Powering a Future in West Michigan.
Watch the VideoHeart of the Energy Industry
Between the shores of Lake Michigan and the heart of the energy industry, West Michigan is a place where community and business grow together.
West Michigan’s Energy Industry
Over 22+ energy businesses and suppliers in West Michigan
West Michigan employes 5,847 people in the semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing industry.
More than 6,600 engineers graduate from Michigan universities each year.
Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for foreign direct investment projects.
You’re in Good Company
See the world class employers that have operations in West Michigan
About West Michigan
Natural beauty. Wonderfully livable communities. Smart workers with a can-do attitude. We design, engineer and make the next big advancements in automation, automotive, advanced energy storage and office furniture here.
Our Region at a Glance
413,562 Population
38 Median Age
22.4 Minute Average Commute
30.3% Manufacturing Employment
148,671 Households
163,991 Housing Units
$204,750 Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing
92.5% High School Graduation or Higher
31.1% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
First
Best Small City to Start a Business
WalletHub
2016-2019
Second
Happiest, Healthiest Place to Live in America
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
Second
Most Beautiful Small Town in America
Impulcity
THIRD
Top Ten Best Places for Families
Livability
Top five
Safest Cities in the U.S.
Forbes Magazine
Site Selection
West MI has several opportunities for manufacturers to relocate into the area, either with existing facilities or opportunities for build-to-suit. The Lakeshore Advantage team will work with you to understand your specific requirements for a facility, conduct a site/building search, and facilitate tours and connections for those opportunities.Below are some currently available facilities located in the Holland area that may be an ideal fit for your manufacturing operation.
Why Do Business Here?
“I think it is the family tradition, the culture, the inheritance, that they have that makes them invest and live and work and play in this community, and we’re all richer for it.”
– Jim Bultman former president of Hope College when interviewed for the Visionary Award recipeint, Dick Haworth in 2020.
Talent
Local Employment Success
We have the talent you need to succeed here. Manufacturing represents over 30% of the workforce here in the Lakeshore Advantage region.
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Fastest Growing Region
Ottawa and Allegan counties are the #1 and #4 fastest-growing counties in Michigan. This growth, coupled with the Grand Valley State University top 60-rated engineering program and the new Grand Rapids Community College Lakeshore Campus that features manufacturing labs, primes the local talent pipeline for advanced manufacturing growth.
West Michigan is a solid and growing manufacturing industry hub. Our supply chain is strong with many suppliers, manufacturers and transportation logistics companies. West Michigan’s rich network of resources and knowledge offer a competitive advantage.
Housing
Great Communities, Great Recreation, Great Place To Call Home.
West Michigan offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities, sandy beaches, unique downtowns and cultural activities, award-winning schools, and abundant job opportunities. As we grow and more people choose to live here, desirable housing options at all price points are being planned and developed.
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Power & Infrastructure
West Michigan is a world-class leader in energy security, affordability, sustainability and efficiency. Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW) provides efficient and cost-saving opportunities to companies.
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HPBW recently completed Holland Energy Park, the world’s first power plant to earn the Envision Award for sustainable infrastructure. Holland Energy Park features the latest combined-cycle natural gas technology to meet the demands of our growing businesses now and for years to come.
Great Incentives & Tax Structure
West Michigan is a place where innovative companies thrive. Their choice to locate here is supported with wrap-around business support, a favorable tax climate and incentives. Business Facilities magazine recognizes Michigan as the number one state for automotive manufacturing companies.
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Our state corporate tax rate is 6%. The State of Michigan, the City of Holland, Holland Board of Public Works and workforce training support resources including Grand Rapids Community College and West Michigan Works! work to understand each employer’s needs and ready the workforce to provide skills and training needed for the job.
Lakeshore Advantage is your partner, your concierge in business growth, connecting employers with whatever resources are needed to succeed. Our schools and tech centers are becoming highly connected to our employers, aware of competencies and skills local companies are looking for in their next hires. We will think creatively when it comes to ensuring your company continues to thrive in West Michigan.
First
State for Automotive Manufacturing
Business Facilities
2021
Fastest
Growing Counties
American Community Survey
US Census Bureau
Second
Most Remote Ready City in US
Livability, 2021
Top 11%
Best Places for Manufacturing
SmartAsset Report, 2020
Second
Best Housing Market for Millennials
Improvenet.com, 2020
Transportation & Logistics
Airport Information
Grand Rapids International Airport Highlights
- GRR’s cargo activity is ranked 68th among U.S. airports (in terms of enplaned and deplaned weight in 2019).
- Majority of cargo is brought in via FedEx and their contract carrier, CSA, or via passenger airlines.
- FedEx has direct early morning and late-night flights to/from its MEM and IND hubs, including a mid-day round trip to MEM for the day sort.
- UPS also has a facility located at the airport, but does not offer air service and is solely used for ground service activities.
