Lakeshore Advantage celebrated a significant step in opening the doors to its new business incubator and headquarters by signing one of the last beams to be installed
HOLLAND, Mich. | February 15, 2024 – Construction on a new hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in downtown Holland—the Next Center—is on track for a 2024 opening. Lakeshore Advantage, the leading economic development organization for West Michigan’s lakeshore region, and its construction partner, EV Construction, joined together in a beam-signing ceremony today to commemorate a major milestone. Leaders and dedicated staff from both organizations signed one of the final beams to be installed to complete the building’s structure.
The Next Center will be owned and operated by Lakeshore Advantage. On its first floor, the Center will house a business incubator fronting 7th Street and College Avenue, between downtown Holland’s main shopping district and the city’s new Community Ice Skating Park currently under development. The first floor will be home to up to 50 start-ups. The second floor will be the new headquarters of Lakeshore Advantage. The third floor, approximately 5,000 square feet of class-A office space, is now available for lease. You can find more information on leasing the space at https://www.commercialexchange.com/listing/39613043/65-E-7th-St-Holland-MI-49423.
“The Next Center is designed to provide an accessible and collaborative space for our region’s entrepreneurs and innovators to accelerate the growth of their startups,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Likewise, our local businesses will have access to potential resources and solutions for their research and development or innovation needs through this ecosystem.”
EV Construction is leading the project’s construction. The first sections of steel were installed and the main structure of the building was created in January. Steel installation will continue into February and is likely to be completed before the end of the month.
“Watching the progress onsite from our office windows has been exciting,” said John Parker, vice president of project development at EV Construction. “We can really see the building take shape and see how it will change the look of the intersection. This is a momentous project for Lakeshore Advantage and should be a catalyst for the growth of north downtown.”