Lakeshore Advantage finished the first quarter of 2026 with a strong start to the year. The organization translated strategy into measurable impact across business growth, talent, and entrepreneurship. In the first quarter, the team supported four business expansions totaling nearly $654 million in private investment and 630 new and retained jobs, while continuing to advance 18 additional projects in the pipeline.
One standout example is fairlife’s expansion in Coopersville, a $650 million investment creating 150 jobs. Just a year ago, this project was likely headed out of state. Through coordinated effort with local partners, state agencies, and elected officials, the team helped secure a transformational win that strengthens the region’s agribusiness cluster and reinforces the Lakeshore’s competitiveness.
Beyond business attraction and expansion, Lakeshore Advantage supported 37 startups, helping generate $1.3 million in startup capital, and continued advancing workforce housing solutions, with 19 projects in progress and ongoing employer engagement. This work reflects a balanced approach supporting immediate growth while addressing the long-term factors that sustain a thriving regional economy.
Insights from recent business retention visits also provide an important pulse on the region’s employers. Over the past six months, 67 companies were engaged, with 33% indicating plans to expand in the next three years . At the same time, talent continues to be a key pressure point, with 40% reporting ongoing recruitment challenges. Encouragingly, innovation remains a focus—59% of companies have introduced new products in the past three years—though only 15% report R&D investment levels that meet national best practice benchmarks. Taken together, these insights highlight both the resilience of the region’s business base and the need to continue addressing workforce and innovation capacity to sustain a thriving regional economy.
The first quarter results underscore a clear theme: progress is happening, and it’s powered by collaboration, persistence, and a shared vision for the Lakeshore’s future.
