Hispanic-Owned businesses in West Michigan

Many vibrant neighborhoods in West Michigan have large, growing Hispanic populations. In fact, Hispanics are one of the fastest growing segments of West Michigan’s population, due to high immigration and birth rates. According to the U.S. Census, over 94,000 Hispanics lived in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan Counties in 2006 — a little more than 7% of the total population — and that population has doubled since 1994. But the population of Hispanic individuals is not all that is growing. The number and variety of Hispanic-owned or Hispanic-focused businesses in Kent County is also increasing, evidenced by block after block of colorful retail storefronts on south Grandville Avenue (a.k.a. “Cesar E. Chávez Boulevard” for the legendary leader of migrant workers), on the west end of Bridge Street, and on South Division to 44th Street. There you will find an array of stores and services, from accountants and beauty shops to restaurants and supermarkets, most of which appear to be targeted to Spanish-speaking customers

Grand Rapids Economic Forecast 2020

• The Current Business Confidence Index for 2019 is 81.0%, essentially the same as last year. • The Forecast Business Confidence Index for 2020 is 77.5%, a drop from the expectations seen the last few years. • Employment is expected to grow by 0.3% to 0.7% in 2020, an expectation that is less than half the expectation for 2019. • Overall nominal sales are expected to increase by 2.2%-2.8% for 2020, a slowdown from last 2019. • Exports are expected to grow by 1.0% to 5% in 2020, increasing from 2019. • All indicators signal the West Michigan economy will continue to slow heading into 2020, particularly employment growth

The Economic Impact of ArtPrize 2022

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ArtPrize 2022 is estimated to have generated or supported economic benefits for Kent County in the following ways: 753,601 total visitors, with 56% visiting from outside of Kent County. Over 14 states and four countries were represented. The average age of all visitors was 46 years old. 56% of all visitors and 73% of all nonlocal visitors stated that ArtPrize 2022 was their primary reason for visiting Grand Rapids. There were 858,582 total primary visitor days, with 59% coming from nonlocal visitors. These nonlocal visitors spent on average 1.67 days at ArtPrize. Direct spending of all primary visitors was $24.6 million, with nonlocal primary visitors spending$19.3 million. The total economic impact of nonlocal primary visitors is estimated at $24.9 million in economic output supporting 228 jobs. The total economic impact of all primary visitor spending and ArtPrize operational spending is estimated at$34.6 million in economic output supporting 318 jobs. Nonlocal primary visitors generated approximately $70,313 in additional tax revenue for Kent County. Based on their experience at ArtPrize 2022, 86% of the survey respondents said they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to visit Grand Rapids again. 46% of survey respondents have attended ArtPrize at least three times

The Economic Assessment of the 2022 National Cherry Festival

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC IMPACT The 2022 National Cherry Festival is estimated to have generated or supported economic benefits for Grand Traverse County in the following ways: 323,500 total visitors, with 73% visiting from outside of Grand Traverse County. Over 30 states and ten countries were represented. The average age of all visitors was 47 years old. 48% of all visitors and 57% of all nonlocal visitors stated that the National Cherry Festival was their primary reason for visiting Traverse City. There were 155,260 total primary visitor days, with 85% coming from nonlocal visitors. These nonlocal visitors spent on average two days at the festival. Direct spending of all primary visitors was $22.2 million, with nonlocal primary visitors spending$19.3 million. The total economic impact of nonlocal primary visitors is estimated at $25.7 million in economic output supporting 258 jobs. The total economic impact of all primary visitor spending and the festival operational spending is estimated at$33.4 million in economic output supporting 323 jobs. Nonlocal primary visitors generated approximately $143,970 in additional tax revenue for Grand Traverse County. The National Cherry Festival operational spending generated an additional$5,001 in tax revenue for the county. Based on their experience at the National Cherry Festival, 97% of the survey respondents said they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to visit Traverse City again. 84% of survey respondents have visited the National Cherry Festival at least three times. 89% of survey respondents said they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to recommend the National Cherry Festival to a friend and 94% said they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to recommend visiting Traverse City to a friend

The Economic Assessment of the White River (Michigan)

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC IMPACT There were 69,543 visitors to the White River in the past year, with 35,329 visitors coming from outside the local region. The local primary river users visited the river 49.3 times per year and nonlocal primary river users visited the river 14.7 times per year. The nonlocal primary river users averaged $15.84 in spending per person, per day, resulting in$9.0 million in total direct spending. The nonlocal primary river users generated $8.3 million in economic output, adding$4.2 million to the local GDP, and support for 80 jobs. There was $75,539 in additional tax revenue generated by the nonlocal primary river users. Local businesses added$538,000 in economic output, with support for 34 jobs. The total economic impact, including local users and businesses, is valued at $20 million in economic output and support for 223 jobs. The hedonic valuation is estimated at$25.0 millio