A Portland, Oregon, based manufacturer of sustainable outdoor footwear has announced that it will relocate its headquarters to Grand Rapids.
According to Michigan.gov, the announcement was made last month by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The HOLO Footwear relocation has the support of the Michigan Strategic Fund.
“As HOLO continues to expand, we found that West Michigan is an excellent location for our growth,” Rommel Vega, founder and president of HOLO Footwear, told Michigan.gov. “It’s a fantastic environment for our business, with access to talented designers and people from the footwear industry. We’re excited to get to work to create stylish, responsible and functional outdoor footwear. We’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and the MEDC for their partnership and collaborative support as we invest in our new headquarters and e-commerce facilities.”
According to the release, HOLO will relocate its operations to a move-in ready building located in downtown Grand Rapids by investing $1.5 million of which the Michigan Business Development Program will provide a $250,000 grant based on incentives.
“Today’s investment from HOLO Footwear will create 61 good-paying jobs in West Michigan and help our state’s economy keep putting one foot in front of the other,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) told Michigan.gov. “My administration has been focused on growing our economy, creating jobs and investing in every region of Michigan. HOLO Footwear’s investment in Michigan is possible because of economic development funding authorized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC.”
Whitmer added she would continue working on bipartisan efforts that have helped MEDC bring more jobs to the state, including a $7 billion General Motors investment that will produce 4,000 jobs and a $2 billion Ford investment that will produce 3,200 jobs.
“Since their launch in 2020, HOLO Footwear is continuing to grow at a rapid rate,” The Right Place Vice President of Business Attraction and Project Lead Brent Case told Michigan.gov. “With the strong talent pool and robust economic environment, not to mention the amazing outdoor recreational playground that West Michigan has to offer, we think HOLO Footwear will thrive here in the region.”