for the leaders in our business community.

“None of our economic success would have been possible without the passion and vision of our business community and government leaders,” said Klohs. “I consider it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dedicated people to build a prosperous future for decades to come. But more than that, my love for this community and this organization made this decision the most difficult I’ve ever made. It is equal to how I felt when I left my parents at the Frankfurt airport, never to return to Germany except to visit.”

In addition to all of the success The Right Place has achieved, the organization has also grown beyond economic development and recruitment. It has addressed many of the challenges that businesses and the community have faced. Klohs was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. She led the formation of a strategic partnership with Hello West Michigan, the first employer-driven relocation and job information center in the nation. And most recently, the New Community Transformation Fund was created to uplift communities of color through capital investment. 

“I’ve known Birgit for over 20 years,” said Skot Welch, principal, Global Bridgebuilders and general partner for the New Community Transformation Fund. “Her willingness to serve as a catalyst for this fund is critical and also speaks to her leadership, commitment and vision for the community. She’s always been such a critical part of West Michigan business success. But more important, her involvement speaks to the fact that she really wants to see equity and opportunity in the marketplace. I truly believe this will be a lasting part of her legacy.” 

A nationwide search will begin immediately to find a replacement. The Right Place has engaged Korn Ferry to manage the process.

“Birgit has set an extraordinarily high-bar of performance in her role with the Right Place, Inc.,” said Sean Welsh, chair of The Right Place, Inc. Board of Directors. “As a board, our responsibility will be to find someone who can build on the great economic foundation set in place by Birgit.”

Klohs credits her team and community leaders with much of the organization’s success.

“We have such a strong team at The Right Place, and they’re responsible for so much of our success. I sincerely thank and honor them for their expertise,” she said.  “And the leadership in this community is second to none. The people make West Michigan what it is, and our corporate and government leaders have always been there for us. 

“Finally, please know that I’m not going away or even slowing down. I will continue to be active serving this community on boards and through philanthropic efforts,” Klohs concluded.

Local suppliers, county work to fill PPE gap as businesses begin to open up

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Several local manufacturers are making personal protective equipment such as masks and hand sanitizer. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Before many businesses can open, owners first must secure personal protective equipment with two local agencies stepping up to the challenge to help owners find and purchase what they needs.

This week, Kent County announced the Kent County Back to Work initiative where the Kent County Board of Commissioners has allocated $2 million of the County’s CARES Act funding to provide person protective equipment at not cost to qualifying small businesses and other employers. Available PPE includes eye and face protection, gloves, hand sanitizer and thermometers.

“We need to focus on getting our economy back on track, making sure employers have what they need to safely reopen and employees fee safet to go back to work,” said Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter. “Our Board listened to countless business representatives who were concerned about the ability to source PPE. We ant to remove that roadblock and use the County buying power to help where we can.”

To quality, employers must be located in Kent County and must employ 100 people or fewer. Qualified employers may place PPE requests either online or by calling the PPE fulfillment center at (616) 245-3636 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calls will be taken in English or Spanish.

All qualifying requests received by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 will be entered into a random selection process. The first-round selection will take place on Friday, June 5, and a third-party fulfillment center will begin filling requests on that date.

Those selected in the first-round selection process will be contacted after their requests are filled, and they will be told where they can pick-up their order. Requests not picked up by employers within five business days of notification will be returned to inventory.

The program will continue accepting employer requests and running daily random selection process as long as program funding is available. If an employer is not selected in the initial drawing, they will remain eligible either until they are selected or until funding is no longer available.

Face shields are another PPE product available from local manufacturers.

Local PPE manufacturers

The Right Place, Inc. has developed and launched the West Michigan PPE Supplier Directory. This directory features West Michigan manufacturers who are producing high-demand PPE supplies, along with contact information to procure the supplies.

As West Michigan begins the process of a phased reopening, including today’s restart of manufacturing operations, companies can use this directory to fulfill their critical PPE supply needs and ensure a safe workplace reopening.

“As the region’s employers begin the process of restarting operations, we are proud to offer this resource to assist them in securing PPE from local manufacturers,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “The depth and breadth of the PPE available showcases the manufacturing prowess of our region. We are still a community who makes things, and this expertise has served us well as the community navigates this crisis.”

Companies can use the directory to source a wide variety of commonly needed types of PPE such as face masks and shields, gowns, googles, gloves, sanitization products, thermometers and more. More than 60 local companies are featured in the directory.

The West Michigan PPE Supplier Directory lists several Kentwood and Wyoming business that are making PPE productions. Some of the Kentwood and Wyoming businesses listed and the products they have are:

Kentwood’s 3D Printed Parts is offering this comfort strap for masks.

