Grand Rapids, Michigan is situated along the Grand River. The city of Grand rapids is located practically 40 miles east of Lake Michigan and presently supports a population of over 188,040 people based on census numbers. The Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland combined statistical area had a population of 1,321,557 while that very same year, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had around 774,160 people.
The city of Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County and after Detroit it is the 2nd largest city within Michigan State. It is likewise the largest city in West Michigan. The city is home to 5 of the world's top office furniture companies hence has been called "Furniture City." Grand Rapids together with its surrounding communities is economically diverse. Amongst the biggest economic sectors comprise aviation, information technology, and consumer goods manufacturing industries, health care and automotive among others.
Louis Campau was the founding father of Grand Rapids. He was a smart businessman who established a trading post with the Ottawa Indians in the year 1827, and dealt in real estate. More than 2000 years ago, the mound building Hopewell Indian tribe lived within the part of the present city. President Gerald R. Ford hails from the city of Grand Rapids and is the city's most famous son.
The city of Grand Rapids enjoy all 4 seasons with moderate winter and summer temperatures because of lake Michigan. The lake-effect does however contribute to the yearly average snowfall of 64.4 inches. The daily high and low temperatures during July are 60.5 and 82.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The daily low and high temperatures in the month of January are 15.6 and 29.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
This city of Grand Rapids is the home to 3 Fortune 500 Companies, comprising Steelcase, Spartan Stores and Universal Forest Products. Bissell, Inc. is another well known business in the vicinity. Amway's parent company, known as Alticor is likewise located here. There are roughly a dozen colleges and universities located in the area.
The city's manufacturing sector has suffered through a major downturn, though the overall market sector remains strong, specially within the field of office furniture. Among the top furniture manufacturing firms include Herman Miller, Knoll, Haworth, Steelcase and American Seating. There are a variety of companies which likewise make furniture for the home. Other businesses like plastics, automotive parts, chemicals, printing and graphic arts, food processing and industrial machinery likewise offer numerous jobs.
Grand Rapids is known for health and science related companies as well and has the nickname of the "Medical Mile." The city is likewise a center for Christian publishing and home to publishers like for example Kregel Publications, Eerdmans Publishing, Zonervan and Baker Books.
The city of Grand Rapids has become a major convention and vacation destination allowing the tourism industry to grow more important to the city. There are numerous famous concert places in Grand Rapids like for instance Van Andel Arena, the Mixtape Cafe, Orbit Room, the DAAC, the Royce Auditorium, the Deltaplex, Forest Hills Fine Arts Center and DeVos Hall. Founded in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony showcases over 400 performances each and every year.