WKTV Staff
West Michigan economic development organization The Right Place, Inc. has been named as a recipient of the 2019 Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selection Magazine. The Right Place joined peer agencies from 19 other markets across the country in being recognized for its 2018 economic development efforts.
The Mac Conway Awards are named after Site Selection Magazine and Conway, Inc. founder, McKinley “Mac” Conway, who was recognized throughout the industry as an icon in economic development throughout his career.
The award is designed to recognize top local and regional economic development agencies throughout the U.S. for their work in developing prospering communities. The criteria for selection is based off of an index examining corporate facility investment projects for the prior year. Scores are determined based on total projects, total investment associated with those projects, and jobs associated with those projects, as well as the per capita calculation of those metrics.
“On behalf of The Right Place Board of Directors and our team, we are honored to receive this national recognition,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “We have always been a results-driven organization. Being recognized as a top performer nationwide is a testament to both that drive and the hard work of our team to strengthen the Grand Rapids regional economy.”
In 2018, The Right Place completed 29 economic development projects in the West Michigan region, resulting in 2,155 new and retained jobs. Its business development team also met with hundreds of local businesses in its core industries, including manufacturing, food processing, IT, life sciences, and aerospace and defense. A recap of 2018 highlights from The Right Place can be found at rightplacereport.org.
Click here to learn more about the Mac Conway Awards on the Site Selection Magazine website.
