Greater Muskegon Economic Development

Investor Fridays Feature: Fishbeck GMED is incredibly grateful for Fishbeck's investment into our organization and also for their partnership on several key projects in Muskegon County. Their expertise in environmental assessments was instrumental in moving forward the Shaw Walker and Sappi property redevelopments, which will bring new life and opportunities to our community. Learn more about Fishbeck's work here: www.fishbeck.com #MuskegonCounty #GreaterMuskegon #EconomicDevelopment #GMEDInvestor

Huge congrats to our President/CEO Marla Schneider & GMED Board Member Jon Rooks of Parkland Properties of Michigan for being named to Crain's Grand Rapids Business 200 Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan. Marla's impact on Economic Development & Jon's leadership in Real Estate Development are driving forces in Muskegon County's continued growth. #WestMI #GreaterMuskegon #MuskegonCounty #Leadership #EconomicDevelopment #RealEstate

A huge thank you to everyone who attended GMED's "Beyond Boundaries: Business Expansion" event at the Muskegon Museum of Art! We were thrilled to see so many businesses seeking knowledge on expanding their operations. A special thanks to our sponsors, Consumers Energy and United Bank of Michigan, and our expert panelists from Pioneer Construction, Driesenga & Associates, Core Commercial Realty, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and SEH of Michigan for sharing their invaluable insights. #BeyondBoundaries #BusinessGrowth #GreaterMuskegon

Exciting visit to La Colombe Coffee Roasters in Norton Shores! Our business development team recently had the pleasure of touring the La Colombe Coffee Roasters facility in the City of Norton Shores, alongside representatives from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD). It was fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at their operations and learn more about their impressive growth since being acquired by Chobani. As a Crain's Grand Rapids Business recently highlighted, La Colombe's Muskegon plant is a key production and distribution hub, and we're excited about its potential to drive further economic development in the region. #foodprocessing #economicdevelopment #beverageindustry #manufacturing #Muskegon #Michigan #LaColombe #Chobani #MDARD

After a year of conceptualization, development, and training, the "City as a School" initiative has officially launched this fall at Muskegon High School! This exciting program, designed by GMED and implemented by MHS, bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience by connecting students with local businesses, providing invaluable hands-on opportunities and problem-solving skill development. Born from a need for stronger industry-education partnerships, "City as a School" bridges the gap between classroom learning and workforce demands. Fourteen 10th-grade teachers have embraced this program, creating dynamic projects that engage students and foster their career development. Check out this video showcasing a science class collaborating with Kindred Marketing to develop a protein bar, complete with nutritional labeling and packaging design. This is just one example of how "City as a School" is transforming education and preparing students for success. #education #careerdevelopment #problemsolving #greaterMuskegon #highschool #innovation #realworldexperience #industrypartnership

Meet Our Final Panelist for the Beyond Boundaries: Business Expansion Event! We’re excited to welcome Darryl Todd, Business Development Manager at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), to our panel! With over 10 years of experience in workforce and economic development, Darryl has a proven track record of fostering business growth and workforce attraction across West Michigan. As a leader within Michigan's Regional Prosperity 4, Darryl supports manufacturers in nine counties, promoting business retention, expansion, and capital investments. His extensive background includes impactful roles with West Michigan Works!, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, and DTE Energy. Darryl is also an active board member, serving the community with a focus on sustainable economic prosperity. Join us on October 17th at the Muskegon Art Museum to hear from Darryl and other distinguished panelists as they share insights on economic development and business expansion. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and connect! Join us on October 17, 2024, at the Muskegon Art Museum from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Register now to secure your spot! https://bit.ly/3Y2LMRT #BeyondBoundaries #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessExpansion #MEDC #MuskegonEvent

