Displaying items tagged: Lakeshore Advantage

The sheer volume of small businesses that have sought federal relief loans illustrates the depth and scope of the economic pain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The historic $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill signed into law Friday contains $350 billion in loans for small businesses that could transition into grants.

Michigan’s loan and grant program for small businesses affected by the coronavirus is now accepting applications, state officials announced today.

Business organizations are offering plenty of advice and information to employers about the coronavirus pandemic and how to manage through the crisis.

GRAND RAPIDS — Developers behind two affordable housing developments in Grand Rapids credit their locations within Opportunity Zones for helping make the projects feasible. 

A significant and expanding group of people in Michigan are working but still not bringing home a paycheck big enough to cover their basic expenses. 

Here is the MiBiz growth report for March 1, 2020.

A few years ago, Jennifer Owens floated a “crazy idea” to the Ottawa County Parks Department. 

In the past decade, West Michigan has evolved as a hub for automation alongside — and perhaps powered by — JR Automation Technologies LLC. 

HOLLAND TWP. — Allegan-based Perrigo Co. plc is investing $13.6 million to expand its existing location in Holland Township.

ZEELAND — The $70,000 grant Lakeshore Advantage Corp. received this summer will go toward examining one potential solution to a problem resulting from the economic vitality of Ottawa and Allegan counties: a lack of suitable available land for industrial development.

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP — A trio of industrial companies are planning expansions on the lakeshore in Holland Charter Township. 

Growth report for Sept. 28, 2019.

HOLLAND — ITB Packaging LLC plans to expand locally with a $3.5 million capital investment and the expected creation of at least 65 new jobs over the next five years.

ZEELAND — Plascore Inc., a manufacturer of lightweight composite products, is investing nearly $6 million to expand its footprint in Zeeland.

MARNE – Metal fabricator DeWys Manufacturing Inc. will invest nearly $7 million over three years in a 30,000-square-foot expansion to its existing facility in Wright Township.

GRAND RAPIDS — More than seven years, $2 million and 500 companies later, Varnum LLP signed on for a third round of providing free legal services to help new companies get off the ground. The Grand Rapids-based law firm will give away another $1 million in legal services through the MiSpringboard program that launched in 2011 under a push by then-Gov. Rick Snyder to support entrepreneurism as Michigan’s economy began recovering from the Great Recession.

Two Ottawa County manufacturers announced major growth projects this week that are expected to generate $25 million in private investment and create more than new 140 jobs.

A subsidiary of a China-based manufacturer of electromechanical actuators plans to invest $2 million into a new headquarters facility on the lakeshore.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Dec. 10, 2018.

HOLLAND — Johnson Controls International plc would exit its last remaining automotive industry manufacturing operations in West Michigan if it completes a transaction announced this week.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Oct. 1, 2018.

West Michigan’s growing food processing industry continues to develop, spurred on by the region’s strong agricultural supply chain, access to water and sufficient infrastructure capacity.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for July 23, 2018.

New issues have become top of mind for West Michigan economic developers and economists.

GRAND RAPIDS –– Partners in West Michigan’s startup ecosystem continue to explore how best to allocate resources to the region’s entrepreneurs.

HOLLAND — Faced with a shortage of housing for people at various income levels, community leaders in Michigan’s fastest-growing county are exploring new ways to develop residential units.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Sept 18, 2017:

The number of venture capital-backed startup companies based in West Michigan grew 20 percent over the last three years.

COOPERSVILLE — A glut in raw milk production throughout the state is driving substantial agribusiness growth in West Michigan as area processing companies struggle to keep up.