3D Printed Parts, 4355 Airwest Dr. SE, masks, face shields, and comfort straps for masks

Ladder 34, 4980 Kendrick St SE, masks and face shields

Bluewater Technologies, 4245 44th St. SE, digital signs, face shields

Nutra Foods, 4683 50th St. SE, masks, face shields, gloves, goggles, protective suits (not gowns)

Winners Brand, 5090 Kendrick Ct. SE, masks, face shields

Laird Plastics, 3839 E. Paris SE, face shields

Superior Business Solutions, 3615 29th St. SE, gloves, goggles, safety signage, thermometers

Southern Lithoplate, 4150 Danvers Ct. SE, hand sanitizer

Total Plastics, 1652 Gezon Parkway SW, face shields, medical mobile carts

Rapid-Line, 1475 Gezon Pkway. SW, hand free door pulls

Wyoming’s Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, environmental and health consulting

Additionally, products and manufacturers are being added on a regular basis.

If you are a manufacturer producing PPE and would like to be added to the list, contact The Right Place at PPEequip@rightplace.org​​.

The Right Place assists medical device packaging company with Kentwood expansion

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Team members at Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that medical device packaging engineering firm, Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. In addition to a capital investment of $2.57 million, the company will bring 27 new jobs to the area.

PCL was founded in 2014 as a solution to a stagnated health care packaging industry. Headquartered in the City of Kentwood, PCL specializes in helping global medical device manufacturers launch new devices to market faster while maintaining regulatory compliance around the globe.

PCL, along with its sister company, SmartStart Medical, LLC (SSM), will take on the additional 27 jobs as a result of this expansion. SSM specializes in device cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and pilot production for new medical technologies.

“Packaging Compliance Labs is in the midst of an exciting period of growth,” said Matthew Lapham, President, Packaging Compliance Labs. “We’re thankful that The Right Place and their partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have provided continuous support to our business as we’ve prepared for this upcoming expansion.”

Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. (Supplied)

The MEDC is supporting the expansion with a $135,000 Jobs Ready Michigan grant, a program designed by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) to address the cost associated with recruiting and training individuals for occupations that are high-wage, high-skill or high-demand.

“West Michigan’s medical device manufacturing industry has grown steadily over the last five years at a rate of about 10%,” said Eric Icard, senior business development manager for The Right Place and project lead, “These are high-paying, high-quality jobs that are contributing to our regional economy. When a company like Packaging Compliance Labs chooses to expand here, it makes way for continued growth as they create an increasingly efficient supply chain for medical device manufacturers in the area.”

  

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley also shared his optimism about what PCL’s expansion will mean for his community.

“Having an innovative firm like Packaging Compliance Labs bring more jobs and investment to Kentwood is excellent for our residents and for the community at-large,” Kepley said. “We are glad to be home to Packaging Compliance Labs and commend the company’s efforts to provide critical solutions to the health care industry when they are needed most.”

More than 60 Kent County businesses receive grant funding from Michigan program

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

About 62 Kent County companies were among the 195 small businesses in West Michigan negatively impacted by Executive Orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic that received grant support from the Michigan Small Business Relief Program.

This program was made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) releasing $20 million in grants and loans through the Michigan Strategic Fund. MEDC allocated the 11-county West Michigan region $1,000,000 in grant funding to be administered by The Right Place, Inc. This region included Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties.

The demand for funding throughout the region was staggering with over 3,300 applications received, requesting over $71 million in both grant and loan funding. Each county formed committees to accept and review applications for the extremely limited grant funding. A full list of the review committees can be found at this link. Grant applications were evaluated based on the criteria set forth by MEDC. 

Of the $1,000,0000, $615,000 went to 62 companies in Kent County. Ionia received $40,715 grants for seven companies and in Muskegon County, $140,000 was awarded to 30 companies.

These grants may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. To respect the privacy of our region’s small-business owners during this challenging time, The Right Place, Inc. will not be releasing the list of individual grant recipients.

As well, The Right Place, Inc. received and forwarded 33 loan applications to MEDC for evaluation under the loan portion of the Michigan Small Business Relief Program. MEDC will make final determinations for loan applications.

New fund designed to help increase ethnic and racial diversity in business ownership

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Pictured from the left, Skot Welch, Birgit Klohs, Garrick Rochow, Renee Tappen, and Kwame Anku. (Supplied)

By The Right Place

Leaders at Bank of America, the Consumers Energy Foundation, and The Right Place, Inc. will be developing the New Community Transformation Fund. This will be an investment fund based in Grand Rapids, Michigan to support diverse business owners. The fund aims to increase ethnic and racial diversity in business ownership in West Michigan. In addition, it will focus on businesses that intend to provide multigenerational wealth creation within historically disadvantaged groups. 

