![]() The philanthropic investment in Gary is nothing to write home about, and today, Gary’s population is 69,000 and DECREASING by over 10% annually. I’ll leave you with this fun little stat:įrom 1970-1980, Grand Rapids experience an 8% DECREASE in total population - from ~198,000 to ~181,000 (bad times mentioned above.) Enter billionaire money and investments, and today, the population is 202,000 ABOVE the previous high in the late 60s - and GR is growing significantly!Ĭompare to Gary - population in the late 60s/early 70s was close to 170,000. Had those two families chose to spend their money elsewhere (whether it was for the purpose of genuine philanthropy or tax write offs and selfish reasons - doesn’t really matter), Grand Rapids would look a hell of a lot more like Gary, Indiana or Flint. And these a just a fraction of the total amount of cash pumped into the city to save it. Then DeVos starts pumping money into the Medical Mile and suddenly Grand Rapids is on the rebound. Sports event in Grand Rapids, MI by WWE and Van Andel Arena on Monday, Februwith 425 people interested and 205 people going. Restaurants start popping up around the arena to accommodate the demand, and bars to keep them downtown longer. It gave West Michiganders a legitimate reason to come downtown outside of work. ![]() ![]() The ripples of change really started when Van Andels started pumping their cash into the Amway Grand and Van Andel Arena in the 90s. Book direct at the Sleep Inn & Suites hotel in Allendale, MI near Grand Valley State University and Lake Michigan. She’s told stories about how back then there was McKay Tower and Pantland Hotel - everything else in Grand Rapids was a run down building, abandoned home, or crumbling furniture factory. My mother remembers coming downtown for her senior prom in the 80s at the 1917 room in the Pantland Hotel. I wasn’t around in the 70s or 80s, but from what I hear, GR was a pretty grim place. I’m also not claiming that Grand Rapids is the best or perfect city. Now - I’m not saying that the DeVos and Van Andel are perfect, nor am I making a commentary on their religious beliefs, political agendas, or personal positions. This city would be a shell of what it is today if not for them! If you live in Grand Rapids and/or you enjoy the city’s amenities - you have the DeVos and Van Andel families to thank for that. I see a ton of DeVos/Van Andel flak on this sub often, so I just wanted to throw my hot take out there to get some conversation going!
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