Regions
Newaygo County
A rural West Michigan community rife with natural resources and strong agricultural and manufacturing sectors
Located just 35 miles outside of Grand Rapids, Newaygo County is a rural West Michigan community known first and foremost for its abundance of natural resources, including pure rivers, lakes, and thousands of acres of national forest. Whatever your outdoor activity of choice is, Newaygo County has it covered with hundreds of miles of trails, ORV/ATV friendly roads, 234 lakes, and two rivers, offering more than 350 miles of adventure for every season.
Home to nearly 50,000 residents, Newaygo County provides plenty of opportunity for innovation. The community supports a diverse array of companies, from global manufacturers like HarbisonWalker International and Magna Mirrors, to small entrepreneurs looking to bring their ideas to life. As the birthplace of Gerber Baby Food, Newaygo County's roots began in food processing, and have since expanded to encompass a competitive and diversified business community. The County now touts a well-balanced economic profile that includes advanced manufacturing, food processing and professional services.
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Newaygo County Economic Profile
Find a detailed economic profile of Newaygo County including population growth rates, top industries, top occupations, educational attainment and more.
View the Latest Annual Report
A Partnership for Growth and Prosperity
Over the years, The Right Place has collaborated with community leaders in Newaygo County to ensure long-term job creation, investment, and overall economic prosperity for the county. This partnership was amplified in 2022 with the establishment of the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership. Our team at The Right Place continues to work with Newaygo County businesses, connecting them with the tools, resources, and support they need to continue growing locally.
Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership
Advisory Board
John Buckley – Chair
President, Gerber Federal Credit Union
Jon Schneider – Vice Chair
City Manager, City of Newaygo
Shelly Kasprzycki
President, Fremont Area Community Foundation
Kevin Karrip
Vice President, G-M Wood Products
Mike Kruithoff
Newaygo County Commissioner
Owner, Kruithoff Electric
Newaygo County Economic Development Success 2015-2022
A cumulative total of economic development success metrics since the formation of The Right Place's partnership with Newaygo County.
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Julie Burrell
Senior Economic Development Director - Newaygo CountyJulie serves as the Senior Economic Development Director for the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership. In this role, she provides business support services to companies in Newaygo County.
Upcoming Events
Newaygo County Economic Outlook 2025
Please join the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership for our annual economic forecast, featuring Dr. Paul Isely.