HOLLAND, MI (April 18, 2025) — Lakeshore Advantage, the economic development organization serving Allegan and Ottawa Counties, today launched Powering Our Future: The Next Lakeshore Generation, a five-year growth plan and fundraising campaign to ensure an economically strong and vibrant region. The plan is designed to increase the West Michigan Lakeshore region’s competitiveness in the global economy through initiatives that support business growth, talent development, and entrepreneurship. The private-sector-focused campaign has a goal to raise $2.3 million in new revenue. To date more than $1.8 million has already been secured during a quiet phase of fundraising.
Campaign co-chairs Jeff Stutz, Chief Financial Officer of MillerKnoll, and P.J. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Trans-Matic, are leading the economic growth initiative alongside Jennifer Owens, President of Lakeshore Advantage.
“We all have at least one thing in common: a love for this region and a desire, both professionally and personally, to see it succeed and stay strong,” said Stutz. “This plan is our playbook. It’s how we become the winning team.”
The campaign will fund the resources for Lakeshore Advantage to execute their targeted fiveyear growth plan. Powering Our Future is built around three strategic initiatives:
• Powering Our Future Workforce: Accelerating attraction, retention, and growth in the talent pipeline with a focus on high-demand and emerging workers.
• Powering Primary Employers and Communities: Supporting the stability and growth of existing businesses while positioning the region as a top-tier location for business investment.
• Powering the Next Generation of Employers: Building a dynamic startup ecosystem for entrepreneurs in target sectors.
Through the implementation of the five-year plan, Lakeshore Advantage aims to achieve the following outcomes by 2030:
• 5,000 new primary jobs and 4,374 indirect jobs
• $375 million in new capital investment
• $10 million in new capital investment in startups
• Strengthened regional resilience and competitiveness
The Powering Our Future campaign has already received commitments from over 20 regional businesses and organizations, including:
• Now for the Next Fund
• MillerKnoll
• Corewell Health
• Fifth Third Bank
• Huntington Bank
• LG Energy Solution
• Priority Health
• Bank of America
• EV Construction
• fairlife, LLC
• Haworth
• Holland Board of Public Works
• Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Lakewood Construction
• Macatawa Bank
• Old National Bank
• Pioneer Construction
• Boar’s Head
• Brooks Capital Management
• ITC
• Trans-Matic
• Impact Fab
• Warner Norcross + Judd
• Holly and Erick Johnson
• Metal Flow
Thompson shared his personal reflection: “When my father started Trans-Matic in 1968, he was thinking beyond the moment—he saw the value of our community and the need to invest in its future,” Thompson remarked. “That’s what we’re doing today: laying the groundwork for the next 50 years.”
A private kickoff reception celebrating campaign investors and outlining the plan was held this morning at The Next Center in downtown Holland, with remarks from campaign leadership.
To learn more about the campaign or get involved, visit https://lakeshoreadvantage.com/aboutus/strategic-plan-pof/.
About: Lakeshore Advantage is the economic development organization serving Allegan and Ottawa Counties in West Michigan. Since 2003, it has supported the growth of primary employers—ranging from startups to global corporations—by solving economic challenges and fostering long-term regional prosperity. Last year, Lakeshore Advantage facilitated $243.9 million in private sector investments, helped businesses secure $44.7 million in support funds, and helped create or retain over 550 jobs.
Learn more at www.lakeshoreadvantage.com.
