What does the next technology hub of the Midwest look like? Grand Rapids, Mich., if The Right Place and the city’s vibrant tech community have their say.
The Right Place, an economic development organization for Greater Grand Rapids, launched its Tech Strategy after a research study showed cities with a similar demographic to Grand Rapids with technology as a leading industry were further ahead in job creation and capital investment, and had a strong economy.
The Right Place shared that data with 200 local business leaders and asked, “What would it look like if Grand Rapids was the next tech hub of the Midwest?”, says Jennifer Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place.
That question, and others, spurred the community and The Right Place to formalize their Tech Strategy which aims to make tech 10% of regional employment and add 20,000 jobs by 2031.
Greater Grand Rapids Tech Strategy
The Tech Strategy has three pillars: talent, ecosystem, and business growth.
Talent
The Right Place takes a multi-prong approach to talent acquisition and retention. Not only are they working with universities to foster talent, but they’re working with K-12 educators to spur an interest in technology and think about future talent. Additionally, the organization is looking at how to create new career opportunities and show how other careers and industries can form a bridge into tech, Jennifer says.
Ecosystem
Grand Rapids is proud of its inclusive, collaborative tech ecosystem. The Right Place wants to see that flourish by creating space for the knowledge economy to work and play, Jennifer says. This includes the number of centers of innovation that have, and continue to, pop up across the region at colleges and universities. The Right Place also puts on an annual unconference called Tech Week Grand Rapids that brings the entire tech community together — 16,000 attended in 2024 — across six days and 70+ events.
Business Growth
Finally, the Tech Strategy relies on businesses to grow and continue to hire tech workers. But to do that, they need the tools and resources to prosper in Grand Rapids. The Right Place supports local tech companies — and other businesses — that are exploring a move or office in Grand Rapids by providing those resources and connections for a successful landing, Jennifer says.
“All three of the buckets come together to form the environment where we can become a leading tech hub in the Midwest,” Jennifer says.
What’s New in 2024
In the 2024 Tech Strategy update, The Right Place shares that 449 new tech jobs were added last year, for a total of 3,754 new tech jobs since 2021. The report also states that there are 6,770 job postings in the tech sector in Grand Rapids, with a median salary of $83,300. Industrial engineer and software development roles are the most popular occupations within tech — these roles grew from 2023 to 2024 by 2.2% and 4.3% respectively.
This year, Grand Rapids was also ranked on CBRE’s list of up-and-coming North American tech-talent markets. Grand Rapids’ local tech employment has grown by 28% in the past five years and its tech talent wages have increased by 20%.
To continue this momentum and create jobs in the area, there is a focus on collaboration within the wider tech community.
Collaboration and Community
The Tech Strategy is first and foremost community-driven and 2024 has been a year of building collaboration and access across the city’s tech ecosystem.
Image credit: The Right Place
Community members with various expertise can step up to the plate and be a part of the journey to become the next tech hub, Jennifer says.
“It is a community-based effort,” Jennifer says. “Under the tech umbrella there are so many buckets, so all industries can decide to engage. Tech community leaders have a passion for giving back and seeing West Michigan win.”
Here are a few examples of initiatives started this year that support the Tech Strategy:
Go Beyond is for women in STEAM who want to break barriers and foster progress in the tech sector. The first event was held in May 2024 with the hope of creating opportunities for leadership, growth, and mentorship.
West Michigan AI Lab is a community that meets monthly to create awareness around AI and provide guidance on how and where to start with the new technology. The group’s goal is to drive growth and technological advancement in West Michigan.
AI for Manufacturing Opportunity Roadmap is designed for small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. The roadmap includes knowledge and awareness of how tech companies are supporting manufacturers in AI and serves as a tool for business owners to understand where they can use AI for business growth.
“The Grand Rapids economy is 25% manufacturing,” Jennifer says. “We need to bridge that into the digital economy and AI.”
The Mitten Project is an open-source resource for technology entrepreneurs who are committed to founding and growing their startups in Greater Grand Rapids. The project offers resources, informational sessions, mentorship, and assistance in raising capital.
The Technology Council of West Michigan works to grow technology-oriented businesses in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Its newly formed steering committee and its subsequent working groups are in charge of executing on the 10-year Tech Strategy.
Looking Ahead
As The Right Place enters its fourth year of the Tech Strategy, Jennifer stresses the importance of staying up to date. With AI at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it’s important that the region considers how AI will play into personal and professional lives, she says.
“It’s important for us to continue to innovate and work with the local community to put out products and events that educate our community on the fast-moving tech economy,” Jennifer says.
Discover why tech talent is choosing Grand Rapids.
