A Michigan Success Story

A Michigan Success Story
George Bosnjak
GVMC Growing Communities
Conference
June 10, 2010
West Michigan Rankings
33rd largest population center in the U.S. –
CSA (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon,
Newaygo, Ottawa)
Ranks 13th among the world’s top 125
knowledge economies
One of the best areas in the world for
turning ideas into commercial successes
2
Highly Qualified Workforce
More than 50% of our
population is under the
age of 35
More than one-third have
a post-secondary
education
20 area colleges
educating over 150,000
students
3
Unemployment in Grand Rapids since April
2009
Employment and Total Labor Force Since April
2009
Unemployment in Grand Rapids v. Peer
Communities
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data reflects MSA.
The Right Place Perspective
Employment by Industry
8
Employment by Occupation
Food Preperation & Personal Service
15.90%
Office Administrative Support
14.37%
Production
13.81%
Retail & Sales
10.30%
Construction
8.60%
Management Business, Financial,Legal
8.30%
Transportation
8.06%
Education and Social Services
7.79%
Healthcare
7.04%
Engineers
4.40%
Arts & Design
1.27%
Farm, Fishing & Forestry
0.16%
0%
9
5%
10%
15%
20%
Looking Ahead [ 2009-2019 ]
Source: EMSI Complete Employment – 1st Quarter
2010
Looking Ahead [ 2009-2019 ]
Source: EMSI Complete Employment – 1st Quarter
2010
National Prospects
12
Atlanta, GA
Charleston, SC
Chattanooga, TN
Chicago, Il
Des Moines, IA
Golden, CO
Indianapolis, IN
Kansas City, MO
Minneapolis, MN
New York, NY
San Diego, CA
St, Louis, MO
Tampa Bay, FL
Global Prospects
13
Canada
China
England
France
Germany
Israel
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
Prospects by Industry
14
Right Place Projects – 2009-2010
COMPANY
Hart & Cooley
Morley-Murphy
Roskam Baking Co.
Roskam Baking Co.
Global Forex
MedBIO
Dorner Works
GRW
Farmers Insurance
Roskam Baking Co.
Attwood
WEFA/Cedartools
Benteler Automotive
ConAgra
FlexFabLLC/Cascade
TOTAL
JOBS
INVESTMENT
48
8
56
104
259
5
50
66
1,600
1,500
51
13
197
205
43
$3.9M
$750K
$8M
$10M
$13.8M
$286K
$1.5M
$2M
$84.4M
$60.5M
$2M
$2.67M
$2.475M
$73M
$2.66M
4,205
$267,946,008
Why West Michigan is Odd
A Unique Vision
Business Development
Business Development
Investments in Medical & Health Care
Sciences
Community Development
New Investments in Alternative Energy
Re-Investment in Core Communities
Protection of Natural Assets
Improvements in Transportation (Airport)
Education
Investment in State and Regional
Universities
Commitment to Training Workers in
Emerging Industry
Downtown Grand Rapids
circa 1975
Regional Collaboration
Public Private
Partnerships
Grand Action
The Right Place Inc.
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Education and
Business
Regional Non-Profit
Groups
West Michigan Strategic Alliance
West Michigan Environmental Action
Council
Area Community Foundations
GRCC Medical and Wind Training
GVSU Student to Business
Program
West Michigan Internship Initiative
Business To Business
Manufacturers Council
Wind Energy Network
West Michigan Medical Device
Consortium
Quaeris, West Michigan Talent
Attraction
Grid70
Diversity
Diversity of Business
Eighteen Different Business Sectors Rank in the Top 50 Nationally
Leading companies in Biopharmaceuticals, Office Furniture, Food
Processing, Apparel in Footwear and Aerospace.
Diversity of Place
Vibrant Core Communities
Family Friendly Neighborhoods
Natural Resources Including 20% of the World’s Fresh Water
Diversity of People
Nearly 80,000 Foreign Born Residents
10% of the Population Speaks a Second Language
An External Perspective
Grand Rapids: A Michigan Success Story
“It’s (Grand Rapids’) fortunes have steadily improved, thanks to a
remarkable combination of business leadership, public-private
cooperation, and the deep pockets of local philanthropists.”
– Fortune Magazine, May 24, 2010
America’s Greenest City
“In becoming a green center, Grand Rapids is also turning itself into a
lab, a training camp, and both an exporter and a magnet of expertise.”
– Fast Company Magazine, October 1, 2008
Conclusion
Companies and individuals based locally
nationally and internationally, have chosen West
Michigan as a place they want to invest and
grow for the future.
This continued investment from all parties will
position Grand Rapids and West Michigan for
success in the coming decades.
Thank You