City of Grand Rapids
Downtown skyline
Flag Seal
Nickname: "Furniture City"
Location of Grand Rapids within Kent County, Michigan
Coordinates: 42°57′40.5″N 85°39′20.59″W / 42.96125, -85.6557194
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Kent
Founded	1826
Incorporation	1850
Government
- Type	City Commission-Manager
- Mayor	George Heartwell
- City Manager	Kurt Kimball
Area
- City	45.3 sq mi (117.4 km²)
- Land	44.6 sq mi (115.6 km²)
- Water	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Elevation	640 ft (242 m)
Population (2000)
- City	197,800
- Density	4,434/sq mi (1,710.8/km²)
- Urban	776,742
- Metro	1,323,095
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
FIPS code	26-34000[1]
GNIS feature ID	0627105[2]
Website: www.grcity.us

Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 197,800. The Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had a population of 776,742, while the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland Combined Statistical Area (CSA) had a population of 1,323,095 as of the 2007 census estimate.^[3] It is the county seat of Kent County, Michigan.^[4] It is the second largest city in the state and one of the the principal cities in West Michigan. Grand Rapids is the name of several places: In Canada: Grand Rapids, Manitoba In the United States: Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids, Minnesota Grand Rapids, Ohio Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, former name of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 596 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Flag of Grand Rapids, Michigan File links The following pages link to this file: Grand Rapids, Michigan Categories: Flag images ... Image File history File links Grand_Rapids_MI_Seal. ... // A nickname is a name of an entity or thing that is not its proper name. ... Image File history File links Kent_County_Michigan_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Grand_Rapids_Highlighted. ... Kent County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... 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Kent County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Western Michigan, also known as West Michigan, is a region of the U.S. State of Michigan. ...

History

Pearl Street, located downtown, c.1885

Over 2,000 years ago, people associated with the Hopewell culture occupied the Grand River Valley. Around 1700 A.D., the Ottawa Indians moved into the area and founded several villages along the Grand River. Hopewell mounds from the Mound City Group in Ohio Hopewell culture is the term used to describe common aspects of the Native American culture that flourished along rivers in the northeastern and midwestern United States from 200 BC to 400 A.D. At its greatest extent, Hopewell culture stretched from... The Ottawa (also Odawa or Odaawa) are a Native American people. ... Pedestrian bridge over the Grand River in downtown Lansing The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...

The Grand Rapids area was first settled by Europeans near the start of the 19th century by missionaries and fur traders. They generally lived in reasonable peace alongside the Ottawa tribespeople, with whom they traded their European metal and textile goods for fur pelts. Joseph and Madeline La Framboise established the first Indian/European trading post in West Michigan, and in present Grand Rapids, on the banks of the Grand River near what is now Ada. After the death of her husband in 1806, Madeline La Framboise carried on, expanding fur trading posts to the west and north. La Framboise, whose ancestry was a mix of French and Indian, later merged her successful operations with the American Fur Company. She retired, at age 41, to Mackinac Island. The first permanent white settler in the Grand Rapids area was a Baptist minister named Isaac McCoy who arrived in 1825. For other uses, see Missionary (disambiguation). ... An Alberta fur trader in the 1890s. ... The Ottawa (also Odawa or Odaawa) are a Native American people. ... Madeline La Framboise (1780-1846), of mixed French and Native American descent, was one of the most successful fur traders in the Northwest Territory. ... Western Michigan, also known as West Michigan, is a region of the U.S. State of Michigan. ... Ada Township is a township located in Kent County, Michigan, United States. ... The American Fur Company was founded by John Jacob Astor in 1808. ... Mackinac Island (pronounced or MACK-in-aw) is an island covering 3. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is... Isaac McCoy (June 13, 1784-1845) was a Baptist missionary to mid-western Native Americans in the United States in the early 19th Century. ...