In 2020 the fund consultant team will focus on the design and development of the fund, including the goal of raising $15-$25 million in capital. The team will primarily be seeking family offices, institutional investors and corporate partners. The fund is aiming to launch in 2021. 

Bank of America and the Consumers Energy Foundation have each provided $200,000 in initial startup capital. These funds will support the design and development of the fund, including creation of the fund’s legal structure and operational systems, and establishment of a management team, advisors, a board of directors, and securing local and national portfolio growth partners.

An experienced consulting team will lead design and development of the fund:

Skot Welch, General Partner. Recognized as a leader in utilizing the principles of global quality standards for the development and implementation of sustainable, systematic and measurable diversity initiatives.

Kwame Anku, Fund Consultant. The CEO and Chairman of the Black Star Fund. His responsibilities include fundraising, portfolio building, portfolio management and strategic partnerships.

Birgit Klohs, Senior Advisor. The President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. a position she has held since 1987. The Right Place, Inc. is the regional economic development organization for West Michigan.

Birgit Klos, president and CEO of The Right Place, discusses the new fund during a press conference on Thursday. (Supplied)

“West Michigan has one of the strongest performing economies in the nation,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “Yet, this economic growth has not been shared by all members of our community. By investing in companies that will create long-term economic prosperity in communities of color, this fund will increase upward mobility and ultimately build a more diverse and globally competitive economy.”

The fund will focus on scalable early to midstage businesses and transitioning succession companies in the industries of advanced manufacturing, food processing and agribusiness, life sciences and medical devices, and information technology. This fund will invest in both current and prospective West Michigan companies, but will require founders and portfolio companies to locate and operate in West Michigan.

“The goal of this fund is to increase ethnic and racial diversity in Grand Rapids’ business ownership,” said Renee Tabben, Grand Rapids Market President, Bank of America, who sits on the Board of The Right Place, Inc. “Bank of America strives to help local economies prosper and one way we do that is by supporting business ownership to create sustainable, financially healthy and diverse communities.”

“While the West Michigan economy is booming, communities of color have not shared fully in our region’s success,” said Garrick Rochow, Executive Vice President of Operations for Consumers Energy and a member of The Right Place, Inc. Board’s Executive Committee. “In order to truly ‘win’ as a West Michigan community, our success must be collective. And to do that, we must go beyond talking about our good intentions and take action.”

ReThink West Michigan awarded Best in Show from International Economic Development Council

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The Right Place staff with the three awards of excellence the team recently received. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

ReThink West Michigan, a collaborative, regional event hosted by The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan, was awarded Best in Show by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at the Council’s 2019 annual conference.

ReThink West Michigan is a casual, professional networking event hosted at multiple locations on Thanksgiving Eve and is intended to attract professionals who have moved away from home and are visiting for the holiday. At this event, several West Michigan companies with current career opportunities share some of the exciting initiatives and projects happening in the region.

The IEDC received over 400 submissions from 12 countries for the 2019 awards, and ReThink West Michigan was selected as the top entry overall, making it a globally recognized best practice in economic development. The event also received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Talent Development and Retention category, and The Right Place Instagram channel, West Michigan Life, received a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Digital Media category. 

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. 34 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world.

 “The recipients of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day”, said 2019 IEDC Board Chair, Tracye McDaniel. “We’re honored to recognize more than 100 communities for their excellent work, which forges new opportunities for our profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2020 awards program.”

The Right Place assists Roskam Baking Company with plant expansion

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Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager from The Right Place (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Roskam Baking Company will be expanding its operations at 5565 Broadmoor Ave SE in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 238 new jobs and a capital investment of $85.2 million.

Roskam is headquartered in Kentwood and was founded in 1923 as a family-owned bakery in Grand Rapids. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Roskam family, employs over 2,000 in West Michigan, and is a manufacturer for major food companies and brands around the country. The expanded facility will house two new product lines for the company as a result of contracts earned in 2018.

The Right Place worked in collaboration with Roskam Baking Company and the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The Right Place also connected Roskam Baking Company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with worker training.

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $1,000,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

One of the products made at Roskam Baking Company is croutons. (Public Domain)

“This project is an excellent win for our region in terms of jobs, investment, and overall economic impact,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan’s food processing industry is a national leader, and Roskam Baking Company’s decision to continue its growth here is a testament to our region’s strength.”

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley

The City of Kentwood is supportive of Roskam’s decision to expand in the city, which will bring new jobs to the community. The city is considering the approval of a local PA 198 Property Tax Abatement. 

“We appreciate Roskam Baking Company’s further investment in the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading food processing company have continued success and bring new jobs to the community.”