Last chance to register for "Beyond Boundaries: Business Expansion" on October 17th! Thank you to Consumers Energy and United Bank of Michigan for sponsoring the event! 🚀 Connect with 60+ businesses and gain valuable insights from industry experts on expanding your business. 💡 Learn best practices for expansion, build relationships, and position your business for growth. ⏰ Registration closes THIS FRIDAY, October 11th at 5 PM. #businessexpansion #networking #growth #entrepreneurship #BeyondBoundaries

It's been an incredible week for infrastructure and economic development in Muskegon County! We're celebrating major wins which are laying the groundwork for future growth: New Air Service Announced: Starting November 1st, Muskegon County Airport will offer direct flights to Chicago with new jet service from Denver Air Connection! This, coupled with a terminal renovation project underway and $22 million in airfield improvements, readies us for a significant increase in air travel. A huge thank you to Ken Effting, Airport Director, for his visionary leadership! Groundbreaking for Food & Agribusiness Growth: Yesterday, we celebrated the start of construction on the Southeast Regional Force Main – a nearly 20-mile wastewater pipeline connecting Muskegon County to Coopersville. This vital infrastructure project will support the expansion of key food and agriculture businesses like fairlife, Continental Dairy, Swanson Pickle, DeVries Meats, and Applegate Dairy, driving job creation and economic prosperity in our region. This success is a testament to the power of collaboration. GMED would like to thank our partners in this effort: our bipartisan state and local officials, Muskegon County, Coopersville, and Lakeshore Advantage. We also extend our gratitude to AIS Construction and Kamminga & Roodvoets for their contributions to making the groundbreaking event a success. #MuskegonCounty #Michigan #Infrastructure #EconomicDevelopment #Transportation #Collaboration #Growth #FoodAndAg #AirTravel Photo Credit: Airport: Muskegon County Airport Groundbreaking: Dario Lirio / Prein&Newhof

Meet Our Moderator: Andrea Riegler We are thrilled to introduce Andrea Riegler as the moderator for our "Beyond Boundaries: Business Expansion" event! Andrea is the Senior Architect and Manager at SEH of Michigan, part of the employee-owned, multi-disciplinary engineering and architecture firm SEH Inc., which boasts over 1000 employee-owners across the United States. With a robust career spanning over two decades, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Her architectural journey has taken her from Pennsylvania to Utah and Colorado, finally anchoring in downtown Muskegon, Michigan. Andrea’s expertise encompasses a diverse portfolio including retail, commercial, industrial, municipal, non-profit, and multi-family residential projects. She has a passionate focus on historic renovations and restoration, bringing new life to venerable spaces. Join us as Andrea leads discussions with industry experts, sharing insights that span the breadth of architecture and business growth. Her deep understanding of architectural demands and trends across various states, coupled with her local knowledge of Muskegon, makes her an invaluable leader for this panel. 🔗 Reserve your seat now: https://lnkd.in/g6ssez4J #BeyondBoundaries #Architecture #UrbanRenovation #MuskegonEvents #LeadershipInDesign

We are delighted to welcome John Tenpas, Director of Civil Engineering at Driesenga & Associates, as a panelist for our upcoming "Beyond Boundaries: Business Expansion" event! With over 25 years of experience, John has a rich background in consulting engineering across a wide range of sectors including commercial, residential, educational, and industrial developments. His expertise also extends to municipal projects involving road, utility, and drainage systems, along with floodplain studies—all vital aspects of civil engineering that shape our communities. John holds a degree from Michigan Technological University and is based out of the Holland office at Driesenga & Associates. His deep commitment to professional and personal growth is evident not only in his career achievements but also in his active lifestyle. John enjoys hiking, biking, and camping, especially in national parks. He also participates in Dutch Dancing with his wife during Tulip Time—a tradition going strong for 22 years—and is a regular at the Unity Christian Music Festival here in Muskegon. Don’t miss the chance to gain insights from John's extensive experience in civil engineering and how it drives community and business growth. Register now and join us: https://lnkd.in/g6ssez4J #BeyondBoundaries #CivilEngineering #CommunityDevelopment #MuskegonEvents #MichiganEngineering