Temperature screening at Techno-Coat.

Lakeshore Advantage Report Shows Positive Economic Trends as Local Businesses Return to Work
Lakeshore Advantage polled Allegan and Ottawa county primary employers four times in a seven-week period from April 20-June 3 to gauge business’ immediate needs as they return to work to quantify the impact of COVID-19 and to track economic progress. The report represents responses from 220 business leaders in manufacturing, agriculture, wholesale and professional/scientific industries.

While 72% report operating at half capacity or better, 46% report operatingat 80%+ capacity.

Overall trending downward from 63% to 42% of respondents experiencing weekly revenue decrease greater than 50%.

Read Full Report

Jennifer Owens, president, Lakeshore Advantage, presents the team's increased outreach and impact at a Zeeland Board of Public Works meeting. ZBPW and City of Zeeland doubled their investments in Lakeshore Advantage to ensure focus on region's economy.

Employer Input Leads to Real Time Intervention

The quick poll data and information gathered through over 300 one-on-one interactions with employers laid the foundation for new support, education and training from the Lakeshore Advantage team during COVID-19:

Webinar Series with more than 1,500 attendees.
The team made more than 125 personal protective equipment (PPE) resource connections.
Business resource lakeshoreadvantage.com/covid-19 led to an 825% increase in Lakeshore Advantage web traffic during the pandemic. The online Return to Work toolkit created by Lakeshore Advantage was accessed over 2,700 times.

Applications are open now through July 24 for this 12-week, mentor driven proof-of-concept program for founders of product and/or technology startups who are looking to rapidly test ideas by gathering customer feedback. SURGE Boostcamp runs from Sept 2-Nov 18.

Learn more about SURGE Boostcamp and apply

Recent Bright Spots and News of Note

Celebrating what makes West Michigan a great place to live, work, learn, grow and start a business.

Zeeland-based Precision Dispense Technologies, supported by Hil-Man Automation, celebrates its one-year anniversary.

Holland Bowl Mill at 120 James St. doubles their showroom space with renovation.

BizStream is offering free learn to code and website building courses through BizStream Academy. Registration opens 7/11.

CSM Group created Kid's Construction Zone, an online tool to teach kids about construction.

Custer offers workplace re-engagement services.

GMB leadership shares about their Team of Teams management system in this deep dive video with discussion notes.

See video of Lakewood Construction's latest project: the Grocery Store Outlet in Allegan

Michigan experienced a historical leap as a top state for business according to ChiefExecutive.net's 2020 Best and Worst States For Business citing our diversified economy.

Holland ranks in the Top 5 Best Lake Beach Towns to Live in, according to Wallethub.com.

Thank You, Investors, for Your Increased Investment

City of Zeeland

Zeeland Board of Public Works

Lakeshore Advantage investor support positively impacts the region's economic health. Contact Beth Blanton at beth.blanton@lakeshoreadvantage.com to learn more.

This news and events update was sent to you as a service of Lakeshore Advantage. We send communications on a regular basis to keep you up-to-date on information that may be helpful to you as a West Michigan primary employer. Please direct questions, comments and future submissions to Emily Staley at emily.staley@lakeshoreadvantage.com.

616.772.5226
www.lakeshoreadvantage.com
West Michigan's Business Advantage

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