When Grand Rapids was incorporated on April 2, 1850, it already had one furniture factory and several small private shops that created various furniture pieces. After an 1876 international exhibition held in Philadelphia, Grand Rapids gained worldwide recognition as "Furniture City."

Today office furniture manufacturers such as Steelcase and Knoll, and Baker Furniture, a leading residential furniture manufacturer, do business here, as do suppliers to the automotive industry, such as Adac Plastics, Benteler Industries, Bosch Kentwood, Lacks Enterprises, Lear Corporation, and Meridian Automotive Systems.

Retailers, including Meijer, Inc., Spartan Stores and D & W Food Centers are headquartered in here, as well as Alticor, a manufacturer and distributor of health, home, and personal care items, as well as manufacturers such as Siemens Dematic, Howmet Castings, and Smiths Aerospace.

Leaders in Healthcare and Research

Grand Rapids has numerous hospitals and healthcare facilities that offer an array of health care services, as well as a world-class medical research facility. Area hospitals include Spectrum Health, DeVos Children's Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, St. Mary's Mercy Medical Center, Mary Free Bed Hospital & Rehab Center. In addition to these fully equipped, leading edge facilities are numerous private-practice physicians, urgent-care clinics, and other health professionals.

The $200-million, world-class Van Andel Institute is home to specialized research programs, including molecular oncology, and has created hundreds of new jobs as it attracts medical talent from across the world.

Institutes of Higher Learning

More than a dozen colleges, private and state, offer degree programs in Grand Rapids. At Grand Valley State University, the Richard M. DeVos Center is home to the Seidman School of Business, Family-Owned Business Institute, and the International Trade Center. Grand Rapids Community College’s Leslie E. Tassell Michigan Technical Education Center provides training in manufacturing, production, automobile repair, and building trades.

Arts & Entertainment

Grand Rapids offers an array of high quality theatre productions, dance performances, art exhibits, opera, symphony, and museums. Grand Rapids’ basketball, baseball and hockey teams provide an opportunity for every sports enthusiast to cheer their favorite team.