Grand Rapids' manufacturing sector has experienced a significant decline, however manufacturing still significantly contributes to the economy, especially the office furniture industry. Some of the notable office furniture manufactures in the region are Steelcase, Haworth, American Seating, Knoll and Herman Miller. Several companies also manufacture residential furniture. Jobs are also provided by businesses in industries such as industrial machinery, plastics, chemicals, automotive parts, food processing, graphic arts and printing.
The "Medical Mile" includes numerous health science related businesses and numerous jobs. In addition, Grand Rapids is also known as a Christian publishing center and is home to Baker Books, Zonervan, Eerdmans Publishing and Kregel Publications. Also, the tourism industry is becoming more important to the city due to the region becoming increasingly popular as a vacation and convention destination. The region is also known for its fruit production.
The significant job providers in the Grand Rapids region are:
- Spectrum Health - Hospital and medical care
- Meijer Inc - Groceries and general merchandise
- Walmart - Retail
- Spartan Stores Inc - Groceries
- Steelcase Inc - Furniture, modular space systems
- Johnson Controls
- Herman Miller
- Alticore
- Farmers Insurance Group - Insurance
- Axious Incorporated - Human resource and employment services
- Grand Rapids Public Schools - Education
- St Mary's Health Care - Hospital and medical care
- City of Grand Rapids - Government
- Roskam Baking Co - Commercial bakery, manufactures cereals; provides packaging and labeling services
- Kent County - Government
- Lacks Enterprises, Inc - Manufacturer of automotive, telecommunications and consumer electronics
- U.S. Postal Service - Government
- Calvin College - Education
- Gordon Food Service Inc - Food services wholesaler
- GE Aviation Systems LLC - Military and commercial avionics systems
- Michigan Medical PC - Multi-specialty physician group
- Consumers Energy - Public utility
- Sara Lee Corporation - Baked goods
- Forest Hills Public Schools - Education
- Knoll Inc - Wood and metal office systems
- United Parcel Service - Parcel delivery
- Dematic Corp - Material handling systems, management information and control systems
- Avionics Systems
- Kellogg Co - Cookies and crackers
The significant nonagricultural employment segments are shown below:
- Manufacturing
- Trade, transportation and utilities
- Professional and business services
- Educational and health services
- Government
- Leisure and hospitality
- Finance
Notable data about Grand Rapids, Michigan: The estimated median household income in Grand Rapids in 2007 was $38,000. Approximately 24% of the adult residents have achieved a bachelor's degree or higher. The cost of living index in the city in 2008 was 81.3. The nation's average is 100.
Grand Rapids' businesses have opportunities to team up with useful organizations such as:
- Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
- City of Grand Rapids Economic Development
- Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
The Grand Rapids Business Journal includes information regarding the local economy and the business community.