The Right Place assists cyber security company with expansion

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Vulnerability Discovery & Analysis Labs. LLC will be adding 25 jobs through an expansion in Plainfield Township. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff


Earlier this month, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that Grand Rapids-based full-scope cyber security company Vulnerability Discovery & Analysis Labs, LLC (VDA Labs) has expanded to a new location at 5234 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. This expansion will result in the creation of 25 jobs and a capital investment of $300,000. VDA employees will move into the existing 3,000 square foot location that will house lab and office space, as well as room for product design and security review.

VDA Labs was founded in 2007 to make the world safer by providing world class cyber security services, products and training. VDA helps customers here in Michigan, nationally and even internationally. Example projects include securing new tech in automobiles, conducting ethical hacking for companies to help them proactively fix bugs, monitoring alerts and conducting incident response in emergency situations, and even high-end security research for companies like Microsoft.

“We’re investing in the future of our people, processes and technology,” said Dr. Jared DeMott, founder & CEO, VDA Labs. “We continue to expand our efforts to make our customers and the world safer. Cybercrime is quickly becoming the number one threat to businesses and people everywhere, and we’re proud to serve on the front lines of combating the threat.” 

Dr. Jared DeMott, founder & CEO, VDA Labs (Supplied)

The Right Place worked in collaboration with VDA Labs and the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $75,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. 

“We’re seeing West Michigan’s technology sector continue to grow as more companies choose to invest in our region,” said Jen Wangler, senior business development manager at The Right Place, Inc. and project lead on the VDA Labs project. “VDA Labs’ decision to establish its first campus in Plainfield Township speaks to the quality of our talent and ability to provide a strong foundation for growing tech companies.”

“Plainfield Township is thrilled to welcome VDA Labs to our community,” said Plainfield Charter Township Superintendent Cameron VanWyngarden. “In an ever-changing economy, we are excited to see growth in our local technology industry, especially from companies that are home-grown in West Michigan.”

The Right Place, Inc. receives Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development

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WKTV Staff

West Michigan economic development organization The Right Place, Inc. has been named as a recipient of the 2019 Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selection Magazine. The Right Place joined peer agencies from 19 other markets across the country in being recognized for its 2018 economic development efforts.

The Mac Conway Awards are named after Site Selection Magazine and Conway, Inc. founder, McKinley “Mac” Conway, who was recognized throughout the industry as an icon in economic development throughout his career.

Birgit Klos, president and CEO of The Right Place, Inc.

The award is designed to recognize top local and regional economic development agencies throughout the U.S. for their work in developing prospering communities. The criteria for selection is based off of an index examining corporate facility investment projects for the prior year. Scores are determined based on total projects, total investment associated with those projects, and jobs associated with those projects, as well as the per capita calculation of those metrics.

“On behalf of The Right Place Board of Directors and our team, we are honored to receive this national recognition,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “We have always been a results-driven organization. Being recognized as a top performer nationwide is a testament to both that drive and the hard work of our team to strengthen the Grand Rapids regional economy.”

In 2018, The Right Place completed 29 economic development projects in the West Michigan region, resulting in 2,155 new and retained jobs. Its business development team also met with hundreds of local businesses in its core industries, including manufacturing, food processing, IT, life sciences, and aerospace and defense. A recap of 2018 highlights from The Right Place can be found at rightplacereport.org.

Click here to learn more about the Mac Conway Awards on the Site Selection Magazine website.

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming news you ought to know

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message. 

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter

Take a Pass

The Kentwood Justice Center which houses the 62-B District Court (WKTV)

Have a court fine you forgot to pay? Or an outstanding ticket that you just found in the drawer? Well head straight to Kentwood’s 62-B District Court or the 63rd District Court located on the East Beltline, both of which have announced they will offer individuals a waiver on further penalties or incarceration for taking care of their debts before March 31. The courts are even willing to work with those unable to pay in full. For more information, call the 62-B Court at 616-698-9310 or the 63rd Court at 616-632-7770.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Andronaco moves its subsidiary Conley Composite to Kentwood.

The Right Place and the City of Kentwood made big news this week when Andronaco announced it would be moving one of its subsidiaries, Conley Composite to Kentwood. Andronaco has three of its subsidiaries and its headquarters in the area. This is the second big announcement for The Right Place, which in January announced that Stone Fox Ventures would be moving its new acquired Even Cut Abrasive Company to Wyoming.

Star Gazing with Music

The next Concerts Under the Stars at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium is Thursday, Feb. 28. The concert, which is at 7:30 p.m., features the dark-electronic pop of Bronze Wolf. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for non-members. For more info, visit grpm.org or click here. Or snag some tickets for tonight’s Grand Rapids Symphony concert featuring 19-year-old bass virtuoso William McGregor. The concert is at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall.

