Grow on the Lakeshore

Lakeshore Advantage has been a crucial partner as Shape Corp continues to grow here. Their business advocacy and work in strengthening our region as a great place to do business has been top-notch. They understand what manufacturers need to thrive on the lakeshore.
Kyle Verplank
Verplank Enterprises Incorporated

"I think West Michigan—Holland, Ottawa County particularly—has got to be one of the best places to start a business nowadays, maybe in the whole country. [...] It was like somebody just pulled up in a car and was like, 'Get in, we’re going to take you there.' I’ve done startup stuff in Detroit and Grand Rapids, but nothing has the same personalness. West Michigan is small enough that you really get that connection, but big and dynamic enough that there’s a lot going on. It’s low stress, fun, and collaborative.”
Tyler Blair
Co-Founder & CEO at Bit-Farms, SURGE member

There is a direct connection between the success of our business and economic development along the lakeshore. Business growth requires space, and space is what we provide. We also invest because the tools and resources offered by Lakeshore Advantage make us more successful. They add direct value to our clients, and we get credit just for making the connection! More indirectly, EV Construction invests in Lakeshore Advantage in order build a community of innovation and entrepreneurship on the lakeshore. We believe building that type of community will attract the kind of talent that we will need to grow our business for the next 77 years and beyond.
John Parker
Vice President of Project Development at EV Construction

Economic Development Organizations have the pulse of their region and must not be reticent in sharing their informed perspective with community members and prospective investors. Lakeshore Advantage, under the leadership of Jennifer Owens is the primary exemplar of this in West Michigan.
Dale K. Nesbary
Ph.D. Retired President at Muskegon Community College