In 1826 Detroit-born Louis Campau, the official founder of Grand Rapids, built his cabin, trading post, and blackmith shop on the east bank of the Grand River near the rapids. Campau returned to Detroit, then came back a year later with his wife and $5,000 of trade goods to trade with the native tribes. In 1831 the federal survey of the Northwest Territory reached the Grand River and set the boundaries for Kent County, named after prominent New York jurist James Kent. Campau became perhaps the most important settler when, in 1831, he bought 72 acres (291,000 m²) of what is now the entire downtown business district of Grand Rapids. He purchased it from the federal government for $90 and named his tract Grand Rapids. Rival Lucius Lyon, who purchased the rest of the prime land, called his the Village of Kent. Yankee immigrants and others began immigrating from New York and New England in the 1830s. Louis Campau (August 11, 1791–April 13, 1871) was an important figure in the early settlement of two important Michigan cities. ... Detroit redirects here. ... James Kent (1763-1847) James Kent (July 31, 1763–December 12, 1847), American jurist and legal scholar, was born at New York. ... Lucius Lyon (February 26, 1800–September 24, 1851) was a U.S. statesman from the state of Michigan. ... For the Major League Baseball team, see New York Yankees. ... This article is about the state. ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ...

In 1836 John Ball, representing a group of New York land speculators, bypassed Detroit for a better deal in Grand Rapids. Ball declared the Grand River valley "the promised land, or at least the most promising one for my operations." John Ball (November 12, 1794–February 5, 1884) was born at Tenny Hill, Grafton County, New Hampshire. ...

By 1838, the settlement had incorporated itself as a village, and encompassed an area of approximately three-quarters of a mile (1 km) . The first formal census occurred in 1845, which announced a population of 1,510 and recorded an area of four square miles. The city of Grand Rapids was officially created on May 1, 1850, when the village of Grand Rapids voted to accept the proposed city charter. The population at the time was 2,686. By 1857, the city of Grand Rapids' boundary totaled 10.5 square miles (27 km²). is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the game, see: 1850 (board game) 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Grand Rapids was also an early participant in the automobile industry, serving as home to the Austin Automobile Company from 1901 until 1921. Automakers are companies that produce automobiles. ... The Austin Automobile Co, Grand Rapids, Michigan, operated from 1901 to 1921. ...

1915 panorama

2008 panorama

The Seventh Census of the United States, conducted by the Bureau of the Census, determined the resident population of the United States to be 23,191,876 — an increase of 35. ... The United States Census of 1860 was the eighth Census conducted in the United States. ... The Ninth United States Census was taken in 1870. ... 1880 US Census The United States Census of 1880 was the tenth United States Census. ... The Eleventh United States Census was taken June 1, 1890. ... 1900 US Census The Twelfth United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 76,212,168, an increase of 21. ... The Thirteenth United States Census was taken in 1910. ... The Fourteenth United States Census was taken in 1920. ... The Fifteenth United States Census was taken in 1930. ... The Sixteenth United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 132,164,569, an increase of 7. ... The Seventeenth United States Census was taken in 1950. ... The Eighteenth United States Census was taken in 1960. ... The Nineteenth United States Census was taken in 1970. ... The Twentieth United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 226,545,805, an increase of 11. ... The Twenty-first United States Census, conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 248,709,873, an increase of 9. ... 2000 US Census logo The Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13. ...

Transportation History

The first improved road into the city was completed in 1855. This road was a private, toll plank road from Kalamazoo through Wayland, and was a primary route for freight and passengers until about 1868. This road connected to the outside world via the Michigan Central Railroad at Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo redirects here. ... Wayland is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Michigan Central Railroad operated in the states of Michigan, Indiana, Ontario, and Illinois in the United Statesand Canada. ...

The first railroad into the city was the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, which commenced service in 1858. In 1869 the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad connected to the city. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, sometimes referred to as the Lake Shore, was a railroad that operated in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois primarily along the south shore of Lake Erie and across northern Indiana from Buffalo to Chicago. ...

