Muskegon Market Report

New Innovations Hub In Muskegon

Grand Valley State Universitygvsu is opening a business innovation center in downtown Muskegon. This new space will help build and launch innovative businesses throughout the region.

The Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley, formerly the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, will provide all types of business support services for entrepreneurs, start ups and growing businesses. The new co-working space, named CoLaunch, is specifically designed to create a community where entrepreneurs and start ups can work in a collaborative environment as they build their businesses. CoLaunch will be available on a drop-in or month-to-month subscription basis and will provide a wide variety of amenities.

The Muskegon Innovation Hub is customer-service oriented and offers a highly personalized experience for each tenant. The Hub has experts available to help with product development, technology, product commercialization, entrepreneurship, business planningand modeling, and more. Tenants also have access to in-house expertise from the Michigan Small Business Development Center, as well as other business resource partners.

The Muskegon Innovation Hub will hold a community open house on June 20 from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

 

Muskegon County Airport Welcomes New Manager!

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Jeffrey S. Tripp
Airport Manager

The Muskegon County Airport welcomed Jeffrey S. Tripp as its new Airport Manager.  Tripp has been involved in Airport Management since 1996 performing the full-range of business functions necessary to operate, develop and maintain commercial service and general aviation airports.

He worked his way up the ranks of the airport management field in Arizona at the Prescott Airport, the Scottsdale Airport and the Mesa-Falcon Field Airport. He most recently served as the Airport Director in Redmond, Oregon.

In 2014, Tripp was named “Airport Executive of the Year” by Arizona Airports Association, and the Prescott Airport received “Airport of the Year” honors from the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division.

“I am happy to be in Muskegon and look forward to the opportunity to engage with the business and tourism communities to enhance air service opportunities, attract new business to the airport and airport business park,” Tripp said.

 

$1.1 million Waterfront Development Investments

boatThere is a lot going on in downtown Muskegon, including many projects focused on developing downtown waterfront parks. These projects amount to roughly $1.1 million in investments. Some of these projects include a new Rotary Park, some upgrades to the dock where the cruise ships will be stopping, a new ticket booth and some electric and water upgrades at Heritage Landing.

Rotary Park totals roughly $710,000, which is more than half of the total money invested. This includes a handicap accessible playground, fishing bridge and a kayak launch.

The Cruise Ship dock at Heritage Landing totals about $243,000 and will provide cruise ships a beautiful place to dock during their 10 plus visits this summer.

The ticket booth upgrade and water and electric upgrades total roughly $208,849 and will help to improve Heritage Landing. Both projects are expected to be completed by June 30.

There are many projects being looked at for future possibilities, but they are currently in the fundraising and early planning phases.