The Right Place

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for storytelling, strategic thinking, and making an impact? The Right Place is looking for a new Marketing Director to lead our efforts in showcasing the strengths and opportunities of Greater Grand Rapids.

At The Right Place, our team is guided by four core values:

1. Caring Teammates who support each other and our community.
2. Courageous Leaders who embrace challenges and innovation.
3. Can-Do Attitudes that make things happen.
4. Collaborative Doers who thrive on partnership and shared success.

We're proud to be recognized as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, and we're looking for a driven leader to join us in shaping the future of our region.

Ready to make an impact? Learn more at rightplace.org/careers and apply by sending your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Mentavi Health is growing its business right here in Grand Rapids. Read their recent profile on Purpose Jobs to learn how they’re reducing the barriers to mental health treatment:

Mentavi Health Makes Mental Wellness Accessible Mentavi Health makes mental wellness accessible with it's Mental Wellness Snapshot, empowering individuals to take control of their mental health.

We partnered with Vibrant Future to develop the West Regional Child Care Action Plan to address the critical need for accessible, affordable childcare - a key factor in economic development. The expansion of childcare options will remove barriers for working parents, boost workforce participation, and ultimately contribute to economic growth. Check out the report here: https://bit.ly/3Tej5Ao

Amplifying Voices Reports - Vibrant Futures Parents, employers and childcare providers share their perspectives on the state of childcare and early childhood education in Michigan.

Join us for our annual Economic Outlook event on December 5th!

This event will provide insights into the future of the Greater Grand Rapids region, the State of Michigan, and the nation, empowering attendees to prepare themselves and their businesses for a successful future.

Early bird registration ends on November 8th! For more information and to register, click here: https://bit.ly/3YStMeN

Last week we had our last Investor Exchange event of the year that focused on talent and retention, highlighting the release of our 2024 Talent Report. Our SVP of Talent & Diversity, TaRita Johnson, walked us through our region’s current talent landscape and shared future workforce expectations based on emerging trends.

Shout out to Kent ISD and the Kent Career Technical Center for hosting us and to AEBetancourt for sponsoring the event. And a special thank you to our panelists who shared their companies’ best practices:

Nelson Sanchez, RoMan Manufacturing
Misti Stanton, Mercantile Bank
Tony Sarsam, SpartanNash
Ron Gorman, Kent ISD

Our Investor Exchanges are exclusive events for investors of The Right Place. If you'd like to learn how to get more involved with our organization, we'd love to connect! Reach out to our Investor Relations Specialist, Emily Mace, at [email protected].

The Village of Baldwin achieved the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Essentials designation for its efforts in establishing a more streamlined development process and overall community development vision. This accomplishment was supported by team member Jodi Nichols, Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Development Alliance, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing Baldwin’s community and economic development initiatives. For more information, check out https://www.rightplace.org/news/baldwin-achieves-medcs-redevelopment-ready-communities-essentials-status.

Baldwin achieves MEDC's Redevelopment Ready Communities "Essentials"… Designation signals communities have identified redevelopment goals, created master plan for the future

Yesterday, The Right Place released its 2024 Talent Report, offering valuable insights into the trends shaping the future of Greater Grand Rapids’ workforce. Below are some findings and data points that will be key in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent in West Michigan. Click here to read the full report: https://bit.ly/3C3cD9o

Happy work anniversary to Terry Hossink, Jodi Nichols, Jane Tierney, Brent Case, and TaRita Johnson!

Your hard work and dedication are the backbone of our team's success. We are so lucky to have such talented individuals on our team, and we look forward to seeing what else you accomplish. Congratulations on another successful year!

Thank you to our recent new and renewing investors for choosing to support our economic development work. We appreciate your investment in the future of the greater Grand Rapids region.

Jireh Metal Products Inc
Kent County
KeyBank
King Milling Company
PeopleIT
Rehmann Group
Switch
Triterra

To view our current investors, visit rightplace.org/directory.

Did you know: Grand Rapids’ local tech employment has grown by 28% in the past five years? We’re keeping that momentum growing with our Tech Strategy that aims to add 20,000 tech jobs to the city by 2031.

Read our latest blog on Purpose Jobs to see our recent progress and learn more about how we’re growing the Grand Rapids tech community: https://bit.ly/40gByAh

20,000 Tech Jobs in 10 Years: How The Right Place is Building the Next Tech Hub The Right Place aims to make Grand Rapids the Midwest's next tech hub by adding 20,000 tech jobs in 10 years through it's comprehensive Tech Strategy.

Thank you to the following companies for your new and renewing investment in The Right Place. We appreciate your commitment to helping us drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids region. To view our current investors, visit rightplace.org/directory.

Amazon
Applied Innovation
Behler-Young Company
Bradford White Corporation
Cascade Die Casting
Chase
ChoiceOne Bank
Classic Transportation & Warehousing
DeWys Metal Solutions
Ernst & Young LLP
Fishbeck
Grand Rapids Label

Place Matters Summit 2024 is almost here!

Join us on November 13th for this gathering of community leaders to discuss, learn about, and be inspired by ways to cultivate our communities and neighborhoods as vibrant places. Here is what Dave Seppala from Isabella Bank and the Montcalm Economic Alliance has to say about his experience at last year’s Place Matters Summit:

“Attending this event last year was inspirational and rewarding and would highly recommend it to all of you if you can make it. I found it gave me an opportunity to think about placemaking and economic development and it also gave me a chance to see what others are doing in their communities.”

Secure your spot here: https://bit.ly/4dW6dpv

It’s no secret we LOVE Grand Rapids. In our latest blog on Purpose Jobs, discover 8 of our top reasons for why everyone should consider living and working in Grand Rapids. Read it here: https://bit.ly/40dMSgF

8 Reasons to Live and Work in Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Michigan offers a vibrant lifestyle with its affordable living, thriving arts scene, and growing job market, making it an ideal place to live and work.