Fun fact:

750

That’s how many different species of butterflies in the world. Come March 1, you can check out about 60 of them as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opens its über popular “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit. The butterflies roam free in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Best times to see the butterflies: late afternoon or early morning when the Gardens opens early every Tuesday. So keep thinking spring!

The Right Place assists global manufacturer with Kentwood expansion

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Andronaco Industries will be relocating its subsidiary Conley Composite to Kentwood. (Supplied)

By The Right Place

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that global manufacturer, Andronaco Industries, will be relocating one of its subsidiaries, Conley Composite, and expanding to a fourth Kent County location at 4544 Broadmoor Ave. in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 64 jobs and a capital investment of $3.3 million.

Andronaco Inc., founded in 1994, is a world-leading manufacturer of high performance fluoropolymer and composite products and technologies. The company, which also has locations in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and France, currently operates three subsidiary facilities in the City of Kentwood (dba PureFlex, Inc., PolyValve, LLC, Nil-Cor, LLC and Ethylene, LLC) that employ 195 people.

Conley Composites, LLC specializes in fiberglass pipe, fittings and valve manufacturing. (Supplied)

Conley Composites, LLC which specializes in fiberglass pipe, fittings and valve manufacturing, previously operated out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Andronaco officials made the decision, with the assistance of The Right Place and the MEDC, to relocate this facility closer to its three existing Kentwood operations.

For the expansion, Andronaco plans to purchase and rehabilitate an existing, 30,000 square foot building. The new location on Broadmoor Avenue will be located within minutes of the other Andronaco manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters. 

“The decision to relocate Conley Composites to the same area as our other manufacturing subsidiaries made logistical sense for our company,” said Ron Andronaco, president and CEO of Andronaco Industries, “We are thankful for the guidance and support of The Right Place and the MEDC as we worked through the details of this relocation and expansion process.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $320,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The City of Kentwood is also considering approval of a P.A. 198 tax abatement in support of the project.

“Andronaco’s decision to establish a fourth facility in West Michigan is a testament to the strong business environment our region has developed,” said Jen Wangler, Senior business development manager and project lead, “Companies have confidence in our talent and our continued economic growth.”

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to partner with Andronaco Industries and the State of Michigan to bring this project to fruition,” said Kentwood mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading manufacturer like Andronaco Industries continue to thrive and bring new jobs to Kentwood.”

Local business leader named treasurer to The Right Place board

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SpartanNash President and CEO Dave Staples was recently named treasurer of The Right Place board of directors.

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

SpartanNash President and CEO Dave Staples was one of three people named as an officer to The Right Place, Inc. board of directors.

“SpartanNash has been a long time partner with The Right Place and we greatly appreciate and respect their leadership and commitment to driving economic growth in West Michigan,” said Staples, who will be serving as treasurer to the The Right Place, Inc. board. “West Michigan has been our company’s home for more than 100 years, and this area is unique and fortunate to have so many exceptional companies committed to making our community a better place to live, work and prosper. It is an honor to continue our partnership and volunteer my talents as treasurer.”

SpartanNash’s headquarters are located at 850 76th St. SW, Byron Center, with a distribution center located off of Clyde Park in Wyoming.

Also named as a 2019 officer to The Right Place Inc. board of directors were Sean P. Welsch, PNC Bank’s regional president for Western Mich, who will serve as chair, and Mitch Joppick, the Grand Rapids managing partner for PWC LLP, who will be serving as vice chair.

The new officers were announced last week along with several other board of director positions for The Right Place, Inc. Those positions included:


Executive Committee Appointments:

  • Bill Pink, President, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC)
  • Matt Becker, Managing Partner, BDO
  • Tina Freese Decker, President and CEO, Spectrum Health


New Appointments to the 2019 board of directors:

  • Ron DeWaard, Partner, Varnum
  • Steve Downing, President and CEO, Gentex Corporation
  • Krista Flynn, Regional President – West Michigan, Chemical Bank
  • Tina Freese Decker, President and CEO, Spectrum Health Systems
  • Andi Owen, President & CEO, Herman Miller, Inc. 
  • Jim Teets, CEO, ADAC Automotive 
  • Mark Washington, City Manager, City of Grand Rapids
  • Greg Madura, Supervisor, Alpine Township (Suburban Representative)
  • Dave Beemer, COO, Terryberry (Manufacturers’ Council new Chair)
  • Eric Fox, President, Oceana County Economic Development Corporation (Regional Representative)


Retiring from the board of directors:

  • Rick Breon, former President and CEO, Spectrum Health 
  • Brian Harris, BTHarris Consulting, LLC
  • David Khorey, Partner, Varnum
  • Bill Manns, President, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and St. Joseph Mercy Livingston
  • Brian Walker, former President and CEO, Herman Miller 
  • Ben Swayze, Supervisor, Cascade Township (time limited term -Suburban Representative)
  • Susan Hatto, Chair, Ionia County Economic Alliance (time limited term – Regional Representative
  • Chris Williams, President & CEO, Medbio (time limited term – Manufacturers’ Council former Chair)


