The Grand Rapids Area Economic Development Corporation is expanding plans to boost investment in surrounding counties.

The plans involve partnerships with eight counties to attract new businesses and more jobs to the area.

Randy Thelen is CEO of The Right Place, Inc., an economic development firm that helped formulate the plan with other leaders in all eight counties. He says it makes sense for communities in a region to work together to secure investment.

“You know this is now an environment in which we compete region against region,” says Thelen. “It means Grand Rapids versus Columbus Ohio, versus Indianapolis, versus Nashville. These are the communities we really need to stand out and compete against. “

Thelen says expanding regional cooperation could also help spur investment in small communities around western Michigan, which haven’t garnered as much attention as Grand Rapids in recent years.

“I think there is an opportunity now, as you think about the impacts of COVID and people who want a little more room to stretch out, maybe even go back to their families a bit,” he says. he. “I think there is a window of opportunity for smaller, more rural communities to have their moment and so we’re going to put that to the test.”

Cooperation and expanded partnerships involve the counties of Kent, Ionia, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Oceana.