Hello West Michigan

West Michigan's cultural diversity supports a thriving arts scene.

From an economic history rooted in design-driven furniture and manufacturing industries to a thriving contemporary arts scene, West Michigan's economy and culture is inextricably linked to the arts. West Michigan boasts the world's largest art prize, vibrant local music, numerous public art and music festivals, innovative museums, and nationally-renowned performing arts troupes. You'll find culture for every taste in West Michigan.

Building on Unparalleled Philanthropy

West Michigan Is a National Leader in Giving Back

The vitality West Michigan exhibits is a tribute to the generousity of its citizens, major philanthropists and regular citizens alike. Recognized repeatedly as one of the most generous regions per capita in the United States, West Michigan philanthropists have pioneered ground-breaking private-public partnerships, a billion dollar public school scholarship program, a multi-billion dollar medical research institute, cutting edge museums, and top-flight arts institutions. In West Michigan, philanthropy is more than a legacy; it's a way of life.

A Better Life Awaits in West Michigan

Whether you choose the vibrancy of urban living in a downtown condominium, the youthful energy of one of the region's college towns like Kalamazoo, or the quiet of a big country house with a garden, you're just a quick drive, maybe even a short walk, away from work, schools, volunteer opportunities and cultural events. With one of the lowest cost of living in the United States, diverse entertainment options, top schools, and rich economic opportunity, West Michigan is consistently recognized as one of the top places to live in the United States.

A Global Leader in Sustainable Living

West Michigan has set environmental trends for decades.

West Michigan is wonderfully, beautifully green. But "green" doesn't refer to the color of the landscape; it's the simple term that sums up what is perhaps the region's most acclaimed accomplishments: being a global leader in the design and construction of some of the world's first, and best, environmentally-savvy built environments.

What Thousands of Entrepreneurs Call 'Home'

New Businesses Thrive in West Michigan

From innovative bio-medical or information technology startups to world-beating manufacturers and suppliers, West Michigan is a launchpad for entrepreneurial success. With well-developed angel-investing networks, a business-friendly culture, top-notch colleges and university, and deep talent pool from which to hire, West Michigan is a nurturing environment where startups and other innovative ventures can grow.

Latest Hello West Michigan Tweets

NEWS Grand Haven, Michigan Named One of the Best Secret Beaches on Earth

Travel + Leisure names Grand Haven, Michigan as one of the Best Secret Beaches on Earth. They define the list of beach hideaways, “as understated, unexpected and – at least for now - under the radar.” Internationally, exotic locations like Cirali Beach, Turkey, Salema, Portugal and Koh Lanta, Thailand were selected. Nationally, secret beaches include Bethany Beach, Delware, Puako, Hawaii, Grand Haven, Michigan and Cayucos, California.

“We have a great selection of public beaches, including the more popular Grand Haven State Park and City Beach, but we also have more secluded locations like Rosy Mound Natural Area and Kirk Park,” states Marci Cisneros, executive director of the Grand Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We take great pride in our natural resources and we work hard to keep them healthy, beautiful and publically accessible; which is why this recognition is so appreciated.”

There is no doubt, that the natural assets of the area played an important part in the selection process. A combination of golden soft sand beaches, towering sand dunes, lush green forests and beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan made the Grand Haven area a stand-out. It was, however, the collective assets of the community that secured its place on the list. The trolley cars, the two and half mile boardwalk and the historic twin 19th century lighthouses, along with the abundant recreational opportunities, that made this classic American beach town one of only four destinations in the nation to make the list.

NEWS Register Today for Hello West Michigan's Spring Unconference: Recruiting & Retaining Talent to West Michigan

Register today for Hello West Michigan's Spring Unconference!

Come network, learn about best practices in Talent Retention

and learn about a featured West Michigan city!

Friday, May 4, 2012, 8:00 - 11:30 AM

Van Andel Institute

333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids

For More Information and to Register:

http://springunconference2012.eventbrite.com

NEWS The Best Cities For Raising A Family

Grand Rapids, Michigan doesn’t boast a lot of affluence. The metro area population of 774,000 carries a median household of $47,040, good for just 65^th place among America’s 100 largest MSAs. The city’s major claims to fame come from being a national leader in office furniture production, and for being the hometown of a U.S. president, Gerald Ford.

What Grand Rapids does have: the distinction of being the best metro area in the country to raise a family in. Income may be relatively low, but the cost of living is even lower. The local school system ranks in the top third in the country. Commuting to work is a breeze. The housing foreclosure mess didn’t leave Grand Rapids unscathed, chopping about 12% off area home values over the past few years. But that’s still quite modest compared to many other places. Almost 90% of Grand Rapids’ housing stock is affordable to a family at the median income level, the seventh-highest rate in the country. And the local crime rate falls well below the national average.

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NEWS Young talent asked to explore Lakeshore for future employment in Muskegon and Grand Haven

The college “road trip” April 13 is destined for Muskegon and Grand Haven for a regional talent search.

The Pure Michigan Talent Connect initiative in conjunction with two Lakeshore development agencies are inviting college students and any young, skilled professional looking for employment in Muskegon and Grand Haven to a community familiarization and job fair event.

Michigan’s Lakeshore region has joined with the state to bring the perspective workers here for the day-long event. Buses will be provided students coming from Wayne State University in Detroit, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Michigan State University in East Lansing among other state universities.

The flier for the event asks the students and other high-end job seekers to visit two communities that are “home to innovative companies, cutting-edge entrepreneurs and hundreds of new job opportunities. Michigan’s West Coast Region has much to offer top-notch talent, including college students.”

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NEWS Study: Michigan in top ten list of Best States to Make a Living

MICHIGAN -- Despite a statewide unemployment rate at 9 percent, Michigan has made it into a list of top ten best states in the country to make a living, according to a report by MoneyRates.com.

The study shows Michigan as the No. 6 state for making a living, with the average wage estimated at $40,490.

The report says rankings are based on average incomes that are adjusted for taxes, unemployment figures and standard of living.

Last year's survey found Michigan rated No. 13, with average income of $37,427.

The 10 Best States to Make a Living in 2012 according to MoneyRates.com were: 1. Virginia; 2. Washington; 3. Texas; 4. Illinois; 5. Colorado; 6. Michigan; 7. Wyoming; 8. Utah; 9. Delaware; and 10. Massachusetts.

The 10 Worst States to Make a Living in 2012 were 1. Hawaii, 2. Maine, 3. Vermont, 4. Mississippi, 5. Montana, 6. Rhode Island, 7. California, 8. West Virginia, 9. South Carolina and 10. South Dakota.

PROFILE

Frances H. | Haworth

I'm originally from Puerto Rico and have been in the United States for the past 23 years. Before coming here, I lived all over -- I went to school in Boston, then moved to New York, and then Texas while I worked in Mexico. I also lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. I came to West Michigan looking for a better work/life balance. I wanted a community that was family oriented, and I found that place in Holland. MORE

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