The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad began passenger and freight service to Cedar Springs, Michigan on December 25, 1867 and to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1870. This railroad expanded service to Muskegon in 1886. The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Company at its height provided passenger and freight railroad services between Cincinnati, Ohio and the Straits of Mackinac. ... Cedar Springs is a city located in Kent County, Michigan, United States, 20 minutes north of Michigans second largest city, Grand Rapids. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The Grand Rapids, Newaygo and Lake Shore Railroad completed a line to White Cloud in 1875, White Cloud is a city located in Newaygo County, Michigan. ...

In 1888 the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad connected with Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids was a home to one of the first regularly scheduled passenger airline in the United States when Stout Air Services began flights from Grand Rapids to Detroit (actually Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan) on July 31, 1926. Detroit redirects here. ... Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan was one of the first modern airports in the world. ... Location in Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Government  - Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Nowadays, The Rapid provides public transportation with several regular and special routes throughout the greater metro area. There are plans in the works to add more express routes, secondary stations, a streetcar and dedicated (exclusive) highway lanes.

Furniture City

During the second half of the 19th century, the city became a major lumbering center and the premier furniture manufacturing city of the United States. For this reason it was nicknamed "Furniture City". After an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Grand Rapids became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture. National home furnishing markets were held in Grand Rapids for about 75 years, concluding in the 1960s. Today, Grand Rapids is considered a world leader in the production of office furniture. Timber in storage for later processing at a sawmill roni Lumber or timber is a term used to describe wood, either standing or that has been processed for use — from the time trees are felled, to its end product as a material suitable for industrial use — as structural material for... For the UK band, see Furniture (band). ...

In 1880, the country's first hydro-electric generator was put to use on the city's west side^[5]. At the turn of the twentieth century, the people of Grand Rapids numbered 82,565. In 1916, the citizens of Grand Rapids voted to adopt a home rule charter that abolished the old aldermanic systems and replaced it with a commission-manager form of government, one of the first in the country. That 1916 Charter, although amended several times, is still in effect.

In 1945, Grand Rapids became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water. This article needs cleanup. ...

Downtown Grand Rapids used to host four department stores: Herpolsheimer's (Lazarus in 1987), Jacobson's, Steketee's (founded in 1862), and Wurzburg's. Like most downtown regional department stores, they suffered the same fate of falling sales, caused largely by the flight to the suburbs, and consolidation in the 1980s and 1990s. F&R Lazarus & Company (commonly known as Lazarus) was a regional department store retail chain primarily in the U.S. Midwest, based in Columbus, Ohio, which operated until March 6, 2005. ... Jacobson Stores was a regional department store chain that thrived primarily in Michigan and Florida, but also had stores in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Kansas. ... Paul Steketee and Sons, otherwise known as Steketees, was a department store company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ...

Geography and climate

The Grand River

Grand Rapids sits on the banks of the Grand River, where there was once a set of rapids, at an altitude of 610 feet (186 m) above sea level. It is approximately 30 miles (50 km) east of Lake Michigan. The state capital of Lansing lies about 60 miles (100 km) to the east-by-southeast, and Kalamazoo is about 50 miles (80 km) to the south. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (630x1024, 440 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Grand Rapids, Michigan Category: ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (630x1024, 440 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Grand Rapids, Michigan Category: ... Pedestrian bridge over the Grand River in downtown Lansing The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Pedestrian bridge over the Grand River in downtown Lansing The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. ... Location in Ingham County, Michigan1 Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Ingham, Eaton Settled 1835 Incorporation 1859 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Virg Bernero (D) Area  - City  35. ... Kalamazoo redirects here. ...