To view the complete list of The Right Place board of directors, please visit www.rightplace.org/board

Stone Fox Ventures set to move new acquisition to Wyoming

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Even Cut Abrasive Company, which supplies American made abrasive products, will be relocating to Wyoming. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Wyoming, announced that Grand Rapids-based Stone Fox Ventures LLC will be relocating a portion of its recent acquisition, Even Cut Abrasive Company, to a new location at 4050 Roger B. Chaffee Memorial Blvd, in Wyoming, which was the former Ferris Nut and Coffee warehouse. Additionally, the company will invest $3.76 million in equipment and facility to expand product offerings, resulting in the creation of 52 jobs.

Stone Fox Ventures is a private equity investment firm that acquires, structures, manages and grows middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and services companies with industrial and business customers. Recently, the firm closed the purchase of Even Cut Abrasive Company, currently located in Cleveland, Ohio. The manufacturer produces coated and non-woven specialty abrasive products for industrial use.

After considering keeping the full-scope of the company’s operations in Cleveland, Stone Fox Ventures ultimately decided to relocate and expand a portion the industrial manufacturer to Wyoming with the assistance of The Right Place and the MEDC. The new Wyoming facility will take over the production of two product lines, as well as the expansion of several others.

“We believe the City of Wyoming is a great place to build a company and a community. Not only is the area full of talented individuals who will make fantastic team members, but it also provides a quality of life we believe is important to our business culture,” said Robert Shindorf, Managing Member, Stone Fox Ventures LLC, “The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC have been incredibly helpful as we’ve worked through this process, and we’re grateful for their continued support as we move forward.”   

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $400,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The Right Place also connected the company with workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with talent attraction and workforce training.

Eric Icard, senior business development manager with The Right Place (Supplied)

“Stone Fox Ventures’ decision to expand Even Cut Abrasive’s operations into Wyoming is a testament to the economic strength of our region,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan has always been exceptionally well-suited to support manufacturers, and the addition of Stone Fox Venture’s recent acquisition only strengthens our reputation as a place where manufacturers thrive.”

“We’re thrilled Stone Fox Ventures selected Wyoming as the location for its expansion project,” said Mayor Jack Poll, City of Wyoming, “We look forward to welcoming them to our community and being part of their continued success.”

About Stone Fox Ventures LLC 
Stone Fox Ventures is a private equity investment firm focused on bringing growth and improvements to the communities our companies serve. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan our values mirror the collective principles and conservative nature of our state. We structure our acquisitions and business process improvements to protect the interests of our employees, providing security, stability and advancement opportunities. For more information, please visit http://stonefoxventures.com. For information on Even Cut Abrasive Company, please visit: http://evencut.com

About The Right Place, Inc. 
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1985 and supported through investments from the private and public sector. Its mission is to promote economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and technology in West Michigan by developing jobs through leading business retention, expansion and attraction efforts. For more information, visit:www.rightplace.org.

The Right Place helps carrier with $42 million expansion at Ford Airport

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One of the Allegiant airbuses. The airlines plans to house two such planes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that Allegiant Air, LLC will be opening a new base at GRR in Grand Rapids. This expansion will result in the creation of at least 66 new jobs and a capital investment of $42.8 million.

Founded in 1998, Allegiant is known as one of America’s premier, ultra-low-cost carriers. The airline offers nonstop service to more than 120 popular destinations across the United States, primarily from small and medium-sized communities. Allegiant currently flies to seven nonstop destinations from GRR, including five in Florida, one in Arizona and one in Nevada. However, with its new base in GRR, the airline will house two Airbus-series aircraft in the city, bringing the resources and flexibility to serve additional routes in the future.

An Allegiant Airbus (Supplied)

To support Allegiant’s two aircraft, the airline will establish a crew and maintenance base that will add at least 66 additional jobs to the airport with a majority of them coming from technical career fields to include pilots, flight attendants and aircraft maintenance personnel. A majority of the new positions are expected to pay more than double the Michigan average wage. These jobs – in addition to existing ground support team members – will continue to fuel the carrier’s already incredible growth at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Also as part of today’s presentation, Allegiant announced it would service two new cities, Nashville, Tennessee and Savannah, Georgia. Plans to begin its base of operations at the Gerald R. Ford Airport start June 4.

“Grand Rapids has been a great city for Allegiant, with solid demand and steady growth over the years,” said Keith Hansen, vice president of government affairs, Allegiant. “It’s a perfect location for a permanent base, where having locally-based aircraft and crews will open a world of opportunity to expand options for both new service and operational hours. This will make travel even more convenient and affordable for both residents and visitors to the area, and further establish Allegiant as a hometown airline for Grand Rapids.”

“Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the support of key state and local agencies and partners,” said Hansen. “We’d like to thank both the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and The Right Place, as well as our long-term partners at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion with the approval of a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Birgit Klos, president and CEO of The Right Place (Supplied)

“Allegiant’s decision to open a base at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is a big win for the region, and will have a ripple effect through our economy beyond the initial jobs and investment,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. and Board Member of the GRR Airport Authority Board. “It speaks to the strength of our growing airport, which is critical for companies doing business in West Michigan and beyond.”

“Echoing our community partners, the team here at GRR is excited that Allegiant has made the decision to establish a base at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport,” said Brian Picardat, Interim President & CEO, Gerald R. Ford International Airport. “This will bring additional jobs to West Michigan and more travel options for passengers. Thank you to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and The Right Place for their assistance in bringing this base to Grand Rapids.”

Allegiant began operating at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in 2009 and with today’s announcement now offers nine non-stop routes – to Las Vegas; Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona; to five cities in Florida: Tampa/St. Pete, Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando/Sanford and Sarasota/Bradenton; and seasonal service to Nashville and Savannah beginning in June.  Allegiant currently carries more than 300,000 annual passengers through Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids will become the airline’s 16th aircraft base, which will allow Allegiant to expand its service to and from the city, offer more new non-stop routes in the future, and further connect Grand Rapids businesses, residents and visitors to destinations around the world.

In town for Thanksgiving? Head to the bar for a possible job interview

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Grand Rapids’ The B.O.B. is one of six locations for the ReThink West Michigan event on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

By Elizabeth Voltz

WKTV Intern

 

Have a friend or relative coming back to West Michigan for turkey on Thanksgiving? Want to entice them to stay? Or are you looking to move to or back to West Michigan?

 

Well, 43 companies and non-profits want you to help with special interviews at several West Michigan bars on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan are once again hosting the annual event, titled ReThink West Michigan, which runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in hopes of filling up job holes with young professionals.

 

“When someone wants to relocate here, they usually just have to apply online or try really hard to network virtually,” said Cindy Brown, executive director of Hello West Michigan and vice president of talent initiatives at The Right Place, Inc. “ReThink West Michigan gives interested candidates a chance to connect face-to-face. We’re highlighting the things people want to know about when they think about relocating: career opportunities and lifestyle in West Michigan.” 

 

The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development collaborated with West Michigan Development Collaborative to host events in Grand Rapids, Hastings, Ludington, Muskegon, Naugatuck and Fremont.

 

The event in Grand Rapids will be in Eve at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW. The other locations are:

 

Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas

 

Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E. State St., Hastings

 

The Block (above Unruly Brewing), 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon

 

Ludington Bay Brewing Co., 515 James St., Ludington

 

Lakes 23 Restaurant and Pub, 1100 Ramshorn Dr., Fremont

 

Saugatuck Brewing Company also is participating on Wednesday’s ReThink West Michigan event.

ReThink West Michigan aims to provide a casual environment to network and talk to many professionals in the area. The past six events had a turn out of more than 800 candidates, 65 of which were hired.

 

Amway, Haworth, Meijer, Spectrum Health, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Express Employment Professionals, Mercy Health, Northwestern Mutual, Ranir, Suburban Inns, Steelcase, West Michigan Works! and X Rite Inc. will be participating at the event in Grand Rapids.

 

“Companies in West Michigan are continuing to grow at a fast pace, but many face constraints when it comes to finding talent,” said Rachel Bartels, program manager at Hello West Michigan. “The labor market in the region remains tight, and there are hundreds of positions available. We know that in order to meet demand we will need to attract talent to the area, and who better to fill those jobs than former West Michiganders.”

 

Register for free at www.rethink.com. 

Amphenol Borisch Technologies investing $3.7 million to expand Kentwood headquarters

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The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the City of Kentwood, announced that Amphenol Borisch Technologies (ABT) is investing $3.7 million to expand its operations in Kentwood. As a result, the company, based at 4511 East Paris Avenue in Kentwood, will add 82 jobs at its headquarters campus.

 

ABT builds complex electromechanical assemblies, cable harnesses, circuit cards and discrete mechanicals for the aerospace and defense industries.  The company employs more than 400 people at five North American locations. The Kentwood headquarters campus, which includes two buildings, employs nearly 200 people in manufacturing and administrative positions.

 

The company plans to renovate portions of its existing facility and purchase new machinery and equipment that will assist with its diversified growth.

 

“Amphenol is proud to be reinvesting in West Michigan with this expansion,” said Bob Brunetz, general manager, Amphenol Borisch Technologies. “With the support of The Right Place and the MEDC, we were able to make this project happen right here in Kentwood.”

