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Lakeshore Advantage updates council on regional work; council approves $10,000 annual contribution
Summary
Lakeshore Advantage presented annual economic development activities and a project pipeline; the Allegan council approved the city’s $10,000 annual contribution to the nonprofit and noted developer day on Aug. 7 focused on housing and mixed-use opportunities.
Mandy Cooper, vice president of strategic initiatives at Lakeshore Advantage, presented the organization's 2024 activities to the Allegan City Council on July 28, 2025. Cooper described Lakeshore Advantage as the regional nonprofit economic development organization serving Ottawa and Allegan counties, outlined business retention and expansion work, and said the group had 15 active projects across the region representing roughly $562 million in potential investment (eight of those projects are in Allegan County).
Cooper emphasized workforce and housing as top barriers to employer growth, noting a recent survey of younger professionals that highlighted cost of living and housing availability as key deterrents to relocating and staying in the region. She also described placemaking and incubator work: a $160,000 contribution to Mahan Park improvements and the opening of a permanent business incubator in downtown Holland that supported entrepreneurs; Lakeshore Advantage reported helping 67 startups secure about $2.7 million in capital in the past year.
Following the presentation, council considered an annual $10,000 budgeted contribution to Lakeshore Advantage (PO26-0825). Staff said the city contributed $10,000 the prior year (previously $6,200) and recommended renewing the contribution. Councilmember 7 moved to approve PO26-0825; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
During public comment, resident Brandon Gough spoke in support of Lakeshore Advantage's work and urged the city to better promote the organization’s services to local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Lakeshore Advantage’s developer day is scheduled for Aug. 7 and will include a housing and mixed‑use focus with Allegan on the tour roster.
