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Regional economic-development group outlines site-readiness, startups and workforce-housing work
Summary
Lakeshore Advantage told Grand Haven leaders it helped 29 business expansion projects since 2023 and reported private-investment and job figures; the agency highlighted industrial-site readiness, startup incubator Surge and workforce housing aimed at 60–120% AMI and offered follow-up city-specific metrics.
Ryan Ferrier, director of business retention and attraction at Lakeshore Advantage, briefed the council Aug. 3 on the organization's two-county work in Ottawa and Allegan counties and asked for continued municipal collaboration.
Ferrier said Lakeshore Advantage has supported 29 expansion projects since 2023 and that those projects have produced private investment and employment gains: 'we've been able to assist in 29 expansion projects resulting in a $164,000,000 in private investment in our communities.' He added that he would double-check the exact investment figure and that Lakeshore Advantage also reported 1,163 new and retained jobs tied to its retention and attraction work.
Ferrier described three program pillars — Grow (business retention/expansion), Plan (startup support and incubator Surge) and Solve (regional challenges such as talent and housing). He said Surge has helped dozens of startups raise capital and that Lakeshore Advantage assisted with MEDC site-readiness work on roughly 13 sites covering more than 800 acres across the two counties.
Councilmembers asked for city-specific metrics and return-on-investment information. Ferrier said Lakeshore Advantage records 14 unique interactions with Grand Haven employers this year and offered to provide a city-level breakdown and invite council to an industry-trends presentation scheduled for November.
