LOCATION:
The city of Grand Rapids is located in central Kent County, approximately 25 miles east of Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County and is the principal city of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Grand Rapids is the 2nd largest city in the State of Michigan, and is a progressive and dynamic community with a focus on family-orientation, higher education and healthcare. Grand Rapids is conveniently located with access to several major thoroughfares in the area. Several interstates and highways converge on this region, including I-96, I-196, US-131, M-45 and M-121. This excellent location facilitates commutes and enables convenient access to all of metropolitan Grand Rapids for residents and businesses alike.
Grand Rapids was once dubbed “Furniture City”, because five of the world’s leading office furniture companies were located there in the 1960’s. It still remains a leading city for office furniture production, however it has shifted focus to other industries and large notable companies like, western Michigan’s largest employer, Spectrum Health which is headquartered in Grand Rapids. Other major employers headquartered in the Grand Rapids MSA include: Meijer Mercy Health, Amway Corporation, Gentex Corporation, Herman Miller Inc., Steelcase, Inc., and Grand Valley State University
Whether it is a main campus or satellite campus, Grand Rapids is home to many colleges and universities. Most notable is Grand Valley State University, which is the fifth largest public university in Michigan based on enrollment . The GVSU Pew Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, includes The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, The Seidman College of Business, and the Kirkhof College of Nursing. Other colleges and universities that have a presence in and around downtown Grand Rapids include: Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Aquinas College, Kendall College of Art and Design, Western Michigan University – Cooley Law School, Michigan State University College of Medicine.
Another large reason for the growth of Grand Rapids is due to the constant expansion of the Grand Rapids Medical Mile. Initiated in 1996 by the Van Andel Institute, a medical-research facility, the Mile has become a multi-billion-dollar investment along Michigan Street, northwest of Downtown. Today, the Medical Mile is renowned as a world-class healthcare destination. The clinical, research, and academic institutions that now line the Mile have attracted medical professionals from around the world. The continued growth of the Mile has spurred new retail and residential developments, transforming this neighborhood into a bustling center of activity.
Grand Rapids is a diverse community that offers residents a dynamic living environment with a great mix of urban conveniences and suburban comforts and tranquility. It has claimed substantial national accolades in the past few years: #2 best city for new small businesses named by LendingTree, #1 Hottest Real Estate Market to Watch in 2018, Business Insider named Grand Rapids the #1 place that Millennials are flocking to in the US to get a job, buy a home, and start a life. Matador ranked Grand Rapids #9 best college towns in America. Lonely Planet honored Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast as the #1 U.S. Travel Destination, Amtrak named the city a Top 10 Place to Visit and Huffington Post included the city as a Top 14 Destination for your 2014 Bucket List. Additionally, Wallethub named Grand Rapids the #2 Most Affordable Foodie City in America and the city was crowned America’s Best Beer Town, on the heels of being named Beer City USA. Grand Rapids has a mix of employers, entertainment, eateries, and public venues, such as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, John Ball Zoo, the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Grand Rapids is also known for their amateur and professional sports, playing host to the annual Meijer State Games of Michigan. Nearby Fifth Third Park is home to the Michigan Whitecaps, where the Detroit Tigers affiliate team plays. Van Andel Arena is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins, a Detroit Red Wings affiliate. Blandford Nature Center is comprised of 143 acres of land for hiking, biking and relaxing, plus it has a farm and wildlife center. The downtown hosts outdoor concerts and many popular festivals throughout the year, such as LaughFest, Celebration on the Grand and ArtPrize, the world’s largest art competition determined by public voting.
