Why West Michigan?
When we think about where to invest, it starts with understanding the fundamentals of a market — growth, demand, and long-term opportunity. For us, West Michigan continues to stand out.
There is consistent economic activity across the region. We’re seeing private investment in downtown Kalamazoo, including new developments that bring energy and activation to the core of the city. At the same time, job growth is expanding across the broader area. In Battle Creek, new manufacturing investment is bringing jobs online. In Covert, the reopening of the power plant is creating additional employment opportunities. Across the region, there is a steady pattern of growth taking shape.
That growth creates pressure — and opportunity.
As jobs increase, the need for housing increases with it. In many of the neighborhoods we focus on, there are still vacant parcels and underutilized properties. There is a clear need for infill development, and an even deeper need for housing that is accessible and affordable to the people who live and work in these communities.
That intersection is what defines the opportunity.
You have job growth on one side.
You have housing need on the other.
And in the middle, you have the ability to step in with the right approach — to bring discipline, partnerships, and long-term thinking to projects that can improve conditions and create something sustainable.
For us, that means leveraging our experience alongside public, private, and philanthropic partners to deliver projects that not only provide housing, but also contribute to the broader fabric of the community. Development, when done responsibly, is not just about buildings. It’s about creating places that support people and strengthen neighborhoods over time.
But our connection to West Michigan goes beyond market fundamentals.
It’s also personal.
My time at Western Michigan University shaped how I think about place and community. It gave me a direct connection to this region and a deeper understanding of what makes it unique. There is a strong sense of responsibility here — a focus on serving others, investing in the people around you, and contributing to something larger than yourself.
That mindset carries through the region.
The people here are committed. They show up for each other. There is a shared belief that growth should be meaningful — that it should benefit the community, not just the balance sheet.
That’s how we approach our work.
We see development as a way to serve — to use our platform, our capital, and our expertise to create opportunities that extend beyond the project itself. That perspective was shaped here, and it continues to guide how we operate.
When you combine strong fundamentals with a clear need, and pair that with a community that values service and long-term impact, the decision becomes straightforward.
That’s why we’re investing in West Michigan.
And that’s why we believe in what this region can become.
