Grand Rapids nears $1 billion in construction value, sets new record in 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids is on track to close out 2025 with a historic milestone, reporting $949.3 million in total construction value, the highest ever recorded in the City’s history. For comparison, the previous second-highest year was 2024, with a total of $728 million in construction value.
The announcement came during the City’s latest Economic Development Project Team meeting, where officials highlighted the rapid pace of construction activity. They attributed the record-breaking growth to several major developments reshaping the city’s skyline, such as the Amway Stadium and the Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as rising costs for materials and labor.
“This marks five consecutive years of growth in construction value, which is a healthy sign for our economy,” said City Manager Mark Washington. “Our staff is currently keeping pace with the demand for services, but we recognize that proactive investment in City support services will be necessary to sustain this development trajectory.”
Washington also emphasized the broader economic significance of the milestone.
“First of all, I think there are several things to celebrate in this report,” he said. “One is the indication that was shared earlier—almost a billion-dollar investment—signals a strong economy in light of all the fiscal uncertainty we’ve had at the federal level. That story needs to be told often and outside of this room. I’m pleased to hear that this marks our fifth year in a row since the pandemic-shortened year of strong economic recovery.”
Despite a statewide shortage of skilled trades professionals, Grand Rapids has made significant strides in addressing staffing challenges within its Development Center. Jon Overman, development center manager, reported that electrical inspections are now being completed within three days of request, a major improvement from earlier delays.
The City’s progress comes amid a national shortage of certified electrical inspectors, driven by high demand and competitive wages in the private sector. Maintaining timely inspections while ensuring public safety and code compliance remains a top priority.
“We are fortunate to have adopted a robust Community Master Plan, which will serve as an essential roadmap to ensure this historic growth is smart, equitable and sustainable for the long term,” said Kristin Turkelson, City planning director.
Mayor David LaGrand praised the City’s momentum and the collaborative efforts behind the scenes.
“This record-breaking year is a testament to the strength of our community, the resilience of our workforce and the vision we’ve set for Grand Rapids,” LaGrand said. “We’re building more than structures, we’re building opportunity, equity and a future that works for everyone.”
Additional updates shared at the meeting included:
- A $3.3 million investment by the New Community Transformation Fund in eight Grand Rapids-based businesses, focused on supporting underrepresented founders. These investments helped create high-paying jobs, unlock additional capital and drive inclusive economic growth across several sectors. Portfolio companies include Latino- and women-owned startups, with several expanding operations in Grand Rapids and securing contracts with major retailers and institutions.
- Support for 14 local companies through the Urban League and West Michigan Black Business Alliance, which together engaged a network of more than 600 Black-owned businesses. These efforts helped connect businesses to City contracts, technical assistance and registration support, resulting in over $6.7 million in combined revenue and the creation of 36 jobs in 2025.
For more information on development services and inspection timelines, search “Development Center” at grandrapidsmi.gov.