Grand Rapids is divided into four quadrants which form a part of mailing addresses in the city. The quadrants are NE (northeast), NW (northwest), SE (southeast), and SW (southwest). Fulton Street serves as the north-south dividing line, while Division Avenue serve as the east-west dividing line separating these quadrants. Look up Quadrant in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.3 sq mi (117.4 km²). 44.6 sq mi (115.6 km²) of it is land and 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km², 1.50%) of it is water (primarily the Grand River). The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...

Demographics

As of the census of 2000^[6], there were 197,800 people, 73,217 households, and 44,369 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,431.2/sq mi (1,710.8/km²). There were 77,960 housing units at an average density of 1,746.5/sq mi (674.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.30% White American (62.5% non-Hispanic White), 20.41% African American, 0.74% Native American, 1.62% Asian American, 0.12% Pacific Islander American, 6.63% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. 13.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The city had a foreign-born population of 10.5%. Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ... The term white American (often used interchangeably and incorrectly with Caucasian American[2] and within the United States simply white[3]) is an umbrella term that refers to people of European descent residing in the United States. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... An Asian American is a person of Asian ancestry or origin who was born in or is an immigrant to the United States. ... // Demographics in 2000 US Census Pacific Islander Americans represent the smallest group counted on the 2000 US Census. ... Hispanic (Spanish: ; Portuguese: ; Latin: , adjective from Hispānia, the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically denoted relation to the ancient Hispania and its peoples. ... For the Brazilian pop singer, see Latino (singer). ...

There were 73,217 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.24. Matrimony redirects here. ...

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,224, and the median income for a family was $44,224. Males had a median income of $33,050 versus $26,382 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,661. 15.7% of the population and 11.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.4% are under the age of 18 and 10.4% are 65 or older. Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in their country. ...

Government and politics

Like the surrounding counties, the Grand Rapids area has traditionally been a stronghold for the Republican Party, but the city itself leans Democratic. GOP redirects here. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic...

The city is the center of the 3rd Congressional District, represented by Republican Vern Ehlers. Former President Gerald Ford represented the district from 1949 to 1974. Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Palm Springs, California, and was buried on the grounds of his Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on January 3, 2007. United States House of Representatives, Michigan District 2 is a United States Congressional district in Western Michigan. ... Vernon James Ehlers (born February 6, 1934), American politician, is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 3rd District of Michigan (map). ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Gerald Ford, see Gerald Ford (disambiguation). ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Grand Rapids (including the suburbs of Ada, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Grandville, Walker, and Kentwood) also serves as the home business base of one of the largest past political funders of the national Republican Party, Richard and Helen De Vos, and former Ambassador to Italy, Peter Secchia. Peter F. Secchia, (born 15 April 1937), is an Italian-American diplomat and businessman. ...

However, despite Grand Rapids' reputation for conservatism, the city tends to elect Democrats. Both of its representatives in the Michigan State House of Representatives are Democrats, and in the past two presidential elections Democratic candidates Al Gore and John Kerry won the majority of votes in the city of Grand Rapids. (The city itself hasn't elected a Republican candidate for President since George H W Bush in 1988.) Cora B. Anderson House of Representatives Office Building, Downtown Lansing The Michigan State House of Representatives is the lower body of the Michigan Legislature. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... This article is about the former Vice President of the United States. ... John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from Massachusetts, in his fourth term of office. ... Order: 41st President Term of Office: January 20, 1989–January 20, 1993 Preceded by: Ronald Reagan Succeeded by: Bill Clinton Date of birth: June 12, 1924 Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts Date of death: Place of death: First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush Political party: Republican Vice President: Dan Quayle George...

Commission-Manager plan

Under Michigan law, Grand Rapids is a home rule city and adopted a city charter in 1916 providing for the Commission-Manager form of municipal government. Under this system, the political responsibilities are divided between an elected City Commission and a hired full-time City Manager. Two part-time Commissioners are elected to four-year terms from each of three wards, with half of these seats up for election every two years. The part-time Mayor is elected every four years by the city at large, and serves as chair of the Commission, with a vote equal to that of a Commissioner. The races—held in odd-numbered years—are formally non-partisan, although the party and other political affiliations of candidates do sometimes come up during the campaign period. The Commission sets policy for the city, and is responsible for hiring the City Manager and other appointed officials [2]. The Home Rule Cities Act was enacted by the Michigan Legislature as Public Act 279 of 1909. ... The council-manager government is one of two main variations of representative municipal government in the United States. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Local government of the United States. ...

