Partners
Partners of the Right Place
Economic development is a team sport. That's why our partners throughout the region and state are essential to our success in driving long-term economic growth and prosperity for the Greater Grand Rapids region.
Hello West Michigan
The Right Place's strategic partner, Hello West Michigan, works to attract and retain world-class talent and companies in West Michigan. This partnership allows both organizations to better leverage on another's assets, addressing the region’s talent shortage, getting job candidates connected, and finding talent for employers.
Hello West Michigan offers the following services, catering to both job seekers and West Michigan employers alike:
- One-stop shop website for people interested in relocating to West Michigan
- Job Portal featuring open positions at member companies
- Candidate Database: Relocating, new in town, or a trailing significant other? Upload your resume here
- Events & trainings like career fairs, mixers, and ReThink West Michigan
Connect with Hello West Michigan
Rachel Gray
Executive Director, Hello West MichiganAs the Executive Director for Hello West Michigan, Rachel leads the organization’s strategy, operations, and membership. She helps educate employers and prospective candidates about the region.
Jessica Kuster
Program Manager, Hello West MichiganJessica serves as the Program Manager for Hello West Michigan, where she oversees the internship and candidate connection programs, marketing and communication needs, and facilitates member orientation and training programs.
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (MMTC-West)
Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (MMTC-West) has acted as trusted advisors to small and medium-sized manufacturers as they develop stronger operations, drive innovation, promote excellence and achieve greater profitability.
As a strategic partner of The Right Place, MMTC-West's team allows us to offer a more comprehensive selection of economic development services to manufacturing companies in our region. Advisers for MMTC-West provide objective, straight-forward consulting and manufacturing technical support to manufacturers in the 13-county West Michigan region.
Connect with MMTC-West
René Booker
Program Manager, MMTC-WestRené Booker is program manager for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West, providing support for events, marketing, and internal continuous improvement efforts. She also supports The Right Place/MMTC-West Manufacturers and Supply Chain Management Councils.
Terry Hossink
Vice President, Manufacturing ServicesTerry is responsible for The Right Place’s Manufacturing Services team. He is also the Regional Director for the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - Grand Rapids office team. This team works with West Michigan’s small and mid-sized manufacturers assisting them with their opportunities for continuous improvement, development, growth, and transition with advanced manufacturing technologies.
Steven Lopez
Business Development Specialist, MMTC-WestSteven Lopez is an experienced Business Development Specialist with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – West, affiliated with The Right Place. Specializing in plant and production management, Steven has a deep passion for operational excellence and lean processes. He is notably recognized for his expertise in driving operational excellence and innovation within Industry 4.0. As West Michigan's lead Industry 4.0 assessor, Steven conducts comprehensive Industry 4.0 assessments across West Michigan's 13 counties, focusing on identifying technologies that enhance operational performance. Serving small and mid-size manufacturers in Barry County and parts of Kent, his work is instrumental in advancing technological innovation and fostering growth in Michigan's dynamic manufacturing sector. Through these efforts, Steven plays a crucial role in ensuring the regional manufacturing industry remains competitive and innovative in the evolving global landscape.
Ben Wood
Business Development Specialist, MMTC-WestBen is responsible for working with small to medium sized manufacturers in West Michigan, focusing on Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ionia, and Northern Kent Counties. He helps them assess their opportunities for continuous improvement and growth.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, talent and jobs, tourism, film and digital media incentives, arts and cultural grants, and overall economic growth.
Michigan Defense Center
The Michigan Defense Center identifies growth opportunities for Michigan businesses based on Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs. The Defense Center helps businesses access research and development (R&D) resources in universities, federal laboratories, and industry, in order to form strategic alliances and respond to new challenges in defense and homeland security.
The Regional Air Alliance
The Regional Air Alliance (RAA) is a private sector initiative dedicated to providing world-class commercial air service in the region. Its goal is to serve as a catalyst for improved air service in West Michigan for the benefit of area residents, businesses, and visitors.
RAA's ongoing initiatives are focused on the following areas:
- Airport passenger service quality
- Airport operating performance bench-marking
- Air service economic impact analysis
- Airline service retention
- Airline service recruitment
Mission: To pursue, through research, study, analysis and experimentation, the advancement, improvement and promotion of commercial air service in West Michigan for the benefit of the residents and companies that do business in the region. Our goal is to identify how improved commercial air service contributes to improved quality of life for residents and more efficient operations for business.
News from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Find the latest news and updates from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on the grr.org News page.
Regional Economic Development Alliances
The Right Place serves six of the 13 counties throughout West Michigan, including: Kent, Ionia, Lake, Newaygo, Montcalm and Oceana. These services are made available to these communities through partnerships with several local economic development alliances throughout the region.
Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA)
Representing area companies and dedicated to retaining and attracting businesses to Ionia, the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) provides comprehensive economic development services including business retention, expansion, and attraction support to Ionia County businesses.
Lake County Economic Development Alliance (LCEDA)
The Lake County Economic Development Alliance’s mission is to create a unified vision promoting the unique Lake County resources including historical, natural and cultural amenities that enhance the capacity of the local economy.
Chamber Alliance of Mason County
The mission of the Chamber Alliance of Mason County is to promote business, enhance economic and community development, and serve as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in Mason County.
Mecosta County Development Corporation (MCDC)
The MCDC’s mission is to facilitate and initiate economic development that expands and diversifies the Mecosta County economy, thereby creating job opportunities for area residents.
Montcalm Economic Alliance (MEA)
In January 2015, the Montcalm Economic Alliance re-energized its organization and partnered with The Right Place, West Michigan’s leading economic development organization, to provide economic development services for Montcalm County.
Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership (NCEDP)
The Right Place has collaborated with community leaders in Newaygo County to ensure long-term job creation, investment, and overall economic prosperity for the county. This partnership was amplified in 2022 with the establishment of the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership.
Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA)
The Oceana County Economic Alliance is an organization created to assist business development needs in Oceana County with a mission to create a diverse economic environment by strengthening talent, leveraging resources, and supporting the retention, expansion, attraction, and creation of Oceana County businesses.