Infrastructure

Because of Grand Rapids’ master land-use plans, appropriate zoning and the logical extension of utilities, our city is primed for an explosion of commercial and industrial growth.

Grand Rapids offers numerous industrial parks, and sites that are zoned for industrial use. The area has a number of highly qualified construction trades, which combine their expertise with the area's strong work ethic, resulting in building costs that are well below the national average.

Utilities

Grand Rapids unprecedented growth potential is facilitated by the area’s plentiful and economical energy, coupled with West Michigan’s abundant natural resources. Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State, and thanks to nearby Lake Michigan, abundant water supplies are available via pipelines.

Numerous major carriers offer high-speed telecommunications services, including Internet 2, high bandwidth (up to OC96) via fiber optic ring, T1/T3 lines, and digital subscriber lines (DSL).

Natural gas and electricity are available from major suppliers. DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company that serves 1.2 million customers with natural gas service in 550 Michigan communities. Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, is Michigan's largest utility providing natural gas and electricity to all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Green Power; sustainable, environmentally-friendly energy, is now available to Michigan businesses and residents, through Consumer Energy’s Green Power Pilot Program. Electric customers may choose to purchase 10%, 50% or 100% of their energy from certified green power generators.

Transportation

A comprehensive north-south and east-west interstate highway system connects the Greater Grand Rapids area to the entire upper Midwest, including major cities such as Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) recently underwent a $290 million, 10-year renovation. Each day, more than a dozen airlines provide nearly 150 daily commercial flights between domestic and international markets. Daily non-stop travel to 18 U.S. airports, including Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Toronto, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Newark, Minneapolis, and Memphis is also available, as well as charter and corporate aircraft facilities.

A U.S. Customs Service office located at GFIA in a newly constructed 160,000-sq.-ft. air cargo and trade center, processes more than 70 million pounds of cargo each year. An extensive rail system served by CSX, Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, Norfolk Southern, Mid-Michigan allows for freight transportation, and Amtrak passenger service links Grand Rapids with several major cities, including Chicago.