Mayor

George Heartwell was elected mayor of Grand Rapids after long-serving mayor John H. Logie declined to run for re-election in 2003. Logie felt the position should be made full-time, but to avoid the question becoming a referendum on whether he should hold the job full-time, he announced that he would not run for re-election. The voters decided to keep the position part-time, and Heartwell was elected. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

Heartwell assumed office on January 1, 2004. Prior to being mayor, Heartwell was a City Commissioner for the third ward, 1992-1999. Heartwell currently serves as President and CEO of Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community. He was Director of the Community Leadership Institute at Aquinas College, where he also was a professor in the Community Leadership undergraduate study program. Mayor Heartwell is an ordained minister for the United Church of Christ, and served for 14 years at Heartside Ministry, a program for the homeless in Grand Rapids. He was previously the president of Heartwell Mortgage Corporation [3]. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Aquinas College logo Aquinas College, located on a 107-acre campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective. ... Disambiguation: This article is about the United States denomination known as United Church of Christ. ...

In August, 2007, Mayor Heartwell was re-elected to a second mayoral term in Grand Rapids. He won the primary election with 51% of the vote.

See also: List of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan

This is a list of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan: H. R. Williams, 1850 Ralph W. Cole, 1851 William H. Withey, 1852 Thomas B. Church, 1853 Wilder D. Foster, 1854 Charles Shepard, 1855 John M. Fox, 1856 William T. Powers, 1857 Gilbert M. McCray, 1858 George K. Johnson, 1859 Martin...

Economy

Grand Rapids has long been a center for furniture and automobile manufacturing; however, the presence of both industries has declined in the region along with manufacturing in general. American Seating, Steelcase and Herman Miller, major manufacturers of office furniture, are based in the Grand Rapids area. For the UK band, see Furniture (band). ... Car redirects here. ... Manufacturing (from Latin manu factura, making by hand) is the use of tools and labor to make things for use or sale. ... American Seating Inc. ... Steelcase (NYSE: SCS) is an international office furniture company. ... This article is about the American manufacturer of office furniture and equipment. ...

In 1880, Sligh Furniture Company started manufacturing furniture.^[7] In 1881, the Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA) was organized in Grand Rapids, it was apparently the first furniture manufacturing advocacy group in the country.^[8] Also Since 1912, Kindel Furniture Company,^[9] and since 1922, the Hekman/Woodmark Furniture Company,^[10] have been designing and manufacturing traditional American furniture in Grand Rapids. All of these companies are still producing furniture today.

More recently the city has had some success in developing and attracting businesses focusing on the health sciences, with facilities such as the Van Andel Research Institute (primarily focused on cancer research), Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (undergraduate and graduate medical programs, doctorate program in Physical Therapy), and Michigan State University's planned medical school, adjacent to GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center and Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital.This year, several million dollars will be spent on new hospitals (including the Spectrum Health Cancer Pavilion and the Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital), medical research centers and health facilities. Most of these facilities are based on Michigan Avenue medical corridor, and is commonly known as "Medical Mile". Employment opportunities thrive and the growth has developed specialized health science employment groups to facilitate the influx, such as the Medical Mile Group. Health Sciences are the group of disciplines of applied science dealing with human and animal health. ... Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is an American university located in Allendale, Michigan. ... Michigan State University (MSU) is a co-educational public research university in East Lansing, Michigan USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act. ... The Grand Rapids Medical Corridor is around a mile of medical related development in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that borders both sides of Michigan Street. ...

