HOLLAND, Mich. (February 9, 2026) – Lakeshore Advantage, the regional economic development organization serving Allegan and Ottawa counties, shared highlights from a pivotal year at its annual meeting held late last month, bringing together business, civic, and community leaders from across the Lakeshore region. The organization’s 2025 Annual Report reflects a year defined by listening closely to the business community and charting a thoughtful, steady course forward amid evolving economic conditions.
“As AI, automation, and global shifts reshape every industry in 2025, we chose to act,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advanage. “We leaned into what our employers, entrepreneurs, and communities need now investing in talent, infrastructure and innovation. Guided by our grow, plan, solve framework, we’re serving as the region’s economic GPS, helping leaders navigate today’s disruption and positioning the Lakeshore to remain a business and talent magnet for years to come.”
Throughout 2025, Lakeshore Advantage advanced its role as the Lakeshore region’s economic GPS—growing, planning, and solving alongside employers and communities. That approach connects real-time business intelligence with coordinated action to strengthen the region’s economic foundation.
2025 highlights include:
- Support for eight business expansion projects representing 231 new jobs, 592 retained jobs and $131.9 million in private investment, contributing to continued economic momentum and competitiveness.
- Engagement with 250 primary employers and 130 in-depth business intelligence interviews with regional executives.
- 128 companies supported through the SURGE ecosystem, with more than $4.5 million raised by participating startups.
- Collaboration with 82 strategic partners and 65 HR leaders to address workforce, talent, and long-range regional challenges.
- Launching the Next Gen Talent Council representing 17 industries across the region to implement a talent retention and attraction strategy.
Beyond these outcomes, 2025 also marked a significant organizational milestone: Lakeshore Advantage’s first full year operating out of the Next Center. The space quickly became a hub for collaboration among entrepreneurs, employers, students, and partners. As a result, SURGE memberships grew by 60% to more than 50 companies, expanding access to coaching, mentorship, and accelerator programming designed to help startups move from idea to investable business.
“Entrepreneurship is a critical part of economic development. Startups and second-stage companies help existing industries evolve, create new industries, diversify the economy, and help regions adapt as markets, technology, and workforce needs change,” commented Nora VandenBrink, vice president of entrepreneurship. “A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem ensures that an economy isn’t overly reliant on a single sector or employer but is continuously renewed from within.”
A digital version of the 2025 Annual Report, including a full overview of initiatives and outcomes, is available at https://lakeshoreadvantage.com/invest/.
