Strategic Business Advantages of the Muskegon Lakeshore

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Selecting the ideal location for a business can be an extremely tall order, but when it comes to choosing a site in the Muskegon Lakeshore region, it’s a no-brainer. Here are six things that might fly under the radar but should not be overlooked by businesses choosing a site in Muskegon. 

1. Ideal Location 

Situated along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, the Muskegon region provides a “strategic location with multimodal transportation,” says Trevor Friedeberg, CEO of Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED). 

“Our large, natural, deep-water port is an irreplicable asset to freight and logistics companies that desire access to the Great Lakes or the St. Lawrence Seaway,” he says. 

Muskegon boasts exceptional transportation links, simplifying the movement of both people and goods. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Muskegon County Airport offer air travel options, complemented by robust rail infrastructure. 

“The Michigan Shore Railroad serves Muskegon and Muskegon Heights and connects with the CSX mainline between Grand Haven and Holland, allowing rail access to Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit and Chicago,” says Robert M. Lukens, community development director of Muskegon County. 

Interstate 96 and Interstate 94 – connected via the I-196 loop and U.S. Route 31 – round out the major transportation options in and out of the region. 

2. Aviation Hub 

Michigan is home to one of the largest aerospace clusters in the country, which attracts aerospace companies and supportive industries to the region. 

“The Muskegon Lakeshore is home to a strong base in precision manufacturing, which is key to the aerospace industry,” Friedeberg says. 

The area has access to several aerospace suppliers (GE Aerospace and Howmet Aerospace are both local leaders in aerospace-grade component production), a trained labor pipeline and excellent logistics via port, rail and highway. 

“We have an incredibly diverse supplier base, with over 260 manufacturers located in the county,” Friedeberg says. 

3. Economic Wins 

Strategic economic development initiatives have attracted major companies looking to expand. 

In nearby Newaygo County, M. Argueso & Co. Inc., a German supplier of wax blends and adhesives, is renovating an existing facility and adding manufacturing equipment and operations. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $33 million and create up to 20 jobs in the city of Norton Shores. 

Forming Technologies, a heavy gauge thermoformed products manufacturer based in Muskegon, is investing about $18.8 million in expansion plans that will create 70 new jobs and retain 91 existing positions. Also nearby, Consumers Energy is building a 1,200-acre utility-scale solar farm at the county’s Resource Recovery Center. 

Friedeberg attributes economic growth to direct and indirect incentives, educational attainment, and public-private partnerships. 

“Local programs like the Muskegon Innovation Hub (Grand Valley State University) and the Muskegon Growth Collaborative offer startup and networking support, while programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund and custom training through Muskegon Community College collectively help build workforce capacity,” he says. 

4. Wastewater Powerhouse

For industrial companies, Muskegon’s supply of freshwater from Lake Michigan and a large-capacity wastewater management system with up to 30 million gallons per day of excess capacity is a big selling point. 

“Muskegon’s advanced wastewater treatment system – one of the largest land-based treatment facilities in the country – is a major asset for water-intensive industries such as food processing, chemical manufacturing and metal finishing,” Friedeberg says. 

5. Emerging Industry

Food production is also big business along the Muskegon Lakeshore. The Food, Agriculture, Research and Manufacturing (FARM) Accelerator & Food Hub supports startup food-based companies, as well as longtime food processors looking for a manufacturing site to test new products. 

“By building stronger food system linkages, these efforts help local growers scale sustainably, increase profitability and contribute to regional food security and economic resilience,” Friedeberg says. 

6. Labor Force

Muskegon’s regional workforce provides more than 91,300 employees. A significant talent pipeline flows from several area colleges such as the Michigan State University Extension Muskegon County, Grand Valley State University, Baker College of Muskegon and Muskegon Community College, which wrapped up $47.5 million in campus enhancements in 2019. 

These institutions are further complemented by robust K-12 initiatives aimed at preparing the next generation of workers. 

“Several local school districts have joined the Ford Next Generation Learning program as part of an effort to transform our K-12 education through career-themed academies, real-world problem-solving and strong school-community-employer linkages,” Friedeberg says.