The Grand Rapids area is also home to a number of well known companies that include; Alticor/Amway (a consumer goods manufacturer and distributor), Foremost Insurance Company (a specialty lines insurance company), Meijer (a Supercenter chain), GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Industries, an Aerospace products company), Wolverine World Wide (a designer and manufacturer of shoes, boots and clothing), MC Sports, Inc. (a regional sports retail chain) and Universal Forest Products (a building materials company). Alticor is a privately-held corporation, owned by members of the DeVos and Van Andel families. ... Headquarters in Ada, Michigan Amway is a multi-level marketing, or network marketing, company founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos. ... For other uses, see Meijer (disambiguation). ... Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ... Smiths Group is a British engineering company involved in wide-ranging speciality engineering activities. ... Look up aerospace in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Wolverine World Wide logo. ... This article is under construction. ...

The city is also known as a center of Christian publishing, home to Zondervan, Baker Books, Kregel Publications, and Eerdmans Publishing. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Publishing (disambiguation). ... Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company, one of the four businesses founded by Dutch-Americans that have made Grand Rapids, Michigan into the USAs Christian Publishing Capital, alongside Eerdmans, Baker Books, and Kregel. ... Baker Book House is a Christian book publisher based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ... Wm. ...

The surrounding area is noted for its fruit production. Due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan the climate is considered prime for apple, peach, and blueberry farming. For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. ... This article is about the fruit. ... Binomial name (L.) Batsch Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... For other uses, see Blueberry (disambiguation). ...

In recent years, the convention business has seen an increase following the construction of the DeVos Place Convention Center. DeVos Place Convention Center DeVos Place Convention Center, erected in 2003 on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a multi-purpose convention center. ...

Education

The Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library

Grand Rapids is home to several colleges and universities. Aquinas College, Calvin College, Grace Bible College, Kuyper College, and Cornerstone University are private, religious schools, each with a campus within the city. Grand Rapids Community College maintains a campus downtown and facilities in other parts of the city and surrounding region. Grand Valley State University continues to develop its presence in the city with an expanding downtown campus, begun in the late 1990s on the west bank of the Grand River. ITT Technical Institute has a variety of technical programs and it continues to grow as they are moving to a new campus later on this year right next door to the new Metro Health Hospital in Wyoming. Ferris State University has a growing campus downtown, including the Applied Technology Center (operated with GRCC) and the prestigious Kendall College of Art and Design. Thomas M. Cooley Law School, a private institution, has a campus in Grand Rapids. Davenport University, a state-wide educational institution, has its main campus in Grand Rapids as well as several satellite locations. Western Michigan University has a long-standing graduate program in the city, with facilities downtown and in the southeast. Clinical Pastoral Education is also offered at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in nearby Cutlerville, Michigan. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x1728, 1801 KB) Summary Copyright (c) 2006 Jesse Scott Munroe. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x1728, 1801 KB) Summary Copyright (c) 2006 Jesse Scott Munroe. ... The Grand Rapids Public Library located in dowtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and also includes seven branch libraries throughout the city. ... Aquinas College logo Aquinas College, located on a 107-acre campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective. ... This article is about a liberal arts college in the United States. ... Kuyper College is a ministry-focused Christian leadership college located in Grand Rapids Charter Township, just northeast of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. ... Cornerstone University is a private, independent, non-denominational Christian liberal arts college located on the east side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. ... Grand Rapids Community College is a college offering an Associates degree, a variety of certification programs, occupational training, and other learning opportunities for the surrounding community. ... Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is an American university located in Allendale, Michigan. ... ITT Technical Institute (often shortened to ITT Tech) is a private, for-profit, nationally accredited technical institute with over 85 campuses in over 30 states of the United States. ... Ferris State University is an institute of higher learning whose main campus is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, in Mecosta County, with a secondary campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and smaller programs located throughout the region. ... Kendall College of Art and Design, of Ferris State University is a college of the visual arts in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. ... Thomas M. Cooley Law School, located in Lansing, Michigan, is the largest law school in the United States. ... Davenport University is a private, non-profit, multi-location university offering masters degrees, bachelors degrees, associates degrees, diplomas, and certification programs in business, technology, health professions, and graduate studies (MBA). ... Western Michigan University (abbr. ... Clinical Pastoral Education is interfaith professional education for ministry. ... Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is a Psychiatric Hospital and mental health treatment facility based primarily in West Michigan. ... Cutlerville is an unincorporated community located in Kent County, Michigan, United States. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

