Ottawa County economic landscape shifts as local growth offsets corporate exits

OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa County’s commercial landscape is undergoing a period of transition as several long-standing industrial and retail entities close or change ownership, while new residential and infrastructure projects move toward completion.

The shifts include the expansion of regional restaurant brands into the lakeshore market, the repurposing of former federal property for municipal use and the sales of industrial companies.

Growth, economic strategy

The changes come as the county prepares for a significant influx of residents. 

Ottawa County Board Chair Josh Brugger said that with an average annual growth rate of 3 percent, the county is projected to welcome more than 100,000 new residents in less than a decade.

"To put that into perspective, the city of Grand Haven has a population of roughly 10,000, Holland about 35,000 and Georgetown Township nearly 55,000," Brugger said. "In other words, within the next 10 years, our county will grow by the equivalent of two of our largest cities plus our largest township — combined."

Brugger attributed the region's resilience to a diversified economic base.

"Our economy stands firmly on a three-legged stool: manufacturing, agriculture and tourism," he said. 

"We are a county shaped by generations of hardworking people. Whether third, fourth or fifth-generation residents of European descent, or first and second-generation residents from Hispanic and Asian backgrounds, we share a deep commitment to hard work, ingenuity, creativity and the strength of family."

Brugger added that these values allow the region to pivot despite broader economic headwinds.

"These shared values bind us together," Brugger said. "They are the reason that, even amid rapidly changing market conditions, Ottawa County does more than survive — we adapt, we overcome and we continue to thrive. It's no surprise that our population is growing. Who would want to live anywhere else in Michigan?"

Hospitality, retail transitions

MudPenny, a West Michigan-based café and scratch kitchen, is preparing to open a new location at the Holiday Inn waterfront in Spring Lake. 

Owner Matthew Fuller said the 3,500-square-foot space at 940 W. Savidge St., formerly occupied by Burger Theory, is undergoing a remodel expected to finish by mid-to late March.

The restaurant will seat 120 indoors with an additional 80 seats on a riverside patio. The Spring Lake site marks MudPenny’s first move into the lakeshore region, joining existing locations in Grand Rapids, Ada and Rockford. The menu showcases comfort food, featuring house-made items like honey chicken salad on naan, wood-fired pizzas and breakfast burritos paired with house-roasted coffee. 

The opening follows the announced closure of The Paisley Pig in Grand Haven, which will cease operations at the end of March after nine years. 

In Jenison, the Fazoli’s on Chicago Drive has also closed, part of a wider reduction of the brand's footprint in Michigan.

In Hudsonville, a new local venture called Huddy’s Ice Cream is slated to open in mid-April at 5340 Plaza Ave. The shop will serve 20 flavors of Hudsonville Ice Cream and includes plans for a 60-person outdoor patio.

Municipal infrastructure, land use

Local governments are moving forward with several land-use projects aimed at housing and public safety:

• Park Township: The township recently completed the $1.4 million purchase of the former Holland Coast Guard Station at 2280 Ottawa Beach Road. The facility is being converted into a water rescue operations center for the Park Township Fire Department. Renovations begin this month, with the station expected to be operational by summer.
• Grand Haven Township: Planning officials are reviewing a proposal from Baumann Building for a 123-home development on 40 acres of former agricultural land between Comstock Street and Robbins Road. The project includes 36 townhomes priced at approximately $287,500. 
• Grand Haven solar: Grand Haven City Council approved an easement on Feb. 16 for a community solar project at the Grand Haven Memorial Airpark. Managed by the Board of Light and Power, the project allows residents to lease panels for 20 years. Construction is pending Federal Aviation Administration approval.

Corporate, industrial changes

The county’s industrial sector has seen significant movement over the past year. In 2025:

• JSJ Corp. sold Sparks Belting Co. to Belt Power LLC
• McLoone Metal Graphics sold to Clarion Safety Systems
• Hudson Technologies sold to PrecisionX Group

Other industrial shifts included the closure of the Natron Energy battery plant in Holland and a downsizing at the Howard Miller Co. in Zeeland, which eliminated 138 positions in September.

Large-scale retail vacancies also continue following the 2025 closures of Party City, Joann Fabrics and Big Lots in the Holland and Jenison areas. 

All Michigan Rite-Aid locations were shuttered in late 2025 following the company’s bankruptcy proceedings, closing the Spring Lake location. 

In the recreation and apparel sectors, Michigan’s Adventure was recently included in a sale of assets to a group involving EPR Properties, and the Grand Haven-based clothing brand Marushka was sold to a new owner.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.