|
 Forklift Masts Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids is a city located on the Grand River in the State of Michigan in the United States. It lies about forty miles east of Lake Michigan. The population during 2010 was approximately 188,040 according to the census taken that year. The Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland combined statistical area had a population of 1,321,557 while that same year, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had roughly 774,160 residents.
The city serves and the seat for Kent County and is the state's second biggest city and the largest city in West Michigan. Grand Rapids is home to 5 of the globe's top office furniture companies thus has earned the nickname "Furniture City." Grand Rapids along with its neighboring communities is economically diverse. Among the biggest economic sectors include information technology, aviation, and consumer goods manufacturing industries, health care and automotive amongst others.
The founding father of Grand Rapids was Louis Campau, who was an astute businessman. He set up a trading post with the Ottawa Indians in the year 1827, dealing mainly in real estate. Over 2000 years ago, the mound building Hopewell Indian tribe resided in the part of the current Grand Rapids. President Gerald R. Ford hails from Grand Rapids and is the most well-known son of the city.
Grand Rapids enjoys all 4 seasons. Summer and winter temperatures remain moderated due to Lake Michigan. The lake-effect does however contribute to the annual average snowfall of 64.4 inches. The daily high and low temperatures in the month of July are 60.5 and 82.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The daily low and high temperatures during January are 15.6 and 29.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
The city of Grand Rapids is home to 3 Fortune 500 Companies. These companies comprise Steelcase, Spartan Stores and Universal Forest Products. Bissell, Inc. is another popular company within the area. Amway's parent company, called Alticor is also located here. There are roughly a dozen colleges and universities situated in the region.
The manufacturing sector in the city of Grand Rapids has gone through a major decline even though manufacturing still contributes to the economy especially in the field of office furniture. Amongst the famous office furniture manufacturing businesses include Herman Miller, Knoll, American Seating, Steelcase and Haworth. There are various businesses which likewise make residential furniture. Other industries such as plastics, automotive components, chemicals, graphic arts and printing, industrial machinery and food processing likewise offer numerous work.
Grand Rapids is known for health and science related companies as well and has the nickname of the "Medical Mile." The city of Grand Rapids is also a center for Christian publishing and home to publishers such as Eerdmans Publishing, Kregel Publications, Baker Books and Zonervan.
The tourism industry has recently become more important to the city of Grand Rapids as a vacation and convention place. The region is also recognized for its abundant fruit production. There are many popular concert venues in the city such as the Mixtape Café, Van Andel Arena, the DAAC, Orbit Room, the Deltaplex, the Royce Auditorium, DeVos Hall and the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. Founded in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony showcases more than 400 performances on a yearly basis.
| |
