Power Your Future in West Michigan.

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Heart of the Battery Industry

Between the shores of Lake Michigan and the heart of the battery industry, West Michigan is a place where community and business grow together.

Michigan’s Mobility Industry

Michigan has the greatest concentration of mechanical and industrial engineers in the U.S.

76% of automotive business-funded research and development occurs in Michigan.

96 of the top 100 automotive suppliers in North America have a Michigan presence, 62 with headquarters here.

More than 6,600 engineers graduate from Michigan universities each year.

Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for foreign direct investment projects.

Why Do Business Here?

“If you’re looking to be part of the design, engineering, manufacturing, and integration of advanced energy storage solutions, Michigan is the place to be, for where these industries are growing, where you can get connected to resources, where you can be part of creating a clean energy future.”
– Michael DiRamio, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

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, Advanced Energy Storage Expertise

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 advanced energy storage industry hub. Our supply chain is strong with many advanced energy storage suppliers, manufacturers and transportation logistics companies.  West Michigan’s rich advanced energy storage resources and knowledge offer a competitive advantage.

EV Innovation Powers Local Startup Community

Ranked as the best small city to start a business, many  advanced energy entrepreneurs have launched companies in Holland.

Lilypad Labs, creator of an autonomous solar powered recreational watercraft, is beta testing in West Michigan.

Jolt Energy is within the Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute, our chemical engineering research facility. Jolt produces a specialized compound designed to protect lithium ion cells from overcharge for the lifetime of the battery.

Volta Power Systems designs and builds complete lithium ion energy systems for any mobile application. The systems grant their clients access to advanced energy storage solutions without the cost of research and development.

Global Battery Solutions repairs and re-manufactures lithium ion batteries, including battery sources for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

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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Collaboration leading to near-term increased housing supply.
Nationwide, housing supply falls short of demand. Demand for housing is robust here and West Michigan is doing what it does best, taking action to develop innovative solutions to encourage affordable, workforce and market-rate housing.
Community and business leaders recognize the need for a variety of new housing options at all price points. To address housing gaps, local governments, developers, businesses, and nonprofits are working together to remove barriers and greenlight new housing developments at all income levels.
These collective efforts have resulted in new single family and multi-family housing units throughout the region, with over 1,500 new residential units being constructed or under construction since 2020 in the Holland, Zeeland, and Grand Haven areas. Another 1,500+ housing units are planned for construction within a reasonable distance of LG Energy Solution’s future facility in Holland over the next few years. 

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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From the world’s largest snowmelt system, that keeps our downtown streets and sidewalks safe and dry in winter, to fiber broadband internet, offering ten-times faster upload and download speeds, HBPW shows their dedication to preparing our community for the future.
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 LG Energy Solution continues to thrive in West Michigan.

Transportation & Logistics

West Michigan is uniquely located between Detroit, the automotive capital of the world, and Chicago, the third largest city in the US. With well-connected roads, rails and shipping lanes, we are less than three hours from detroit, four hours from Canada and a single day’s drive to anywhere in the Midwest and Central US. Our local airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, offers 120 daily nonstop scheduled flights to 24 major market destinations.

Our Region at a Glance

417,257 Population

38 Median Age

22.3 Minute Average Commute

29.6% Manufacturing Employment

148,513 Households

162,099 Housing Units

$191,700 Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing

92.3% High School Graduation or Higher

29.4% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

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.

 

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.

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

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

Workforce Information  

Labor Force Participation

Allegan and Ottawa Counties Historical Labor Force Particpation Rates

Manufacturing Job Growth

Allegan and Ottawa Counties Manufacturing Jobs

Unemployment
 

Allegan and Ottawa Counties Historical Unemployment Rate

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.

Sights of West Michigan

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.

Amanda Murray
Vice President of Business Solutions
Lakeshore Advantage
201 West Washington Ave. Loft 410
Zeeland,  MI 49464
Office. 616.772.5226
Amanda.murray@lakeshoreadvantage.com