 

The Right Place worked in collaboration with the company, Kentwood and the MEDC to ensure ABT continues to expand its headquarters operations in the city.  The MEDC is supporting the project with the approval of a $410,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

 

“The Right Place is very pleased to have partnered with Kentwood and the MEDC to ensure ABT’s growth in the region,” said Eric Icard, senior business development manager, and project lead. “This investment is another win for West Michigan’s robust aerospace and defense industries.”

 

“The City of Kentwood is delighted for ABT’s expansion and further investment in the community,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “We look forward to ABT’s continued success in the market.”

Arcanum Alloys relocates to Kentwood, creates 25 high-tech jobs

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Arcanum Alloys is moving to Kentwood bring 25 high tech jobs to West Michigan.

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Arcanum Alloys will be relocating from Silicon Valley to the City of Kentwood.  This will result in the creation of 25 new high-tech jobs and a capital investment of $693,000.

 

Arcanum Alloys’ patented technology generates revolutionary function and value by utilizing the most common metallurgical elements to create alloys whose properties at the surface and bulk are spatially segregated. The company produces 20-ton coils for some of the world’s most well-known manufacturing companies.

 

Arcanum Alloys chose West Michigan over other competing locations to be closer to its production partner, suppliers and manufacturing customers. This location will function as both a new headquarters and R&D center. The company will be locating at 4460 44th St. SE, Kentwood.

 

“Arcanum Alloys is looking forward to starting the next chapter of its growth story in the City of Kentwood,” said Dan Bullard, CEO of Arcanum Alloys. “We’re grateful for the support provided by The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC and City of Kentwood as we moved through this decision process.”

 

The Right Place worked in collaboration with the company and MEDC to ensure Arcanum Alloys chose West Michigan. The Right Place also connected the company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with workforce recruitment and training.

 

The MEDC is supporting the relocation with the approval of a $162,500 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

 

“Arcanum Alloys’ decision to move their headquarters from Silicon Valley to West Michigan reflects the strength of our region’s high-tech talent pool and manufacturing supply chain,” said Eric Icard, Senior business development manager, The Right Place, Inc. “Our region’s talented workforce combined with its strong advanced manufacturing base have made it a destination for innovative companies like Arcanum Alloys.”

 

The City of Kentwood is supportive of Arcanum Alloys’ plans to locate in the city.

 

“We are delighted Arcanum Alloys has chosen the City of Kentwood for their new headquarters,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley, City of Kentwood. “We look forward to working with them as they grow and create high-tech jobs in our community.”

Local partners hope career event connects former West Michiganders with career opportunities in region

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On Nov. 22, The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan will partner to attract talent back to West Michigan. The two organizations, regional partners, and several local businesses will host the sixth annual ReThink West Michigan event, an evening gathering to attract former West Michiganders back to the region. The Thanksgiving Eve tradition has expanded for 2017 to a multilocation event.

 

With support from Pure Michigan Talent Connect and in collaboration with the West Michigan Economic Development Collaborative, the event is from 5:30 – 8  p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at five West Michigan venues:

 

  • Eve at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW
  • Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E. State St., Hastings
  • The Stearns Hotel, 212 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington
  • The Block, above Unruly Brewing, 360 Western Ave., Muskegon
  • Brew Merchant, 442 Washington Ave., Holland.

 

On a day when many former West Michigan students and professionals are back in the area for the Thanksgiving holiday, 31 area companies and several nonprofit organizations are coming together to convince them that it is time to “rethink” West Michigan.

 

Designed not as a traditional career fair, ReThink West Michigan provides a casual, professional environment to network and discover many of the great career possibilities and growing companies in the region.

 

“This event is truly unique because it is solely for former West Michigan residents that have moved away. We’re highlighting the things people want to know about when they think about relocating: career opportunities and lifestyle in West Michigan,” said Cindy Brown, Executive Director of Hello West Michigan.

 

“Through collaboration, we’re able to bring the ReThink event to Barry County,” said Travis Alden, President of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Alliance, a member of the group collaborating to make the expansion of ReThink West Michigan possible. “We’re able to showcase regional employers that have openings all over West Michigan like Spectrum Health, as well as local employers headquartered in Barry County like Hastings City Bank and FlexFab.”

 

The event is free to attend, only requiring interested attendees to register online at: www.rethinkwm.com. The last four annual events attracted over 550 professionals in total, resulting in over 53 hires.

 

“West Michigan companies are growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Tim Mroz, vice president, Marketing and Communications of The Right Place, Inc. “But their growth is limited by access to talent. We have hundreds of positions available, with a specific need in the areas of engineering and technology, and we would love to see former Michiganders come home to these jobs.”