K-12 public education is provided by the Grand Rapids Public Schools as well as a number of charter schools. The Grand Rapids Public Schools is a public education school system covering all of Grand Rapids, MI Category: ... In the United States, a charter school is a school that is created via a legal charter. ...

Grand Rapids is home of the oldest co-educational Catholic high school in the United States, Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan) Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is a Catholic high school located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. ...

As of 2006, there is an active movement among community leaders to have Michigan State University open a new medical school in Grand Rapids.[4]. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will relocate and expand from East Lansing to downtown Grand Rapids. The College of Human Medicine is one of three fully accredited four-year medical schools at MSU, along with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine. On April 21, 2008, the Secchia Center medical education building, a $90 million, seven-story, 180,000-square-foot (17,000 m²) facility, began construction at Michigan Street hill and Division Avenue. Michigan State University (MSU) is a co-educational public research university in East Lansing, Michigan USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act. ...

Culture

The Van Andel Museum Center

Beginning with the installation of Alexander Calder's abstract sculpture La Grande Vitesse (French for "The Grand Rapids"), the very first financially funded project in the United States by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1969, the city has been host to the annual Festival of the Arts downtown since 1970, known to locals simply as Festival. During the first weekend in June, several blocks of downtown surrounding the Calder stabile in Vandenberg Plaza are closed to traffic. Festival features several stages with free live performances, food booths selling a variety of ethnic cuisine, art demonstrations and sales, and other arts-related activities. Organizers bill it as the largest all-volunteer arts festival in the United States, though this is a bit of a misnomer since sound companies and other professionals are paid for their services. Vandenberg Plaza also hosts various ethnic festivals that take place throughout the summer season. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x683, 402 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Grand Rapids, Michigan Public Museum of Grand Rapids Category: ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x683, 402 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Grand Rapids, Michigan Public Museum of Grand Rapids Category: ... For other persons named Alexander Calder, see Alexander Calder (disambiguation). ... The National Endowment for the Arts is a United States federally funded program that offers support and funding for projects that exhibit artistic excellence. ... The Calder Sun, official logo of the Festival The Festival of the Arts, or simply Festival is a three day arts festival in Grand Rapids held on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of June. ... For other persons named Alexander Calder, see Alexander Calder (disambiguation). ... Stabile can refer to a number of different people and things, including: The last name, Stabile, derives from the medieval personal name Stabile, originally from Latin stabilis (meaning firm, constant and/or steadfast). ... Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg (March 22, 1884–April 18, 1951) was a Republican Senator from the state of Michigan who participated in the creation of the United Nations. ... Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg (March 22, 1884–April 18, 1951) was a Republican Senator from the state of Michigan who participated in the creation of the United Nations. ...

Summer concludes with Celebration on the Grand the weekend after Labor Day featuring free concerts, West Michigan's largest fireworks display and food booths. Celebration on the Grand is an all volunteer event to celebrate life in the Grand River valley. Image:Cotgwater. ... This article is about the holiday in the United States. ... Image:Cotgwater. ...

In Grand Rapids in 1973, Main Street America celebrated mainstream art, as the city hosted Sculpture off the Pedestal, an exemplar of public sculpture exhibitions, which assembled 13 world-renowned artists, including Mark di Suvero, John Henry, Kenneth Snelson, Robert Morris, John Mason and Stephen Antonakos, in a