West Michigan Lakeshore rallies $2.4M for economic future, exceeding goal

HOLLAND — The private sector in the region has delivered a resounding vote of confidence in the region’s economic future, with Lakeshore Advantage announcing Tuesday it has surpassed the fundraising goal for its five-year growth initiative, Powering Our Future: The Next Lakeshore Generation.

The campaign successfully raised more than $2.4 million — exceeding its $2.3 million target — through commitments from 38 businesses, organizations and individuals across Allegan and Ottawa counties, according to a news release. The funds are earmarked for strategic initiatives to strengthen the region’s competitiveness in the global economy through 2030.

"Exceeding our goal shows how deeply our investors are committed to building sustainable economic growth," said Beth Blanton, vice president of engagement at Lakeshore Advantage. "The return is clear: it means thriving businesses, strong local governments, and high-quality job opportunities for people in this region."

An investment in the next generation

Launched publicly in April 2025, the campaign was co-chaired by Jeff Stutz, chief operating officer of MillerKnoll, and P.J. Thompson, CEO of Trans-Matic, alongside Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens.

Stutz stated in the news release that the campaign was about more than just capital. 

"It’s been about uniting our region’s leadership around a shared vision for the future," he said. "These investments will directly fuel the initiatives that our region’s employers and communities need to remain strong, resilient, and competitive for years to come."

Thompson indicated there is a clear connection between the current effort and the area's history of entrepreneurship.

 “When my father started Trans-Matic in 1968, he was investing in the future of our community," Thompson stated in the release. "That’s exactly what this campaign represents — laying the foundation for the region’s immediate future and the next generation."

Three pillars for 2030

The more than $2.4 million will power a targeted five-year growth plan built on three strategic pillars:

• Powering Primary Employers and Communities: Dedicated to supporting the stability and expansion of existing businesses and attracting new business investment.
• Powering Our Future Workforce: Focused on accelerating the attraction, retention, and growth of the talent pipeline, particularly for emerging, high-demand positions.
• Powering the Next Generation of Employers: Cultivating a dynamic startup ecosystem to support product and technology entrepreneurs.

Lakeshore Advantage projects that these initiatives will result in the creation of 5,000 new primary jobs and 4,374 indirect jobs, generate $375 million in new business expansion investments and secure $10 million in new capital investment in startups by 2030.

Support Our Work

Ottawa News Network is a nonprofit news service dedicated to providing the residents of Ottawa County with trustworthy, community-driven news. ONN treats journalism as a public good — something that enriches lives and empowers Ottawa County’s 300,000-plus residents to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and strengthen local democracy. Please consider giving today.

A spokesperson for Lakeshore Advantage defined indirect jobs as jobs “resulting from increased economic activity from direct hiring,” such as retail, healthcare, restaurants and education sectors. 

The campaign is backed by regional investors, including the Now for the Next Fund, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, MillerKnoll, Allegan County Community Foundation, Corewell Health / Priority Health, Fifth Third Bank, Huntington Bank, and LG Energy Solution. 

Lakeshore Advantage, the economic development organization for Allegan and Ottawa counties, contracted Convergent Nonprofit Solutions to help run the fundraising effort.

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