- UPS travels to/from LAN to handle inbound and outbound flight traffic from SDF and RFD hubs.
- There are two buildings with air cargo activity that both offer cargo aprons and taxiway access to the runways.
- GRR is centrally located between DTW and ORD. ORD offers flights to 38 Trans-Atlantic and 16 Trans-Pacific airports (including some freighter services) and DTW has direct passengers flights to 7 European markets and 5 Asian markets.
Airports within 170 miles
| Rank | ST | Locid | Airport Name | City | Miles from Holland | 2021 Landed Weight (lbs.) |
| 6 | IL | ORD | Chicago O’Hare International | Chicago | 165 | 8,590,863,840 |
| 35 | MI | DTW | Detroit Metro Wayne County | Detroit | 179 | 947,101,222 |
| 93 | MI | LAN | Capital Region International | Clinton (Township of) | 89 | 253,404,274 |
| 95 | MI | GRR | Gerald R Ford International | Grand Rapids | 42 | 245,440,052 |
| 100 | IN | FWA | Fort Wayne International | Fort Wayne | 160 | 191,439,593 |
| 115 | MI | YIP | Willow Run | Detroit | 167 | 139,936,118 |
| 119 | IN | GYY | Gary/Chicago International | Gary | 126 | 114,206,394 |
| 123 | IN | SBN | South Bend International | South Bend | 86 | 103,206,492 |
| 125 | MI | FNT | Bishop International | Flint | 139 | 89,394,100 |
Our Investment
Lakeshore Advantage is your concierge in securing a West Michigan business location, connecting you with whatever resources are needed to succeed here. Our schools and tech centers are highly connected to our employers, aware of competencies and skills local companies are looking for in their next hires. We will help you navigate the state and local incentives to make your investment in West Michigan a great decision for you.
Incentive Programs
West Michigan knows how to ensure innovative companies thrive. Our state corporate tax rate is 6%. The State of Michigan, the City of Holland, Holland Board of Public Works and workforce training support resources including Grand Rapids Community College and West Michigan Works! work to understand each employer’s needs and ready the workforce to provide skills and training needed for the job.
| Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) | A federal grant program that offsets the costs related to the purchase of machinery and equipment. |
| Industrial Property Tax Abatement (PA 198) | Local financing tool that decreases real property taxes by 50% for up to 12 years. |
| Jobs Ready Michigan Program | State grant assistance for talent recruitment and job training in high-impact occupations. |
| Michigan Business Development Program | State grant assistance for the creation of qualified new jobs or investment. |
| New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) | A federal tax credit that subsidizes building or equipment purchase/construction. |
| Personal Property Tax Reform | Exemption of personal property taxes on property used for industrial processing or related activities. |
Sights of West Michigan
Workforce & Project Information
Labor Force Participation
Allegan and Ottawa Counties Historical Labor Force Participation Rates
Source EMSI Burning Glass August 2022. Definition of Labor Force Participation denominator as “civilian non-institutionalized population aged 15-64”
Manufacturing Job Growth
Allegan and Ottawa Counties Manufacturing Jobs
Unemployment
Allegan and Ottawa Counties Historical Unemployment Rate
Wages
Education
Program Availability
K-12/Career Technical Education
Enrollment – 1,161 students in manufacturing, science, technology, engineering and mathematics Career Technical Education programs in West Michigan Prosperity Region (2018-2019) (source: http://www.cteisreports.com/)
Local CTE Partners
| Allegan Area Career Technical Education Center | Engineering; Machining |
| OAISD Careerline Tech Center | Engineering Design & Machine Technologies; Mechatronics & Robotics |
Bachelor’s Degrees: Engineering Programs
| University | 2019 Completions |
| Calvin University | 114 |
| Ferris State University | 52 |
| Grand Valley State University | 174 |
| Hope College | 42 |
| Western Michigan University | 468 |
Associate’s Degrees/Certificate Programs: Manufacturing
| College | 2019 Completions |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 170 |
| Kalazazoo Valley Community College | 52 |
| Kellogg Community College | 23 |
| Montcalm Community College | 2 |
| Muskegon Community College | 21 |
Michigan Investment in Education
| Program | Description |
| Sixtyby30 | Goal: Increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from to 60% by 2030 |
| Michigan Reconnect | Free tuition for in-district community college to earn an associate degree or Pell-eligible skill certificate if you’re 25+ |
| Futures for Frontliners | Free tuition for essential workers (application now closed) |
| Skills to Work | Digital hub of career-related resources for Michigan residents including free, online classes, certificate attainment, etc. |
Economic Development Incentive Ryder
Full worksheet HERE
Make Your Future, Here.
Great people, strong community, low cost of resources and business-friendly tax structure make West Michigan a great place to do business.
Vice President of Business Solutions
Lakeshore Advantage
201 West Washington Ave. Loft 410
Zeeland, MI 49464
Office. 616.772.5226
Amanda.murray@lakeshoreadvantage.com