Grand Action 2.0

Last week, Kent County voters passed the Sports & Entertainment Facilities Proposal! Thank you for supporting Destination Kent, a campaign to grow our community with visitor-funded, community-owned assets. New jobs and investment are on the way for West Michigan’s future generations.

Vote Yes on the Destination Kent Proposal (Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal)! ~90% of the revenue comes from visitors that live outside of Kent County. It is not a millage! This is a small fee on hotel stays and will cost an average of $3.72/night. The funding will catalyze more than a billion in new economic activity and support millions in private and philanthropic investments. Potential projects to support include the amphitheater and proposed soccer stadium. The benefits stretch far beyond the physical footprint of the projects and led to over $11 billion in additional investment in hotels, small businesses, commercial/office and entertainment venues. These catalytic investments will drive the next several decades of the region’s economic growth.

Don’t miss this event tomorrow! More opportunities available for small businesses interested in partnering with prequalified contractors on the Acrisure Amphitheater!

Thank you Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. for your continued partnership!

Grand Action 2.0 hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking last week to kick off construction on the Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids. Construction of the $184 million riverfront venue is slated for completion in spring of 2026. This marks the third major riverfront project to get underway in less than a year! Thank you to the private donors and public sector partners, including City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention and Arena Authority, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Grand Rapids Chamber and Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Special thanks to the?Grand Rapids Symphony?for providing a welcoming fanfare performance at the site.

Last week Grand Action 2.0's co-chair, Carol Van Andel, executive director, Kara Wood and executive board members Birgit M. Klohs, Philomena Mantella and Krista Flynn were recognized as Crain's 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, among so many other community partners and donors. Congratulations to all who were honored and thank you for your leadership! https://lnkd.in/gjFeudWT

“To create a differentiated city from those across the nation, we must respect what got us to where we are – while also embracing the future with energy, creativity, and a togetherness that will create a welcoming community for all,” said Dick DeVos, chairman of The Windquest Group and co-chair of Grand Action 2.0 along with its predecessor Grand Action. “A key ingredient in every chapter has been leadership from the private sector. Businessmen and women who know how to get things done, who are willing to think creatively, insist on excellence, aren’t captive to local political fads or pressures, and stay focused on what’s best for the entire community over the long term.” 5 Ways A Growing City Can Define Their Brand (forbes.com)

Public-private partnerships have long been key to projects that have transformed our downtown, increased visitorship and enriched the quality of life in our community at large. We look forward to working closely with our partners at the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County to explore what this legislation makes possible.